Adelaide have regained veteran midfielder Richard Douglas and rested young defender Jake Lever for Saturday’s must-win match against Brisbane at home.

Douglas, who has recovered from appendicitis, replaces substitute David Mackay who has been dropped. Sam Shaw will slot into the defence in Lever’s place.

Brisbane welcomes back leading goalkicker Josh Green after losing tough midfielder Daniel Rich to injury.

Port Adelaide has a rare shot at Friday night footy tonight, taking on a powerful Hawthorn outfit.

Port spearhead Jay Schulz returns to the team in a single change, with defender Jackson Trengove out for the rest of the season after the club opted to have him go in for shoulder surgery.

Hawthorn have swapped Daniel Howe for Ryan Schoenmakers .

Meanwhile, the GWS Giants’ last-ditch hopes of making the finals have been bolstered by key Sydney injuries in the biggest derby since their introduction to the AFL.

Lance Franklin will miss another week with a back injury and Tom Mitchell will join him on the sidelines after copping a poke in the eye on Thursday at training.

Swans coach John Longmire said Franklin’s lingering back trouble had spread to his abdominal area but he was on the comeback trail.

“He did some light skills today but we felt he hadn’t done enough to return this week,” he told the club’s website.

“We will increase his training load heading into the game against St Kilda next Sunday and hope he will be available for that game.”

Longmire said he expected Mitchell to miss “at least one and probably two” weeks with some bleeding behind the eye after the training ground incident.

The injuries have given James Rose, 19, a chance to debut and Longmire backed the clever young forward to “provide some excitement in our forward half”.

With Luke Parker missing with a broken leg, Gary Rohan struggling with knee soreness and Ben McGlynn still out with a hamstring strain, Sydney can at least take comfort from the Giants’ similar injury toll.

Devon Smith (knee) and Phil Davis (hamstring) have been omitted, while Leon Cameron has opted to rest Jack Steele.

In comes Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio and Caleb Marchbank for what Cameron is calling the most important game in the club’s short history as they strive for a first finals appearance.

Ninth-placed Geelong are also in the finals hunt and have handed Nathan Vardy his first game in two years after knee injuries.

Cats coach Chris Scott has opted against another comeback kid to play the Saints, with Daniel Menzel’s much-hyped return to AFL football after four seasons likely to come next round.

Vardy is one of three Cats changes, with Tom Lonergan and Jed Bews also returning and Jared Rivers (knee), Mathew Stokes (omitted) and James Kelly (ankle) left out.

St Kilda have made an astonishing seven forced changes, including key man David Armitage, making way for American project player Jason Holmes to debut.

Against Collingwood, Richmond will look to rubber-stamp their finals appearance with Shane Edwards back after proving his recovery from a hairline fracture.

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The Western Bulldogs have lost Liam Picken (back) and Matthew Boyd (soreness) for the trip to play West Coast, but coach Luke Beveridge says they won’t be intimidated in Perth.

“It will be a big occasion because there’ll be a big crowd … we think Subiaco will suit us – we have no fears.”

West Coast have confirmed star ruckman Nic Naitanui will return for their Sunday meeting with the Bulldogs.

FRIDAY, Aug 21

Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium 7.50pm

Head to Head: Hawks 13 Power 17

Last clash: Round 4 2015 – Power 15.9 (99) bt Hawks 13.13 (91) at Adelaide Oval

Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.08 Power $8.00

William Hill: Hawks $1.08 Power $8.00

Port Adelaide might have rolled the Hawks earlier in the year but it was a rare highlight in an otherwise forgettable season, and there’s little left but pride to fight for now. Not so for Hawthorn – they’ve won 10 of their last 11 and need to carry on in that same vein to avoid a trip to Western Australia in the first week of the finals. This should be cut and dried but the Power are always capable when they’re on, particularly at Etihad, and want to prove last week’s win over finals hopeful GWS was no fluke. Jay Schulz returns for Port Adelaide.

Key: Cyril Rioli is heating up. Arguably the AFL’s most effective attacking player averaged a goal every other disposal last week, meaning Port’s back six has their work cut out.

Tip: Hawks by 32 points

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SATURDAY, Aug 22

Collingwood v Richmond at MCG 1.45pm

Head to Head: Magpies 116 Tigers 85 drawn 1

Last clash: Round 7 2015 – Tigers 16.9 (105) bt Magpies 15.10 (100) at MCG

Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $2.85 Tigers $1.43

William Hill: Magpies $2.80 Tigers $1.43

This should be a belter. Richmond are well-placed for an assault on the top four with a strong percentage and a draw that keeps them in Melbourne until the finals start. They’re high on confidence after destroying Gold Coast last week – but they’ll also have a point to prove about their intent, having registered their lowest tackle count for the season. Collingwood are effectively out of contention and definitely out of form, but they could rise for the occasion in front of a huge crowd at the home of football. The Tigers regain Shane Edwards while the Magpies celebrate Alan Toovey’s 150th’s match.

Key: If the Pies are going to be any chance, Travis Cloke needs to shake Richmond defender Alex Rance’s shackles, kick straight and put his mark on the game.

Tip: Tigers by 18 points

Greater Western Sydney v Sydney at Spotless Stadium 2.10pm

Head to Head: Giants 1 Swans 6

Last clash: Round 3 2015 – Swans 16.15 (111) bt Giants 12.18 (90) at SCG

Tab Sportsbet: Giants $3.05 Swans $1.38

William Hill: Giants $3.05 Swans $1.38

Giants coach Leon Cameron has already labelled it the most important game in GWS’s short history, and he’s not wrong. It’s also the first `Battle of the Bridge’ clash that truly holds something in it for the neutral. GWS needs a win to stay in the hunt for their first ever finals berth, while their crosstown rivals need one too in order to keep in touch with the top four. Rhyce Shaw’s retirement announcement adds an emotional edge for the Swans, who will miss Lance Franklin but give a debut to James Rose.

Key: Which Swans midfield group will turn up to face the talented young Giants runners? The one that swamped Adelaide and Port Adelaide or the one that succumbed meekly to Hawthorn, Fremantle and Geelong?

Tip: Swans by 4 points

Gold Coast v Essendon at Metricon Stadium 4.35pm

Head to Head: Suns 0 Bombers 4

Last clash: Round 22 2014 – Bombers 16.12 (108) bt Suns 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Suns $1.43 Bombers $2.85

William Hill: Suns $1.45 Bombers $2.75

For the Suns, this is an ideal opportunity to move out of the wooden spoon danger zone. They were well beaten last weekend by Richmond but will relish the chance to play at home and against a club so dysfunctional even their own players have started sledging it. Usually teams bounce back with a vengeance the week after their coach is sacked, but given the circumstances surrounding James Hird’s departure from Essendon and the noises emanating from Tullamarine, that’s no sure bet. But neither is Gold Coast with their injury list.

Key: With Charlie Dixon out with an ankle injury, Tom Lynch’s role will be pivotal. With respect to Gary Ablett, Lynch is quickly proving Gold Coast’s on-field barometer.

Tip: Suns by 17 points

St Kilda v Geelong at Etihad Stadium 7.20pm

Head to Head: Saints 83 Cats 127

Last clash: Round 13 2014 – Cats 20.13 (133) bt Saints 5.7 (37) at Simonds Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Saints $3.35 Cats $1.33

William Hill: Saints $3.35 Cats $1.33

The debut of St Kilda’s American experiment Jason Holmes gives this one a rather intruguing sub-plot. The college basketball convert will become just the second US-born player to play in the AFL. While many curious eyes will be on him, most will be fixed on Geelong as they look to keep their finals hopes alive. The Cats, who sit one game outside the top eight, return big man Nathan Vardy to AFL football after two years out with knee injuries.

Key: Joel Selwood almost helped turn the tide against Hawthorn last week and Geelong’s standard-bearer needs to lead the way once more on Saturday.

Tip: Cats by 18 points

Adelaide v Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval 7.40pm

Head to Head: Crows 13 Lions 15

Last clash: Round 13 2015 – Crows 11.16 (82) bt Lions 10.9 (69) at Gabba

Tab Sportsbet: Crows $1.10 Lions $7.00

William Hill: Crows $1.09 Lions $7.50

There was a rare flush of euphoria amidst the endless misery of Brisbane’s season last week. But whatever their 64-point win over Carlton did for them, it won’t help on Saturday night. The Crows are in awesome touch, having ended James Hird’s coaching career last week with a ruthless demolition of Essendon and it’s impossible to imagine them dropping their bundle in Patrick Dangerfield’s 150th match, as they cling onto eighth spot for dear life.

Key: Mitch Robinson tackled like a madman last week and he’ll need to do the same if Brisbane are to keep the scoreboard respectable.

Tip: Crows by 66 points

SUNDAY, Aug 23

North Melbourne v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium 1.10pm

Head to Head: Kangaroos 15 Dockers 10

Last clash: Round 8 2015 – Dockers 17.13 (115) bt Kangaroos 5.12 (42) at Domain Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $1.95 Dockers $1.85

William Hill: Kangaroos $2.00 Dockers $1.82

The wheels are starting to look a tad wobbly on the Fremantle bandwagon, and they only have three more games to fix their issues before the finals. The Dockers dominated most of the key stats against West Coast last week, but their lack of firepower up forward continues to hurt them and hasn’t been helped by the withdrawal of Matthew Pavlich. North Melbourne are full of confidence following six straight wins, but most of them have been against strugglers. If they are legit contenders, they need to show it this week. The loss of Jack Ziebell to suspension is a big blow to the Roos.

Key: Stopping Nat Fyfe. The Brownlow medal favourite tallied 37 disposals and 11 clearances in the round-eight mauling of the Roos. Another effort like that will equate to another Dockers win.

Tip: Dockers by 14 points

Carlton v Melbourne at MCG 3.20pm

Head to Head: Blues 116 Demons 89 drawn 2

Last clash: Round 4 2014 – Demons 12.9 (81) bt Blues 7.16 (58) at MCG

Tab Sportsbet: Blues $2.65 Demons $1.48

William Hill: Blues $2.75 Demons $1.45

Seven straight losses have put Carlton in the box seat to claim the wooden spoon. Last week’s 64-point loss to the injury-ravaged Lions showed just how low the Blues have sunk. It probably also ended interim coach John Barker’s hopes of winning the full-time role next season. Melbourne were equally disappointing last week in their 98-point loss to the Bulldogs. But they’ve at least shown grit through most of the season, and look to have more weapons than the Blues.

Key: Where’s the focus? Swingman Lachie Henderson has already told Carlton he wants out, and others could follow suit. Those distractions can only hurt the team’s on-field display.

Tip: Demons by 31 points

West Coast v Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium 4.40pm

Head to Head: Eagles 30 Bulldogs 16 drawn 1

Last clash: Round 1 2015 – Bulldogs 14.13 (97) bt Eagles 14.3 (87) at Etihad Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Eagles $1.38 Bulldogs $3.05

William Hill: Eagles $1.35 Bulldogs $3.20

This top-four showdown could end up having a huge bearing on the race for the flag. West Coast need to keep winning if they are to secure second spot, while the fourth-placed Bulldogs face an almighty fight to stay ahead of Sydney. The Eagles showcased their premiership potential in their derby win over Fremantle, and the returns of ruckman Nic Naitanui and Mark LeCras gives them further firepower. But with Will Schofield the latest key defender to succumb to injury, the in-form Bulldogs forward line could have some success. The Bulldogs aren’t without their own injury troubles, with Matthew Boyd and Liam Picken to miss.

Key: Does size matter? West Coast’s pint-sized defence will need to punch above their weight if they are to keep the Bulldogs at bay.

Tip: Eagles by 22 points

– with AAP