ESSENDON has confirmed a sixth change for Saturday night's pivotal clash with Fremantle after losing gun swingman Cale Hooker and handing a debut to Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.

North Melbourne has also been forced into a change just 15 minutes before the first bounce in its clash with Port Adelaide. Paul Ahern (hamstring) is out, replaced by Nathan Hrovat.

Star Bomber Hooker (groin soreness) joins five omissions - Dylan Clarke, Josh Begley, David Myers, Ben McNiece and Mark Baguley - in going out of the line-up that was thumped by the Bulldogs by 104 points.

FOLLOW IT LIVE Dockers v Bombers

Zerk-Thatcher, a 195cm defender, was drafted from Sturt with pick 66 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft and adds to the backline changes with Michael Hurley, Adam Saad and Aaron Francis returning.

The Dockers, who must win to keep their slim finals chances alive, will go in unchanged for Aaron Sandilands and Hayden Ballantyne's home farewell matches, and Michael Walters' 150th game.

Fremantle v Essendon at Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST

LATE CHANGES

Fremantle: Nil

Essendon: Cale Hooker (groin soreness) replaced in selected side by Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

FINAL INTERCHANGES

Fremantle: Brandon Matera, Reece Conca, Andrew Brayshaw, Mitch Crowden

Essendon: Andrew McGrath, Kyle Langford, Aaron Francis, Brayden Ham

North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm AEST

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LATE CHANGES

North Melbourne: Paul Ahern (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Nathan Hrovat

Port Adelaide: Nil

FINAL INTERCHANGES

North Melbourne: Trent Dumont, Nathan Hrovat, Taylor Garner, Jed Anderson

Port Adelaide: Matthew Broadbent, Ollie Wines, Zak Butters, Peter Ladhams

Adelaide v Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACST

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LATE CHANGES

Adelaide: Riley Knight (hip soreness) replaced in selected side by Chayce Jones

Collingwood: Nil

FINAL INTERCHANGES

Adelaide: Bryce Gibbs, Jake Kelly, Chayce Jones, Reilly O'Brien

Collingwood: Chris Mayne, Callum Brown, Rupert Wills, John Noble

Brisbane v Geelong at the Gabba, 2.10pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES



FINAL INTERCHANGES

Brisbane: Allen Christensen, Alex Witherden, Zac Bailey, Oscar McInerney

Geelong: Brandan Parfitt, Quinton Narkle, Gryan Miers, Mark O'Connor

Carlton v St Kilda at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST

LATE CHANGES

Carlton: Jacob Weitering replaced in selected side by Darcy Lang

St Kilda: Nil



FINAL INTERCHANGES

Carlton: Paddy Dow, Michael Gibbons, Will Setterfield, Josh Deluca

St Kilda: Jack Steven, Luke Dunstan, Dan Hannebery, Ben Paton