Essendon have made a huge selection call for their Friday night AFL clash against in-form St Kilda, resting former captain Jobe Watson.
The Bombers have recalled Craig Bird for his first senior game this season to take Watson's place.
It will be the second time this season that the Bombers will rest the veteran midfielder.
"It's just part of Jobe's program coming off a couple of six-day breaks," John Worsfold told the club website.
"He's been carrying a little bit of soreness and we saw this as an opportunity to clear that up so he can run out the rest of the season really strongly."
Essendon are 10th, a game and percentage, while the Saints are on a four-game winning streak highlighted by last Saturday night's demolition.
The Saints promoted 18-year-old schoolboy Josh Battle for his AFL debut and recalled Tom Hickey, while fellow ruckman Billy Longer has a hamstring injury and Tim Membrey is suspended.
GWS regained a trio of big names for Saturday's derby against Sydney - Steve Johnson, Toby Greene and Zac Williams all return for Sam Reid (ankle), Tendai Mzungu and Daniel Lloyd.
Captain Josh Kennedy is back for the Swans, with Oliver Florent making way.
Adelaide have named Tom Lynch for Saturday night's Darwin game against Melbourne, a fortnight after he was hospitalised with viral meningitis.
The Crows also named Hugh Greenwood, with a calf injury sidelining Wayne Milera and veteran Scott Thompson dropped.
The Demons recalled Jay Kennedy-Harris for Billy Stretch.
Gold Coast star Gary Ablett leads four inclusions for Saturday's twilight home game against Collingwood, who will regain Daniel Wells and Darcy Moore.
Michael Rischitelli, Pearce Hanley and Aaron Hall are also significant returns for the Suns.
The Suns dropped Ryan Davis, Jesse Lonergan, Brayden Fiorini and Darcy MacPherson.
Jeremy Howe and Jarryd Blair are the other inclusions for the Magpies, who lost Levi Greenwood to suspension and axed Tim Broomhead, Josh Smith and Mason Cox.
Improving Hawthorn are unchanged for Saturday's MCG blockbuster against Geelong, who have recalled Scott Selwood and Daniel Menzel for Wylie Buzza and Zach Guthrie.
Port Adelaide have dropped Jack Hombsch and named Logan Austin for Saturday's home game against North Melbourne.
Cameron Zurhar will be North's eighth first-gamer this season and Trent Dumont was dropped.
Among the Sunday squads, West Coast's Josh Kennedy was named for the Western Derby and Western Bulldogs veteran Matthew Boyd will miss their game against Carlton with an achilles injury.
Share
