ADELAIDE
Ricky Henderson looks ready to rejoin his AFL teammates after a successful return to SANFL footy for Central District. Henderson missed a week with a calf injury and has been the Crows' emergency the past fortnight. He booted two goals and managed 15 possessions. Bulldogs teammate Ian Callinan kicked another three goals while Sturt trio Matthew Jaensch (30 disposals), Brodie Martin (26 touches, one goal) and Aidan Riley (26 disposals, eight clearances) were also impressive. Brad Crouch was slightly down on his usual form with 16 touches and a goal. - Harry Thring
 
BRISBANE LIONS
Michael Voss will have to make multiple changes from the team that lost against Carlton last week to play Collingwood on Friday night. Billy Longer will come in for Matthew Leuenberger (thumb), while Justin Clarke will return from suspension to bolster a wobbly defence. Matt Maguire is also an outside chance of returning from a leg injury to man Travis Cloke, which could result in rookie Sam Michael drifting forward to cover for the potential suspension of co-captain Jonathan Brown. The quad injury to vice-captain Tom Rockliff will give another young midfielder a chance, most likely Patrick Karnezis. - Michael Whiting

CARLTON
Carlton star Chris Yarran (hamstring) is likely to return for the clash with Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Also in the selection mix are the three emergencies from last round's win over the Brisbane Lions – key forward Levi Casboult, backman-turned-forward Jeremy Laidler and youngster Troy Menzel, who made his AFL debut against Port Adelaide in round eight. Carlton's VFL affiliate, the Northern Blues, had a bye at the weekend, but those in contention for promotion include big men Shaun Hampson and Sam Rowe, defenders Nick Duigan and Matthew Watson, and little men Dylan Buckley and Aaron Joseph. - Ben Collins

COLLINGWOOD
Heath Shaw is expected back after back-related hamstring tightness kept him out of the game against the Sydney Swans. Jordan Russell tweaked an ankle on the weekend and his hold on the running defender position looks shaky. Collingwood may elevate a rookie because Dale Thomas is injured. Kyle Martin has been in hot form in the VFL, kicking six goals last week, and would have the inside running to claim that spot. Alan Didak and Ben Johnson remain in contention with Jackson Paine likely to be given more time. The Magpies are likely to revert to one ruckman plus Quinten Lynch as the back-up. - Peter Ryan






Heath Shaw could give the Magpies a boost for Friday's game against the Lions. Picture: AFL Media

ESSENDON
Michael Hurley is again set for a stint on the sidelines after injury his ankle in last week's win over Richmond but the Bombers have no shortage of replacements, with Scott Gumbleton and Joe Daniher jostling for a senior spot. Jackson Merrett might be back after some classy touches in the VFL last week, while Alwyn Davey is a chance to return to face the Sydney Swans on Saturday after a minor hamstring strain. Youngsters Alex Browne and Will Hams continue to push for senior spots. - Callum Twomey




Essendon may call on Scott Gumbleton for its clash against the Sydney Swans. Picture: AFL Media

FREMANTLE
Stephen Hill will be the most talked about player at Fremantle this week. The star midfielder hasn't played since round five due to a quad injury that has been very carefully monitored. He moved well at training last week and should be fit. Matthew Pavlich will make a case to the coaching staff but Ross Lyon said he is unlikely to be considered this week with the bye to follow a trip to Adelaide. The Dockers have no injury concerns from the weekend apart from Alex Silvagni rolling an ankle but he should be OK. It will be tough for Viv Michie, Josh Simpson, or Matt Taberner to force their way in after all were emergencies last week. Josh Mellington had 23 touches and kicked four goals in the WAFL, and has been mentioned by Lyon as a possible option. - Alex Malcolm

GEELONG
The Cats will welcome back veteran midfielder James Kelly for this week's first night game at Simonds Stadium against Gold Coast. Kelly has served the two-match suspension he copped for bumping Essendon's Brendon Goddard in round seven. James Podsiadly (knee, ankle) is likely to miss the clash with the Suns, with big man Nathan Vardy set to replace him. Vardy has not played in the AFL yet this season, but he was best-on-ground in the VFL last weekend. Billie Smedts is also a chance to return after overcoming an ankle problem. - Adam McNicol





GOLD COAST
While last week's loss against Hawthorn was a credible one, it came at some expense for the Suns. Jared Brennan (knee) and Jesse Lonergan (hamstring) will miss Saturday night's match against Geelong at Simonds Stadium, while Steven May is also racing the clock with a corked thigh. On the flipside Harley Bennell (hamstring) is almost certain to return, while it looks like Karmichael Hunt might spend a week in reserves after missing three with a hamstring. It could be the perfect week for Guy McKenna to reintroduce deputy vice-captain Michael Rischitelli after he starred in the reserves at the weekend. - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
There could be another raft of changes this week as coach Kevin Sheedy searches for a winning formula to take to Melbourne to face Carlton. Talented forward Nathan Wilson was among the best in the reserves on the weekend and is in line for his first senior appearance of 2013. Sam Reid also bobbed up to kick four goals for the seconds, while Nick Haynes and Mark Whiley also stood out in the loss to the Gold Coast reserves. Gerald Ugle is another who is regularly kicking goals in the seconds and should be inching closer to his first shot of the year. Setanta O'hAilpin was very quiet against West Coast after being a late inclusion for Dean Brogan, although he wasn't alone in a 100-point loss. Sheedy will be hoping Brogan's back spasms have settled after Jonathan Giles was monstered in the ruck against the Eagles. - James Dampney

HAWTHORN
The Hawks are confident of regaining David Hale (ankle) and Grant Birchall (back) for this weekend's clash with Melbourne, after both missed the 26-point win over Gold Coast on Sunday. Shane Savage, dropped in the lead-up to round six, turned in yet another outstanding performance for Box Hill, gathering 33 disposals and booting two goals in a best on ground display. Will Langford, Mitch Hallahan and Angus Litherland all continue to push their names up with consistent form at VFL level. - Mark Macgugan

MELBOURNE
If Melbourne could play young forward Jesse Hogan, it would do so in a heartbeat. Hogan, who is ineligible to play AFL until next year, kicked five goals in a best afield performance for the Casey Scorpions. Jack Fitzpatrick may come under consideration after he also added five majors, and he competed admirably in the ruck for 19 hit-outs. David Rodan (26 touches) and Cameron Pedersen (23) may also be called upon if Mark Neeld opts for more experience to help alleviate the Demons' struggles. - Ben Guthrie

NORTH MELBOURNE
North will have to try to cover the loss of suspended co-vice-captain Jack Ziebell this round, with inside midfielders Levi Greenwood, Ben Jacobs and Jordan Gysberts his most likely replacements. Jacobs continued his solid VFL form in North Ballarat's loss to Box Hill last Saturday, while Gysberts will get the chance to advance his claims in Werribee's Foxtel Cup clash with Queanbeyan on Tuesday night. Greenwood has not been named for Werribee but remains the leading contender to replace Ziebell. Liam Anthony (30 possessions) Brad McKenzie (22) impressed with North Ballarat on Saturday, while Taylor Hine is also likely to be strongly considered for a senior recall. - Nick Bowen


PORT ADELAIDE
Livewire forward Jake Neade and ruckman Matthew Lobbe are both expected to be fit and available for Saturday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs in Darwin. Neade was rested last weekend and Lobbe was a late withdrawal because of a rolled ankle. Fellow ruckman Brent Renouf will also be assessed this week. With coach Ken Hinkley sounding the need for tall defenders, young Jack Hombsch could make his Power debut after standing out for Sturt at the weekend. Key position player Nick Salter could also come into calculations after another six goals in the SANFL. Others pressing for selection include Paul Stewart (18 possessions, two goals), Cameron Hitchcock (22 disposals, 10 inside 50s and a goal). - Harry Thring

RICHMOND
The Tigers aren't expecting Brandon Ellis (hamstring) and Ricky Petterd (calf) back before their round 11 bye but Reece Conca (foot) has been listed as a test. While Conca would probably love to play in front of his home crowd in Western Australia, the enticement of another game off in front of the bye might see him miss. Brett O'Hanlon (ankle) is also listed as a test while the Tigers have reported Brett Deledio suffered no structural damage to the knee he injured in the second quarter on Saturday night. First-year forward Matt McDonough was best for the VFL side on the weekend and has been playing well for a few weeks now. - Jennifer Phelan

ST KILDA
Coach Scott Watters has reaffirmed this week that the development of his young players is a high priority, bringing fresh talent into the selection frame against North Melbourne on Sunday. Lenny Hayes is expected to recover from a cork, David Armitage should return from a calf injury, and there could be more changes after a disappointing loss to the Western Bulldogs. Midfielders Nathan Wright, Tom Ledger, Josh Saunders and Brodie Murdoch all pressed strong claims before VFL club Sandringham's bye last weekend. Defender Tom Simpkin could also play his second game for the year. - Nathan Schmook




St Kilda veteran Lenny Hayes is a good chance to return to face North. Picture: AFL Media

SYDNEY SWANS
Sam Reid's torn quad in last week's impressive victory over Collingwood has opened the door for another of the talls to earn a reprieve. Tommy Walsh and Jesse White are next in line, with both having played once for the club this season without grabbing their opportunity. With Reid out until at least the bye, and Lewis Roberts-Thomson (knee) still some weeks away from a return, the chance is there for a reasonable run in the team. Young midfielder Tom Mitchell is also getting closer to making his AFL debut, taken as an emergency to Melbourne last week, while Rhyce Shaw (abdominal) is getting closer to areturn. Coach John Longmire was happy with virtually all of his players after the Magpies win, meaning many more changes are unlikely to face Essendon this week. - James Dampney

WEST COAST
The Eagles have eight days to recover from their comfortable win over GWS. Bradd Dalziell is the only injury concern from the win after he was subbed out with concussion. He will have to pass all of the necessary tests to play against Richmond. Andrew Embley had 21 disposals and a goal in the WAFL on Saturday, after 28 the week before, and could make a push if Dalziell is ruled out. Beau Waters and Adam Selwood were both withdrawn from the trip to Skoda Stadium with quad complaints but both are expected to be available for the Tigers clash. - Alex Malcolm

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Fortunes have changed for the Western Bulldogs, after their important win over St Kilda. Adding to their weekend, Williamstown put on a show, thrashing Bendigo Gold by a whopping 176 points. While Brendan McCartney will be loathe to make changes to the side that put together their second win in 20 games, he had a few shining lights in the VFL win. Daniel Cross and Mitch Wallis top the list, while forgotten forward Jarrad Grant was dominant up forward. - Jacqui Reed