• The injury list: Your club's sidelined players
Adelaide is set to welcome back defenders Rory Laird and Luke Brown for Saturday night's blockbuster against Geelong at Simonds Stadium. Laird missed last week's win against Collingwood with a hip complaint, while Brown has been sidelined for the past two games with a groin injury. Laird is expected to be fit while Brown will need to pass a fitness test this week. It'd be a tough call to leave out Ricky Henderson after he had 27 touches against the Magpies, while Kyle Hartigan or Paul Seedsman could also be squeezed out. In the SANFL, Cam Ellis-Yolmen continues to push his case for a senior recall with 32 disposals, seven marks, seven clearances and five tackles. Fellow midfielder Mitch Grigg (28 touches, five inside 50s and three goals) and rebounding defender Harrison Wigg (27 touches and five tackles) also didn't do their chances any harm. GWS recruit Curtly Hampton had 19 possessions in his second game in the SANFL for the Crows after missing the first half of the season through injury. - Lee Gaskin
With Dan McStay's season-ending ankle injury, the Lions will gladly welcome veteran Dan Merrett back into their lineup for the wooden spoon battle against Essendon on Sunday. Merrett missed last weekend's loss against Greater Western Sydney with a knee injury, but should be right to take on the Bombers. Lewy Taylor has an ankle problem but is expected to miss another week, while forward Michael Close and midfielder Nick Robertson were strong in the NEAFL and could come into consideration. - Michael Whiting
Levi Casboult is available after a one-game suspension and the Blues face a decision on whether to give Kristian Jaksch another chance after a disappointing performance in his first AFL game for the season last Sunday. Two of the Blues' draftees from last year produced heartening displays in the VFL last Saturday. In his VFL debut first-round draftee Harry McKay scored a goal with his first kick after a quick snap during the second quarter against North Ballarat. The No. 10 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft, who has battled a back injury in his maiden season, finished with two goals to go with his eight disposals. Midfielder David Cuningham, the No. 23 selection in last year's draft, had 16 touches and emerged unscathed in his first VFL game since round seven after overcoming a hip complaint. Midfielder Mark Whiley was superb, finishing with 38 disposals and two goals. Blaine Boekhorst was another stand-out performer with 30 touches and three goals. - Howard Kotton
Sharpshooter Alex Fasolo could return from a shoulder injury, possibly at the expense of the brave Brent Macaffer, to boost the Magpies' attack for their big clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night. That might be the sum total of the Pies' changes, given they have performed with more consistency over the past month. Potential inclusions from a hot VFL side that belted Frankston by 66 points include defenders Tyson Goldsack, Marley Williams and Adam Oxley, along with young runners Tom Phillips, Matthew Goodyear and Rupert Wills. - Ben Collins
Alex Fasolo may return from a shoulder injury to face the Roos. Picture: AFL Media
Coach John Worsfold has forecast that Adam Cooney should be fit to return to the senior team after being rested for last week's loss to Richmond. The veteran might be joined in the Bombers' line-up against the Brisbane Lions by a debutant, with Aaron Francis again impressing at VFL level last weekend. The top-10 draft pick had 18 disposals and took six marks in another powerful display and has to be right in contention for his first game. Ryan Crowley returned from his hamstring injury and gathered 26 disposals, Shaun Edwards lifted in a tight last term to finish with 27 disposals and two goals, while Jackson Merrett and James Polkinghorne continued their solid run of VFL form. - Callum Twomey
The Dockers will lose Michael Barlow (shoulder) for the season and Hayden Ballantyne (cheekbone) for an indefinite period. Matthew Pavlich also looks set to be rested this week so there are at least three spots up for grabs. There are a number of potential midfield replacements for Barlow. Matt de Boer can come in and play a run-with role after 29 touches for Peel last weekend. Clancee Pearce put his hand up with 21 disposals in Peel's comfortable win. Stephen Hill moved to an inside role in the second half against the Cats with some success and could do it again against the Suns, allowing either Darcy Tucker or Ed Langdon to play on a wing. Josh Deluca has been pushing for a chance and could replace Ballantyne following 23 touches and a goal. Replacing Pavlich won't be easy. Shane Yarran kicked two goals in the WAFL last week but was relatively quiet otherwise. Zac Clarke could come in as the second ruck/key forward. Ethan Hughes is also pushing for another chance in defence. - Alex Malcolm
Veteran Jimmy Bartel looks a certainty to return after being spared the trip to Perth to play Fremantle. The versatile Cat might have to play in defence if Lachie Henderson doesn't recover from concussion. Cory Gregson was first emergency so did not play VFL but could return, while Sam Menegola did his chances of an AFL debut no harm. He picked up 48 disposals but the jump from Werribee to Adelaide will be huge. Darcy Lang has been in and out as he struggles to impact games, while Nathan Vardy could be risked if the Cats want to stretch the Crows' defence although his marking has not quite been where it needs to be. Mitch Clark played the third man up role well in the VFL on Saturday and has claims to return, while Jed Bews must be considered to play on the pacy Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron. - Peter Ryan
The Suns will get some relief from their injury crisis ahead of playing Fremantle at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, with winger Matt Rosa and defender Sean Lemmens to return. The pair have been out with hamstring injuries, with Rosa expected to come straight back in, and Lemmens also to return after a week in the NEAFL. Adam Saad (hamstring) and Trent McKenzie (quad) are another week away. - Michael Whiting
After a 79-point win over the Brisbane Lions coach Leon Cameron is unlikely to make too many changes to his team for this week's crucial clash with Port Adelaide on the road. Ball magnets Jake Barrett and Matthew Kennedy continue to put pressure on the senior side however, and they performed well in the Giants' loss to the Lions in the NEAFL, combining for 67 possessions and 18 tackles last week. Academy draftee Matthew Flynn kicked four goals in his best showing of the season but he's a fair way away from senior footy, and will continue to develop in the reserves playing as a tall forward and in the ruck. - Adam Curley
Alastair Clarkson picked a side tailor-made for the snug SCG last Thursday and the move paid dividends in the tight win over the Sydney Swans. But now the Hawks are back home at the MCG for the first time in 50 days and they may look at bringing back speedster Billy Hartung, who has played well this year on the bigger ground. Tim O'Brien and Will Langford (29 possessions and two goals) were among the best for Box Hill in a tight VFL loss to Essendon on Saturday and will be in the selection mix for Sunday's MCG clash with Richmond. But the Hawks came through unscathed from the Swans game and whoever drops out of the side to face Richmond will be unlucky. - Ashley Browne
Billy Hartung's dash could be handy on the MCG against the Tigers. Picture: AFL Media
The Demons were soundly beaten by St Kilda and now face a tough trip across the Nullarbor to play finals-bound West Coast. A number of Melbourne players were well down in their performances and Paul Roos has spoken constantly about the need to continually rotate the team in the latter half of the season. The game against the Eagles in Perth will allow the Demons to freshen up a team that looked fatigued with Sam Frost likely to return after being a late withdrawal against the Saints with illness. Alex Neal-Bullen will be at the forefront of any selection decisions after racking up 37 disposals for Casey Scorpions in the VFL at the weekend. Tomas Bugg (22 disposals) should also be on the verge of a recall to add his customary toughness in the middle of the ground. Lynden Dunn (25 disposals), Clayton Oliver (23), Colin Garland (23) and Jack Trengove (23) were also strong contributors in the Scorpions' close loss to the Western Bulldogs. - Ben Guthrie
The sliding Roos probably won't get much relief on the injury front, with several key players still multiple weeks away from returning, but the door could open up for a few youngsters to debut. Declan Mountford, the 60th pick in last year's draft, stood up in the face of Geelong's overwhelming dominance of Werribee in the VFL, laying six tackles and winning 13 touches in a midfield shutdown role on George Horlin-Smith. Meanwhile, Ed Vickers-Willis impressed with 20 disposals after also being an emergency for the Roos' loss to Port Adelaide and the defender might be given the chance in Brent Harvey's record-equalling game. Small forward Robin Nahas (18 disposals, four tackles, one goal) could come under consideration, while omitted midfielder Trent Dumont and Majak Daw (14 disposals, eight tackles) are waiting in the wings. - Travis King
The Power will be sweating on the fitness of key forward Charlie Dixon for Sunday's twilight match with Greater Western Sydney at the Adelaide Oval and hoping his ankle injury isn't too serious. If as expected he has to miss at least a week, John Butcher could be in line for a recall after kicking three goals for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL on the weekend. Vice-captain Brad Ebert is set to come straight back into the team after missing last week with a bruised lung, while Nathan Krakouer will come into consideration after taking time away for family reasons. Ruckman Matthew Lobbe returned from a knee injury in the SANFL, but Jackson Trengove did such a great job against the Kangaroos it'd be tough to make a change. Experienced midfielder Matt White also returned in the SANFL after being sidelined for four months with a pectoral injury. - Lee Gaskin
Vice-captain Brett Deledio will be given until the end of the week to prove his fitness after being withdrawn at half-time against Essendon with calf soreness. He was cleared of major damage during lunchtime scans on Monday but caution could dictate he is rested. Reece Conca is his likely replacement after being omitted against the Bombers, but the Tigers could also choose to expose more new players, with mature-age rookie Adam Marcon deserving of a chance. The VFL team had a bye at the weekend so tall forward Ty Vickery did not have a chance to press for a recall. Neither did midfielder Nathan Drummond or half-forward Ben Lennon, but both will be discussed for senior selection over the next fortnight. Defender Bachar Houli looks set to resume with limited match time in the VFL after 10 matches sidelined with a wrist injury. - Nathan Schmook
The return of Paddy McCartin after his third concussion of the season is on the cards. The 20-year-old hasn't played since copping a head knock against Gold Coast in round 15 but would be an important addition against the Western Bulldogs. Rebounding defender Shane Savage will likely come back if passed fit after being concussed against Essendon. Cameron Shenton was an emergency last week and has impressed in the VFL, while Eli Templeton (33 disposals) and Jack Lonie (23 disposals and two goals) were prominent in Sandringham's loss to Port Melbourne on Sunday. If the Saints decide more tall defenders are necessary against Tom Boyd and Jack Redpath, Luke Delaney and Tom Lee are options. - Dinny Navaratnam
Paddy McCartin may resume after a spell for concussion. Picture: AFL Media
Young star Isaac Heeney is a strong chance to face Carlton after gathering 29 touches and kicking two goals in the Swans' massive win over Gold Coast in the NEAFL last week. With defender Zak Jones out injured, Jeremy Laidler could earn a recall in defence if fit after he missed last week with a minor hamstring strain, while upgraded rookie Jordan Foote continued to press for a debut with 31 possessions against the Suns. Xavier Richards took 13 marks, had 26 disposals and booted eight goals in the reserves and has been an emergency in recent times so he's sure to be looked at, possibly at the expense of older brother Ted, with Brandon Jack, Harry Cunningham and James Rose also very good and in form should coach John Longmire look at multiple changes. - Adam Curley
The Eagles will have to monitor a few sore bodies on a six-day break. Eric Mackenzie is ready to return but Adam Simpson has to find a spot for him.Scott Lycett may need more support this week against Max Gawn and Jonathan Giles pressed his case with 30 hit-outs and three goals in the WAFL. Lewis Jetta hasn't been ruled out of an immediate return if required but he's more likely to stay at East Perth. Jackson Nelson remains ready to step in at half-back when needed. Malcolm Karpany has been quietly putting together some good form up forward for East Perth and did his chances of a debut no harm with 19 touches and a goal. Corey Adamson has also been putting together some really good performances in the WAFL but it is unlikely he would be called up. Dom Sheed and Liam Duggan had quiet days in the WAFL but Sheed's fitness is now at a level where Simpson would be prepared to play him. - Alex Malcolm
The Bulldogs will have to make at least one change for Saturday night's clash against St Kilda, with dynamic forward Jake Stringer to miss with a shoulder injury. But in better news, the Dogs should regain star playmaker Tom Liberatore after he missed the win over the Suns with a cracked rib. Second-year wingman Bailey Dale has returned to form with Footscray over the past fortnight and could be considered after a 28 possession, four-goal effort on the weekend. Tenacious midfielder Mitch Honeychurch continued his prolific ways in the VFL, racking up a team-high 31 disposals. Versatile defender Joel Hamling is also a chance to be recalled to help combat the Saints' tall forward line if Paddy McCartin returns from concussion. - Ryan Davidson
