St Kilda backman Max Hudghton will play his first AFL game of the season against North Melbourne on Saturday, finally breaking back into the competition's stingiest defence.

Hudghton, the Saints' oldest and most experienced player, was the linchpin of the club's defence last season with his reliability in shutting down the opposition's big forwards.

But, after being sidelined by a calf strain for the early stages this year, the 32-year-old, 227-game defender has needed three VFL games to force his way back into a defence that has conceded an average of just 58 points per game this year.

His opportunity has come with fellow defender Sam Gilbert forced out after hurting his ankle against Melbourne at Carrara last Saturday night.

The Saints need Hudghton's shutdown capabilities against a `Roos side which includes giant forwards David Hale and Drew Petrie.

The Saints also lost ruckman Michael Gardiner to suspension, replaced by youngster Ben McEvoy, while goalsneak Stephen Milne failed to return after missing the Demons game with knee soreness.

North also made some important inclusions, regaining tough defender Daniel Pratt and forward Matt Campbell from injury, while recalling Nathan Grima and Sam Power.

The Kangaroos dropped Aaron Edwards, Daniel Harris, Levi Greenwood and Todd Goldstein.

Richmond lost small forwards Nathan Brown and Robin Nahas, along with wingman Matthew White to injury, for coach Terry Wallace's final match, against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Alex Rance, Jordan McMahon and Mark Coughlan returned to the side.

The Bulldogs made one change, Robert Murphy returning from injury to replace suspended fellow forward Scott Welsh.

Carlton regained three players - Andrew Carrazzo, Heath Scotland and Shaun Grigg - from injury for Saturday night's clash with Brisbane at the Gabba.

Youngster Mitch Robinson was one of the omissions for the Blues, after avoiding suspension at the tribunal on Tuesday night.

The Lions recalled classy, but inconsistent midfielder, Travis Johnstone.

Port Adelaide included Marlon Motlop, cousin of teammate Daniel Motlop, for his second AFL match, against Fremantle at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night, along with veterans Josh Carr and Toby Thurstans.

The Power will be without star utility Chad Cornes (knee injury), as is Matt Thomas, while Nathan Krakouer was dropped.

The Dockers' side was devastated by injury, with key players Des Headland (calf) Michael Johnson (ankle), Luke McPharlin (hip) and Antoni Grover (shoulder) all forced omissions.

It provided the opportunity for two first-gamers, Hayden Ballantyne and Clancee Pearce, to be included, along with Kepler Bradley and Adam Campbell.

Essendon could give former Geelong midfielder Brent Prismall his first game for the club, naming him in a 25-man squad for Sunday's Etihad Stadium meeting with Adelaide.

The 22-year-old was traded to the Bombers after seriously injuring his knee while playing for the Cats on the opening weekend of last year's finals series.

The Bombers have lost ruckman Tom Bellchambers, midfielder Jason Winderlich and defender Henry Slattery to injury.

The Crows were yet to make any omissions from their squad.

Hawthorn named star backman Luke Hodge in their squad to play Sydney at the MCG on Sunday, after missing the past three games with groin soreness.

The Swans dropped tagger Luke Ablett.

West Coast and Geelong have both lost important players for Sunday's match in Subiaco.

The Eagles will be without suspended midfield star Daniel Kerr and injured defender David Wirrpanda, while the Cats lost backmen Tom Harley and Harry Taylor.

Collingwood named star forwards Travis Cloke and Paul Medhurst in their squad to return from injury and play Melbourne at the MCG on Monday.

The Demons squad included No.1 draft pick Jack Watts, who will make his debut, while veteran forward Russell Robertson was recalled.

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