Collingwood's already slim hopes of breaking into the top four have received a setback with four players ruled out through injury for Friday night's clash against Fremantle in Perth.
But the other finalists were in the luxurious position of being able to rest key players - ahead of the start of the finals next week - with Hawthorn choosing to rest Shane Crawford while the Swans chose not to risk dual Brownlow Medalist Adam Goodes in the final home and away round.
The Pies need to beat the 14th placed Dockers in Perth and hope North Melbourne lose to Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday to finish in the top four and grab the all-important double chance in the finals.
But they will take on a Dockers side, that has been far more competitive than its position on the ladder suggests this season, without skipper Scott Burns (calf), experienced defender Shane Wakelin (groin) and promising youngsters Alan Toovey (foot) and Sharrod Wellingham (groin) while the exciting Dale Thomas is still sidelined with the knee injury that also sidelined him against Sydney last week.
With so many players sidelined, the Pies have turned to veteran defender Simon Prestigiacomo, who comes in for his first game of the season, while bad boy Rhyce Shaw returns after having sat out for the past three matches for his role in the drink/driving incident which saw star pair Alan Didak and Heath Shaw suspended for the rest of the season.
The Dockers however are still without injured skipper Matthew Pavlich - a late withdrawal last week due to a foot injury.
In contrast Hawthorn - which is already guaranteed of a top four finish - was able to rest veteran Crawford, who has battled knee tendonitis throughout the season, for Saturday night's clash against Carlton.
The Hawks welcomed back Luke Hodge from suspension and experienced ruckman Robert Campbell, who comes in for Simon Taylor - who was also rested.
Carlton made no change.
Adelaide, which needs to beat the third-placed Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium on Saturday to guarantee a home elimination final, welcomed back star forward Jason Porplyzia following a three-match absence with brain bruising.
The Dogs regained Lindsay Gilbee and handed a debut to 18-year-old Sam Reid but suffered a big blow this week when key pair Scott West and Tom Williams were both ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Swans ruled out Goodes out with a minor groin injury for Saturday night's home game against Brisbane, which made six changes - reflecting last week's disappointing fade-out loss against Carlton which ended the Lions' finals chances.
The Kangaroos bought in star forward Aaron Edwards for his first game since he broke his leg in Round 6 against Sydney while Port bought back Robbie Gray for the injured Troy Chaplin.
Geelong, aiming to become only the second side after Essendon in 2000 to win 21 of 22 matches in a home and away season, bought back Mathew Stokes and Ryan Gamble for the suspended Max Rooke and Shannon Byrnes for Saturday's home game against West Coast.
The Eagles regained star goalsneak Mark LeCras from a groin injury.
Injury-hit Essendon lost two more key players for its clash against St Kilda in Adam McPhee (ankle) and Andrew Welsh (hamstring) while the Saints have so far named an unchanged side.
And Richmond and Melbourne have both bought back veteran players to play their last games on Sunday at the MCG in Tigers' wingman Greg Tivendale and Melbourne key forward and former Tiger Ben Holland while Jeff White and Adem Yze will also play their last games for the Demons.