Brisbane has regained powerhouse forward Jonathan Brown for his first match since round one following the skipper's recovery from facial fractures.
Brown required surgery following his horrific clash with Fremantle's Luke McPharlin during their round one AFL game at the Gabba.
The last-placed Lions host 13th-placed North Melbourne at the Gabba on Saturday night, with the return of Brown giving the home side fresh hope of scoring its first win of the season.
The Lions have also included 18-year-old debutant midfielder Josh Green and 22-year-old forward Matt Austin.
Utility Ash McGrath has been left out because of hamstring soreness, while Josh Drummond has had knee surgery and Ryan Harwood is omitted.
Drummond copped a knock on his troublesome left knee early in last weekend's match against Essendon when the Lions slumped to their seventh straight defeat of the season.
Scans revealed cartilage damage to the joint he had reconstructed last year but medics believe the meniscus tear will not affect his previous injury.
The set-back is a cruel blow for the 28-year-old radar boot, who has managed just two senior matches for the Lions over the past 12 months.
"The injury actually happened in the first contest of the game - within the first 30 seconds - but I was able to play out the game," Drummond said.
"It's definitely frustrating, particularly as I was just getting used to playing senior footy again and building my match fitness. I thought I was only a week or two away from playing my best footy."
The undefeated Geelong have lost three players to injury for Friday night's blockbuster against Carlton at Docklands.
Cats skipper Cameron Ling has failed to recover from a shoulder problem while Tom Lonergan (calf) and Daniel Menzel (shins) are also out of the side.
Taylor Hunt and veteran defender Darren Milburn return for the Cats and 19-year-old Nathan Vardy will be on debut.
Fourth-placed Carlton recalled midfielder Brock McLean and defender Jeremy Laidler for Aaron Joseph (omitted) and injured utility Ed Curnow.
Meanwhile St Kilda has dropped Jason Gram, Andrew McQualter and Ben McEvoy as coach Ross Lyon followed through on his threat to swing the axe at selection on Thursday.
Lyon conceded he needed to get stronger on selection issues after St Kilda's five-goal loss to Hawthorn.
"If the players don't deliver what's required, other players will get that opportunity," Lyon had warned on Tuesday.
Gram, McQualter and McEvoy all played in last year's AFL grand final replay.
The 15th-placed Saints have lost Steven Baker on a striking ban, but Leigh Montagna returns from suspension.
Nicholas Winmar, a 20-year-old second cousin to St Kilda great Nicky Winmar, will make his debut.
Jason Blake and Brett Peake also return for the Saints who host Melbourne at Docklands on Saturday.
Melbourne recalled Jared Rivers from injury and named Michael Evans for his debut.
The Demons could not consider Rohan Bail, Austin Wonaeamirri and Colin Garland because of injuries while Lynden Dunn is suspended and Jamie Bennell was dropped.
Richmond dropped Angus Graham and Ben Nason for Saturday night's Dreamtime clash at the MCG against Essendon.
The Tigers lost Shane Edwards because of a cheekbone fracture but regained Shane Tuck from injury.
Essendon recalled Alwyn Davey, Brent Stanton and Henry Slattery for injured skipper Jobe Watson, suspended tagger Heath Hocking and Travis Colyer.
Fremantle regained goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne from injury while Rhys Palmer was included along with Dylan Roberton and 25-year-old debutant Tendai Mzungu.
Ex-Magpie Jack Anthony, Jay van Berlo and Jayden Pitt were dropped and Adam McPhee has a knee injury.
Port Adelaide, who hosts Fremantle at Football Park on Saturday, recalled Jasper Pittard for Daniel Stewart.
Sydney named miracle man Nick Malceski for Sunday's SCG clash with Hawthorn.
The half-back had major knee surgery just 11 weeks ago.
Hawthorn regain rover Cyril Rioli from a hamstring injury and ruckman Max Bailey was also named in the squad in what would be his first game since 2009 following a third knee reconstruction.
Collingwood left out Alan Toovey because of a chest injury and kept premiership ruckman Darren Jolly (knee) on the sidelines.
The second-placed Magpies regained skipper Nick Maxwell from a calf injury for Sunday's game at Docklands against Adelaide, who in turn recalled forward Taylor Walker.
Western Bulldogs regained Barry Hall from an ankle injury for Sunday's clash with West Coast at Subiaco.
Shaun Higgins also returns alongside Tom Williams, Easton Wood and teenager Mitch Wallis.
Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney was rested with a knee injury.
The Eagles regained premiership heroes Daniel Kerr and Andrew Embley from injury.
- AAP
Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, qld, brisbane-4000, vic, carlton-3053, geelong-3220, hawthorn-3122, melbourne-3000 First posted May 19, 2011 18:20:00
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