The Western Bulldogs have named midfielder Ryan Griffen for Saturday night's qualifying final against the Magpies and they're likely to give the 24-year-old until the last minute to prove his fitness.
Griffen, who announced on Thursday that he had re-signed with the club through to the end of 2012, remains in serious doubt because of bone brusing in his left knee sustained in last Saturday's win over Essendon.
With Adam Cooney gone for the season because of damage to a hamstring tendon, the Bulldogs will be desperate for Griffen to get up.
The Dogs appear stronger on paper for the inclusion of Shaun Higgins, Will Minson, Easton Wood and skipper Brad Johnson, but two of them - Wood and Johnson - are being rushed back from injury while Higgins is yet to prove that he's fully recovered from the combined effects of a calf strain and thyroid condition.
As expected, Alan Didak, Ben Johnson and Leigh Brown return for Collingwood, though, for a third week running, veteran defender Simon Prestigiacomo could not be considered because of a badly corked quad.
Veteran ruckman Josh Fraser, who was repatriated from the VFL to play his 200th AFL match last week, was unable to hold his place.
Rested from last Saturday's Round 22 win over West Coast, Joel Selwood and Corey Enright are back for Geelong along with Josh Hunt who's available after suspension for Friday night's qualifying final against the Saints.
Two-time premiership forward Shannon Byrnes, who was also rested last week, was unable to force his way back into the 22.
He's been named among the Cats' emergencies.
Nine weeks in purgatory for his notorious running battle with Steve Johnson back in Round 13 didn't deter the St Kilda selectors from naming veteran defender Steven Baker for the MCG encounter.
Small forwards Adam Schneider and Stephen Milne were also included at the expense of Sean Dempster, Luke Miles and David Armitage.
Compared with the wholesale bonanza of the past fortnight, the Fremantle selectors have adopted a conservative approach to Saturday's home elimination final against the Hawks.
Three changes was all they could muster, only one of them compuslory.
Defenders Ryan Crowley and Alex Silvagni return from decent layoffs along with Jesse Crichton who was a late withdrawal from last week's crucial final-round win over the Blues.
Making way are Jay van Berlo, the injured Hayden Ballantyne and retiring midfielder Paul Hasleby who just may have played his last AFL game.
There's just the one change for Hawthorn with Rhan Hooper (soreness) making way for vice-captain and talisman Luke Hodge.
Tagger Andrew Carrazzo has been named in Carlton's extended squad for Sunday's elmination final at ANZ Stadium despite a query over his fitness.
Carrazzo spent three quarters on the bench during last Friday night's six-point loss to the Dockers because of a hamstring injury picked up early in the contest.
The Blues have lost Shaun Grigg to a calf strain and dropped ruckman Shaun Hampson while including Richard Hadley, Andrew Walker, Steven Browne, Joe Anderson and Sam Jacobs in a squad of 25.
AFL Rising Star Daniel Hannebery is one of three important inclusions for Sydney.
Tadhg Kennelly, who was a last-minute withdrawal from last Saturday's clash with the Lions at the Gabba, returns along with All-Australian nominee Shane Mumford who has recovered from a medial ligament strain picked up a fortnight ago.