Adelaide's Taylor Walker and Gold Coast's Ben King are among the star spearheads to return for round 16, but Rising Star favourite George Wardlaw will miss the next two games after being concussed at training.
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Wardlaw will miss North Melbourne's clash with the Western Bulldogs on Saturday and next week's encounter against the Suns after copping a knock late in Thursday's session.
The 20-year-old midfielder was initially assessed for a shoulder injury, but he later reported symptoms consistent with a head knock and has been placed in the AFL's concussion protocols.
The Bulldogs have been bolstered by the return of tall forwards Aaron Naughton (knee) and Sam Darcy (suspension).
Skipper Marcus Bontempelli was also named despite injuring his back at training earlier in the week.
King returns for Gold Coast's crunch encounter with fourth-placed Collingwood after recovering from a knee injury.
The Magpies have loaded up on star power, with Jordan De Goey (groin), Brody Mihocek (hamstring), Scott Pendlebury (bicep), Joe Richards (foot) and Oleg Markov (back) all returning.
"This was the game that we set him for and he's ticked all his boxes," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said of De Goey, who last played in the four-point win over Adelaide on May 18.
Walker returns for the Crows in a vital boost ahead of Saturday's home match against GWS.
The 34-year-old hasn't played since the June 1 loss to Hawthorn, and he's been joined in the side by ruckman Rory O'Brien and forward Elliott Himmelberg.
The Giants have been bolstered by the return of Stephen Coniglio from a dislocated shoulder, while defenders Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming are also back.
The Brisbane Lions named midfielder Will Ashcroft for Friday night's home match against Melbourne in what will be his first AFL clash since tearing his ACL in July last year.
Defender Jake Lever returns in what is a vital boost to the Demons' Melbourne's backline, but Christian Salem is out with a knee injury.
Melbourne have handed Andy Moniz-Wakefield an AFL debut.
Fremantle replaced injured skipper Alex Pearce (fractured arm) with first-year defender Josh Draper for Saturday's daunting task against Sydney at the SCG, while Brandon Walker returns from illness.
Jacob Hopper returns from a hamstring injury for Richmond's encounter with Carlton on Sunday, but premiership star Tom Lynch (hamstring) is out.
Fellow Tigers veteran Dion Prestia will miss one more match with his calf issue.
Carlton will welcome back Adam Cerra from a hamstring injury if he can make it through training on Friday, while ruckman Marc Pittonet has been named in the extended squad.
West Coast have welcomed back rising star Harley Reid (suspension) and Tim Kelly (hip) for Sunday's match against Hawthorn in Perth.
Speedster Jack Petruccelle is out with a hamstring injury.
The Hawks have rested Luke Breust.
Geelong lost Tom Hawkins and Oliver Henry to injury for Saturday night's blockbuster against Essendon.
The Bombers have been boosted by the return of ruckman Todd Goldstein and Jade Gresham.
Port Adelaide duo Jase Burgoyne and Esava Ratugolea will miss Sunday's match with St Kilda due to hamstring issues, but Willie Rioli and Travis Boak are in line to return.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jimmy Webster were named in the Saints' extended squad.
Australian Associated Press
