COLLINGWOOD captain Nick Maxwell has been named to take on Geelong in Friday night's blockbuster at the MCG despite being under an injury cloud all week.

Mick Malthouse said Maxwell would need to pass a fitness test on Thursday afternoon in order to be named but would be assessed again on Friday morning.

The premiership captain took to Twitter shortly before the teams were named to stake his claim for a spot in the final side.

"Feel great. Done all I can - decision lays elsewhere now but I'm confident," he wrote.

Defender Chris Tarrant has also been named after missing the Pies' win over the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago.

However, midfielder Ben Johnson hasn't been as lucky and has failed to come up from the back spasm that saw him subbed out of the Dogs' game.

Geelong captain Cameron Ling and forward Steve Johnson have been added to the side to take on the Pies but the Cats have lost the goal-kicking power of Cameron Mooney.

Mooney will miss with a knee injury while Allen Christensen is the Cats' other unforced omission.

Melbourne has named Jack Trengove pending the outcome of Thursday night's tribunal appeal for Saturday's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium but has had to find replacements for Mark Jamar (knee), Jack Grimes (foot) and Matthew Bate (omitted).

Michael Newton, Stef Martin and Jamie Bennell have been added to the side.

The Demons' opponents North Melbourne have named Lachie Hansen, who was a late withdrawal last week with the back injury he sustained in round six, and Aaron Edwards.

Liam Anthony and Cam Pederson are casualties of the Kangaroos' 66-point loss to Geelong last week.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has lost patience with Taylor Walker, Jared Petrenko and Brad Symes and has sent them all back to the SANFL.

Richard Tambling returns from suspension in time to face Gold Coast at AAMI Stadium on Saturday while James Seller and Jack Gunston have been called up for their first games for the year.

Campbell Brown returns from suspension for Gold Coast while Steven May, Seb Tape and Tom Nicholls - who is yet to play an AFL game - have also been included in the side.

Experienced midfielder Daniel Harris is out with a hip injury and Daniel Gorringe with a hamstring while Josh Toy and Jack Hutchins have been omitted.

The Brisbane Lions have named Sam Sheldon, Rohan Bewick and Ryan Harwood in place of Andrew Raines (concussion), Claye Beams (ankle) and Tom Collier for the side's match against Essendon at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Essendon has lost midfielder Brent Stanton to a shoulder injury and has recalled top draftee David Myers to meet the Lions.

Lewis Roberts-Thomson has been named for his first game for the Sydney Swans while Luke Parker will debut against Port Adelaide at the SCG on Saturday night.

Jarred Moore has been omitted after being the Swans' substitute player last weekend against the Western Bulldogs while Mike Pyke is out with the quad injury he sustained in the same game at Manuka Oval.

Port Adelaide has recalled Steven Salopek and Matt Thomas while former Sandringham Dragon Ben Jacobs has been named to debut against the Swans.

David Rodan leaves the side with the knee injury he sustained last week against Hawthorn while Paul Stewart and Cameron Hitchcock have been omitted. 

Hawthorn has brought in defender Ryan Schoenmakers for his first game for the season while David Hale returns from injury. Michael Osborne, Luke Breust and Matt Suckling are the other inclusions for the Hawks' clash with St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday. 

Breust has been named on the extended bench and is a chance to make his AFL debut while Rick Ladson has been dropped and Brent Renouf is out with a hamstring.

St Kilda could blood two new players in Saints' colours this weekend with Nicholas Winmar and Dean Polo named in its squad.

Farren Ray, Zac Dawson and Ryan Gamble return to the side while Raph Clarke has been omitted and Leigh Montagna suspended for his actions against Carlton's Ed Curnow on Monday night.

The Western Bulldogs have named former rookie James Mulligan in their squad as a potential debutant against Richmond on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Mulligan could be joined in the backline by Ryan Hargrave, who has been named after spending one week in the VFL following a foot injury, while Dylan Addison, Tom Liberatore and Nathan Djerrkura have been added to the squad as well.

Zeph Skinner has been dropped after making a short debut last week as a substitute while Tom Williams is out with an ankle.

Richmond is yet to make any omissions but has added Mitchell Farmer, Jeromey Webberley and Brad Helbig to its squad.

Chris Masten returns for West Coast after a long layoff following the knee injury he sustained in round one while Patrick McGinnity and Andrew Gaff have been called up to face Fremantle in the Carlton Mid Derby at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

The Eagles are yet to make any omissions.

Former Magpie John Anthony and previous Crow Jonathon Griffin could both make their debuts for Fremantle against the Eagles as two of four players added to Mark Harvey's squad.

Ryan Crowley and Jesse Crichton have also been named while Dylan Roberton has been omitted.