Collingwood have taken a no-risk policy ahead of the AFL finals by resting four players from Friday night's round-20 clash against Essendon at the MCG.

The Magpies took advantage of their buffer atop the ladder by giving midfielder Luke Ball (hip), small forward Leon Davis (quad) and defenders Tyson Goldsack (ankle) and Ben Reid (quad) the weekend off.

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said the quartet's injuries were minor and that the Magpies would not risk their sore spots becoming long-term injuries.

"It's better to be a bit conservative at this stage of the year," Walsh told Collingwood's website on Thursday.

"All four (injuries), we hope, don't keep them out for more than one week.

"Their returns will be dictated when they train Monday and Wednesday next week."

The loss of Davis meant a reprieve for former All-Australian Paul Medhurst, who will play his first game since round 12, while Nathan Brown, Jarryd Blair and veteran Tarkyn Lockyer also earned recalls.

Essendon made five changes, but Alwyn Davey (arm), Jason Winderlich (hand) and Dustin Fletcher (hamstring) were forced out, while Brent Prismall and Bachar Houli were dropped following the 76-point loss to Carlton.

The Bombers recalled Ricky Dyson, Henry Slattery and Jake Melksham and awarded debuts to key forward Jake Carlisle and defender Stewart Crameri.

Essendon coach Matthew Knights said Fletcher would miss the next two games and might not play again this season, although the 35-year-old is committed to playing in 2011.

The Western Bulldogs again felt the sting of a virus that has swept through the club, losing Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney and ruckman Ben Hudson for Saturday night's game against Geelong at Etihad Stadium.

But Robert Murphy, Shaun Higgins and Callan Ward have all recovered after missing last Sunday night's win over Adelaide and were included in the side.

The Bulldogs (fourth), who can strengthen their claim on the double chance by beating Geelong (second), also rested forward Jarrad Grant (soreness) and dropped forward Josh Hill, recalling ruckman Will Minson.

The Cats will be without skipper Cameron Ling, who has hamstring soreness, and defender Harry Taylor (shoulder), replacing them with David Wojcinski and Taylor Hunt.

Fifth-placed Fremantle made three changes for their clash against seventh-placed Sydney at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.

The Dockers dropped Rhys Palmer, Jay van Berlo and Justin Bollenhagen after their thrashing at the hands of North Melbourne and recalled Byron Schammer, Michael Walters and Zac Clarke.

The Swans named an unchanged side, as did Carlton, who can strengthen their place in the eight if they beat Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.

Tenth-placed Melbourne retained the same side in their bid to replace Hawthorn (eighth) in the top half at the MCG on Sunday.

The Hawks regained utility Campbell Brown from suspension but rested winger Clinton Young (soreness).

Ruckman Simon Taylor's return lasted one game, as he was dropped from the side that lost to Sydney and was replaced by Wayde Skipper, while Matt Suckling was also omitted.

St Kilda named Adam Pattison in their squad for Sunday's twilight game against North, as cover for Michael Gardiner (hamstring).

The Brisbane Lions named skipper Jonathan Brown (knee) for what would be his 200th game, against Adelaide on Saturday night, but he remains subject to a fitness test.

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