The time for resting stars and experimenting with structures is over at unbeaten St Kilda and second-placed Geelong, three weeks from the AFL finals.

All eight of the top-line Saints who missed last Saturday's upset win over Hawthorn were named in the squad for Sunday's Etihad Stadium match against Essendon.

While Sam Gilbert was already out of the side through injury, the seven others were left out for the trip to Launceston.

Captain Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, Brendon Goddard, Sam Fisher, Nick Dal Santo and Steven Baker, along with Gilbert, were included in Sunday's squad.

The Saints said all seven omissions last week were injured or ill, but it was also clearly an exercise in freshening up top players ahead of September.

Andrew McQualter is injured, while Ben McEvoy, Robert Eddy, Colm Begley and Jarryn Geary were dropped.

McEvoy is particularly unlucky after his strong game against the Hawks.

While the Cats welcomed back key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor from injury, Mark Blake was also a notable inclusion.

The Cats dropped Blake after the round-15 loss to Brisbane and then experimented with Shane Mumford as their only specialist ruckman.

Blake impressed last weekend in the VFL and immediately returned to the seniors.

Geelong also brought back David Johnson for Saturday night's ANZ Stadium game against Sydney, who are suddenly back in finals contention.

Darren Milburn and David Wojcinski are out with ankle injuries, Max Rooke has a sore knee and Kane Tenace was dropped.

The Swans lost Jarrad McVeigh with a hamstring injury and promoted veteran Leo Barry for his first senior game of the season.

At the end of the season, Barry is likely to join Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin in retirement.

Midfielder Shane Savage will be sixth Hawthorn player to make his senior debut this season when they play Adelaide on Friday night at the MCG.

They also regained top onballer Brad Sewell along with Jarryd Morton and Beau Muston.

Jarryd Roughead will miss the rest of the season with knee surgery, while Beau Dowler, Tom Murphy and Brendan Whitecross were dropped.

Injury-plagued Adelaide forward Trent Hentschel is playing for his career after his recall and Rory Sloane will make his AFL debut.

Brett Burton has a gluteal muscle injury and Taylor Walker was dropped.

In-form Collingwood lost Tyson Goldsack with an Achilles injury for Saturday's MCG match against Richmond and recalled Sharrod Wellingham.

Joel Bowden comes into Richmond's side for his retirement game and Shane Tuck was also recalled, with Kel Moore and Jayden Post making way for them.

There were no changes for West Coast's home match on Saturday against North Melbourne, while Brisbane lost Troy Selwood with a neck injury for their crucial Saturday night clash against the Western Bulldogs.

Travis Johnstone will take Selwood's spot for the `Gabba game.

The Bulldogs responded to last weekend's shock loss to West Coast by dropping Brennan Stack and Andrejs Everitt.

Forwards Robert Murphy and Scott Welsh return, along with Liam Picken, while Daniel Cross is recovering from ankle surgery.

The Bombers have included Andrew Welsh and Andrew Lovett, along with Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers, in their squad for the Saints match.

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