Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin believes his injury setback has given him the ideal freshen-up ahead of an AFL clash shaping as a mini-final.
And Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien is set for a return against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday after personal problems and a spat with coach Nathan Buckley sidelined him for the past three weeks.
The ladder leading Hawks take on second-placed Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, with Franklin set to return from a knee injury.
Franklin has missed the past two weeks, but has trained strongly this week - including on Thursday at Waverley Park.
But he says the time out may be a blessing as the business end of the season looms.
"It was disappointing, I always like to be out there and playing football with the team but to miss two games at this time of the year is not such a bad thing," Franklin told hawthornfc.com.au.
"It has given me the chance to freshen up for a big last bit of the year.
"I'm back this week which is good and fingers crossed I can have a good run into finals and go from there."
Onballer Sam Mitchell also returns for the Hawks after missing last weekend's win over the Western Bulldogs with a stomach virus.
Kyle Cheney and Will Langford make way.
Essendon have made five changes, losing veteran defender Dustin Fletcher to a back injury and Stewart Crameri with an ankle problem.
But lively David Zaharakis returns from injury, as does exciting youngster Joe Daniher for the top of the table clash.
O'Brien is among four changes for Collingwood as they attempt to rebound from their shock loss to Gold Coast last weekend.
He, defender Nathan Brown and midfielder Jarryd Blair return, while young ruckman Brodie Grundy has been named for his debut.
Western Bulldogs skipper Matthew Boyd returns from a fractured cheekbone for his side's Sunday clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium.
But the Eagles have made four of their five changes because of injury, with ruckman Nic Naitanui and Darren Glass out with soreness, forward Mark Le Cras out with a foot injury and Luke Shuey missing with a hamstring complaint.
Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandliands returns from illness for his side's home match against Adelaide on Saturday night.
But Adelaide have lost defender Ben Rutten to a shoulder injury.
Melbourne have lost one of their best players this season, defender Colin Garland, to an ankle injury for their match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
And Geelong welcome back mercurial Steve Johnson from suspension among five changes for their clash with St Kilda at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.
Share
