Richmond's Brett Deledio looks set for an AFL return but Collingwood have finally lost patience with out-of-form forward Travis Cloke.
The Magpies trained on Saturday ahead of Monday's Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon, with Cloke philosophical about his axing as he left the club.
"It's my opportunity to go back to the VFL squad and get a kick, and see what goes from there," Cloke told the Nine Network.
Cloke's omission was one of three changes to the side who lost last week to Melbourne.
American ruckman Mason Cox will make his AFL debut along with onballer Josh Smith, with Jack Frost also included.
Cloke and Jesse White have been dropped while Tom Langdon is out with a knee injury.
Courtenay Dempsey and Sam Grimley come in for the Bombers, with Patrick Ambrose (omitted) and Jayden Laverde (shoulder) making way.
Deledio, 29, has been sidelined with a quad injury over the first month of the season.
He was named in the Tigers' team to play Melbourne on Sunday at the MCG but needed to train well on Saturday to take his place.
The AFL's website reported Deledio completed that session, taking part in kicking drills, full ground ball movement and goalkicking practice.
Deledio's addition was one of five changes made by coach Damien Hardwick when the AFL announced Sunday's final teams.
Ivan Maric will shoulder the bulk of the ruck duties in his first game of the season after Shaun Hampson's (leg) withdrawal on Friday from the team.
Andrew Moore, Ben Lennon and Taylor Hunt have been dropped from the side after a third defeat in succession last week, while Nick Vlastuin has a leg injury.
Jake Batchelor, Anthony Miles and Steven Morris come into the team with Deledio and Maric.
Melbourne regain Bernie Vince from suspension and Jeff Garlett from injury as they look to record back-to-back wins for the first time since 2011.
Boom youngster Clayton Oliver has been rested while Matt Jones is out with general soreness.
The loser of Sunday's clash between Fremantle and Carlton at Subiaco will stand alone as the last winless team this season.
Ross Lyon brought in Darcy Tucker, Brady Grey and Zac Clarke at the expense of Ed Langdon, Garrick Ibbotson and Nick Suban, who are the emergencies.
Veteran Blues defender Michael Jamison will spend another week in the VFL, with Brendon Bolton opting to make just one change to the side beaten by the Western Bulldogs.
Forward Liam Jones is in for Nick Graham, who was dropped.
Greater Western Sydney's attack has been bolstered by the returns of Jeremy Cameron and Devon Smith for their clash with St Kilda in Sunday's early game at Etihad Stadium.
Cameron will play his first game of the year after serving a four-match ban for a high hit on Brisbane's Rhys Mathieson in a spiteful pre-season cup clash, while Smith is back from a leg injury.
The Saints regain Luke Dunstan and Jimmy Webster from injury at the expense of Eli Templeton and Blake Acres, who were both dropped.
