Geelong star midfielder Gary Ablett will miss Sunday's AFL clash with Richmond at Skilled Stadium through injury.

The Brownlow Medallist pulled up with hamstring tightness after training on Friday and the Cats decided to take a cautious approach.

Rugged forward Max Rooke has been forced out with a recurrence of knee tendonitis, which he struggled with during the pre-season, before working his way back to play his first senior match of the year last weekend.

The Cats also remain without injured stars Matthew Scarlett (back) and Joel Corey (knee).

But they regained forwards Travis Varcoe, for his first match since a pre-season thumb injury and Mitch Duncan, who has been out for two games with general soreness.

The Tigers lost four players through injury - Trent Cotchin, Troy Taylor and Richard Tambling, all with leg injuries, and Dustin Martin with general soreness.

They regained Daniel Jackson and Will Thursfield from injury, and recalled Dean Polo and Mitch Morton.

Fremantle included midfielder Rhys Palmer for Sunday's derby against West Coast, for what will be his first senior match since badly injuring his knee in round five last season.

They also named 18-year-old rebounding defender Dylan Roberton to make his AFL debut, dropping Clancee Pearce and Jay Van Berlo.

The Eagles made four unforced changes, including the recall of big forward Quinten Lynch.

Also coming into the side are Tom Swift, Eric Mackenzie and Ben McKinley, at the expense of Matt Spangher, Bradd Dalziell, Lewis Stevenson and Mitch Brown.

Carlton dropped ruckman Robert Warnock for Sunday's MCG encounter with Collingwood, including Sam Jacobs for his first game of the season.

They also regained key defender Paul Bower from a quadriceps injury, replacing fellow backman Andrew Walker, who is out with a fractured collarbone.

The Magpies named an unchanged side.

The AFL advised fans wishing to attend the MCG match to buy tickets in advance, as strong demand meant there was no guarantee they would be available on match day.

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