The pressure continues to grow on Essendon ruckman Paddy Ryder as the Bombers again ditch their three-ruckman AFL strategy.

Tom Bellchambers missed out for the second time in four games as the Bombers opted for Ryder and David Hille as their ruck options on Saturday night against Geelong.

Ryder is the only one of the trio to have played every game this season, but he has come under mounting criticism.

Coach James Hird has defended Ryder against an accusations of laziness from former Sydney coach Paul Roos.

Essendon were among nine confirmed teams so far this weekend who have made at least four changes - Geelong and Adelaide lead the way with six apiece.

The Bombers recalled Kyle Hardingham, Kyle Reimers, Travis Colyer and Steward Crameri for captain Jobe Watson (hamstring), Sam Lonergan (knee), David Myers (hamstring) and Bellchambers.

Unbeaten Geelong further enhanced their status as outright favourites against the slumping Bombers with five premiership players among their inclusions.

Jimmy Bartel, Brad Ottens, James Kelly, Josh Hunt and Mathew Stokes all return along with young ruckman Nathan Vardy.

Shannon Byrnes (hamstring), Travis Varcoe (soreness), Taylor Hunt (soreness) were unavailable and they dropped Tom Hawkins, Dawson Simpson and Tom Gillies.

Carlton regained forwards Jarrad Waite and Mitch Robinson from injury for Saturday's MCG clash against Richmond.

They also brought back Jeremy Laidler and Simon White while leaving out Michael Jamison (knee), Dennis Armfield, Mark Austin and Ryan O'Keefe.

Richmond made five changes, with key forward Ben Griffiths set for his first senior game this season.

The Tigers also brought in Will Thursfield, Jake King, Jayden Post and Brad Helbig for Brad Miller, Luke McGuane, David Gourdis, Reece Conca and Jeromey Webberley.

Adelaide made four unforced changes for Saturday night's home game against Sydney, dropping Chris Knights, Shaun McKernan, Luke Thompson and Jack Gunston.

They will also be without Chris Schmidt (knee) and Ricky Henderson (concussion) as the Crows brought in their first-round 2009 draft pick Daniel Talia for his senior debut.

They also included Brad Symes, Richard Tambling, Brad Moran, David Mackay and Matthew Jaensch.

Sydney have lost Kieren Jack (ankle) and Nick Malceski (groin), as well as dropping Andrejs Everitt and Lewis Johnston.

They recalled Ted Richard, Lewis Jetta, Luke Parker and Alex Johnson.

The Western Bulldogs made four changes for Friday night's clash against Melbourne, with Will Minson, Christian Howard and Jayden Scholfield dropped and Justin Sherman starting his four-game suspension.

Lucas Markovic, Jarrad Grant and Sam Reid will return along with Andrew Hooper, who will play his first senior game this season.

Melbourne were the odd team out at selection this week with just one change, promoting Sam Blease for his senior debut and losing Joel Macdonald with a knee injury.

Fremantle lost Aaron Sandilands (toe) and left out Kepler Bradley, Clayton Hinkley and Clancee Pearce for Saturday's home game against Gold Coast.

Jonathon Griffin, Hayden Ballantyne, Tendai Mzungu and Antoni Grover are the inclusions.

The Suns lost Michael Rischetellie with an adductor injury, while Nathan Krakouer, Charlie Dixon, Maverick Weller and Tom Lynch are out of the side.

They brought in Trent McKenzie, Brandon Matera, Daniel Gorringe, Sam Day and Seb Tape.

Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly is set to return on Sunday against Hawthorn, having recovered from the knee injury that has sidelined him since round six.

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