Maxwell back for Pies

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Collingwood has regained skipper Nick Maxwell for its clash against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday, but will be without running defender Heath Shaw, who has succumbed to a back injury.

Maxwell hasn't played since the Queen's Birthday draw against Melbourne due to a calf injury and his return is a welcome boost for the competition leaders.

That is the Magpies' only change for the match with ruckman Josh Fraser among the three emergencies and Paul Medhurst still in the reserves.

The Tigers meanwhile have made six changes with coach Damien Hardwick dropping maligned midfielder Richard Tambling and young ruckman Tyron Vickery.

Kelvin Moore (leg), Matt White (leg), Will Thursfield (concussion) and Trent Cotchin (suspension) were all forced changes with Mitch Morton, Dean Polo, Alex Rance, Ben Nason, Jayden Post and Andrew Brown the inclusions.

St Kilda and Hawthorn both have big inclusions for their match of the round at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Nick Dal Santo returns for the Saints, along with Ben McEvoy, at the expense of Adam Pattison and Jarry Geary, who were both omitted, while the Hawks have regained superstar Lance Franklin with Carl Peterson missing after having his wisdom teeth removed.

As expected Geelong has welcomed back two of its premiership heroes for the clash against Brisbane on Saturday with veteran defender Darren Milburn and mercurial forward Steve Johnson, who has missed the past three matches due to suspension, returning to the side at the expense of Shannon Byrnes, who misses with general soreness, and Simon Hogan.

Brisbane has lost Ashley McGrath to suspension and has omitted Justin Sherman, Travis Johnstone and Tom Collier with James Hawksley, Aaron Cornelius, Albert Proud and debutant Ryan Harwood the inclusions meaning champion midfielder Simon Black will be on the sidelines for at least another week.

Underfire Essendon coach Matthew Knights has resisted making wholesale changes for the Bombers' clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, although the axe has fallen on Nathan Lovett-Murray.

Youngster Jake Melksham was also omitted, while Tom Bellchambers is out with a foot injury. Running midfielders Bachar Houli and Leroy Jetta return to the side and mature-aged recruit Kyle Hardingham comes in for his debut.

The Kangaroos have lost youngsters Robbie Tarrant (thumb) and Sam Wright (concussion) to injury with Josh Smith and Jamie MacMillan, who will be making his debut, coming into the side.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten has also decided against any big changes for the Blues' trip west to take on the Eagles with Sam Jacobs and Mitch Robinson joining the injured Kane Lucas (hamstring) as the side's only outs.

Former Docker Robbie Warnock and former Demon Chris Johnson return to the side, while David Ellard comes in to play just his second senior match, ironically at the same ground where he made his debut in Round 7 2008.

The Western Bulldogs have regained power forward Barry Hall for their match against Fremantle on Sunday with Dylan Addison and Jordan Roughead also added to the 25-man squad.

The Dockers have lost Kepler Bradley (knee), Ryan Crowley (knee) and Alex Silvagni (groin) to injury with Byron Schammer, Nick Suban and Antoni Grover among the possible inclusions.

Forgotten Melbourne forward Austin Wonaeamirri is one of three inclusions to the Demons side to take on Sydney on Sunday, while the Swans will be forced into at least one change with Nick Smith out due to a hamstring injury.

Adelaide has added Nathan Bock, James Sellar and Tony Armstrong to its 25-man squad to take on Port Adelaide in the Showdown on Sunday afternoon.

The Power meanwhile will make at least five changes with Daniel Motlop (suspension), Steven Salopek (shoulder) and the omitted Jay Nash, Scott Harding and Jason Davenport all going out of the side.

Veteren defender Chad Cornes, Robbie Gray, Matt Thomas, Alipate Carlile and Travis Boak are likely to be the five inclusions.

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