JIMMY Bartel has failed to prove his fitness for Geelong's crunch game against Fremantle at Simonds Stadium on Sunday and has been withdrawn from the Cats' squad.

The Cats were hopeful Bartel would be fit to take his place against the Dockers just six days after being knocked unconscious in the dying seconds of the Geelong-Hawthorn clash on Easter Monday.

But Geelong has made the call to take the Brownlow medallist out of selection calculations.

Not a good sight to finish the game as Jimmy Bartel hits his head heavily into the turf #AFLHawksCats http://t.co/r6hWsOwpsR — AFL (@AFL) April 6, 2015

The Cats will now face the Dockers without two of their stars, with Bartel joining Steven Motlop – who was suspended for one match for not meeting "team standards" – on the sidelines.

As revealed exclusively by AFL.com.au, the reason for Motlop's omission came to light after several Hawks players sledged the star midfielder for drinking on Good Friday and therefore, in the eyes of Geelong, compromised his preparation for round one.

Into the side comes triple-premiership defender Andrew Mackie, who missed the loss to Hawthorn with a quad complaint, and George Horlin-Smith

Fremantle has confirmed just one change for its team to take on the Cats, with midfielder Tendai Mzungu replacing youngster Tom Sheridan (calf).

North Melbourne has swung the axe at selection, with Ryan Bastinac and Sam Wright dropped and joining Ben Jacobs on the sidelines after the Kangaroos' round one loss to Adelaide.

Coach Brad Scott has recalled Robin Nahas, Ben Brown and young tall forward Mason Wood, who impressed through the NAB Challenge, for the clash against the Brisbane Lions.

Prized midfielder James Aish was a surprise omission for the Lions, who have dropped the No.7 draft pick from 2013 after his 13-possession effort against Collingwood last week.

Matt Maguire, Michael Close and Zac O'Brien come into the Lions' 22.

Hawthorn has dropped Taylor Duryea for its clash against Essendon on Sunday, with Liam Shiels also out with a hamstring injury.

Coming into the team are premiership defender Grant Birchall and off-season recruit Jono O'Rourke, who will play his first game for the Hawks.

The Bombers have added James Gwilt and James Ashby in place of David Myers (shoulder) and Dustin Fletcher (groin).