A rare injury to Craig Bolton will deny Sydney of one of their best defenders for Saturday night's crunch AFL game against Collingwood at ANZ Stadium.

Bolton wrenched a knee late in the round 11 loss to Hawthorn, but despite last weekend off, could not overcome the problem and was ruled out of the game, which the Swans must win if they are to move back into eight.

Bolton has only missed one other game in his seven seasons at Sydney, in round nine of 2006, when he won All-Australian honours.

Sydney are hopeful he will return to play Adelaide in round 13.

Bolton was one of three changes, as Amon Buchanan and Nick Malceski were dropped after the defeat to the Hawks.

Recalls Ed Barlow, Nick Smith and Kristin Thornton were all named on the bench.

Seventh-placed Collingwood kept the same side that beat Melbourne on the Queen's Birthday holiday, as forward Paul Medhurst could not break into the side despite overcoming the ankle injury he suffered in round six.

Medhurst was named an emergency, while big defender Nathan Brown was named despite straining a knee against the Demons.

Essendon regained 500 games worth of experience through the returns of fullback Dustin Fletcher and midfielders Andrew Welsh and Jason Winderlich to play bottom side Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Fletcher will play his first game since he fractured a bone in his lower leg in round six, Welsh will play his first for the season after he broke his ankle during the pre-season and Winderlich missed the round 11 loss to Adelaide through an ankle injury.

The trio returned at the expense of Bachar Houli (virus) and Jay Neagle and David Zaharakis, who were omitted.

The Demons made six changes after the Queen's Birthday debacle, but captain James McDonald (knee), ill pair Matthew Warnock and Nathan Jones, and Mark Jamar (quad) were all forced out, and Addam (Addam) Maric and Daniel Bell were dropped.

Small forward Liam Jurrah will make his debut, while Brad Miller, Clint Bartram, Jamie Bennell, Stefan Martin and Neville Jetta return.

The comebacks of midfielder Joel Corey and defender Harry Taylor from injury strengthened unbeaten Geelong ahead of their clash against Fremantle at Subiaco on Sunday.

Corey returned from a foot problem and Taylor an ankle to boost the Cats, who are aiming for a record 12th successive win interstate, and 12th straight to start 2009.

Simon Hogan, Max Rooke and David Johnson were also named in Geelong's squad, but Tom Lonergan and Nathan Djerrkura were cut.

Fremantle's defence was bolstered by the returns of Luke McPharlin, from a hip injury, and Antoni Grover, who has overcome a calf complaint, but Josh Head was dropped after the defeat to Port Adelaide.

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