Hawthorn's horror run with injuries has claimed its biggest casualty, with Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge out for up to four AFL games.

Collingwood's injury woes also intensified, as big guns Josh Fraser, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas and Anthony Rocca will all miss Sunday's clash with rival Carlton because of injuries suffered in last Monday night's loss to St Kilda.

Up to now, defender Trent Croad was the most important player the Hawks were missing in their premiership defence.

But they will be without their defensive general for some time, including Friday night's crucial game against Fremantle at Subiaco, where the Hawks will aim to square their ledger to 4-4.

"He probably needs anywhere from two to four weeks off, he's carried an adductor injury for the best part of the last month," coach Alastair Clarkson said on Thursday of Hodge.

"He's such a competitive bull and he wanted to do the right thing by the team, because we had so many other defenders out.

"He tried to get through and for two or three games he managed it really well, but last week from very early on (against Essendon) it was evident that he'd lost that turn of speed he needs to be at his best.

"He's better off having a spell for a little while and then we get him back and hopefully have a really good second half of the year."

Hawthorn named Brent Guerra and Jarryd Morton to return, Chance Bateman kept his place despite calf soreness, but Cameron Stokes (hamstring) was also forced out.

Fremantle's only change to the side that beat Carlton was to bring Greg Broughton in for the omitted Luke Pratt.

Collingwood could not consider Fraser (knee), Cloke (hamstring), Thomas (knee) and Rocca (groin) and dropped Danny Stanley, which meant eight players were recalled into the squad.

Forwards Paul Medhurst and John Anthony are back from an ankle problem and suspension respectively, midfielders Leon Davis (abdominal) and Dayne Beams (groin) are also fit, and ruckman Cameron Wood and fringe players Shannon Cox, Ryan Cook and Ben Reid were included.

Carlton, in contrast, are unchanged.

North Melbourne's joy at having midfielder Jack Ziebell named Rising Star nominee for round seven was tempered by a thigh injury, and the Kangaroos do not want to risk him against Geelong (unchanged) on Saturday.

Forward Matt Campbell (hamstring) and backman Shannon Watt (dropped) made way for the returns of Brady Rawlings, Gavin Urquhart and first-gamer Sam Wright.

The two players injured in last Saturday's collision at the MCG, the Brisbane Lions' Troy Selwood and Richmond's Alex Rance, will both sit out games.

Selwood will miss Saturday night's game against Adelaide (unchanged) through concussion, while Rance will miss Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide, and probably two more games after surgery to repair three facial fractures.

Richmond also dropped Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls and Jay Schulz and brought Nathan Brown, Trent Cotchin, Mitch Morton, Kayne Pettifer, Andrew Raines and Will Thursfield into the squad.

Cotchin and Pettifer are yet to play this season.

The Western Bulldogs are unchanged for Saturday's game against Melbourne, but the Demons will be without Jared Rivers (ankle) and James Frawley (thigh), although Matthew Whelan will play his first game of the campaign.

West Coast lost midfielder Daniel Kerr (groin) and the versatile Adam Hunter (shoulder) for Saturday night's game against Sydney.

Sydney dropped Nick Malceski, Mike Pyke and Kristin Thornton after the heavy defeat to Geelong and replaced them with Luke Ablett, Craig Bird and Jesse White.

Essendon and St Kilda named expanded squads for Sunday's twilight game.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP