Forward Mitch McGovern and veteran midfielder Scott Thompson are strong chances to return for Saturday's clash with Carlton at the MCG. McGovern hasn't played in the AFL since round three when he sustained a hamstring tendon injury, but with two games in the SANFL under his belt, he looks ready to resume his spot in the Crows' attack. Thompson put his name forward for his first game of the season with a best-on-ground performance last weekend, with 33 touches and two goals in the SANFL. His physical presence at stoppages will help Rory Sloane when he's getting bashed by the opposition. Half-forward Riley Knight, experienced midfielder David Mackay and wing Paul Seedsman could also come into consideration. Defender Kyle Cheney could be recalled for his first game of the year depending on the fitness of Luke Brown (ankle). - Lee Gaskin

With captain Dayne Beams out for up to a month with a shoulder injury, Chris Fagan will be looking for at least one new midfield face to play Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Draftee Cedric Cox was excellent in the NEAFL team's thumping of GWS at the weekend, as was second-year player Ben Keays. If Fagan wants a slightly bigger body, he could opt for in-form Liam Dawson or Marco Paparone. - Michael Whiting

With Jed Lamb (concussion) facing a fitness test this week, the Blues may be looking for a replacement. Experienced duo Rhys Palmer (25 disposals, 10 marks) and Simon White pushed their claims for a senior recall in a disappointing day for the Northern Blues last Sunday. Forward Liam Sumner returned from an adductor injury in the VFL and may be given another chance. - Howard Kotton

The Magpies could regain star forward Jamie Elliott (ankle) and speedster Travis Varcoe (hamstring) when they take on Hawthorn in another crucial clash at the MCG on Sunday. Forwards Mason Cox and Chris Mayne could some under consideration after impressing in the VFL. Cox produced a career-high six goal haul in a best-afield effort against Port Melbourne, and has tallied 15 majors in his past four games, while ex-Docker Mayne bagged five to give him nine goals in his past two outings. Matthew Scharenberg reacted to his senior omission in emphatic style with an assured performance in defence, while versatile big man Lachlan Keeffe and X-factor forward Kayle Kirby (three goals) could be left-field selections. Also in the mix are backmen Josh Smith, Jackson Ramsay and Henry Schade, and little man Jarryd Blair. - Ben Collins

Darcy Parish should come back into Essendon's side for Sunday's clash with the Brisbane Lions after playing in the VFL last week. Parish had 27 disposals, two tackles and kicked a goal in the VFL following three weeks out with a calf injury. The Bombers will also be hoping key forward Cale Hooker returns after missing last week's tight loss to Sydney with a finger injury sustained at training. David Myers had 24 disposals after being dropped from the senior team, while Josh Begley, who was an emergency for the Bombers at the SCG, came back to Melbourne and kicked four goals in another impressive showing in the VFL. He's edging closer to an AFL debut. - Callum Twomey

Cale Hooker could return to boost the Bombers up forward. Picture: AFL Photos

Superstar skipper Nat Fyfe missed the Geelong nailbiter due to a bruised sternum – an issue he had been carrying for several weeks before the bye – but the Dockers are hopeful he will return to face St Kilda at home on Sunday. If Freo can finally regain Aaron Sandilands it would be another huge boost, with the giant ruckman sidelined by hamstring tendon inflammation throughout the club's four-game losing streak. Ed Langdon (knee) and Brady Grey (hamstring) might also be available, while Ethan Hughes did his hopes of a recall a favour by picking up 26 touches in Peel's scrappy win over East Fremantle. Dropped key backman Sam Collins (eight marks) also impressed and defender Ryan Nyhuis (19 disposals) continues to stick his hand up. Freo's tall forwards were well-beaten against Geelong and Matt Taberner (17 disposals, two goals) might come back under consideration as a marking target. - Travis King

Joel Selwood will be given every chance to prove he's over the concussion he sustained on Sunday, but might be up against it with a six-day break. Darcy Lang (calf) and Lachie Henderson (groin) face fitness tests with the latter more likely, while Zac Smith will be available after being withdrawn from the emergencies' list with illness. Tom Stewart will miss after he was taken to hospital for treatment on the facial fracture he sustained in a run-in with the back of Hayden Crozier's head, but Jordan Cunico (ankle - late withdrawal from Sunday's team) will be tested. Jackson Thurlow was good in the Cats' VFL win over North Ballarat on Sunday, while untried forward Timm House kicked four goals in his second game back after a shoulder injury, Wylie Buzza played a strong game in the ruck and attack, and defender Ryan Gardner continued with his good form. - Jennifer Phelan

After a false-start last week, the Suns are hopeful champion midfielder Gary Ablett will return for his 300th game on Saturday against North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium. Ablett was a late withdrawal from Sunday's loss against St Kilda with a calf niggle, and will have to get through the main training session later this week to play the Kangaroos. One man that will definitely return is wingman Matt Rosa, who is back from a one-week suspension, while defender Kade Kolodjashnij is also a chance but will have to pass concussion testing after a heavy knock in training last week. - Michael Whiting

Star midfielder Josh Kelly could be a chance to return for this week's massive clash with Geelong at Spotless Stadium after missing round 14 with a hip injury. Kelly will need to train on Wednesday at the club's main session to have any chance of a recall. Big man Rory Lobb got through a half playing on a wing in the NEAFL after missing four weeks with a groin problem and is another in line to face the Cats, although he might need another hit-out before he's ready to play senior footy. Tendai Mzungu (26 possessions and eight tackles) and Harry Perryman (22 touches) were also in decent touch in the reserves last week, while Jeremy Finlayson was solid again across half-back and kept his name in the picture for a debut. Draftee Will Setterfield made his return from a long spell and played about three quarters in the NEAFL and gathered 23 disposals. The 19-year-old will now look to increase his game time over the next fortnight in a bid to break into Leon Cameron's best 22 in the run to the finals. - Adam Curley

Giants fans will be pretty happy to see Josh Kelly back in their line-up. Picture: AFL Photos

After their stunning upset win over the Crows, the Hawks' backline could receive a further boost on Sunday with the return of medium-sized defender Ben Stratton after a five-week lay-off because of a bruised knee. Whoever makes way for Stratton would be awfully stiff given the complete team performance against Adelaide and it is not out of the question that Alastair Clarkson rewards the 22 who beat the Crows and instead brings the three-time premiership player back through the VFL. He did the same after the win over the Swans earlier this year. - Ashley Browne

Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan is a "sneaky chance" to play his first game since round seven against Sydney on Friday night. Hogan will be tested during the week but if he is to return, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, it will be a major boost for the Demons. Christian Salem (hamstring) has been ruled out, while Jack Watts and Jeff Garlett, both carrying hamstring complaints, will face fitness tests. Josh Wagner, who was an AFL emergency, appears to be the most suitable like-for-like replacement for Salem. Jay Kennedy-Harris (40 disposals) is firmly pushing his case for a recall after a standout performance for Casey, while Dean Kent (35 disposals) and Ben Kennedy(36 touches) are also in good form. Second-year forward Sam Weideman booted six goals (including five in the first half) in a best afield performance in Casey's win. - Ben Guthrie

Could Jesse Hogan return for Friday night's blockbuster? Picture: AFL Photos

There will be at least one change at Arden Street, with midfielder Ben Cunnington suspended for the second time this season. Making that complication worse is the knowledge captain Jack Ziebell has pulled up sore from the one-point loss to the Western Bulldogs. It seems too early for Ben Jacobs, Sam Wright or Corey Wagner to be called up after injury and only Jacobs provides similar midfield grunt to Cunnington. Defender-wingman Mitch Hibberd may finally earn another shot, but is also not a like-for-like replacement, while Jed Anderson could be considered again. Another option is to go taller, with one of defenders Sam Durdin or Lachie Hansen or in-form ruckman Braydon Preuss, but that seems unlikely without further change. Worth noting is Lindsay Thomas is available after his second VFL suspension. - Marc McGowan

Matthew Broadbent (ankle) and Jared Polec (hamstring) could return to Port Adelaide's side for Saturday night's crucial encounter with Richmond at Adelaide Oval. Both will be assessed this week after missing last weekend's win over Collingwood. If they get up, there will be tough choices at the selection table. Matthew White's impressive game makes it hard to deny him a match with his former side. Defender Jasper Pittard – who spent a week in the SANFL before being recalled after Polec's injury – and forwards Aaron Young and Jake Neade are the players most at risk. After returning to the top four, it's hard to see the Power making too many unforced changes heading into the clash with the sixth-placed Tigers. Port Adelaide had the bye in the SANFL last weekend. - Lee Gaskin

Nick Vlastuin returned from a six-week shoulder injury in the VFL and played well across half-back and pushed forward for one goal to potentially fast-track an inevitable return to the AFL team. Midfielder Anthony Miles continued his excellent run of form, racking up a game-high 38 possessions. He was an emergency in round 14 and is doing everything possible to break in for his third game this season. If the Tigers need tall reinforcements, veteran ruckman Ivan Maric appears next in line after being named in the 25-man AFL squad last week. He dominated the ruck at VFL level and kicked one goal to stake his claims in a structure that would allow Toby Nankervis to rotate forward. - Nathan Schmook

A clean bill of health for the senior team means it will likely be a relatively similar side that faces Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Sunday. Midfielder Jack Steele picked up 36 disposals in the VFL and wasn't overly damaging but the former Giant's best form has him in Alan Richardson's side. Shane Savage was an emergency for the Saints' clash with Gold Coast last Sunday and his kicking skills would add polish to a backline that was wasteful with the footy against the Suns. Billy Longer again struggled in the ruck but Tom Hickey needs to do more to win his spot back. Young key forward Paddy McCartin was concussed early in Sandringham's game last Saturday and won't be available this weekend. - Dinny Navaratnam

Midfielder Zak Jones will return from a one-week suspension to face Melbourne in a huge match-up on Friday night, while Jarrad McVeigh (hamstring/calf) is another almost certain to play after getting through his NEAFL outing last week. McVeigh had 19 touches, seven tackles and kicked two goals in the Swans' impressive win over Sydney University at the SCG, but more importantly he got through the match unscathed. Kurt Tippett (ankle), Aliir Aliir (knee) and Harry Cunningham (foot) will all be hoping to be available for selection if they can get through training this week, with Aliir the most likely after he was the NEAFL runner last week, and trained on Monday. The Swans have plenty of reserves players keeping pressure on the senior side led by Jordan Dawson, with Harry Marsh, Shaun Edwards and Dan Robinson all right in the mix. - Adam Curley

Tough nut Zak Jones will be available after serving his suspension. Picture: AFL Photos

The Eagles have already ruled out star goalkicker Josh Kennedy from Saturday's clash against the Western Bulldogs, but ruckman Scott Lycett might come under consideration after his third game back at WAFL level from shoulder surgery. Adam Simpson was satisfied with Nathan Vardy's efforts against Melbourne star Max Gawn, but Lycett is putting pressure on and won 36 hit-outs and had 21 touches for East Perth at the weekend. Tough backman Jackson Nelson might be in the frame to return from a hamstring strain, although he only trained lightly on Monday, while Sharrod Wellingham (21 disposals) and Sam Butler could also be called up as backline reinforcements. Chris Masten (33) found plenty of the ball for the Royals to stay in the selection mix along with Jack Redden – who was also an emergency last round - however Luke Partington could be on the cusp of a senior debut after booting four goals from 28 touches in another highly-impressive display at WAFL level. - Travis King 

Veterans Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd both loom as inclusions for Saturday’s clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium. Murphy needs to pass a fitness test on his hamstring, while Boyd could be recalled for his first senior game since round 13 after gathering 31 disposals and nine marks for Footscray's VFL side on the weekend. Midfielder  Liam Picken is in some doubt to face the Eagles after sustaining a knee injury in the win over North Melbourne. Youngster Declan Hamilton is yet to make his debut in three seasons at Whitten Oval, but the nephew of Darren and Andrew Jarman must be edging closer following 30 possessions and a goal in the seconds. Premiership forward Clay Smith kicked a goal and had 11 tackles in his second state league game back from a three-week calf injury. A best-on-ground performance from second-year key defender Kieran Collins should see him in contention for a second AFL game. - Ryan Davidson