ADELAIDE
Patrick Dangerfield isn't expected to have an issue recovering from a heavy hit to the back he suffered against Carlton, with scans clearing him of any structural damage. Dangerfield was the only injury scare to come out of the club's narrow loss to the Blues. Brad Crouch remains a few weeks from a return to competitive football, as he now begins to regain lost fitness during his recovery from a broken leg. Brent Reilly found his touch in the SANFL at the weekend, collecting 28 disposals, kicking a goal and managing five inside and five rebound 50s. His inclusion to Adelaide's line-up would see him play his 200th AFLgame. - Harry Thring

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BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions will welcome both experience and class back into the team to play Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday. Vice-captain Tom Rockliff and dual best and fairest winner Joel Patfull will both return after missing the pre-bye loss against North Melbourne with a gastro bug. Second-year utility Sam Mayes will also come back into the line-up after missing the match with concussion he received from a training mishap. - Michael Whiting

Check out who starred in the state leagues

CARLTON
After their gutsy five-point win last Sunday – a fourth victory in five games – the Blues will be loath to make too many changes to their line-up. The only injury concern to come out of the win over the Crows was a hip injury to young defender Dylan Buckley that forced him to be subbed off at three-quarter time. Midfielder Mitch Robinson returns from suspension this weekend and he would be the ideal replacement for Buckley if the youngster does not come up. Vice-captain Andrew Carrazzo returned from a back injury and got through the match with the Northern Blues last Saturday unscathed, kicking one goal. Champion midfielder Chris Judd is set to resume in the VFL next weekend. - Howard Kotton





Andrew Carrazzo could return to further boost the Blues against the Lions. Picture: AFL Media 

COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies will be forced to make at least one change for their clash with St Kilda on Friday night, after it was confirmed Nathan Brown requires season-ending shoulder surgery. Lachlan Keeffe is likely to step straight back into the fold after an impressive 18-disposal, 11 mark game in the VFL on Saturday. Patrick Karnezis also booted six goals as he closes in on his senior Magpies debut, while Taylor Adams (33 touches), Ben Kennedy (31) and Sam Dwyer (30) continue to make the selectors sit up and take notice with solid form  at the lower level. – Ben Guthrie


ESSENDON
Essendon will regain Paul Chapman from suspension and should also have forward Jason Winderlich back to take on Richmond on Saturday night after his knee injury. But the Bombers might lose Jake Melksham to an ankle injury he suffered in the dying stages of their loss to the Sydney Swans in round nine. That could open a spot for Elliott Kavanagh to come in for his first game of the season after an impressive showing in the VFL on Saturday. Travis Colyer, Nick O'Brien, Leroy Jetta and Shaun Edwards were also among the best in the VFL. - Callum Twomey




Important Essendon forward Jason Winderlich could return this weekend. Picture: AFL Media

FREMANTLE
Luke McPharlin is a good chance to return to the Dockers' line-up for their clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. McPharlin has been sidelined by a calf injury since round seven. Freo had the bye at the weekend, as did its WAFL affiliate, Peel Thunder. When the Thunder last played, Hayden Crozier and Kepler Bradley were among the best players, while Michael Apeness kicked two goals. - Adam McNicol

GEELONG
The Cats will welcome back star midfielder Steve Johnson for their clash with the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Thursday night. Johnson has served his one-match suspension for misconduct against Freo's Ryan Crowley in round nine. But Geelong is likely to be without key defender Tom Lonergan, who suffered a bout of concussion early in the win over North Melbourne on Friday night. A number of players have been pushing their case in the VFL, with Jackson Thurlow and yet-to-debut draftees Darcy Lang and Jarrad Jansen performing strongly on the weekend. - Adam McNicol

GOLD COAST
The Suns look like taking one step closer to a full strength team for Sunday's match against the Crows in Adelaide, with full-back Rory Thompson expected to overcome a wrist injury. Thompson was a late withdrawal against the Western Bulldogs at the weekend, but would be a timely inclusion to partner in-form defensive pillar Steven May to take on a big Adelaide forward line that includes Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins. Jeremy Taylor and Seb Tape continue their strong form at reserves level and are also outside chances to play. - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Following consecutive 100-point defeats, no one in charcoal and orange should feel confident of retaining their place in the senior side to meet Hawthorn this week. Confidence is well down and coach Leon Cameron needs to find the right balance to face the Hawks. At least aiding his cause, the reserves are coming off an incredible 191-point victory over Gold Coast. Jed Lamb kicked six goals in that game and would have to be a strong chance of a recall, while Tom Bugg, Jono O'Rourke and Liam Sumner also contributed. Defensive reinforcements are perhaps the biggest need, meaning Tim Mohr and Josh Hunt would have to be in serious consideration this week. - James Dampney

HAWTHORN
Key forward Jarryd Roughead will be licking his lips when he returns from a one-match ban to take on Greater Western Sydney. Roughead could be a straight swap for ruckman Ben McEvoy, if he fails to recover from a corked leg. McEvoy was substituted at half-time in the loss to Port Adelaide. Unlucky midfielder Alex Woodward continues to knock the door down to make his AFL debut. Woodward has looked a cut above VFL level for the past month and was Box Hill's best against Port Melbourne on Sunday. - Travis King

MELBOURNE
Chris Dawes' suspension means one change is necessary. The return of James Frawley is likely as he missed the Richmond game and could slot into the forward post to support Max Gawn and Mark Jamar. Neville Jetta was a late withdrawal before the bye and will be available while Jordie McKenzie was the only player from the VFL to extend his case with a good showing. Dom Barry is developing well and might get an opportunity at some stage. After such a good win against Richmond, changes are likely to be minimal. - Peter Ryan


In: James Frawley, out: Chris Dawes? It's an option the Dees may take against Port. Picture: AFL Media

NORTH MELBOURNE
With Joel Tippett suffering a long-term pectoral injury last Friday night, North will be sweating on the fitness of key defender Nathan Grima (foot) for the clash against West Coast and its horde of tall forwards. Along with Aaron Mullett (hamstring), Grima has missed the past two rounds but both defenders are reasonable chances to return against the Eagles. Coach Brad Scott was fuming after last Friday night's loss to Geelong so could wield the selection axe this week. Midfielder Ben Jacobs put his hand up for a senior recall with 42 disposals for North Ballarat at the weekend, while Werribee-aligned forward Mason Wood (22 disposals and two goals) continued his push for a debut game. - Nick Bowen

PORT ADELAIDE
Angus Monfries will be assessed at training this week with the club hoping he'll manage to overcome a rolled ankle sustained against Hawthorn last Saturday night. Tom Jonas will also be closely watched after missing two games (either side of the bye) with a groin injury. The club will be without star midfielder Hamish Hartlett though, who accepted a one-match ban for striking Hawthorn's Bradley Hiil. Paul Stewart hit a timely patch of form in the SANFL, collecting 29 possessions, taking 10 marks, as did Ben Newton (25 disposals, seven inside 50s). - Harry Thring
 
RICHMOND
Ivan Maric should be a welcome return after a commanding second game back in the VFL. The ruckman kicked two goals and had 41 hit-outs in the club's VFL loss to Werribee. Daniel Jackson will be tested this week after being subbed out of the Tigers' landslide win over Greater Western Sydney with a leg injury. In his place, Anthony Miles appears primed to come in after being elevated last week and playing well in the VFL. Aaron Edwards and Ricky Petterd were also mentioned as having standout games while Orren Stephenson looks set to miss a week with a hamstring and Todd Elton has injured his shoulder. - Jennifer Phelan
 
ST KILDA
The Saints have been cruelled by long-term injuries this season but should finally get one back this week after their bye with David Armitage set to return from his knee laceration against Collingwood. James Gwilt will miss the next two after tweaking his hamstring at training before the Gold Coast game while Blake Acres suffered a high ankle sprain against the Suns that will cost him six weeks. Seb Ross has been in good form in the VFL and could come in. - Jennifer Phelan

SYDNEY SWANS
A five-game winning streak means there are unlikely to be too many changes this week, although room will be made for Ben McGlynn, whomissed the victory over Essendon due to illness. Tom Mitchell's record-breaking 64-possession, four-goal return in the reserves last time out also helps his prospects of a first appearance since round four enormously. Mike Pyke (hamstring) still isn't ready to return, meaning Tom Derickx will continue to shoulder the ruck load against Geelong duo Hamish McIntosh and Dawson Simpson. Gary Rohan, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Ryan O'Keefe are among those waiting in the wings, but it might take some injuries to players in the current 22 for them to get a look in.  - James Dampney





Will 64 touches be enough for Tom Mitchell to break into the Swans' side? Picture: AFL Media

WEST COAST
Important forward Mark LeCras returns from a one-week suspension to face North Melbourne on Sunday and could put pressure on Josh Hill's spot. Hard-nut Patrick McGinnity, half-back Will Schofield and midfielder Sam Butler were in good form before last weekend's WAFL bye and are probably first in line to come in if Elliot Yeo's broken front teeth force him to miss any football. The Eagles had few passengers in an eight-point loss to Collingwood and are unlikely to make many changes. - Travis King