• Around the state leagues: Who starred in the twos?
• Nine things we learned from round four
• After the siren: Is a big Sun the best in the comp?

Outstanding form in the SANFL has put midfielder Brad Crouch in the conversation for a senior recall for Saturday's game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. Crouch sustained a hamstring injury in January and missed the entire JLT Community Series, but he backed up a 40-possession game in his SANFL return a fortnight ago with 31 disposals and 11 clearances against South Adelaide on Easter Sunday. It'd be a tough call to drop anyone from a Crows side that is unbeaten after four rounds, but Crouch's form will be hard to ignore. Harrison Wigg (30 disposals) and rookie-listed midfielder Hugh Greenwood (25 disposals and eight tackles) are getting closer to making their AFL debuts. Key forward Josh Jenkins will undergo a fitness test this week on his cracked ribs, but he's likely to be a week or two away. Defender Jake Kelly sustained an eye injury in last weekend's win against Essendon and he will see a specialist this week. – Lee Gaskin

Allen Christensen is a big chance to play his first game of the season against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, after making a successful comeback through the NEAFL at the weekend. Christensen has missed the opening month after fracturing his collarbone but is likely to return to the seniors after a solid showing at the lower level. Jack Frost was left out against the Tigers for balance reasons and could fall victim to the same thinking against the smaller Bulldogs forward line, but would be a chance to return, while Ryan Harwood and Liam Dawson put their hands up to replace injured half-back Tom Cutler (hamstring) with starring roles in the NEAFL. – Michael Whiting

Cameron Polson may become the sixth Blue to make his AFL debut this season after a best-on-ground performance against the AFL-AIS Academy squad at Etihad Stadium last Saturday. Polson, a speedy on-baller/forward taken as a fourth-round selection in last year’s NAB AFL Draft (59th overall), starred with 30 disposals and a goal. Ruckman Andrew Phillips is in line for a return to the seniors soon after impressing against the AFL-AIS Academy squad. Phillips, coming back from a long-term foot injury, has played the past two games with the Northern Blues. Sam Kerridge, omitted after the win against Essendon, racked up 37 disposals, while up forward Kristian Jaksch (three goals) and Harry McKay (two) were key targets. – Howard Kotton



Daniel Wells is favoured to play his first game for the Pies in the Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon after proving he was over a calf problem in the VFL on Saturday. Fellow midfielder Tom Phillips, who was a late withdrawal for the St Kilda clash with illness, will return if he regains his health. Father-son draftee Josh Daicos could come into contention to make his AFL debut after collecting 20 touches and kicking two goals in the VFL. Others who could enter the selection frame include defenders Lynden Dunn (31 possessions) and Matthew Scharenberg, forward Chris Mayne (two goals) and big men Mason Cox and Lachie Keeffe. - Ben Collins

Essendon seems likely to at least make a couple of changes for its ANZAC Day clash next week after its heavy defeat to Adelaide. Suspension will rule Conor McKenna out, and there's a number of players who could come into contention. Aaron Francis has been close to selection for several weeks and is worth adding to Essendon's forward mix for some unpredictability after some good VFL form. Heath Hocking went back to the VFL and performed well in Essendon's round one loss to Sandringham, while James Stewart may also be considered if the Dons want to change up their forward structure. Jackson Merrett, Shaun McKernan, Ben Howlett and James Begley are others pushing to be in the senior side, while David Myers seems likely to return via the VFL from finger surgery. – Callum Twomey

Aaron Francis has been showing good VFL form. Picture: AFL Photos


The Dockers took an unchanged line-up into their stirring win over Melbourne – which built on a stunning upset of the Bulldogs – and, barring injury issues, Ross Lyon might stick with the same 22 against North Melbourne. Key forward Matt Taberner continued to stick his hand up at WAFL level, booting three goals from 25 disposals to take his tally to 14 majors in five games for Peel Thunder, but opportunities seem limited in the Dockers' smaller and remodeled forward line. Defender Cameron Sutcliffe laid 10 tackles to also be among the Thunder's best, while youngster Darcy Tucker found plenty of the pill in the second half to finish with 27 disposals in the 25-point loss to West Perth in Mandurah. The Kangaroos' tall forward line could present an opportunity to Sam Collins after his strong form for Peel to start the season. - Travis King

The Cats will need to make a few changes with James Parsons and Sam Menegola likely to miss through suspension* and Tom Ruggles to be tested after being concussed against Hawthorn. Patrick Dangerfield will play but is set for a light week after a big bump to his ribs from Jarryd Roughead. Lincoln McCarthy will likely return after being managed in round four, while Jed Bews, Darcy Lang and Rhys Stanley will be considered after being named as emergencies on the weekend. Josh Cowan and George Horlin-Smith should be available after being given an extra week off to recover from Achilles soreness and a thumb injury respectively. Jake Kolodjashnij played his first game for the year in the VFL and acquitted himself well, but will need more time at that level after finally overcoming a pre-season groin complaint. – Jennifer Phelan

The Suns’ medics will be working overtime ahead of Saturday's home match against high-flying Adelaide, but one man they can't save is co-captain Steven May, who suffered a hamstring injury late in the win against Carlton. Coach Rodney Eade is hopeful Rory Thompson (quad) could return to replace May and take on the Crows, but said he was no certainty. If neither key defender comes up, look for Keegan Brooksby to be given a chance. Michael Barlow (hamstring) and David Swallow (ankle) will be monitored closely after picking up niggles against the Blues, but are both expected to play, while Pearce Hanley (heel) would walk straight back in if he overcomes the injury he picked up playing NEAFL. – Michael Whiting

After a third straight win there's unlikely to be many changes at the Giants for the Sydney derby, although there are very minor doubts over the fitness of Dylan Shiel (shoulder) and Heath Shaw (shin). Star forward Steve Johnson (knee) should be fit to take on the Swans after his missed last week's win over Port Adealide, but will need to train this week to show he's overcome his knee soreness. Academy draftee Harry Perryman has been an emergency for the past couple of weeks and did his chances of a call up no harm in the NEAFL with another brilliant performance. The midfielder racked up 26 touches and kicked three goals in the Giants' loss to Sydney University, while adding six tackles to his quality all-round game. Daniel Lloyd is another who continues to press his case for a debut, with the upgraded rookie amassing a game-high 36 possessions in the reserves, while Matt de Boer got through his first game of the regular season after a hamstring injury and had 24 touches to go with two goals. - Adam Curley

The Giants are always a better team with Steve johnson in the line up. Picture: AFL Photos


Alastair Clarkson reported after the 86-point loss to Geelong on Monday that Jaeger O'Meara's knee had settled over the last few days, so he seems a certain inclusion for the West Coast game on Sunday. Ty Vickery (back soreness) should also return as the Hawks try something, anything in fact, to bolster a forward line that kicked just six goals against the Cats. Dallas Willsmore (31 possessions and six inside 50s) impressed in Box Hill's narrow VFL win over Footscray, as did Kade Stewart (26 plus nine tackles), while Jonathan O'Rourke had 25 touches in his first game for the year before being managed in the final quarter. Hawthorn could do with some more outside run but O’Rourke will likely need another week in the VFL. Sweeping changes are rare at Hawthorn even though results over the last fortnight call for them, and you wonder how close Clarkson is to dumping a big-name player in order to send a message. – Ashley Browne

After serving his two-match suspension, Jesse Hogan will be a welcome return to a forward line that has lacked a key target over the past few weeks. The star forward's absence has been clearly felt in the club's last two losses. Gun recruit Michael Hibberd could come straight into the senior team after picking up 25 disposals and displaying his class across half-back for Casey in his return from a lingering Achilles complaint. Jack Trengove was Casey's best player against Williamstown with 33 disposals. Despite tight attention from the opposition, Angus Brayshaw finished with 24 disposals as he attempts to break back into the Demons' side. Oscar McDonald (17 disposals) responded positively to his omission, while Cam Pedersen (29 disposals and one goal) and Tim Smith (20 touches) pushed their cases for a call-up. Jordan Lewis has to sit out one more match as part of his three-game suspension. – Ben Guthrie

Mason Wood is finally fit, made a successful VFL return on Sunday and wants to regain his spot in the Roos' forward line. Jarrad Waite remains out, so there is a spot there alongside Ben Brown, Taylor Garner and the resting ruckman. Brad Scott will have to decide whether Wood needs another VFL run or is ready to travel west to face Freo. Ed Vickers-Willis also continues to knock on the selection door with another strong defensive performance for Werribee, but fellow backman Sam Durdin came straight out once Scott Thompson returned last week, so North seems to be happy with its defensive set-up. Midfielders Ryan Clarke and Jed Anderson are other options, as is speedster Corey Wagner, while Majak Daw will hope the coach wants a taller line-up. - Marc McGowan

Utility Nathan Krakouer could play his first game of the season against Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Krakouer put his hand up for selection with a solid performance for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL, racking up 16 possessions, including 15 kicks, in their three-point win against Norwood last Thursday night. Krakouer missed round one while he served a one-game suspension for a hit on St Kilda's Sean Dempster in the JLT Community Series. Small forward Jake Neade also looked dangerous for the Magpies, booting two goals and having 16 touches, while former No. 4 overall draft pick Jimmy Toumpas had 28 disposals. Pacy forward Aidyn Johnson and key defender Logan Austin travelled to Canberra as the two emergencies for the Power's loss to Greater Western Sydney. – Lee Gaskin

Nathan Krakouer is making a claim to break into Port's senior team. Picture: AFL Photos


Damien Hardwick has shown he is happy to change a winning formula this season and he has the depth to do so again in round five. Mobile forwards Ben Lennon and Sam Lloyd booted six and five goals respectively in the VFL and are jockeying for selection against Melbourne on Anzac Eve. Lloyd also finished with 27 possessions and 13 marks in a standout performance to open the VFL season. The Tigers might also make a change in their second ruck/tall forward spot, with Ben Griffiths (concussion) expected to be fit and Mabior Chol waiting in the wings. Tough midfielder Anthony Miles (35 possessions and two goals) is in the type of form that would normally see him walk into the senior team, but midfield spots are hard to come by at Tigerland. His chances will rely on team balance and if the Tigers prefer to take extra run or hardness in against the Demons, who rank No.1 in the AFL for uncontested possessions. – Nathan Schmook

Star midfielder Jack Steven is set to come back in after missing the past two games with a punctured lung. If David Armitage isn't right to face Geelong on Sunday after being helped off the field late in the win versus Collingwood, that would be the obvious change. Paddy McCartin kicked two goals on Saturday but would probably have to do more to earn his spot back in the side, considering his quiet start to the season. Koby Stevens has been prolific in two-straight games for Sandringham while Darren Minchington had 28 disposals and also slotted four goals in the VFL. His three-goal performance in the upset win against the Cats last year would give the selection committee another reason to select him. – Dinny Navaratnam

The 0-4 Swans could receive a huge boost for their clash with GWS on Saturday night with a host of injured stars a chance to return to the field. Kurt Tippett (ankle) looks the most certain to play after he failed to prove his fitness for last week's trip to Perth because of the tight turnaround caused by the Thursday night game. Jarrad McVeigh (calf), Isaac Heeney (glandular fever) and Gary Rohan (back/hamstring) will also mount a strong case for their first games of the year after increasing the intensity of their training over the past fortnight. It's unlikely that coach John Longmire will throw all three into the side to face the Giants, with Heeney and McVeigh the best chances, and Rohan to return through the NEAFL in the curtain raiser at the SCG. - Adam Curley

The Swans could do with the versatility Kurt Tippett adds to the side. Picture: AFL Photos


Sam Mitchell's injury battle could open the door for inside midfielders Dom Sheed and Mark Hutchings to return for the intriguing test against Hawthorn at the MCG. Sheed, who has been told to work on the defensive side of his game, had 24 disposals and kicked a long-range goal in East Perth's belting from Subiaco on Good Friday, although he and Hutchings (32 disposals, four tackles) didn't have a huge influence on the contest. Yet-to-debut onballer Kurt Mutimer picked up 21 touches after being an emergency against the Swans. Lewis Jetta racked up 36 touches – 26 of them kicks – and had six inside 50s playing a variety of roles, including as the deepest forward. The speedster booted three behinds and wasn't at his damaging best, but it was a step forward after being dropped, and his pace could be an asset on the MCG. Key defender Eric Mackenzie has given Adam Simpson something to think about with a rock-solid performance featuring 13 marks – many of them intercepts – and 25 touches, as will the imminent return of Jack Darling into the forward structure after missing the Sydney win with a sore ankle. - Travis King


Luke Beveridge will have to make at least one chance for Saturday's clash with the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, with key forward Travis Cloke to miss 4-6 weeks with broken ribs. Fellow big man Tom Boyd also picked up an injury in the win over North Melbourne, suffering delayed concussion, and the 21-year-old will need to pass a fitness test later in the week. Ruckman Tom Campbell is also under an injury cloud after sustaining an ankle injury. Stewart Crameri won't be the answer to the Dogs' injury woes after the versatile forward sustained a fresh hip injury in the VFL. The 28-year-old limped from the ground at half-time and will be sidelined for 1-2 weeks. In better news, the Dogs had several youngsters impress for Footscray, with versatile midfielder Lukas Webb the best in the loss to Box Hill. The third-year midfielder racked up the ball at will and took several contested marks. Utility Bailey Williams also had a productive afternoon. Axed premiership pair Caleb Daniel and Shane Biggs didn't set the world on fire, so it will be interesting to see if their contributions were enough to earn a recall. Impressive draftee Tim English could debut if Boyd or Campbell miss. The 19-year-old ruckman competed well against more experienced opponents, took several strong marks and used the ball extremely well. - Ryan Davidson