AFL legend Lance Franklin will return for Sydney's clash with Richmond in what will almost certainly be the veteran forward's last appearance at the MCG.
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Franklin has missed the Swans' last three games with knee soreness but will be a welcome inclusion for Thursday night's must-win match.
Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch faces close to two months on the sidelines after requiring surgery on a fractured foot as the Demons eye a return for Clayton Oliver.
Collingwood spearhead Brody Mihocek will miss Friday's big clash with the Western Bulldogs through hamstring tightness.
After blowing a golden opportunity in drawing with Geelong last Friday night, Sydney (6-1-8) need to keep winning to be any chance of finishing inside the top eight.
The last game Sydney played at the MCG, Franklin was booed by Magpies fans every time he touched the ball in scenes that bewildered the AFL community.
The 36-year-old has been involved in two premierships at the famous ground, while playing in a further four grand-final defeats with the Swans and Hawthorn.
Franklin, who has played 350 games and kicked 1059 goals, will almost certainly end his legendary career when the Swans' campaign ends, after 19 AFL seasons.
To play at the MCG again Sydney would have to make an unlikely late season run and play a final at the ground.
Franklin will replace young tall Joel Amartey, who will be managed.
A hamstring injury kept Amartey sidelined for seven weeks and the Swans say they wanted to take a "proactive approach" with the 23-year-old.
Star midfielder Chad Warner (calf) will miss at least another game after sitting out the match against the Cats.
Melbourne gun Fritsch hurt his left foot in an early marking contest in the Demons' loss to GWS on Sunday.
Fritsch, who has booted 29 goals this season, will miss seven-to-eight weeks in a further blow to the Dees' misfiring attack.
"He had a little bit of a roll of his ankle and that has resulted in a fracture in his foot," club doctor Laura Lallenec told Melbourne's website.
"He actually underwent surgery this morning and that's gone really well.
"We're expecting a return to play of approximately seven to eight weeks at this stage, but we'll see how he goes."
Oliver has missed five games with a lingering hamstring issue but the Demons are confident he will face St Kilda.
Defender Michael Hibberd (kidney) is two weeks away.
Collingwood won't risk Mihocek while Brayden Maynard (shoulder) will be assessed.
Luckless Essendon defender Zach Reid is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing hamstring surgery following a re-aggravation of a previous injury.
The former high draft pick has played just eight games across three campaigns.
Australian Associated Press
