The Crows will make minimal changes for Saturday night's clash with an in-form Melbourne at TIO Stadium. Midfielder Hugh Greenwood is set to return after being rested for last Friday night's 59-point thumping of the Western Bulldogs. Veteran Scott Thompson only had 10 disposals in his first game of the season and looks like the player to make way. Winger Wayne Milera might also need a rest after averaging just 13 possessions in his past five games. Paul Seedsman is a ready-made replacement, the former Anzac Medallist racking up 29 possessions for Adelaide in its 58-point loss to Port Adelaide in the SANFL last weekend. Forward Tom Lynch is an outside chance to return after missing the past two games with viral meningitis. - Lee Gaskin

Sunday's match against Richmond at the MCG could see the return of young forward Josh Schache to the seniors after he was dropped ahead of round nine.   Schache's form has steadily improved in the NEAFL, with two hauls of five goals in the past three weeks a good sign he is on the way back. If Chris Fagan wants to throw in some more fresh faces after the weekend's hiding from Geelong, Jake Barrett and Ben Keays have also performed strongly at the lower level. - Michael Whiting 

Josh Schache is in line to return for his first game since re-signing with the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos

With at least two senior spots up from grabs because of the injuries to Patrick Cripps and Simon White from last Sunday's game, the Blues hope to regain defenders Alex Silvagni and Tom Williamson after stints on the sidelines. Ciaran Byrne continues to push his claims for a senior recall after showing solid form in his four games at VFL level. Blaine Boekhorst has impressed in the past two games for the Northern Blues, gathering 36 disposals on each occasion.  - Howard Kotton 

The Magpies will be hoping to regain star defender Jeremy Howe (calf), key forward Darcy Moore (hamstring) and midfielder Tom Phillips (illness) for their clash with Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. The Pies, who will be forced to replace the suspended Levi Greenwood, have been so disappointing of late that there are numerous selection possibilities. In the VFL side's 26-point win over Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday, midfielders James Aish (28 possessions, including 16 contested, four clearances, eight tackles and a goal) and Rupert Wills (a team-high 33 possessions, including 15 contested, seven clearances and five tackles) dominated, while little man Jarryd Blair (29 touches, 13 clearances, five tackles and a goal) is still waiting to play his 150th AFL game. Big man Lachie Keeffe (10 touches) remains in the mix for his first senior game since serving a two-year doping suspension, while fellow forwards Chris Mayne (15 touches and eight tackles) and Kayle Kirby could be promoted. First-year player Kirby slotted four goals to give him a VFL-high 27 goals in his past nine games. Defenders Jackson Ramsay (27 touches) and Henry Schade (19) and youngsters Callum Brown (22) and Josh Daicos (21) are also on a long list of possibles. - Ben Collins 

It may be too late for the Pies but Darcy Moore would be a handy inclusion. Picture: AFL Photos

Jayden Laverde is edging closer to a return to the senior team after kicking three goals from 23 disposals in the VFL. It was his second game since returning from the ankle injury that ruled him out since the JLT Community Series so he probably needs at least another game before being ready for a senior run, but he's getting there. Jackson Merrett (three goals) and Ben Howlett (28 disposals) also put their names up for senior consideration, while powerful medium forward Josh Begley has been close to his AFL debut for several weeks. Second-year Bomber Aaron Francis has moved back to a defensive role and been solid the past two weeks. - Callum Twomey

The Dockers lost former skipper David Mundy to illness before Sunday's win over North Melbourne and will hope the veteran midfielder is ready to go for the Western Derby. It is unclear whether tough defender Lee Spurr will be available after being ruled out of the Roos clash due to a calf injury. Key defender Sam Collins was dominant for Peel on Saturday taking 12 marks and might be considered, especially if Joel Hamling doesn't overcome a hip complaint, while tall forward Matt Taberner stuck his hand up for a recall booting six goals and taking 13 grabs. Cameron Sutcliffe slotted four majors from midfield to stay in the mix, while Ed Langdon (two goals) and Harley Balic (25 disposals, one goal) returned from lay-offs and could be back in the AFL fold soon. - Travis King

Despite notching an 85-point win against the Brisbane Lions, the Cats could make as many as three changes to their line-up ahead of a clash against arch-rival Hawthorn. Daniel Menzel, Nakia Cockatoo and Scott Selwood will all be vying to prove their fitness on the training track this week and loom as important inclusions in the game versus the Hawks. Menzel (knee soreness) has now missed two matches through injury, while Cockatoo (hamstring) and Selwood (hamstring) have missed three and two games respectively. Cockatoo trained with the group on their trip to the Gold Coast, while Selwood stayed behind to train in Geelong. Cockatoo's forward line pressure is important, while Selwood would likely get the run-with role on in-form Hawks midfielder Tom Mitchell. - Ben Guthrie

Having Daniel Menzel, and his celebrations, back would be a boon for the Cats. Picture: AFL Photos

Gary Ablett is expected to lead a number of big inclusions for the Suns when they host Collingwood at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. Ablett missed the weekend's loss against Sydney with a minor hamstring injury, but should be fine to face the Magpies. Pearce Hanley is another who missed the Swans match with a hamstring niggle but is right to go, as is dashing midfielder Aaron Hall (hamstring) who has missed two games. Kade Kolodjashnij has recovered from a concussion he suffered at training two weeks ago, while veteran Michael Rischitelli is in line to make his long-awaited comeback from a knee reconstruction after a solid month building up his match-time in the NEAFL. - Michael Whiting 

Coming off two draws in a row, the Giants could have some serious star power available for this week's clash with the Swans, with Toby Greene (ankle), Steve Johnson (knee) and Zac Williams (hamstring) all a chance to return. The trio will attempt to train at the club's main session on Wednesday, and if they get through that and pull up well, all three will take on the Swans. Greene and Johnson are extremely important to the GWS forward structure, while Williams gives GWS great run and carry from half-back alongside Heath Shaw and Nathan Wilson. Draftee Will Setterfield got through his third game back from a serious ankle injury in the NEAFL and gathered 15 possessions in the Giants' big loss to Southport, so he's an outside chance of getting a debut, but might struggle if the three stars are picked. - Adam Curley 
It will be a double-boost for the Giants if forwards Toby Greene and Steve Johnson return. Picture: AFL Photos

All eyes will be on the release of the injury list late Tuesday to see how Grant Birchall's knee is settling down. Like Ben Stratton last week, he might be shut down for the season if there has been no improvement this week. There were no injuries out of the impressive drawn game against the Giants last week, but the hope is that Paul Puopolo (groin) will return after a two-week absence for a big Saturday afternoon clash with Geelong at the MCG. - Ashley Browne 

Melbourne could bring Jack Watts and Dom Tyson back into the team for Saturday night's clash against ladder leader Adelaide. Watts has missed the past three matches with a hamstring problem but is close to a return and will be tested on the training track this week. Tyson was ruled out of the Demons' eight-point win over Carlton due to a knee injury, however will be in the frame for selection against the Crows should he prove his fitness. Jack Trengove collected 26 disposals to thrust his name in front of the match committee as he bids to play his first match since round 13, last season. Ben Kennedy continued his consistent form, racking up 32 disposals and a goal. Rookie Corey Maynard again performed strongly with 25 disposals and seven tackles and is edging closer to a senior debut. Jay Kennedy-Harris will again be around the mark, after being the carryover emergency for the match against the Blues. - Ben Guthrie

Melbourne needs its big names back on board, including Jack Watts. Picture: AFL Photos

Marley Williams (back) could push for a return after two weeks out, in a boost for North. Remarkably, Jarrad Waite and Mason Wood may also be back from their respective calf injuries after missing last week's loss to Fremantle. None of Lachie Hansen, Sam Wright, promoted rookie Cameron Zurhaar or first-year draftees Nick Larkey and Declan Watson played in the VFL on Saturday, while hard-luck story Ben Jacobs underwent a minor foot procedure. Ruckman Braydon Preuss (back tightness) was also sidelined in the second half of Werribee's win after a dominant opening-half showing. Ryan Clarke bounced back from his demotion to have 20 disposals, 10 tackles and three inside 50s in a strong VFL effort. Another rookie, third-year midfielder Will Fordham, continues to shine, but needs to be elevated to be in the senior mix. Sam Durdin also impressed, but key defensive spots are hard to come by at the Kangas. - Marc McGowan 

Defender Matthew Broadbent will be a chance to return to take on North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Broadbent has missed two of the past three games with an ankle injury. Winger Karl Amon is getting close to making his comeback from a knee injury, but might have to come back through the SANFL. It's the usual suspects who are pushing for a senior recall. Forward Aaron Young relished playing in the midfield in the SANFL, racking up 33 disposals to go with eight tackles in Port Adelaide's 58-point thumping of Adelaide. Brendon Ah Chee (23 touches) had another strong game and could be considered if Sam Powell-Pepper's shoulder injury rules him out. - Lee Gaskin

While a small forward line has been exciting, the time might have come to bring a second tall in to support Jack Riewoldt. Todd Elton was solid in his VFL return from a shoulder injury, taking eight marks and kicking two goals, and he appears to be the best option while Ben Griffiths returns from concussion through the VFL. Nick Vlastuin is also available after another VFL hit-out and could be called on to fill a defensive role. After being beaten in clearances and contested possessions against St Kilda, the Tigers could finally turn to Anthony Miles, who was a held-over emergency in round 16 and has a good body of VFL form behind him. Richmond has two in-form options in defence if they need to replace Dylan Grimes, with Nathan Broad (22 possessions and eight marks in the VFL) and Jake Batchelor (18 and six rebound 50s) pushing. Ben Lennon (hamstring) faces a fitness test after three weeks' sidelined. – Nathan Schmook 

The Tigers may call on Anthony Miles for some hardness around the ball. Picture: AFL Photos

After kicking five goals against Richmond, Tim Membrey will miss the Essendon clash at Etihad Stadium on Friday night after he accepted a two-match suspension. Paddy McCartin would seemingly be a logical replacement but is taking time out to deal with his concussion issues. Ruckman Tom Hickey was pulled out of the VFL last Sunday because incumbent big man Billy Longer suffered a hamstring corkie against the Tigers and is in doubt to face the Bombers. Blake Acres showed impressive form for Sandringham before sitting out the last quarter, onballer Luke Dunstan racked up 38 disposals and slotted a couple of goals while Nathan Wright returned from a calf injury. Mav Weller didn't play in the VFL at the weekend to deal with soreness and will likely have to prove his form at the Zebras before earning a recall. - Dinny Navaratnam 

Captain Josh Kennedy is confident he'll be fit to play the Giants after he was a late withdrawal from last week's massive win over Gold Coast at the SCG. Kennedy experienced some tightness in his quad late last week and failed a fitness test on the morning of the game, but told media on Monday he is likely to get up for the derby. Big man Callum Sinclair kicked five goals in the reserves last week, with Shaun Edwards great through the midfield, while defenders Aliir Aliir (27 possessions and 11 marks), Jeremy Laidler (32 touches and seven tackles) and Harry Marsh (26 and six) all dominated at the lower level. Will Hayward (foot), Kurt Tippett (ankle) and Harry Cunningham (foot) will be hoping to step up their training this week in a bid to return to the field, but given the team's form they'll be coming back through the NEAFL. - Adam Curley 

Josh Kennedy could make the resurgent Swans even stronger this week. Picture: AFL Photos

Another week of 'will he, won't he' speculation looms for star spearhead Josh Kennedy and, speaking after the loss to Port, coach Adam Simpson was only willing to pencil the dual Coleman medallist in for Sunday's must-win Western Derby. East Perth had the bye at the weekend, but Jack Redden was stiff to be dropped against the Power and could be back in the mix, while experienced backman Will Schofield and youngster Tom Cole were other emergencies who could be considered. Tough backman Jackson Nelson could be brought back after missing out on selection for the Power clash despite overcoming a hamstring strain. Small forward Josh Hill might be considered to give West Coast a bit more zip, while Luke Partington is still pushing for a debut. - Travis King

The Dogs are a chance to regain running defenders Robert Murphy (hamstring) and Shane Biggs (calf) for Sunday's clash with Carlton at the MCG, but both will need to pass fitness tests. With Easton Wood to miss with a one-week suspension, first-year tall Lewis Young could earn a debut after superb form in the VFL over the past few weeks. The 18-year-old, who was only draft eligible last year by a matter of days, has settled in nicely to a key defensive role this season, with his athleticism, positioning and work rate standout attributes. With the senior side's continuing kicking woes, skilful midfielders Bailey Williams and Lukas Webb should be in the minds of the match committee. Williams racked up 29 disposals and a goal in Footscray's win over Sandringham, while Webb collected 22 possessions and a goal. Premiership forward Tory Dickson responded to being axed with three goals. Travis Cloke made a promising return from mental health issues with three goals from 20 possessions up forward and in the ruck, but the 30-year-old is likely spend a few more weeks at state league level. - Ryan Davidson 

The Bulldogs need their heart and soul, Bob Murphy, back ASAP. Picture: AFL Photos