Collingwood's AFL premiership defence received a major boost on Thursday when the Magpies named Chris Dawes for his first game since July 3.

The key forward has recovered from a hand injury and will take his place in the side to play Fremantle in the round-23 clash at Patersons Stadium on Friday night.

Dawes is one of four inclusions for the Magpies alongside Ben Johnson, Andrew Krakouer and Leon Davis.

Coach Mick Malthouse dropped Simon Buckley, John McCarthy and Lachlan Keeffe and gave onballer Luke Ball (soreness) a rest.

Tenth-placed Fremantle's crisis continues with skipper Matthew Pavlich among seven players added to the club's injury list.

Adam McPhee, Hayden Ballantyne, Antoni Grover, Alex Silvagni, David Mundy and Jayden Pitt have also been left out.

Former Magpie Jack Anthony is among the inclusions.

St Kilda have regained key forward Justin Koschitzke and defender Zac Dawson for Saturday night's match of the round against ninth-placed North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

The sixth-placed Saints have omitted Steven Baker and Tom Lynch.

North Melbourne, who must beat St Kilda and Richmond in the last two rounds to keep their finals chances alive, are unchanged with ruckman Hamish McIntosh named as an emergency.

Geelong have recalled big men Tom Hawkins and Trent West for Saturday's game against seventh-placed Sydney at Skilled Stadium.

Hawkins and West come into the side for the suspended Cam Mooney and young forward Nathan Vardy, who suffered a season-ending hip injury two weeks ago.

The second-placed Cats have also recalled premiership stars Matthew Scarlett and Aaron Mackie for Mitch Duncan and Joel Corey, who has a groin injury.

Sydney have been rocked by the death of co-captain Jarrad McVeigh's four-week-old daughter Luella this week.

McVeigh and Lewis Jetta have been replaced in the side by Brett Meredith and Luke Parker.

Hawthorn have rested Chance Bateman (general soreness) forSaturday's game against Western Bulldogs at the MCG, with Shane Savage returning to the side.

The Bulldogs recalled Luke Dahlhaus and Josh Hill for Nathan Djerrkura (general soreness) and Christian Howard.

West Coast rover Daniel Kerr will miss Saturday night's game against Brisbane at the Gabba because of a back injury while Patrick McGinnity returns after a one-week ban.

The Lions regain Bryce Retzlaff for Mitch Clark (knee).

Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Tayte Pears return for Essendon ahead of Sunday's game against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

Heath Hocking (suspension) and Stewart Crameri (shoulder injury) are unavailable.

Forward Brett Ebert returns for Port.

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