Jack Watts' stuttering career is again at the crossroads, with the former No.1 pick dropped by Melbourne coach Paul Roos.

After starting the season in outstanding fashion against Gold Coast, Watts' form has steadily declined, with the forward last weekend relegated to the substitute's vest for the game against Sydney.

Watts, 24, is contracted until the end of 2016, and had played 32 straight games for the Demons, playing his 100th AFL match a fortnight ago. He is one of four changes made by the Demons for Saturday afternoon's game with Hawthorn at the MCG.

Former captain Jack Grimes has been included, alongside Rohan Bail, Viv Michie and Matt Jones. Joining Watts on the list of omissions are Cam Pedersen, Jay Kennedy-Harris (groin) and Ben Newton.

While Watts will be an absentee, key defender James Frawley will make his return from a pectoral injury when he lines up for Hawthorn against his former club.

Frawley was taken by the Hawks as a free agent at the end of last season following 139 games over eight years at the Demons. He has not played since sustaining the injury during Hawthorn's loss to Essendon in round two.

Defender Angus Litherland will play his first game of the year at AFL level, with Jed Anderson and Brendan Whitecross (both omitted) making way.

Mick Malthouse has wielded the axe at Carlton, dropping six players among seven changes following the Blues' loss to the previously winless Brisbane Lions last Sunday.

Clem Smith, Mark Whiley, Nick Graham, Dylan Buckley, Blain Boekhorst and former Western Bulldogs forward Liam Jones have all been left out of the 17th-placed team, while Andrew Walker is out with a knee complaint.

Chris Yarran returns from his three-match suspension, with Simon White, Matthew Watson, Troy Menzel, Andrew Carrazzo, Matthew Dick and Jason Tutt also back.

Much-hyped Richmond key forward Liam McBean is a chance to make his AFL debut after being included on the Tigers' extended bench for their clash with Collingwood on Sunday. McBean is currently the leading goalkicker in the VFL, with 12 majors for the season. Fellow tall forward Ty Vickery, who has 10 goals for the year thus far in the state league, has also been included im the 25-man squad, alongside Matt Dea, Todd Elton, Corey Ellis and Connor Menadue. David Astbury and Nathan Gordon have been dropped, while Chris Newman will miss with a groin complaint.

Collingwood dasher Paul Seedsman is back for the Magpies, with Alex Fasolo, Jordan De Goey and Corey Gault all named on the extended bench. Tony Armstrong has been dropped following last Friday night's loss to Geelong.

Dustin Fletcher will play the first game of his fifth decade, brought in by Essendon coach James Hird to face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night. Fletcher will become just the second man older than 40 to play a VFL/AFL game when he takes to Docklands for the game against the Kangaroos.

Kyle Langford and Jason Ashby are the Dons' two other inclusions. David Zaharakis will miss with an ankle ailment, with James Gwilt and Will Hams omitted. Jamie MacmIllan is in for North, with Mason Wood rested.

Ex-Melbourne midfielder Sam Blease will make his first AFL appearance for Geelong, named alongside Matthew Stokes in Geelong's team to take on Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. The unfortunate Josh Cowan is out with a hamstring injury, while exciting youngster Nakia Cockatoo has again been left out. The Swans have included Dean Towers, at the expense of Isaac Heeney.

Young Brisbane Lions midfielder James Aish could be back for Sunday's game against Port Adelaide.