Essendon named Dyson Heppell after he had scans on Friday to assess what was behind his back soreness with the Bombers’ skipper saying he expected to be fit to face Port Adelaide in Adelaide on Saturday.

“I had a bit of a crook back at training (on Thursday) ... hopefully,I will be cherry ripe,” Heppell said.

The Bombers backed the team that capitulated in the second half against Hawthorn,making no changes while Port Adelaide recalled Hamish Hartlett to replace Riley Bonner,who injured a hamstring in round one. Port’s speedy forward Connor Rozee remains on the sidelines after foot surgery.

The Saints recalled Max King and Zak Jones to play Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday with Jack Bytel and Dan McKenzie omitted.

King missed last week’s win over Greater Western Sydney because of concussion,having beenhit by a golf ball in a freak accident,while Jones had a hamstring issue.

The Saints will still be without co-captain Jarryn Geary,Dan Hannebery,James Frawley and Rowan Marshall,whileruckman Paddy Ryder is on personal leave.

Saints coach Brett Ratten said King would have a key role to play alongside fellow marking forward Tim Membrey.

The Demons welcome back their former skipper Jack Viney after he missed round one with a foot injury. He replaces tough midfielder James Harmes,who fractured his wrist. Kade Chandler did not take the field as the medical sub in round one and will play in the VFL.

North Melbourne recalled tough midfielder Jed Anderson and Aidan Corr remained in the team despite being subbed out of the game last week against Port Adelaide.

Matt Rowell is out but Gold Coast named top 10 pick Ben Ainsworth while Nick Holman was dropped.

Lance Franklin will play his first match since 2019 against the Crows with Justin McInerney also replacing injured Swan James Rowbottom and Hayden McLean was dropped.