AFL's round 20 will have a feel-good vibe to it as Sydney's Alex Johnson and St Kilda's Nathan Freeman make emotional appearances.
Johnson will play his first senior match since the 2012 grand final when he lines up for the Swans in Saturday night's crunch clash with Collingwood at the SCG.
The 26-year-old has endured five knee reconstructions since he last tasted AFL action, and his return is an emotional boost for the Swans as they attempt to turn their flagging fortunes around.
Freeman looked to have a bright future ahead of him when he was snared by Collingwood with pick No.10 in the 2013 national draft.
But a series of soft tissue injuries meant Freeman's AFL debut was put on ice for five years.
However, that streak will end on Saturday night when he lines up for St Kilda in their match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
Adelaide will also have plenty to cheer about when they welcome back defender Brodie Smith for Saturday's showdown against Port Adelaide.
Smith hasn't played for the Crows since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during last year's qualifying final win over GWS.
North Melbourne's bid for a finals berth has been given a boost by the return of spearhead Jarrad Waite for Saturday's clash with Brisbane at the Gabba.
Waite hasn't played since round 10, but he has finally overcome his calf issues.
But it wasn't all positive news on the AFL selection front, with Sydney veteran Heath Grundy becoming the latest player to take time away from the game to deal with mental health issues.
Grundy will miss the match against Collingwood, and it remains unclear when he will return.
Lance Franklin, Tom Boyd, and Alex Fasolo are other players who have taken a break from the game in the past in order to deal with mental health issues.
GWS spearhead Jeremy Cameron will make his return from suspension against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but the Giants have lost Sam Reid (knee), Tim Taranto (knee), and Dylan Shiel (ankle) to injury.
