COLLINGWOOD stars Jordan De Goey, Steele Sidebottom and Jaidyn Stephenson are all in for Friday night's blockbuster qualifying final against Geelong.

Defenders Jack Madgen and Matt Scharenberg and Travis Varcoe – a dual premiership player at the Cats – make way for the big-name trio.

Matt Scharenberg is a shock omission for the Pies. Picture: AFL Photos

There was talk the Magpies could also bring in James Aish (shoulder), but they resisted that temptation.

De Goey (hamstring) and Sidebottom (ruptured testicle) return from injuries, while Stephenson (suspension) is back from his 10-game betting ban for his first senior appearance since round 12.

Jake Kolodjashnij and Tom Atkins are Geelong's inclusions, replacing Lachie Henderson and the injured Cam Guthrie (calf soreness).

FULL TEAMS Check 'em out now

Greater Western Sydney has also loaded up, naming Toby Greene, Jacob Hopper, Nick Haynes and Brett Deledio for its elimination final showdown with the in-form – and unchanged – Western Bulldogs.

Coach Luke Beveridge resisted the urge to bring in utility Jackson Trengove or sharpshooter Tory Dickson.

Free agent Adam Tomlinson is the surprising name among the Giants' outs for the match at Giants Stadium, with Isaac Cumming, Ian 'Bobby' Hill and Lachie Keeffe the other omissions.

There are also minimal changes for Saturday night's qualifying between Brisbane and Richmond at the Gabba.

Allen Christensen returns at Cedric Cox's expense for the Lions, while the Tigers recalled 2017 premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis to support Ivan Soldo.

Noah Balta goes out of Richmond's line-up.

Thursday, September 5

West Coast v Essendon at Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST

WEST COAST

In: W.Schofield, N.Naitanui, M.Hutchings

Out: O.Allen (knee soreness), L.Duggan, J.Petruccelle

ESSENDON

In: C.Hooker, J.Stringer, O.Fantasia, D.Heppell, W.Snelling

Out: M.Hartley, T.Jok, J.Begley, D.Clarke, M.Gleeson (calf)

Friday, September 6

Geelong v Collingwood at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST

GEELONG

In: J.Kolodjashnij, T.Atkins

Out: L.Henderson, C.Guthrie (calf soreness)

COLLINGWOOD

In: J.De Goey, S.Sidebottom, J.Stephenson

Out: J.Madgen, M.Scharenberg, T.Varcoe

Saturday, September 7

Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs at Giants Stadium, 3.20pm AEST

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

In: N.Haynes, T.Greene, B.Deledio, J.Hopper

Out: I.Cumming, L.Keeffe, A.Tomlinson, I.Hill

WESTERN BULLDOGS

No changes

Brisbane v Richmond at the Gabba, 7.25pm AEST

BRISBANE

In: A.Christensen

Out: C.Cox

RICHMOND

In: T.Nankervis

Out: N.Balta