Geelong named young key forward Tom Hawkins and star Steve Johnson to return from injury in a strong squad for Saturday night's NAB Cup semi-final against Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

While the Blues will field a side missing most of their stars, the Cats included a host of big names.

Midfield stars Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel, Cameron Ling, Joel Corey and James Kelly were all in the squad.

Hawkins is set to return after being sidelined since round 16 last year with a foot stress fracture, while Johnson has not played so far in the NAB Cup, also because of a foot injury.

Carlton named an almost second-string outfit, with those missing including skipper Chris Judd, star forward Brendan Fevola, key backman Jarrad Waite and young gun midfielders Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy.

Nick Stevens and Bret Thornton were the only members of the top 10 in the Blues' 2008 best and fairest count included.

Carlton's top draft pick Chris Yarran returned to the squad, after injuring his ankle early in the club's opening pre-season game.

Essendon pulled midfielder Jobe Watson and promising key forwards Jay Neagle and Scott Gumbleton out of their squad for Friday night's semi-final against Collingwood.

The Bombers said they were taking a cautious approach with all three experiencing muscle tightness.

They were replaced by Rhys Magin, John Williams and Michael Quinn.

Injury-plagued Hawthorn named a makeshift squad for Saturday's practice match against Adelaide in Berri.

The Hawks were forced to gain AFL permission to borrow seven players from their VFL affiliate Box Hill to make up numbers given the host of senior players out injured or being rested.

Ruckman Brent Renouf was the one member of last year's premiership side included, after serving a club-imposed suspension.

The Crows will rest midfielder Scott Thompson, but named youngsters Kurt Tippett, Richard Douglas, Patrick Dangerfield and Tony Armstrong for the first time this pre-season.

West Coast will rest ruckman Dean Cox for Saturday's Subiaco clash with Fremantle, while Andrew Embley (knee) and Adam Hunter (shoulder) will again miss with injury.

Star midfielder Daniel Kerr was included despite having been troubled by a virus.

The Dockers included giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy and Michael Johnson, all rested from the side thrashed by North Melbourne last weekend.

Port Adelaide will regain the Burgoyne brothers, Shaun and Peter, for Saturday's practice match against North Melbourne at Princes Park.

Shaun will be playing his first match of the pre-season, after recovering from a hamstring complaint, while Peter returns from a thigh injury.

But former captain Warren Tredrea will miss a second straight game with knee soreness.

The Kangaroos are near full strength, but will rest versatile big man Drew Petrie and left out Corey Jones and Daniel Harris.

They are also missing the injured Daniel Pratt and Jesse Smith.

The Western Bulldogs included reigning Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney for the first time this year for their practice match against Sydney at Rouse Hill.

The Dogs are missing Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross, Daniel Giansiracusa and Nathan Eagleton.

The Swans named a near full-strength side, with Leo Barry and Michael O'Loughlin, both recovering from injury, the notable omissions.

Defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson was named for his first game of the year.

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