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It ain’t broke, but Collingwood want to fix it anyway, swinging the axe at selection despite a four-match AFL winning streak.
The Magpies have made four changes to the team that notched a valiant win over Sydney at ANZ Stadium last weekend, with classy midfielder Scott Pendlebury (knee) the only forced omission.
Irishman Martin Clarke, first-year midfielder Steele Sidebottom and back-up ruckman Cameron Wood have all been dropped for Saturday’s clash with Fremantle at the MCG.
Key defender Nathan Brown returns from a knee injury, with youngsters Tyson Goldsack, Dayne Beams and Chris Dawes included, Dawes for the first time this season.
Talented small forward Paul Medhurst, out since injuring his ankle in round six, will have to wait for his senior return, named as an emergency.
The Dockers have handed debuts to speedy small forward Hayden Ballantyne and 203cm former basketballer Zachary Clarke, taking their tally of debutants this season to a remarkable nine.
Quick midfielder Brett Peake was their other inclusion, back from a club-imposed suspension, with Kepler Bradley, Adam Campbell and Michael Walters dropped.
Hawthorn moved closer to full-strength with the return of premiership defenders Stephen Gilham and Rick Ladson for Saturday night’s Subiaco clash with West Coast.
Gilham has played just one game this season, while Ladson will play his first game of the year, after both overcame knee injuries.
Youngster Brendan Whitecross is their other inclusion, with Brent Renouf, Ryan Schoenmakers and Travis Tuck making way.
The Eagles will enter the match with second-gamer Nick Naitanui as their No.1 ruckman, after Dean Cox (groin) was forced out.
The Eagles also lost Mark Nicoski to injury, but regained experienced midfielder Andrew Embley.
Essendon have been forced to make two changes for Friday night’s bumper MCG clash with Carlton.
A calf injury has defender Adam McPhee joining the suspended Mark McVeigh on the sidelines.
But Henry Slattery returns from injury and Nathan Lovett-Murray from suspension.
The Blues have been boosted by defender Bret Thornton’s recovery from a hamstring injury.
Sydney have included exciting 19-year-old forward Patrick Veszpremi for his first senior game of the year, against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
His season start has been delayed first by a finger tendon injury and then an ankle complaint.
The Swans have lost gun midfielder Jarrad McVeigh to a shoulder injury.
The Crows have regained both Graham Johncock and Richard Douglas from illness.
Brisbane have regained key defenders Daniel Merrett and Joel Patfull after lengthy injury absences for Saturday night’s Gabba meeting with Melbourne.
The Lions lost Troy Selwood, who dislocated his shoulder in that game.
The Demons also regained a tall defender, Matthew Warnock returning from a virus for a likely match-up with Daniel Bradshaw or Jonathan Brown.
North Melbourne will regain skipper Brent Harvey from a long-term elbow injury for Sunday’s MCG encounter with the Western Bulldogs, but have lost Jack Ziebell (leg) and are still without Daniel Wells (groin).
The Bulldogs are yet to make any omissions from their 25-man squad, but defender Lindsay Gilbee (ankle) is in doubt.
Geelong will be boosted by the return of captain Tom Harley from a hamstring strain against Port Adelaide at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.
The Power have lost talented forward Daniel Motlop (ankle), while dropping his cousin Marlon and midfielder Steve Salopek.
St Kilda and Richmond are yet to make any cuts for Sunday’s Etihad Stadium meeting.
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