SWEEPING changes, unexpected comebacks and debutants marked the final home-and-away team selection night for 2007.
Essendon named Jay Neagle, the son of former star Merv Neagle, to make his debut as one of six changes in Kevin Sheedy's last game as Bomber coach, while Carlton named 18-year-old Mark Austin for his first game in the clash with Melbourne.
The Kangaroos have selected defender Josh Gibson for his first match since he had bleeding on the brain after a fall in his bathroom in June.
Gibson has not played a game since round 10, but the Roos have named him at full-back for Sunday's clash against the Western Bulldogs.
"He will probably have to get through a couple of training sessions and then we will decide," coach Dean Laidley said yesterday.
However, Laidley said he was unwilling to risk forward Nathan Thompson this season.
The full-forward had a knee reconstruction before the start of the season and, although Thompson believes he is ready to go, the Kangaroos are not quite so sure.
"He will only play, I think at this stage, if we get a lot of injuries. I have thought long and hard about it and I wouldn't like to see him go down again. It's too big a risk," Laidley said. "We have just re-signed him. I would hate to lose him; he is part of our plans going forward."
The Roos also added Jesse Smith, who missed last week's clash against Carlton with an ankle injury, and Lachlan Hansen to the squad.
Chris Grant, who has been sidelined with a knee complaint, is back for the Bulldogs and Matthew Robbins is being given a farewell game. Cameron Faulkner, Jarrod Harbrow and Jordan McMahon come into the team. Jason Akermanis is out with a hamstring injury, while a groin strain has forced Andrejs Everitt to miss.
St Kilda has been bolstered by the inclusion of veteran Robert Harvey, back from a quad strain, Clinton Jones and James Gwilt. Jayden Attard (knee reconstruction), Matthew Clarke and Brett Voss have been omitted from the team to play the Tigers.
Richmond has made one change, with Chris Hyde in for Jay Schulz.
In the match that could have the finals line-up decided by tonight, Collingwood has replaced the injured Alan Didak (hip) with Rhyce Shaw. Should Adelaide win, the final eight will be set with the Crows, who have named Jonathon Griffin and Chris Knights to replace the omitted Michael Doughty and John Meesen, taking the eighth place.
Melbourne and Carlton have both made wholesale changes. James McDonald, Matthew Bate, Clint Bizzell, Paul Wheatley and Colin Garland are in for Melbourne, while David Neitz is out with a knee injury and Colin Sylvia with a hip injury.
Carlton has lost only Brad Fisher with a knee injury and has included Austin, Luke Blackwell, Ryan Houlihan and Simon Wiggins.
