COLLINGWOOD has pulled a selection shock by dropping star defender Ben Reid, while rookie Josh Thomas will make his long-awaited return to AFL against Hawthorn after serving an anti-doping suspension.

Reid has been axed after one game back from a quad injury, alongside James Aish, youngster Callum Brown and Ben Crocker.

Star small forward Jamie Elliott is a welcome inclusion from an ankle injury, with American giant Mason Cox and Jackson Ramsay also into the line-up for Sunday's clash at the MCG.

Thomas is back for his first game in 1036 days after serving a two-year ban for testing positive to a banned substance in March 2015.

The Hawks will be without pressure forward Paul Puopolo due to groin soreness, but important defender Ben Stratton returns after six weeks on the sidelines with a knee complaint.

Fremantle has lost star midfielder Stephen Hill to injury and axed young gun Connor Blakely plus underperforming recruit Shane Kersten for a clash against St Kilda at Domain Stadium.

Hill (calf) and last round's debutant Josh Deluca (ankle) have been forced out through injury, but Blakely has been dropped for going surfing after leaving training due to illness on Wednesday.

Kersten has been sent back to the WAFL for the first time since joining the Dockers from Geelong in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period.

The 24-year-old forward has had just 16 touches and kicked only one goal in his last three games.

The Dockers welcome back skipper Nat Fyfe (bruised sternum), Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) and tenacious forward Brady Grey (hamstring), while Ethan Hughes has been recalled.

Bullocking young ruckman Sean Darcy holds his spot despite Sandilands' return after impressing on debut last round with 40 hit-outs and 14 disposals.

The Dockers need a win to keep their fading finals hopes alive after four straight defeats, while the Saints will be searching for their first win in Perth since 2011.

St Kilda has made one change, bringing back tough nut Jack Steele, who had 34 touches and booted a goal in the VFL last weekend.

Steele replaces West Australian midfielder Blake Acres, who has been omitted for the first time this year.

Essendon has brought back emerging star Darcy Parish and tall forward Cale Hooker for its match-up against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.

Shaun McKernan and Ben Howlett make way for the Dons, who sit one win outside the top eight with a 6-7 record.

The Lions have made only one forced change, with skipper Dayne Beams (shoulder) replaced by key forward Josh Walker.

Essendon v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm AEST

ESSENDON

In: C.Hooker, D.Parish

Out: S.McKernan, B.Howlett

BRISBANE LIONS

In: J.Walker

Out: D.Beams (shoulder)

Hawthorn v Collingwood at the MCG, 3.20pm AEST

HAWTHORN

In: B.Stratton

Out: P.Puopolo

COLLINGWOOD

In: M.Cox, J.Elliott, J.Ramsay, J.Thomas

Out: J.Aish, B.Crocker, B.Reid, C.Brown

Fremantle v St Kilda at Domain Stadium, 2.40pm AWST

FREMANTLE

In: N.Fyfe, A.Sandilands, B.Grey, E.Hughes

Out: S.Hill (calf), J.Deluca (ankle), S.Kersten, C.Blakely (failing to meet team standards)

ST KILDA

In: J.Steele

Out: B.Acres