ADELAIDE
All attention will be focused on Adelaide's SANFL team selection this week and the imminent return to competitive football of Taylor Walker. The club is yet to confirm a return date, but speculation has been mounting that Walker could feature against Glenelg on Friday night. Richard Douglas is a strong chance to be sanctioned for his bump on Callan Ward, after the case was referred directly to the tribunal. He could be replaced by Andy Otten, who successfully negotiated his return from a knee injury (24 disposals, 11 marks) in the SANFL over the weekend. Jarryd Lyons (26 disposals, 14 clearances, 2.1) and Mitch Grigg (28 possessions, 1.1) both shone in the side's first SANFL win. - Harry Thring

Around the state leagues

BRISBANE LIONS
Justin Leppitsch will welcome some experience back into his young team for Friday night's match against St Kilda in Wellington, with Daniel Merrett back from a two-match suspension. Merrett could be joined by Pearce Hanley who has recovered more quickly than expected from a hamstring injury suffered in round four against Port Adelaide. Josh Green is in the same boat after suffering a hamstring strain in the same match and is a chance to return against the Saints. Andrew Raines and James Polkinghorne have given Leppitsch reason to consider their inclusion after excellent showings in the reserves at the weekend. - Michael Whiting

The Blues will have to find replacements for injured trio Chris Judd (hamstring), Ed Curnow (broken leg) and Tom Bell (broken finger). Brock McLean, who was dropped after the round two loss to Richmond and has not appeared in the seniors since, is a big chance to return after performing well for the Northern Blues last Sunday. Dylan Buckley, a late withdrawal against the Bulldogs, is also available for senior selection. Midfielder Nick Graham, dropped for the Bulldogs game, kicked two goals and was among the best in the VFL, as was utility Nick Holman. Carlton could also regain the services of key defender Michael Jamison, who missed last Sunday night’s game with a minor calf complaint. - Howard Kotton

Key defender Nathan Brown is ready to return, and is likely to do so against Essendon on Anzac Day, but at whose expense? Jack Frost and Lachlan Keeffe were both solid in the backline against the Roos and it's hard to justify playing all three key defenders. Sam Dwyer was best afield in the VFL at the weekend, while Taylor Adams – who couldn't find a place back in the side last week following a one-week suspension – also played well. Ben Reid (calf) will step up his training this week and could return before Collingwood's bye in round eight. - Ben Guthrie

ESSENDON 

Brendon Goddard is set to boost the Bombers' forward line for the Anzac Day clash. Picture: AFL Media

FREMANTLE
Opportunities may present themselves for fringe Dockers this week. Hayden Ballantyne's suspension will provide a chance for Hayden Crozier who was the travelling emergency on the weekend. Tom Sheridan made a strong case for re-inclusion after 32 disposals and a goal in the WAFL. Matt Taberner was subbed out with just four touches against the Swans. If the Dockers want to mix up the forward line, Michael Apeness is making a strong impression in the WAFL. He had 13 disposals, took six marks, and kicked a goal for Peel Thunder. Garrick Ibbotson also had 24 touches in his first game back from a shoulder dislocation. - Alex Malcolm

Intrigue surrounds the fitness of Andrew Mackie in the lead-up to the Cats' top of the table clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. The star defender suffered hamstring soreness in round four and was subbed out of the Easter Monday win over Hawthorn at three-quarter time. If Mackie is left out, Jackson Thurlow shapes as his most likely replacement. Thurlow didn't play in the VFL on the weekend, as he was being rested in case Mackie was a late withdrawal from the AFL side. Another young Cat pushing for a berth in the senior team is key forward Josh Walker, who booted four goals in the VFL on Saturday night and is the leading goalkicker in that competition. Mitch Brown is also in the mix after kicking three goals and tallying seven inside-50s in the VFL. Steven Motlop played his first game for the season in the VFL on Saturday night, but he is likely to spend another week at that level before pushing for AFL selection. - Adam McNicol

It will be hard for Guy McKenna to change a winning line-up when the Suns play Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. Seb Tape played his first game for the season in the reserves at the weekend, and while he'd be an ideal addition after Clay Cameron's recent shoulder injury, he still needs another game or two to play at senior level. Harley Bennell (calf) is close to a return after a frustrating stint on the sidelines, but will also have to return through the reserves. Timmy Sumner had another strong game in the twos and is pushing for a senior recall. - Michael Whiting

Callan Ward (concussion) will need to be assessed this week to see if he can face Gold Coast on Saturday. Heath Shaw (hamstring) and Shane Mumford (knee) would be outside chances of playing this week, but may require a little more time, while Dylan Shiel has overcome a quad problem and should line up for the first time since round one. Top draft pick Tom Boyd was quiet on debut against Adelaide, but will be better for the experience, while Andrew Phillips and Jonothan O'Rourke are among those putting pressure on for a senior berth. - James Dampney

The Hawks' one obvious weakness – its undersized defence - was exposed by Geelong and as a result Brian Lake is likely to be considered for his first senior game this season against Richmond on Sunday. The Norm Smith medallist played about 100 minutes for Box Hill in the VFL against Geelong on Saturday night, in his second hit-out for 2014. Midfielder Jed Anderson failed a fitness test before the loss to the Cats but could push for a return from a shoulder injury. - Travis King


The undersized Hawthorn backline could be set to call up Brian Lake his first game since the 2013 Grand Final. Picture: AFL Media

Christian Salem continues to do everything right in the VFL, which puts him in the selectors' minds again. Mitch Clisby and James Strauss may be given a chance and Daniel Nicholson's run and strength would be handy against the Swans this week. Colin Garland and Mark Jamar remain on the comeback trail and it would not surprise if either or both were picked this week. - Peter Ryan

Key forward Majak Daw is a strong chance to return this round after starring for Werribee with five goals in the VFL on Saturday. The Roos don't seem to have found the right mix in their forward line so far in 2014 and ruckman Daniel Currie's hold on his spot appears tenuous. North will need to replace suspended defender Scott Thompson, with full-back Joel Tippett a good chance to make his club debut after keeping St Kilda forward Tom Lee goalless in North Ballarat's loss to Sandringham on Saturday. Vice-captain Jack Ziebell has missed the past three weeks with a lingering shoulder injury, but is likely to return this Friday night against Fremantle. - Nick Bowen

Star trio Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz and Jackson Trengove have all been cleared of injury to face Geelong, while Angus Monfries is also a chance, having recovered quickly from a strained hamstring. Selection isn't getting any easier for Ken Hinkley, with an impressive win for the senior side over West Coast followed by a one-sided win for the Magpies in the SANFL. Kane Mitchell was prolific in the 58-point victory (35 touches, 1.4), as was Ben Newton (33 disposals, 14 clearances), while Paul Stewart showed great form (21 disposals, 15 marks, 3.3) and Jake Neade also managed three goals. - Harry Thring 


The Power will consider bringing back Angus Monfries from a hamstring injury for their heavyweight clash with the Cats. Picture: AFL Media

Prized draftee Ben Lennon increased pressure on the Tigers' match committee to blood him after a standout performance across half-back in the VFL. The No.12 draft pick racked up 28 possessions and 16 marks against Williamstown and is building strong form, with his precision kicking an asset the Tigers could use at AFL level. Forwards Ty Vickery and Jake King pushed their cases in the VFL but are unlikely to break back into the senior team this week. Tall target Liam McBean (three goals) was more impressive at VFL level, while Matt McDonough, Jake Batchelor and Brad Helbig are available. - Nathan Schmook  

The Saints will have to find a replacement for Adam Schneider, who will miss their trip to Wellington to face the Brisbane Lions, after being suspended for striking. Sam Fisher has made the trip across the Tasman and is a chance to return from a hamstring/back issue for his first game for the year. Shane Savage – the Saints' New Zealand native – is also in the frame after 26 touches in the VFL. Maverick Weller was Sandringham's best but needs promotion from the rookie list to play. David Armitage will miss again after being treated in hospital for a lacerated knee over the weekend. - Jennifer Phelan

Adam Goodes is nearing full fitness and pushing for a recall following a long layoff with a knee injury. Kurt Tippett played a half in the reserves last week but cracked his rib just before half-time and has been ruled out of the clash with Melbourne. Tom Mitchell (ankle) will have benefited from a week's rest and could slot straight in, while the club will monitor Gary Rohan, who was given a week in the seconds to help assess his troublesome leg. Ryan O'Keefe was an emergency against Fremantle and would need a big week on the track to force his way back in. - James Dampney 

The Eagles have a couple of concerns this week after losing to Port Adelaide. Darren Glass will miss a week through suspension. Will Schofield was unlucky to miss selection last week and was the carry-over emergency that didn't play in the WAFL. He could come straight in this week to face Carlton. Jeremy McGovern has been impressive in the WAFL, playing a key defensive post for East Perth. He had 20 touches and took 10 marks against Subiaco on Good Friday. Xavier Ellis is likely to miss against the Blues with a calf strain. Sam Butler had 27 disposals for East Perth and is the logical replacement. Brant Colledge also had 26 touches. If the Eagles choose to go with three ruckman again, Scott Lycett kicked five goals in the WAFL while Callum Sinclair had 27 hit outs and 20 disposals and either could be picked. - Alex Malcolm

After serving a one-match suspension, the Bulldogs will be hoping Dale Morris has overcome an ankle injury to help reinforce an undermanned defence that was monstered by the Blues. A debut may be handed to speedy midfielder  Mitch Honeychurch, after the 19-year-old's standout performance in the VFL on the weekend. Tory Dickson put his hand up for a recall with five goals. Tom Campbell or Ayce Cordy may be considered to help out a struggling Will Minson in the ruck. - Ryan Davidson