Swingman Lachie Henderson looks almost certain to return, having recovered from knee surgery on August 23, while quick forward Nakia Cockatoo's potential will weigh heavily on the selector's minds. Jed Bews might be needed to curtail the Sydney Swans' speed down back but you'd imagine Tom Ruggles gets another chance. Shane Kersten is an outside chance of playing, as is Darcy Lang, who finished the season in good form in the VFL. - Peter Ryan

Leon Cameron hasn't made a change to his Giants' team since round 22, but the suspension of star forward Steve Johnson means the coach has had two weeks to settle on the veteran's replacement. If Cameron goes like for like, then Rhys Palmer is probably at the front of the line, given his experience, but he hasn't played senior footy since round 16, and has played only two games in the second half of the season, despite dominating the NEAFL. Quick defender Adam Kennedy is an option given his ability to play down back on a small forward, but also as a wingman, while youngster Matthew Kennedy has recovered from a minor ankle injury, and could come in to play an important forward/midfield role against the Western Bulldogs. Sam Reid gives Cameron another forward who places enormous pressure on the opposition, with Matt Buntine a chance if the coach chooses to strengthen his defence. Athletic forward Will Hoskin-Elliott looms as the outsider having not been seen since round two, and while his inconsistency makes him a risk, his upside as a potential match-winner means he'll be seriously looked at. - Adam Curley 

Another couple of injuries to key players last week means John Longmire is likely to make a couple of changes for the preliminary final, but he could also get some big names back. Jarrad McVeigh (calf) looks extremely unlikely to get up, while Gary Rohan (knee) remains a chance to make a miracle recovery after being stretchered off against Adelaide. Ruckman Kurt Tippett (jaw) is likely to replace Toby Nankervis after training solidly over the past few days, with the Swans' main session on Wednesday a big factor in his selection, with attacking defender Zak Jones (concussion) a huge chance to come in across half back in the absence of McVeigh and Callum Mills, after recovering from a serious head knock in the NEAFL grand final. NAB AFL Rising Star winner Mills (hamstring) is up and running, but is zero chance of playing the Cats less than two weeks after going down against the Giants. Harry Cunningham, Dean Towers and James Rose are the trio most likely to be looked at should Longmire need more replacements. - Adam Curley 

Luke Beveridge has plenty of talent in reserve for Friday night's preliminary final against Greater Western Sydney after Footscray belted Collingwood to win its way through to the VFL grand final. The 119-point triumph saw Footscray qualify for its second season-decider in three seasons and gave its fringe players further match practice to push for an AFL Grand Final berth if the Bulldogs account for GWS. AFL-listed players Mitch Honeychurch, Lukas Webb, Koby Stevens, Tom Campbell, Roarke Smith, Fletcher Roberts and Bailey Williams were all prominent. Honeychurch was the best on ground with 28 possessions (18 contested) and two goals. Fellow ball-winner Webb, an emergency for the AFL semi-final against Hawthorn, also found plenty of the footy and kicked three goals, while defenders Roberts and Smith repelled many of the Magpies' forward thrusts. Ruckman Campbell showed why the Dogs locked him away for a further two seasons last week with a commanding performance against Magpie Jarrod Witts. The only worry for the Dogs was the late withdrawal of Nathan Hrovat with a shoulder injury, but the midfielder is considered a chance to play in next Sunday's VFL grand final at Etihad Stadium. - Ryan Davidson

Mitch Honeychurch has been in outstanding VFL form. Picture: AFL Photos