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Sydney coach John Longmire has axed five players for the AFL clash with St Kilda despite the Swans coming off a 22-point win against Carlton.

Sydney have dumped five players after their AFL win against Carlton, with key ruckman Tom Hickey and young forward Logan McDonald recalled for the Swans' clash with St Kilda.

Coach John Longmire did not hesitate in swinging the axe despite the Swans defeating the Blues by 22 points last Sunday to sit sixth on the ladder.

Hickey, who has been one of the recruits of the season, returns from a knee issue to replace dropped ruckman Callum Sinclair.

Hayden McLean, Kaiden Brand, Dylan Stephens and Lewis Taylor also make way, with Robbie Fox and Joel Amartey the other inclusions for Saturday's match at the SCG.

Hunter Clark is St Kilda's only inclusion, with Tom Highmore and Jack Lonie dropped.

Meanwhile, lowly Collingwood have been boosted by the return of dynamic forward Jamie Elliott's return from a broken leg.

Elliott has not played since injuring himself in round two, with the Magpies struggling to score in his absence and sit 16th at 2-9.

He was one of four inclusions ahead of Collingwood's match against Adelaide on Saturday, with star ruckman Brodie Grundy a crucial out having hurt his neck in last Saturday's loss to Geelong.

The Brisbane Lions have confirmed Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale's return following an extended stint on the sidelines due to ankle surgery.

Neale joins defender Ryan Lester back in the Lions' line-up for their blockbuster clash with ladder-leaders Melbourne at Giants Stadium on Friday night.

Concussed wingman Ed Langdon is the Demons' only out, with last week's medical sub Tom Sparrow coming into the starting 22.

Injury-hit West Coast have lost five players to injury, including stars Tim Kelly, Josh Kennedy and Oscar Allen, as they aim to end a 22-year drought at the SCG when they face Carlton on Sunday.

The Western Bulldogs have added five players, headlined by veteran ruckman Stefan Martin, to their extended squad for Sunday's game against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

As expected, triple premiership star Shane Edwards is back to bolster Richmond ahead of their sold-out Dreamtime game against Essendon in Perth on Saturday night.

Fellow premiership player Daniel Rioli has been dropped to an emergency but is likely to be used as the Tigers' medical sub

The Bombers have recalled defender Aaron Francis and Brayden Ham, while Will Snelling (thumb), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (omitted) go out.