Collingwood forwards Anthony Rocca and Paul Medhurst remain in doubt for the Anzac Day AFL clash with Essendon despite being named in the Magpies' line-up.

Rocca and Medhurst were included in the 22 the Pies named on Thursday night for the traditional clash against the Bombers at the MCG on Saturday.

But coach Mick Malthouse admitted both players remained under a cloud after sustaining knocks in last weekend's match against Brisbane.

Rocca copped a heavy knee in the back from Lions defender Daniel Merrett in his first game back following half a season on the sidelines.

Medhurst suffered concussion, and both will be scrutinised at Pies training on Friday before they are cleared to play.

Rocca managed only eight matches in an injury-interrupted 2008, and was obviously short of match fitness against the Lions.

"We've got to take that into consideration and we knew that by playing him last week he may not be able to come up this week," Malthouse said on Thursday.

"I don't think anyone is a definite until they train tomorrow."

Their withdrawal would lengthen the Pies' list of unavailable stars, with experienced defenders Heath Shaw (hamstring) and Ben Johnson (broken leg) and skipper Nick Maxwell (suspended) also missing for the best-attended home-and-away match of the year.

Meanwhile, winless Richmond have wielded the selection axe, dropping three players including out-of-form ruckman Troy Simmonds for their clash with North Melbourne on Saturday night.

Forward Nathan Brown will also miss the match with a groin injury.

But midfielder Mark Coughlan has been named for his first AFL match in three seasons after a long battle with knee and hamstring injuries.

Adam Pattison, Richard Tambling and Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls have also been promoted.

Simmonds, Tom Hislop and Daniel Connors have paid the price for the Tigers' disappointing eight-point loss to Melbourne last weekend.

North have recalled forward Aaron Edwards for his first match of the season following a club-imposed suspension for driving offences.

Carlton have included ball magnets Heath Scotland and Andrew Carrazzo in an effort to break their two-match losing streak against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Port Adelaide skipper Domenic Cassisi will return from suspension for his side's important clash with unbeaten St Kilda at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Melbourne skipper James McDonald has been named to return from a hamstring injury against Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.

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