GUN FORWARD Lance Franklin is among a list of stars included for Hawthorn's final pre-season hit-out against North Melbourne in Craigieburn on Saturday.

Coach Alastair Clarkson has selected a strong squad as the Hawks finalise preparations for their Easter Monday round one showdown with Geelong.

Alongside Franklin, senior players Luke Breust, Brent Guerra, Jack Gunston, David Hale, Brad Sewell and Liam Shiels have all been added to the team that went down to Richmond by a point last weekend.

Shiels will be playing his first game of the pre-season.

The Hawks are still without Cyril Rioli (ankle) and captain Luke Hodge (knee), while big-name recruit Brian Lake will miss a third week with what the club initially described as calf tightness.

North Melbourne has included ruckman Todd Goldstein, defender Nathan Grima and key forward Robbie Tarrant for the clash, but Jack Ziebell, Daniel Wells, Lindsay Thomas, Scott Thompson, Shaun Atley, Scott McMahon and Sam Gibson have all been rested.

"This game will absolutely be about giving young guys an opportunity, giving guys who are pushing and on the cusp of our round one side a chance to impress," Kangaroos coach Brad Scott told NMFC.com.au.

"It's not to field our best side, or a dress rehearsal for round one."

Gold Coast welcomes back captain Gary Ablett for its practice match against Melbourne at Southport.

The star Suns midfielder was rested from last weekend's NAB Cup clash with the Sydney Swans, alongside Karmichael Hunt and Jarrod Harbrow.

The important trio is among five inclusions to face the Demons, with Matt Shaw and Timmy Sumner also named in the 26-man squad.

Campbell Brown, Harley Bennell, Jack Martin and Maverick Weller are out.

Melbourne has lost only Joel MacDonald from the team that went down to St Kilda by 25 points in Casey last week.

It has selected Neville Jetta, Jordie McKenzie, Jake Spencer and James Strauss in its squad.

Key forwards Chris Dawes (hamstring) and Mitch Clark (foot), co-captain Jack Trengove (foot) and father-son draftee Jack Viney (neck) won't play, although the club says all four are on target to feature against Port Adelaide in the opening round.

Richmond will be bolstered by the returns of Shane Tuck, Luke McGuane, Orren Stephenson and draftee Nick Vlastuin for its clash with the Western Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs have regained Matthew Boyd, Robert Murphy, Dale Morris and Daniel Giansiracusa, with draftee Nathan Hrovat set to appear in red, white and blue for the first time.

Angus Monfries and John Butcher are among five ins for Port Adelaide against the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium, with Jay Schulz and Paul Stewart to be rested.

Swans premiership players Nick Smith and Martin Mattner will both play.

St Kilda has received a boost in the ruck, selecting Tom Hickey and Ben McEvoy to take on Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown, after neither played last week.

Jon Patton, Jeremy Cameron, Devon Smith, Lachie Whitfield, Jonathan Giles and Stephen Gilham are all back for the Giants.

Lance Franklin is a forward in AFL Fantasy. He averaged 101.2 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy hub .