Port Adelaide and West Coast have dropped veteran premiership midfielders Josh Carr and Tyson Stenglein ahead of their AFL derbies.

The Power's decision to drop Carr and Stenglein's omission from the Eagles were the notable changes ahead of the West Coast-Fremantle Western Derby on Saturday afternoon and Port's Showdown against Adelaide that night.

Coach Mark Williams said on Wednesday that Carr had been nursing a hip injury, but added the tough onballer had not impressed with his form since returning to the club this year after four years at the Dockers.

Carr was a member of the Power's 2004 premiership team.

The Power also left out Nick Lower and regained Peter Burgoyne and Matt Thomas from suspension, while Adelaide are unchanged.

Stenglein, who played in the Eagles' 2006 premiership side, and Will Schofield made way for Chris Masten and first-gamer Adam Cockie.

Fremantle Matt de Boer for his AFL debut for Rising Star winner Rhys Palmer, out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.

Essendon sprang a selection surprise for Saturday night's away match against Brisbane, calling up Cale Hooker for his first senior game this season.

It was assumed that the Bombers would name Tom Bellchambers in place of David Hille, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the epic Anzac Day win over Collingwood.

Hooker made his senior debut last year and this will be his third AFL game.

"Cale is a flexible player - he can play as a tall back man and is flexible forward as well," assistant coach Gary O'Donnell told the club's website.

"He played a little bit of ruck during pre-season and has recently come off a regular stint at the Bendigo Bombers (in the VFL), where he has been performing consistently."

The combination of good and bad injury news continues for premiers Hawthorn, who welcomed back Brent Guerra and Michael Osborne for Saturday's MCG match against Carlton.

But fellow premiership players Clinton Young is out with a hamstring injury and they omitted Cameron Stokes.

Former Port Adelaide utility Greg Bentley will make his debut for Carlton, taking the place of injured defender Chris Johnson.

North Melbourne onballer Daniel Harris has returned for his first senior game this season.

He and Shannon Watt will replace injured duo Brent Harvey and Lachlan Hansen for Friday night's Etihad Stadium game against Collingwood.

Magpies captain Nick Maxwell and Heath Shaw will return at the expense of Shannon Cox and Tyson Goldsack.

As expected, the Western Bulldogs named Brownlow Medallists Adam Cooney and Jason Akermanis for Sunday's twilight game against unbeaten St Kilda.

The Saints will regain Justin Koschitzke, but Steven King (hamstring) is out of the side.

Sydney are set to welcome back veteran forwards Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin for Sunday's SCG game against Richmond.

Hall has missed two matches with a groin injury and O'Loughlin is back after an ankle injury sidelined him in round 16 last year.

Craig Bird has a back injury and Jesse White is ill.

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