Essendon coach James Hird has dropped five players including three of his former team-mates in a savage response to the club's three-game losing streak.

The eighth-placed Bombers have not won a game since May 14 and face North Melbourne in a crucial round-13 encounter on Saturday at Etihad Stadium.

Travis Colyer, Andrew Welsh, Henry Slattery, Alex Browne and David Hille have all been dumped following Essendon's 34-point loss to Fremantle.

Tayte Pears, Brent Stanton, Sam Lonergan, big man Tom Bellchambers and midfield tagger Heath Hocking, back from suspension, come into the side.

First-year coach Hird is yet to settle on his preferred ruck combination.

Bellchambers is back after being dropped in round 11 and replaces 2008 club champion Hille.

Welsh, Slattery and Hille all played alongside Hird at Essendon in 2007.

The 12th-placed Kangaroos have regained defender Nathan Grima and also recalled Sam Wright for Ben Speight and key forward Lachie Hansen, who has concussion.

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade, who's under fierce pressure to hold his job for the rest of the season, has been boosted by the return of Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney from a knee injury.

The 13th-placed Bulldogs host Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Former All-Australian Lindsay Gilbee is back after being dumped two weeks ago and Jayden Schofield makes his debut.

Adelaide have dropped James Sellar and Brent Reilly is out with a knee injury.

Unbeaten Geelong have recalled wingman David Wojcinski for star midfielder Joel Selwood who has been suspended for four weeks.

The Cats play St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday night where the Saints will regain Jason Blake and champion midfielder Leigh Montagna.

Hawthorn's Brent Guerra, who suffered a perforated ear drum after being struck by Selwood last weekend, will miss Saturday's game in Launceston against Gold Coast.

The injury-hit Hawks have lost big man Jarryd Rougheadfor the season with a ruptured Achilles, while Clinton Young (hamstring) and ruckman Brent Renouf (internal bruising) have also been left out.

Ruckmen David Hale and Max Bailey are among four inclusions for the Hawks.

Vice-captain Jed Adcock is out of Brisbane's team to play Richmond at the Gabba on Saturday night because of finger surgery.

The Tigers have left out injured duo David Astbury (knee) and Jake Batchelor (general soreness) and omitted Matt White.

Richmond included Luke McGuane, Jayden Post and Jeromey Webberley.

Third-placed Carlton have named utility Ryan Houlihan in a seven-man bench for Sunday's massive clash with Sydney at Etihad Stadium.

The fifth-placed Swans regain ruckman Shane Mumford from a knee injury.

Sixth-placed West Coast have omitted Chris Masten for Sunday's home game against Port Adelaide who are set to regain skipper Domenic Cassisi for his first game since round two.

Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow will play his first AFL game of the year after recovering from a broken leg. The seventh-placed Dockers play Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

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