Eagles load up on stars, Gawn back for Demons

In other big round-20 selection news, Max Gawn is back for Melbourne, Sam Taylor has been named for GWS, Darcy Parish's return will help bolster Essendon, and American Mason Cox will be back in action for Collingwood.

Waterman (knee), McGovern (ribs/lung) and Yeo (soreness) have all been rushed back into an Eagles side looking to derail Fremantle's top-four hopes, while Darling earns a recall after being overlooked for the past two games.

Fremantle already knew they would be without skipper Alex Pearce (broken arm) for at least the next three to four weeks, and they were dealt a fresh injury blow when Walters was ruled out with a hamstring strain.

Josh Draper replaces Pearce, while Tom Emmett has been named in the 23-man squad.

Cox hasn't featured at AFL level since injuring his knee and suffering a concussion in a nasty fall during Collingwood's draw with Fremantle in Perth on May 24.

The forward/ruckman returns for Sunday's must-win match against Richmond at the MCG, with Lachie Schultz also named after recovering from concussion.

Nathan Kreuger goes out with concussion.

Richmond will again be without Dustin Martin as the veteran continues to battle a back injury, but Nick Vlastuin and Tim Taranto return from injury.

Carlton trio Sam Durdin, Blake Acres and Tom De Koning have been ruled out of Friday night's clash with Port Adelaide, but Mitch McGovern and Marc Pittonet are back. 

Port are still without Todd Marshall (hip).

Brisbane have named Joe Daniher at fullback for Saturday's QClash as they attempt to plug holes in a defence missing Harris Andrews (concussion), Darragh Joyce (jaw) and Jack Payne (foot).

The Lions welcome back defenders Conor McKenna and Jaxon Prior, along with forward Logan Morris.

Gold Coast recalled fit-again ruckman Jarrod Witts along with goalsneak Thomas Berry and Malcolm Rosas, but key forward Jed Walter was dropped.

Essendon have been boosted by the return of Parish from his calf injury, while forward Peter Wright and veteran Dyson Heppell were also included.

Veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein was dropped, and Jake Kelly (Achilles) and Matt Guelfi (hamstring) go out injured.

The Saints recalled Anthony Caminiti in place of Liam Henry, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The return of Gawn from his ankle injury should help Melbourne address last week's clearance horror show when they front up against GWS on Saturday.

All-Australian defender Taylor returns for GWS after overcoming a groin injury, but Stephen Coniglio will miss another week with a shoulder injury.

North Melbourne will be without Colby McKercher (soreness), Zac Fisher (foot) and Eddie Ford (ankle) when they take on Geelong in Hobart on Saturday.

Tanner Bruhn is back for Geelong after recovering from a scaphoid fracture and Jedd Bews has been included for his first AFL match of the season.

Zach Tuohy (managed) is being rested by the Cats.

Sydney get back Callum Mills against the Bulldogs on Sunday but they lost Dane Rampe (calf) and Tom Papley (ankle) to injury.

Bulldogs defender Liam Jones has been named in the extended squad after recovering from a knee injury.

Adelaide has lost skipper Jordan Dawson (concussion), Jordan Butts (foot) and Nick Murray (knee), but welcome back Taylor Walker for Sunday's meeting with Hawthorn.

Australian Associated Press