(L-R) Giants captain Stephen Coniglio and Bombers star Cale Hooker have been dropped, while Demons defender Michael Hibberd is injured. Picture: AFL Media

GREATER Western Sydney captain Stephen Coniglio is not the only casualty of his side's shock loss to Adelaide, with the Giants dropping five players among eight changes for Saturday's crunch clash with Melbourne.

The Giants have dumped their captain as well as veteran ruck Sam Jacobs and young trio Lachie Ash, Jye Caldwell and Jackson Hately for the contest, Aidan Corr will miss with injury and Bobby Hill and Jake Riccardi have been managed.

FULL TEAMS Check 'em out

Josh Kelly and Zac Williams are among the inclusions for the Gabba clash, while Harry Perryman, Brent Daniels, Shane Mumford and debutant Jack Buckley will also run out on the Gabba on Saturday night with their finals on the line. 

01:23

Neville Jetta, Charlie Spargo and Mitch Brown are all back for the Demons, replacing omitted pair Braydon Preuss and Toby Bedford and injured defender Michael Hibberd. 

LADDER PREDICTOR Can your team make the eight?

Joe Daniher headlines Essendon's five inclusions for the Bombers' daunting trip to Adelaide to take on the top-of-the-ladder Port Adelaide. 

But veteran defender Cale Hooker has been axed, while Dyson Heppell and Michael Hurley will miss with injury. 

01:40

Riley Bonner, Brad Ebert and Peter Ladhams return for the Power, who have omitted Cam Sutcliffe alongside the injured Ryan Burton and suspended Zak Butters.

Marley Williams and Lachie Hosie have been dropped by North Melbourne for the Roos' clash with Fremantle at Metricon Stadium, with Taylor Garner returning for his first game of the season.

Tobe Watson replaces Reece Conca as Fremantle's only change.

01:23

Saturday, September 12

North Melbourne v Fremantle, Metricon Stadium, 2.10 pm AEST

North Melbourne
In: T.Garner, A.Bonar
Out: M.Williams (omitted), L.Hosie (omitted)

Fremantle
In: T.Watson
Out: R.Conca (hamstring)

Port Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval, 4.35 pm ACST

Port Adelaide
In: P.Ladhams, B.Ebert, R.Bonner
Out: Z.Butters (suspension), R.Burton (quad), C.Sutcliffe

Essendon
In: M.Hibberd, T.Cutler, J.Daniher, B.Ham, A.Phillips
Out: C.Hooker (omitted), M.Redman (omitted), M.Hurley (ankle), I.Mosquito (knee), D.Heppell (ankle)

Greater Western Sydney v Melbourne, the Gabba, 7.40 pm AEST

Greater Western Sydney
In: Z.Williams, H.Perryman, B.Daniels, S.Mumford, J.Kelly, C.Idun, J.Buckley, T.Green
Out: L.Ash (omitted), S.Coniglio (omitted), J.Caldwell (omitted), S.Jacobs (omitted), J.Hately (omitted), A.Corr (ankle), B.Hill (managed), J.Riccardi (managed)
New: Jack Buckley

Melbourne
In: M.Brown, C.Spargo, N.Jetta
Out: B.Preuss (omitted), M.Hibberd (ankle), T.Bedford (omitted)