Fremantle have chosen AFL reward over risk, bringing back ruckman Aaron Sandilands from injury in a season-defining gamble.

Sandilands has played just one match in the past 10 weeks because of a serious toe injury.

But with the Dockers' season on the line as they slipped out of the top eight last weekend, the giant ruckman will be risked in Saturday's must-win match against Carlton in Perth.

Sandilands' delicate injury affects his right foot - the one he usually leaps off - and his match fitness certainly is in question.

Yet the desperation and injury toll is such for a side who have only been out of the eight once before this season that Fremantle have decided to roll the dice.

The clash will pit Sandilands against in-form Carlton ruckman Robert Warnock, who destroyed Melbourne's makeshift ruck division last weekend.

Carlton regain rebounding defender Andrew Carrazzo after five weeks - including erring on the side of caution last weekend to give his calf injury maximum recovery time.

"We could have played Andrew (against Melbourne) but there was a risk factor there," Blues coach Brett Ratten said on Thursday.

"We just thought that if he hurt himself again he'd be out for four to five weeks, which would put him out for the year really."

Gold Coast have included skipper Gary Ablett for their derby against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night after he missed their big loss to Geelong last weekend with a hamstring injury.

Melbourne have recalled forward Colin Sylvia and regained ruckman Mark Jamar to combat West Coast's Dean Cox at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Port Adelaide have predictably rung the changes after their feeble performance against Collingwood last weekend, with eight new faces to take on Hawthorn on Saturday.

Forward Brett Ebert is among five dropped for the Power, with Hamish Hartlett (shoulder) and Jasper Pittard (hamstring) out injured and veteran Chad Cornes retiring.

Collingwood's embarrassment of riches grew with the inclusion of defender Harry O'Brien after knee soreness and midfielder Sharrod Wellingham to play St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Simon Buckley and Cameron Wood have been omitted.

Other key round 21 inclusions are Geelong stars Corey Enright and Brad Ottens to play Adelaide, and Western Bulldogs midfielder Shaun Higgins returning from injury to take on Essendon.

But as expected the Cats have lost key defender Matthew Scarlett for the Adelaide clash with a knee injury.

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