Western Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce will make his long-awaited AFL return in Friday night's clash with St Kilda, but star spearhead Aaron Naughton was ruled out less than 40 minutes after being named.
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The joy of welcoming back Bruce and Bailey Smith was short-lived for the Bulldogs after Naughton, Josh Schache and Lachie Hunter were forced to enter the AFL's health and safety protocols.
Hunter and Schache were ruled out earlier in the day, and the Bulldogs were rocked when it was revealed Naughton would also be forced to miss after they had already submitted their team.
Bruce hasn't featured for the Bulldogs since tearing his ACL against the Bombers in round 21 last year, while Smith is available to play after serving his suspensions for headbutting an opponent and using illicit drugs.
The Saints lost Seb Ross and Marcus Windhager to the health and safety protocols.
Richmond recalled premiership stars Nick Vlastuin, Trent Cotchin and Noah Balta among five changes for Saturday's clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
Tom Lynch (hamstring) and Ivan Soldo (hand) go out after being cut down in last week's after-the-siren loss to Gold Coast, while Jason Castagna, Thomson Dow, Maurice Rioli and Jake Aarts were all dropped.
Interim Kangaroos coach Leigh Adams has made just the one change, recalling No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis.
Brisbane have made a whopping seven changes for Saturday's match against GWS in Canberra.
Harris Andrews, Keidean Coleman, Noah Answerth, Dan McStay and Callum Ah Chee all return after missing last week's loss to Essendon while in the health and safety protocols, with Rhys Mathieson and Darcy Gardiner returning.
Ruckman Oscar McInerney becomes the latest Lion to enter the health and safety protocols, while Marcus Adams has been ruled out through injury.
The Giants lost Lachie Whitfield (hip), Phil Davis (hamstring) and Adam Kennedy (concussion).
Jacob Hopper returns for his first AFL match since round one after recovering from a knee injury while Jake Riccardi, Xavier O'Halloran and Connor Idun also return.
West Coast lost ruckman Nic Naitanui (knee soreness) for Sunday's encounter with Hawthorn at the MCG.
Willie Rioli (personal reasons) and Jack Petruccelle (hamstring) also go out.
Midfielder Jai Culley, the No.1 pick in the mid-season draft, will debut, making him the 46th player to appear for West Coast this season.
Collingwood have been boosted by the return of Darcy Moore after he missed just one match with a knee injury, while Adelaide have again dropped midfielder Matt Crouch despite his 27-disposal, seven-clearance display in last week's loss to the Hawks.
Geelong welcome back Jake Kolodjashnij from concussion in place of Jed Bews (managed) for Saturday night's MCG blockbuster against Carlton, while the Blues have slotted Will Hayes and Liam Stocker into the 22.
Fremantle have recalled wingman Blake Acres and defender Heath Chapman from injury at the expense of Ethan Hughes and Nathan Wilson for Saturday night's match against Sydney in Perth.
The Swans lost ruckman Peter Ladhams to a fractured thumb, but Tom Hickey has recovered from illness in time to replace him.
Melbourne will make at least three changes for Sunday's match against Port Adelaide in Alice Springs, with Clayton Oliver (thumb), Harrison Petty (health and safety protocols) and Jake Bowey (omitted) all confirmed outs.
Port have added Steven Motlop, Xavier Duursma, Riley Bonner and Trent McKenzie to their extended squad.
Gold Coast welcome back Izak Rankine for Sunday's encounter with Essendon at Marvel Stadium, while Mason Redman is a chance to return for the Bombers.
Australian Associated Press
