Star forward Peter Wright has been named to make his long-awaited return from injury in Essendon’s high-stakes clash with Carlton while the Western Bulldogs have rung the changes.
Wright, last season’s leading goal kicker and best-and-fairest winner, has been sidelined all season with a shoulder injury suffered days before round one.
Coach Brad Scott earlier described the 26-year-old as “more likely than unlikely” to play and Wright was named at full-forward on Thursday evening for Sunday’s game at the MCG.
“He had medical clearance last week and he trained well. We erred on the side of caution,” Scott told reporters.
“The shoulder has been medically clear for a while. His strength is above baseline from where it was previously, even before the injury.
“And the extra week of match practice, conditioning, and blowing the cobwebs out (has helped prepare him).”
Dylan Shiel (ankle) is out after he was substituted against North Melbourne.
The under-fire Blues have axed Zac Fisher and Lochie O’Brien but regain Marc Pittonet while recalled pair Jack Martin and Ed Curnow have been named in the starting 18.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge made multiple changes ahead of facing Port Adelaide on Friday night.
Key defenders Alex Keath and Josh Bruce was recalled, with one likely to face returning Power spearhead Charlie Dixon, along with Laitham Vandermeer and Rhylee West.
Oskar Baker, Ryan Gardner, Tim O’Brien and substitute Lachie McNeil were dropped while Ed Richards misses through injury.
Port Adelaide veterans Travis Boak and Dixon will return from injury while last week’s substitute Josh Sinn has been elevated to the starting 22.
Ryan Burton, Ollie Lord and Riley Bonner were omitted while skipper Tom Jonas was overlooked for selection again.
West Coast will hand mid-season recruit Ryan Maric his AFL debut against Adelaide among six forced changes as the Eagles battle an unprecedented injury crisis.
Maric was pick No.1 in last week’s rookie draft, and the 18-year-old forward has been rushed into the senior side after booting one goal from five disposals for the WAFL Eagles last Sunday.
Skipper Luke Shuey, forward Jack Darling and Samo Petrevski-Seton provide some injury relief.
Richmond co-captain Dylan Grimes has been named to face Fremantle at Optus Stadium despite a shoulder knock, while fellow defender Nick Vlastuin returns after missing two games with a corked leg.
Sam Mitchell’s Hawthorn will be boosted by captain James Sicily’s return from suspension from suspension against Brisbane.
The Lions regain Jack Payne from concussion and have recalled Deven Robertson and Jaxon Prior, but former skipper Dayne Zorko (suspended) will miss the clash.
Keidean Coleman and Ryan Lester were dropped.