Tough defender Brayden Maynard will return from his shoulder injury to bolster Collingwood's back-line in the crunch clash with Gold Coast, but he is likely to require surgery in the AFL off-season.

Fellow backman Isaac Quaynor will miss Saturday's contest at People First Stadium with an ankle injury, while the Magpies will unveil first-gamer Liam Puncher in defence.

The mid-season draftee is one of five debutants named across the competition this week, with Suns academy product Dylan Patterson set to feature in the same fixture.

West Coast mid-season draftee Oliver Francou, Hawthorn's former rugby league player Matt Hill and GWS academy product Riley Hamilton will also debut this week.

Collingwood premiership star Maynard returns to provide a timely boost for his 10th-placed side in their hunt for a finals berth.

The 29-year-old has not played since twice dislocating his right shoulder in the King's Birthday clash with Melbourne.

"Good to have our spiritual leader back ... not many can do what he does," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said of Maynard's speedy recovery.

Maynard trained unencumbered on Thursday, albeit with strapping on his shoulder, and later spent time signing autographs for fans.

While fit to play the Suns, the Magpies vice-captain is not yet out of the woods.

"At some stage I'd be surprised if he doesn't need an operation. There is a bit of a risk attached to any of these injuries," McRae said.

"They can pop out, but he's done some strengthening work and now it's just a matter of seeing how it goes in the battle."

Hawthorn veteran Jack Gunston is back from a foot injury, but Nick Watson (hamstring) is unavailable for his third-placed side's clash with Melbourne in Launceston on Saturday.

The seventh-placed Demons have been bolstered by the return of Harrison Petty, Latrelle Pickett, Changkuoth Jiath and Bailey Laurie.

GWS have lost Max Gruzewski (knee) and Brent Daniels (calf) for their clash with Fremantle in Canberra, with the ladder-leading Dockers unchanged.

Hamilton is one of four inclusions for the Giants, alongside Harry Rowston, Josaia Delana and Jack Ough, but key defender Jack Buckley (hamstring) remains sidelined.

Tom Lynch (larynx) returns for Richmond against Carlton, but the Tigers have lost Dion Prestia (hamstring), while the in-form Blues have recalled Ollie Hollands in place of Blake Acres.

Essendon named Peter Wright and Nik Cox in an extended squad for Sunday's clash with St Kilda, who picked Liam Henry and Mattaes Phillipou among their inclusions, with Jack Sinclair (calf) and Tom De Koning (ribs/lung) to miss.

Tristan Xerri, Luke McDonald and Griffin Logue were all named in North Melbourne's extended squad for their meeting with Port Adelaide on Sunday.