Geelong have regained star utility Steve Johnson, but Allen Christensen will miss Friday night’s blockbuster AFL qualifying final against arch-rivals Hawthorn.

The Cats also recalled Hamish McIntosh and Steve Motlop, with Mitch Brown, Billie Smedts and Lincoln McCarthy going out of the side.

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Johnson has been out of action for three weeks with a foot injury, while McIntosh, Motlop and Christensen were rested last weekend.

Christensen was ruled out because of back soreness.

As expected, Hawthorn key defender Brian Lake was named after recovering from the hip injury he suffered last Friday night in the win over Collingwood.

The Hawks recalled captain Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton and Bradley Hill for Ryan Schoenmakers, Angus Litherland and Billy Hartung.

Sydney and North Melbourne made five changes apiece as they regained several big guns for their Saturday finals.

Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Craig Bird, Mike Pyke and Ben McGlynn will boost the Swans’ lineup for their ANZ Stadium qualifying final against Fremantle.

Michael Johnson has been a key man in Fremantle’s defence. Photo: Getty

Tom Mitchell was an unlucky omission after 29 possessions last weekend.

Shane Biggs, Dean Towers, Sam Naismith and Zak Jones joined him in dropping out of the side.

The Dockers recalled ruckman Jon Griffin along with Nathan Fyfe and Alex Silvagni.

Michael Johnson (back) is a major loss for the Dockers and Nick Suban has an ankle injury, while Hayden Crozier was dropped.

North included Lindsay Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Michael Firrito, Levi Greenwood and Luke McDonald for Saturday night’s MCG elimination final against Essendon.

Leigh Adams (concussion) and Lachie Hansen (hip) did not come up as Daniel Currie, Aaron Mullett and Mason Wood were left out.

Essendon regained David Myers and Ariel Steinberg for Paddy Ambrose and Orazio Fantasia.

Veteran Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson is in the squad for Sunday’s Adelaide Oval elimination final against Port Adelaide.

But the Tigers left ruck-forward Ty Vickery out of their 25-man group.