Essendon are confident captain Matthew Lloyd and ruckman Patrick Ryder can be part of Saturday's do-or-die AFL clash with Hawthorn.

The star pair were named for the MCG encounter, after Lloyd missed the past four rounds with a heel injury, while Ryder missed last weekend's loss to Fremantle with a knee problem.

Coach Matthew Knights expects both to play, in a match that will decide which of the two teams plays finals, but they need to train well on Friday.

"It will all come to the crunch on Friday morning when they have to train and it will all come pretty close to full tilt," Knights said on the club's website.

He said both have made heartening progress.

The club initially feared Ryder would miss two or three games, while Lloyd has made rapid recent strides after a frustratingly slow initial recovery period.

Sam Lonergan and Heath Hocking were the other inclusions in the team that will try to deliver the Bombers their first finals berth since 2004.

Small forward Alwyn Davey was forced out with a shoulder injury, while Tom Bellchambers, Leroy Jetta and Michael Quinn were dropped from the side that disappointed against the Dockers.

While Lloyd is poised to add firepower for the Bombers, Hawthorn will be badly depleted in attack after Lance Franklin lost an appeal against his rough conduct suspension.

The Hawks did not include fellow star forwards Jarryd Roughead and Mark Williams either, despite speculation earlier in the week they might be rushed back from injury.

Brisbane were hit hard by injury at both ends of the ground ahead of their important SCG clash with Sydney on Saturday night.

The Lions lost full-forward Daniel Bradshaw (quad) and full-back Daniel Merrett (hamstring) for a match they must win to earn a home final.

The Swans, who will farewell Michael O'Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch, made three changes, including the return of midfielders Jarrad McVeigh and Luke Ablett from injury, but Jarred Moore (ribs) has been forced out.

Adelaide were boosted for Saturday's Etihad Stadium encounter with Carlton, by the return from injury of forwards Brett Burton and Patrick Dangerfield, but tagger Robert Shirley (hamstring) will miss out.

The Blues made five changes, including the club-imposed suspensions of Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Cameron Cloke, for a match which will decide which club earns a home final.

Richard Hadley (broken arm) and Joe Anderson are the other omissions, but ruckman Shaun Hampson is back from injury.

The return of Geelong ruckman Brad Ottens, for his first senior game since round two, came at the expense of fellow big man Shane Mumford, dumped on the eve of the finals after 18 straight games.

Also back for Saturday's Skilled Stadium match against Fremantle are captain Tom Harley, James Kelly and Tom Hogan, but Paul Chapman (hamstring) dropped out.

The Dockers, buoyed by last round's win over Essendon, made no changes.

Richmond's Ben Cousins will play his former club West Coast at Subiaco for the first time on Friday night, despite being concussed by Franklin last weekend.

But the Tigers lost captain Chris Newman and defender Will Thursfield to injury.

The Eagles recalled premiership player Chad Fletcher for a farewell game.

Port Adelaide's Peter Burgoyne was also handed a farewell, among five Power changes for Saturday night's AAMI Stadium clash with North Melbourne.

Port lost Daniel Motlop and Toby Thurstans to injury, with Brett Ebert dumped.

North's Shannon Watt, who had his farewell game last weekend, was the `Roos' only omission.

The Western Bulldogs regained midfielder Daniel Cross from ankle surgery for Sunday's match against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium, but decided against risking Ryan Griffen (hamstring).

Both sides were yet to make any omissions from their squads.

St Kilda lost ruckman Michael Gardiner to hamstring soreness for Sunday's MCG clash with Melbourne, while dropping David Armitage and James Gwilt.

Luke Ball was added to the squad, while Lenny Hayes is back from injury.

Injuries forced out Demons Ricky Petterd and Matthew Bate.

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