Fletcher, 40, hasn't played since his 400th game against Richmond in round nine, in which he was substituted out with a groin injury that has continued to keep him on the sidelines. The Bombers had kept alive the prospect of Fletcher making his return to face the Pies' in the last home and away game of 2015, but hopes had faded in recent days that his body would allow one last game.

Fletcher has not formally announced that 2015 will be his last at AFL level, but it would appear fanciful to suggest that he could return from injury when rising 41 and playing for a lowly side.

He is set to end his career in fourth position on the all-time games list behind Michael Tuck, Brent Harvey and Kevin Bartlett, and having played 23 seasons at the top flight, two more than the next-best player, Robert Harvey.

The Bombers have called up seven players into their 25-man squad for the game including out-of-contract talls Tayte Pears and Ariel Steinberg.

Interim Bombers coach Matthew Egan "described the situation as "unfortunate for a legend of the game and a legend of the footy club."

"It's disappointing Fletch didn't get up. He tried really hard, obviously done a fair bit of training. He'd done a fair bit of training but his body didn't allow him to get to the position to play," Egan told the Essendon website.

The Magpies have added six players themselves.

The selection story of the week was undoubtedly the glut of players rested both by first-placed Fremantle and eighth-placed North Melbourne, both of whom were given permission by the AFL to make the sweeping changes.

Among the nine changes made by the Roos for their match against Richmond on Friday night were star ruckman Todd Goldstein, captain Andrew Swallow, and veterans Nick Dal Santo and Jarrad Waite. But Harvey, 37, was not spared, and will front up against the Tigers. North have recalled fringe players such as Joel Tippett, Majak Daw and Brad McKenzie. Richmond get back captain Trent Cotchin with Matt Thomas omitted.

The Dockers went even further, with 11 players out from the team that beat Melbourne on Sunday, headlined by captain Matthew Pavlich, key defender Luke McPharlin, and ruckman Aaron Sandilands.

The Fremantle side that will face Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday includes three debutants: Connor Blakely, Brady Grey and Ethan Hughes.

Other finalists have also left out key players, with Hawthorn resting Luke Breust for Saturday's match against Carlton at the MCG. Sam Mitchell returns for the Hawks, but Chris Yarran may have played his last game for the Blues, with the creative Blue out with a hamstring injury.

Western Bulldogs veterans Matthew Boyd, Bob Murphy and Dale Morris all avoid a trip to Brisbane, the trio all afflicted by soreness and not named for Saturday's date with the Lions.

Adelaide's selection strategy was not altered by North's previously flagged changes, with the Crows unchanged for Saturday's game against Geelong despite their chances of a home final being significantly hurt by the Roos' resting tactic.

The Cats welcome back Mathew Stokes for his farewell appearance.