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.

Fremantle are at long odds to upset the ladder leaders.

Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich, who has had calf surgery, is among seven new additions to the club's long injury list.

Adam McPhee (foot), Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring), Antoni Grover (hamstring), Alex Silvagni (concussion), David Mundy (ankle) and Jayden Pitt (groin) have also been left out.

Ex-Magpie Jack Anthony is among the inclusions.

Sydney's players have been offered grief counselling following the death of co-captain Jarrad McVeigh's four-week-old daughter Luella.

McVeigh has been given personal leave and Lewis Jetta has been dropped for Saturday's game against Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

"We've always got that (counselling) available," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"We're fortunate enough to have some very good people that we can use at the football club that are available at all times.

"Everyone will handle it differently, so it's not just one size fits all and we need to acknowledge that as a football club."

The seventh-placed Swans, who will wear black armbands against Geelong, have included Brett Meredith and Luke Parker.

Geelong recalled big men Tom Hawkins and Trent West.

Hawkins and West come in for the suspended Cam Mooney and Nathan Vardy, who has suffered a season-ending hip injury.

The Cats have recalled Matthew Scarlett and Aaron Mackie for Mitch Duncan and Joel Corey (groin).

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

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

North, who must win to keep their finals hopes alive, are unchanged. Ruckman Hamish McIntosh is first emergency.

Hawthorn rested Chance Bateman (soreness) for Saturday'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 (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).

Defenders Cale Hooker and Tayte Pears and key forward Michael Hurley return for Essendon as they take on bottom side Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Heath Hocking (suspension) and Stewart Crameri (shoulder injury) are unavailable for the eighth-placed Bombers.

Forward Brett Ebert returns for Port.

Melbourne will make at least three changes for Sunday's MCG clash with Gold Coast. Ricky Petterd has a quadricep injury while Aaron Davey and Colin Sylvia are suspended.

Edenhope's Tom McDonald, 18, has been named on the half-back flank for his debut. Former Western Jet Jack Fitzpatrick, 20, is also in line for his first game after being named on a seven-man interchange bench.

The Suns dropped three players and left out ruckman Josh Fraser who is ill.

Adelaide named Ivan Maric on their extended bench for Sunday's clash with Richmond at AAMI Stadium while Ben Nason, Matt White and Jamie O'Reilly are part of Richmond's seven-man bench.

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