Geelong and Collingwood will enter Saturday night's table-topping blockbuster in great health, as the AFL's pacesetters strengthened their sides at selection.

The ladder-leading Magpies regained fullback Simon Prestigiacomo and running defender Heath Shaw, who replaced Nathan Brown and Jarryd Blair, while winger Sharrod Wellingham retained his spot despite a minor knee injury last week.

The Cats added Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel to their midfield and are so healthy there was no room for full-forward James Podsiadly, who was named an emergency.

Back-up ruckman Trent West made way for Bartel.

Collingwood enter the MCG clash half a game clear and could be assured of the minor premiership with a seventh straight win, whereas Geelong will regain top spot with a third win on end.

Fremantle will be without gun ruckman Aaron Sandilands for Saturday's game against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium because of a foot injury.

Sandilands joined defender Chris Tarrant (knee) and goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne (foot) on the sidelines and his absence means North can plan for ruck team Hamish McIntosh and Todd Goldstein to have an impact.

"We were probably planning to shark the hit-outs, now we're hoping to be a bit more proactive in there, with probably Kepler Bradley and Michael Johnson taking most of the rucks (for Fremantle)," North coach Brad Scott said.

"It will certainly be a huge boost."

Bradley returned along with Rhys Palmer and Dylan Roberton, while North regained midfielder Daniel Wells, defenders Daniel Pratt and Nathan Grima and small forward Cruize Garlett.

The Kangaroos dropped Josh Smith, Ben Speight and Marcus White and lost Ed Lower (collarbone).

Hawthorn ruckman Simon Taylor will play his first game of the season, against Sydney at the SCG on Saturday, after recovering from a broken leg.

Garry Moss and Matt Suckling also returned to replace Cyril Rioli (suspended), Brendan Whitecross and Wayde Skipper.

The eighth-placed Swans, who can jump ahead of Hawthorn (sixth), replaced midfielder Brett Meredith with small forward Trent Dennis-Lane.

Carlton made four changes for Friday night's game against Essendon at the MCG, as Brad Fisher, Andrew Walker and Chris Johnson were all dropped after being thrashed by Collingwood and Chris Yarran (ankle) was forced out.

Richard Hadley, Dennis Armfield and Mitch Robinson all got another chance and midfielder Marcus Davies will make his debut.

Essendon regained midfielder Jason Winderlich from a hand injury earlier than first thought, but lost forward Scott Gumbleton, who injured his ribs in last week's win over St Kilda.

The Brisbane Lions regained big defender Matt Maguire for Saturday night's game against bottom side West Coast at Subiaco Oval, but will be without forward Brendan Fevola (groin) and flanker Xavier Clarke (hamstring).

St Kilda regained some handy players for Sunday's game against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, as half-forward Andrew McQualter, tagger Clint Jones and defender Robert Eddy were included in an expanded squad.

Young players Tom Lynch and Jack Steven were dropped and fullback Zac Dawson (hand) was forced out.

Adelaide were boosted by the long-awaited return of half-forward Chris Knights for Sunday's game against the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium.

Knights has not played since round five because of foot and abdominal injuries, but returned along with defender Graham Johncock.

The fourth-placed Bulldogs named an expanded squad, as did Melbourne and Richmond for Sunday's game at the MCG.

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