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FINALS hopeful Richmond looks set to regain star midfielder/forward Dustin Martin for Saturday's must-win clash against the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium.
Martin missed the resurgent Tigers' eighth straight win on Sunday against St Kilda with a "tight hamstring".
"He's had it (hamstring tightness) for the past two weeks, hence why he has been playing forward a little bit more," coach Damien Hardwick said after the win over the Saints.
"He could have played ... we probably thought we were able to win [and] possibly give him a rest.
"He'll come in next week, which is obviously important to our side."
However, the ladder leaders will also be boosted by key inclusions.
Any hopes Richmond might have harboured of the Sydney Swans resting players for the clash were immediately quashed by coach John Longmire
The Swans will not only pick their best team available, but should also regain the services of Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn and Sam Reid, who was a late withdrawal against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday with a hip complaint.
Longmire said the trio were "huge chances" to take on the Tigers, though Craig Bird (knee) is expected to miss the clash.
Fremantle, meanwhile, is sweating on the fitness of skipper Matthew Pavlich as it gears up for a top-four AFL showdown against Port Adelaide on Saturday.
Pavlich was ruled out of Sunday’s 58-point win over the Lions after feeling discomfort in his quad just minutes before the start of the match.
The 32-year-old will be further assessed this week, with the Dockers hopeful the injury is only minor.
The winner of Saturday's clash between Port and Fremantle at Patersons Stadium will secure fourth spot and the double finals chance that goes with it.
The loser will finish fifth and face a sudden-death elimination final against the eighth-placed side.
Star Dockers trio Nat Fyfe (suspended), Michael Barlow (thumb) and Luke McPharlin (calf) have already been ruled out against the Power, while defender Lee Spurr will have to prove his fitness after being subbed out with a tight quad against the Lions.
Contenders West Coast and Essendon have big names in line for a recall for their season-deciding final-round matches, while injury-ravaged Collingwood will just be happy to select 22 fit men.
A number of Eagles are pushing hard for a recall to the side to take on Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.
Nic Naitanui, who was a late withdrawal against Melbourne due to Achilles soreness, should be available, while Scott Selwood is making a brave bid to play for the first time since round 12.
Elliot Yeo (hand) and Xavier Ellis (shoulder) are also making strong cases after recovering from their injuries.
"Well we should get Nic back hopefully and potentially we've got Yeo training quite solidly and Selwood's pushing hard and hopefully Ellis, he's had a good week this week," coach Adam Simpson said after Saturday's win over the Demons.
"I don't know if they are all going to be available, but they are pushing."
With Scott Lycett holding down his spot in the team and the return of Naitanui likely, Simpson suggested Cox was no certainty to take on the Suns.Essendon, almost assured a September berth barring unforeseen results, should welcome back the prolific Dyson Heppell for its round 23 clash with Carlton.
Heppell, the favourite for the Bombers' best and fairest, missed his club's win over Gold Coast after received minor surgery to repair a fractured bone in his hand.
Meanwhile, Collingwood faces an apparent Mission Impossible against Hawthorn to continue its sequence of successive finals campaigns – the longest live streak in the competition, dating back to 2006.
The wounded Magpies have endured a hellish period, losing eight front-line players to injury in their past two outings, most of whom are done for the season.
The casualties in Saturday's gutsy win over Greater Western Sydney were Dane Swan and Clinton Young, both of whom tore hamstrings, while tagger Brent Macaffer ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left leg. (Macaffer missed the 2012 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee.)
The question is: who can the Pies call on for a clash with the Hawks on Friday night? Their options are dwindling.
One player they won't be able to elevate is top draft pick Matt Scharenberg, who tore his ACL in just his fifth VFL game on Friday night, after earlier overcoming long-term foot injuries.
Heritier Lumumba (corked thigh) and Alan Toovey (groin) could return but livewire Jamie Elliott appears unlikely given he has suffered recurring hamstring problems.
Youngster Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman and Kyle Martin will be in the mix, as will former Brisbane Lions forward Patrick Karnezis, who must be a strong chance to play his first game for the Pies after kicking four goals in the VFL.
And Collingwood can't even bank on the Hawks resting a host of stars to balance the ledger a little, given the reigning premier will be determined to secure a top-two berth.
- with AAP
