Magpies' flag heroes back, Blues lose injured spearhead

Curnow has been managing knee soreness and will undergo a clean-up procedure, ruling him out of the struggling Blues' clash with Fremantle on Sunday.

It is expected the 28-year-old key forward will be fit to return for the start of pre-season training leading into the 2026 campaign.

De Goey will line up against Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday night in his first match since round eight, after being sidelined with achilles inflammation and then concussion.

Magpies veteran Scott Pendlebury returns after a week off and Bobby Hill is back after missing the last five matches because of personal reasons.

Norm Smith medallist Hill kicked three goals when he and De Goey featured in a rare VFL appearance last week.

"In the ideal world, they probably do both need a little bit more (match fitness)," Collingwood coach Craig McRae admitted on Wednesday.

"But we just weigh up what the team needs this week, and then what's best for those guys longer-term.

"Are they fit and available to perform at a level that we'd like this week?"

Lachie Sullivan is out for Collingwood, sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Ed Allan and Tom Mitchell have been dropped.

The Lions have managed ruckman Oscar McInerney, with Henry Smith and Bruce Reville named for the reigning premiers against the ladder leaders.

Finals-bound Gold Coast have regained experienced midfielder Touk Miller (hamstring) for their clash with Richmond at People First Stadium on Saturday.

Melbourne picked Jai Culley to make his club debut against bottom side West Coast, who axed him at the end of last season, at Marvel Stadium.

The Eagles have made four changes, with former first-round draft pick Campbell Chesser named for his first senior game of the season.

Young gun Harley Reid (ankle) is out for the rest of the year.

Sydney, who are out of finals contention, recall Oliver Florent and Tom McCartin (concussion) among their five inclusions for the encounter with injury-ravaged Essendon at the SCG.

The Bombers made four changes and picked a record 14th debutant of the season, calling up Category B rookie Jayden Nguyen.

North Melbourne have named spearhead Nick Larkey (knee) and George Wardlaw (concussion) to return in their meeting with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

But the Kangaroos will be without captain Jy Simpkin (knee) against a Saints side buoyed by last week's epic comeback win over Melbourne.

Port Adelaide have lost Miles Bergman (shoulder) and Jack Lukosius (calf) to injuries for their daunting assignment against high-flying Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

The Dockers are likely to go in unchanged as they look to boost their finals prospects at Optus Stadium on Sunday against a Carlton side reeling from the loss of Curnow.

Australian Associated Press