Collingwood have settled on a smaller, speedier forward line in a bid to end their AFL goal shortage against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Magpies on Friday dropped another big forward, Chris Dawes, from the attack that struggled badly in the past two games after cutting John Anthony on Thursday night.

They made four changes overall to the side that was overrun by the Brisbane Lions last Saturday night, as small forwards Paul Medhurst and Leon Davis returned, along with key-position player Leigh Brown and ruckman Josh Fraser, who replaced Cameron Wood.

Veteran midfielder Shane O'Bree was the other player axed.

The Bulldogs made two changes for the clash between third and fifth, as midfielders Nathan Eagleton and Brodie Moles replaced veteran Jason Akermanis, who will start his penance in the VFL once he recovers from his hamstring injury, and defender Ryan Hargrave (ankle).

Port Adelaide made four changes for Sunday's game against Hawthorn at the MCG.

The Power dropped Josh Carr, Nick Salter and Justin Westhoff after they were thrashed by bottom side Richmond and also lost Cameron Hitchcock to a shoulder problem.

Mercurial forward Daniel Motlop returned after serving a club-imposed suspension, while Dean Brogan, Hamish Hartlett and Jason Davenport earned recalls.

The Hawks' three changes were all forced, as Chance Bateman, Rick Ladson and Liam Shiels came in for Lance Franklin (suspended), Rhan Hooper (hamstring) and Campbell Brown (knee).

Sydney and Essendon both made two changes for Sunday's game at the SCG.

The Bombers lost fullback Dustin Fletcher to suspension but regained veteran midfielder Andrew Welsh after he served a ban himself, and dropped young midfielder Ben Howlett for Jake Melksham.

Sydney axed Matthew O'Dwyer and Campbell Heath after the narrow loss to the Hawks and replaced them with Paul Bevan and Craig Bird.

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