Forgotten forwards Jack Watts, Henry Playfair and Mathew Stokes will make notable returns in key round-eight AFL games this weekend.

Stokes will play his first game for Geelong this season, against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night, after serving his club-imposed suspension for drugs possession.

Geelong's relief was tempered by the loss of James Podsiadly, one of the feelgood stories of the season for booting 17 goals in five games after being elevated off the rookie list at age 28, who has groin soreness.

Stokes wrote an open letter to fans that was published on Geelong's website on Thursday, in response to his troubles from earlier this year, when he was charged with possessing and trafficking cocaine.

Stokes was fined and put on a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to drug possession, but the trafficking charge was dropped which freed him to play again once he served his club-imposed suspension.

"I have hurt so many people with my actions and let people down that believe in me," Stokes wrote.

"I am truly sorry for my actions and will be doing everything to make it up to the people I hurt and those closest to me."

Watts will also be chasing redemption when he plays for Melbourne against West Coast at the MCG on Saturday.

The top draft pick of 2008 is yet to play this season after three games yet, but the Demons will give him a chance to impress in the same game featuring rising Eagles star Nic Naitanui, who was taken with pick No.2 in that draft.

Sydney called on Playfair to play his first game since 2008 and address a shortage of big men against the Western Bulldogs in Canberra on Saturday.

With rucks Mark Seaby (ankle) and Shane Mumford (suspended), Sydney included Playfair, who could release fellow forward Jesse White to provide ruck relief for the inexperienced Mike Pyke.

The Bulldogs called on ruckman Will Minson, in for Andrejs Everitt (ankle), to partner Ben Hudson in a bid to stretch the Swans.

Sydney also recalled defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson and midfielder Dan Hannebery, for Jared Moore (ankle) and Ed Barlow (dropped).

Hawthorn bolstered their squad through the returns of captain Sam Mitchell, star forward Lance Franklin and recruit Shaun Burgoyne, all from injury, for Sunday's clash against Richmond at the MCG.

Burgoyne is set to play his first game for the Hawks since crossing from Port Adelaide, and could be joined by ex-Bulldog Wayde Skipper, who was named in the squad.

Midfielder Nathan Foley is back for Richmond, but there was still no sign of the injured Ben Cousins.

The Lions made four changes chasing an end to a three-game losing streak, and dropped 201-gamer Travis Johnstone, along with Pearce Hanley, following the loss to Fremantle.

The injured Josh Drummond (knee) Jared Brennan (ankle) are also out, and have been replaced by Andrew Raines, Matt Maguire, Joel Patfull and Amon Buchanan.

Collingwood will be without Paul Medhurst for Friday night's one-versus-two clash against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.

Medhurst, a former Docker, will miss through a foot strain and has been replaced by Jack Anthony, the Magpies' leading scorer last year who has not played a senior game since round two.

St Kilda included big men Ben McEvoy and Rhys Stanley in their squad as potential replacements for injured ruckman Steven King (hamstring) against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

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