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AAP
Justin Chadwick and Shayne Hope

Bombers swing axe, Eagle Darling still out of favour

Jack Darling has failed to regain his spot in West Coast's side to face the Saints in Melbourne. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Essendon have axed Peter Wright and Dyson Heppell in a big shake-up, while there's still no room for Jack Darling at West Coast despite injuries to Jake Waterman and Elliot Yeo.

In other big round 19 selection news, Jack Ginnivan and Finn Maginness return for Hawthorn, Collingwood welcome back Dan McStay and Melbourne will again be without Max Gawn.

Bombers coach Brad Scott has made three changes for Friday night's clash with Adelaide following last week's loss to the Demons.

Wright and Heppell were the two biggest casualties, while last week's sub Nick Hind was also dropped.

Ruckman Todd Goldstein, defender Jayden Laverde and forward Jye Menzie earn recalls.

The Crows brought back Mitch Hinge to replace the rested Taylor Walker.

Eagles interim Jarrad Schofield made a big statement last week by dropping Darling.

Keeping Darling in the WAFL for another week despite Waterman succumbing to a knee injury is another big call from the rookie coach.

Yeo goes out through soreness, while Tyler Brockman (ankle) and Liam Duggan (concussion) will also miss Saturday's clash with St Kilda.

Jai Culley, Campbell Chesser, Josh Rotham and Jack Petruccelle were recalled.

St Kilda welcome back Brad Hill for his 250-game milestone, and he's joined in the side by Liam Stocker and Hugo Garcia.

Jack Ginnivan.
Jack Ginnivan launches Hawthorn into attack against GWS in Launceston. (Linda Higginson/AAP PHOTOS)

Hawks forward Ginnivan returns from a hairline fracture in his fibula to face his former side Collingwood in a Saturday afternoon blockbuster at the MCG.

"He's a competitor. Obviously there's the added media interest and he's desperate to play because it's Collingwood," Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said.

Finn Maginness has also been recalled, possibly for a shut-down role on either Nick or Josh Daicos:

McStay returns for the Magpies for his first AFL match since suffering a torn ACL during the off-season.

Jeremy Howe is also back after being sidelined with a neural issue, but Lachie Schultz goes out through concussion.

Fremantle have been boosted by the return of ruckman Sean Darcy (concussion) and skipper Alex Pearce (arm) for Sunday's home clash with Melbourne.

The Dees have opted to play it safe with Gawn (ankle), instead adding Jack Billings, Bailey Laurie, Adam Tomlinson and Tom Fullarton to the extended bench.

GWS midfielder Stephen Coniglio has been ruled out of Saturday's encounter with Gold Coast due to a shoulder injury.

Suns star Lachie Weller returns for his first AFL match since undergoing a knee reconstruction last July, while David Swallow and Alex Sexton were also included.

Richmond will again be without Dustin Martin (back) for Saturday night's trip to face Port Adelaide, while Tim Taranto (concussion), Nick Vlastuin (back) and Jack Graham (hip) are also missing.

The Power welcome back Willie Rioli, Mitch Georgiades and Esava Ratugolea, but Todd Marshall and Jeremy Finlayson go out through injury.

Charlie Cameron is free to play in the Brisbane Lions' clash with ladder-leading Sydney after overturning his three-match ban at the AFL appeals board.

The Swans get back Isaac Heeney from suspension, but have lost Callum Mills (soreness), James Rowbottom (cheekbone) and Justin McInerney (knee).

The Western Bulldogs have been boosted by the return of star duo Adam Treloar and Aaron Naughton for Saturday night's important encounter with Geelong.

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