Essendon defender Tayte Pears will play his first AFL game in nearly two years, picked for the Bombers to take on Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Pears, 25, had a large chunk of his 2014 campaign wiped out due to calf and heel injuries, although he has been able to play 12 games in the VFL this year. His last appearance at AFL level came in round 23, 2013 – the game in which Essendon were coached by Simon Goodwin due to James Hird's AFL-imposed suspension earlier that week.
West Australian Pears has spent time this year playing as a forward, but has returned to defence in recent weeks, and has now been called upon in the ongoing absence of Michael Hurley, and with James Gwilt missing due to a groin complaint.
It will be just Pears' 69th game in nearly eight full seasons at the club. He is out of contract at season's end.
The Dons also welcome back David Myers this weekend, in what will be the midfielder's first AFL game since injuring his shoulder in the opening term of Essendon's round-one loss to Sydney. Midfielder, Jake Melksham, another Bomber who is uncontracted for 2016, has also been included. Gwilt, the suspended Adam Cooney and dropped Nick O'Brien are those who have lost their places.
The Crows – who are outside the top eight on percentage – are unchanged.
Hawthorn regain key defender Brian Lake and dual premiership ruckman David Hale for their match against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night, with youngster Daniel Howe also included. Jonathon Ceglar misses with back soreness, while Ryan Schoenmakers and Taylor Duryea have both been omitted. The Cats bring back Steve Johnson from suspension in what will be the flamboyant veteran's 250th game, with George Horlin-Smith making way.
As expected, Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke has been named to return, included alongside Jordan De Goey for the Magpies' game against Sydney on Friday night. Inexperienced pair Matt Scharenberg and Brayden Maynard have been axed.
Pies premiership player Brent Macaffer will play his comeback match this weekend in the VFL, in what will be his first game since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament late last season.
Having been scathing in assessing his team's performance last week, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been ruthless at selection, dropping five players including star ruckman Matthew Lobbe for the match against GWS at Adelaide on Saturday. Tom Clurey, Andrew Moore, Sam Colquhoun and Aaron Young have also been omitted. Nathan Krakouer, Angus Monfries, Kane Mitchell, Tom Jonas and Brendon Ah Chee come into the Power side at their expense.
Carlton have lost Levi Casboult and Simon White to knee issues for their match against fellow cellar-dwellers the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night. Cameron Wood has been dropped, while Matthew Dick, David Ellard and Kristian Jaksch have been included.
The Western Bulldogs will bring back captain Bob Murphy from a week off with soreness for their match against Melbourne on Sunday.
