West Coast's Josh Kennedy was rushed to hospital on Thursday after a freak accident with a tennis ball left him with a bleeding eye.

The key forward was a shock withdrawal from the Eagles' team which will play the Western Bulldogs in Saturday's AFL round-19 clash at Etihad Stadium.

Kennedy has kicked 44 goals this season including a bag of 10 in West Coast's 123-point win over the Bulldogs in Perth in round nine.

"He's just copped a tennis ball flush in the eye and virtually has to be still for three or four days," Kennedy's manager Wayne Loxley said of the incident which occurred at training on Thursday.

"He's in hospital and said it was bleeding on the eye and he had to stay immobilised," Loxley told thewest.com.au.

"He texted me this morning and just said `You won't believe where I am'."

Fifth-placed West Coast will also be without ruckman Nic Naitanui (soreness).

Ruckman/forward Scott Lycett, 18, is on debut and Tom Swift has been recalled.

The 12th-placed Bulldogs will be without injured trio Shaun Higgins (knee), Nathan Djerrkura (Achilles) and Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney (knee).

But only three of the Bulldogs' seven changes have been forced by injury. Lindsay Gilbee, Dylan Addison, Jarrad Grant and Lukas Markovic have been dropped.

Defenders Ryan Hargrave and Robert Murphy and forwards Ed Barlow and Justin Sherman, who is back from a four-week ban for racial abuse, are among the inclusions.

Ruckman Jordan Roughead also returns.

Essendon's defensive stocks took another hit when Tayte Pears (knee) and Michael Hurley (foot) joined Dustin Fletcher on the sidelines.

Fletcher will miss a second week with an ankle problem, ruling the 36-year-old out of Sunday's clash with competition leaders Collingwood at the MCG.

The Bombers named a 25-man squad with skipper Jobe Watson selected on a half-forward flank in his return after being rested for four matches with a hamstring injury.

Collingwood have recalled Darren Jolly from illness for the ruckman's 200th game.

Geelong promoted four premiership players including Cam Mooney for Saturday's match against Melbourne at Skilled Stadium.

Goal-less in five AFL games this season, Mooney has battled knee soreness and hasn't played seniors since round 10.

The Cats also named Cameron Ling, Brad Ottens and Steve Johnson and left out Josh Cowan and injured trio Josh Hunt, Shannon Byrnes and James Podsiadly.

The Demons regain forward Liam Jurrah for Jamie Bennell.

Carlton recalled Ryan Houlihan for his 200th game in Friday night's clash at Etihad Stadium with North Melbourne.

Brock McLean returns for his third senior game of the season.

The Blues dropped Ed Curnow and Wayde Twomey.

North recalled Ben Cunnington for Ben Warren.

St Kilda will be without suspended skipper Nick Riewoldt for Saturday night's trip to the Gold Coast, with Tom Lynch coming into the Saints' lineup.

The home side recalled rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt among four changes.

Fremantle included former Magpie Jack Anthony for his second game in Dockers' colours alongside Rhys Palmer, with Luke McPharlin (suspended) and Nick Suban (soreness) left out.

Adam McPhee will play his 200th game.

The Dockers host Hawthorn on Saturday in a twilight game. The Hawks have recalled Matt Suckling for Shane Savage (shoulder).

Adelaide, who will have caretaker coach Mark Bickley on debut for Sunday's derby against Port Adelaide, have included forward Taylor Walker in their 25-man squad.

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