Much criticised Geelong big man Mark Blake again finds himself under pressure to prove he is part of the Cats' best 22, as Mark Thompson's all-conquering team chases a third premiership in four years, after being dumped for Saturday night's clash against Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
Blake, who was controversially left out of the Cats' 2007 premiership team in favour of veteran Steven King who then left the club to move to St Kilda once Blake was retained on the list ahead him for the 2008 season, will miss out on the chance to face the man whom he was preferred to in last year's premiership team in Shane Mumford.
Mumford, too, left the Cats at the end of last season after Blake was still preferred as the club's number two ruckmen behind Brad Ottens despite many Cats' fans being unconvinced of his talents after 96 games over the past six seasons.
Blake was axed from the Cats' side, having managed a total of just 14 disposals and 22 hit-outs in his past two matches, to make way for the return of young key forward Tom Hawkins from a foot injury while young ruckman Trent West comes in for just his 11th game and just his fourth this season.
Goalsneak Shannon Byrnes also returns as the Cats took no risk with injured Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel, who is out with an ankle injury, and veteran full-forward James Podsiadly, who has been rested with general soreness.
So while Hawkins will most likely play as a key forward in place of Podsiadly on Saturday night and West takes over Blake's duties as back-up ruckman to Ottens, Blake's omission is also an indication he may again struggle to keep his place at the business end of the season, as was the case three years ago.
Hawkins will double as an option to play as Ottens' back-up ruckman in September once Podsiadly returns to the side.
The Swans, who need to win to hold onto eighth spot, surprisingly made no change despite being thumped by 12 goals by Melbourne last week.
Collingwood named key forward Travis Cloke after suspension but not star defender Heath Shaw, who was expected to return this week from a back injury, for Saturday's huge MCG clash against arch-rivals Carlton.
Veteran Tarkyn Lockyer was left out, joining a host of experienced Magpies unable to break into the ladder leader's team at present - a list which also includes Josh Fraser, Shane O'Bree, Paul Medhurst and Jack Anthony.
The Blues welcome back veteran forward Brad Fisher for the first time since he seriously injured his knee in pre-season with David Ellard the player to make way.
Essendon received a big boost for its daunting Friday night clash against St Kilda with number one ruckman David Hille back for the first time since Round 11 following two hamstring injuries but Jason Winderlich is out with a hand injury.
The Saints handed a debut to its top draft pick from two years ago in exciting young key forward Tom Lynch. Andrew McQualter was the player to make way.
In-form Hawthorn recalled Rick Ladson for the suspended Campbell Brown for Saturday's trip to Port Adelaide which bought in Nathan Krakouer and Jackson Trengove for the retired Josh Carr and Tom Logan, who is out with concussion.
Under-pressure Brisbane made four changes as it attempts to win only its second game in its past 14 outings, against Melbourne at the 'Gabba on Saturday night.
Veteran Matt Maguire and youngsters James Hawksley and Aaron Cornelius were dropped while Amon Buchanan is out with a quad injury as experienced duo Simon Black and Ashley McGrath head the list of inclusions.
Melbourne welcomed back captain James McDonald for the first time since Round 11 following hamstring and knee problems with Addam Maric dropped.
Richmond named a much stronger line-up for its home clash with Adelaide following last week's 82-point loss to Collingwood with key defenders Kelvin Moore and Will Thursfield back from injury while experienced midfielders Daniel Jackson and Matt White return from suspension and injury respectively.
The Crows lost Graham Johncock to suspension with his replacement to come from Phil Davis, Jack Gunston, Chris Schmidt and James Sellar.
The Western Bulldogs lost Callan Ward to a hip injury for Sunday's game against North Melbourne with hypothetical first gamer Liam Jones named as one of his potential replacements along with veteran Nathan Eagleton.
North also named two first gamers in Marcus White and Brayden Norris amongst its squad of 25 but dropped David Hale and lost key forward Ben Warren to a back injury.
And Fremantle regained a host of key players from injury and illness for Sunday's derby against West Coast with Kepler Bradley, David Mundy and Chris Tarrant all back but Rhys Palmer is out with a shoulder injury.
The Eagles lost Adam Selwood to a shoulder injury and Ashton Hams to suspension with key forward Ben McKinley heading the list of potential replacements in the Eagles' 25 man squad.