MELBOURNE hosts Fremantle as the ladder leaders make a rare visit to the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Demons (13-7) got their push for a top-four finish back on track with a gritty win over Gold Coast last round, but there is little margin for error on the run home with a lower percentage than the other contenders.

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Melbourne can get a better idea of its standing in its clash with the ladder-leading Dockers, before taking on the Power away and then the Bulldogs in the last round.

Fremantle (18-2) showed that it is able to quickly put distance between itself and its opponents as it overcame a Western Bulldogs challenge with a second-half blitz.

The win made it a club-record 18th victory for the season, with the Dockers now sitting three games clear atop the ladder.

Freo now has an opportunity to prove it can do the same on the biggest stages as they take on a top-half side at the MCG for the first time in more than a year.

The improving Daniel Turner comes back in for the Demons to add some versatility, while Kade Chandler's return will add zip around the ball and forward line.

Blake Howes will miss with a fractured arm and Paddy Cross has been omitted.

The high-flying Dockers have chosen to rest skipper Alex Pearce, capably replaced by Brennan Cox.

Melbourne v Fremantle at the MCG, 1.15pm AEST
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Sydney welcomes Port Adelaide to the SCG on Saturday afternoon as it looks to tighten its grip on a top-two spot.

The Swans (15-5) were threatened by St Kilda last round before the cream rose to the top and their stars led the side to a 15th win of the season.

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Sydney still has the opportunity to host a pair of finals in their own hands with three winnable games to come, starting with the Power at home this week. 

Port Adelaide (6-14) again showed it is not far off the mark in a defeat to Greater Western Sydney that was its seventh loss to a finals contender by two goals or less.

The Power might have reason to hope for a brighter future but they will want to take steps to fine tune their attack, having only reached 100 points once this season while they are ranked 15th for scoring.

The Swans have been forced to change the team that chased down the Saints with injuries to Will Edwards and James Rowbottom, while Dane Rampe has been managed and Malcolm Rosas ommitted.

Veteran defenders Lewis Melican and Joel Hamling come into the side, along with Sam Wicks and small forward Jesse Dattoli, who will celebrate his first game of the year on his 20th birthday.

Geelong hosts the struggling Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats (12-8) have brushed aside concerns over their premiership aspirations with three convincing wins in a row against finals hopefuls and can now push hard to pinch a top-four finish.

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Essendon (2-18) backed up its breakthrough victory over Greater Western Sydney with a determined display against Adelaide.

The Bombers challenged the Crows in clearances and contested ball but were ultimately outclassed.

They will need to find even more fight this week as they come up against a Cats side that has won their past nine meetings by an average 55 points over seven years. 

Geelong has been conservative at selection - barring any late changes - bringing back Sam De Koning, with impressive young ruckman Mitch Edwards sitting out managed.

Essendon has lost Angus Clarke and Nick Bryan to injury, and dropped Harry Jones as he struggles to get consistency.

Archie Perkins, Jye Caldwell and Vigo Visentini come in, the latter for his first game of the year and becoming the 41st Bomber used this season.

Richmond travels to face Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

The Crows (13-7) got their campaign back on track last week with a thumping victory over Essendon to reclaim a top-four spot.

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Adelaide's healthy percentage has put them in a strong position in the race for the double chance, although they would welcome another boost in the game against the Tigers especially with the Dockers and Giants still to come. 

Richmond (3-17) snapped an eight-match losing streak and climbed off the bottom of the ladder after holding off West Coast for their third win of the season.

The Tigers will be buoyed by the performances of their young talents who played a significant role in the victory, although they are still to show they are closing the gap on top-four contenders like the Crows.

Adelaide has chosen to rest Lachie McAndrew and Jake Soligo, while James Borlase and Luke Nankervis sit out with injuries.

McAndrew's exit sees Reilly O'Brien named for just the second time this year, with fellow veteran Rory Laird also returning along with James Peatling and Sam Berry.

Richmond has matched Essendon by naming its 41st player to get a senior game this year, but there will be a little extra emotion as Judson Clarke runs out at AFL level for the first time in 867 days, Steely Green the Tigers' only other inclusion coming off a win.

Both changes were forced with Sam Cumming out for the season with an ankle injury, and Luke Trainor sidelined for one match for an undisciplined gut punch.