Pies, Hawks boosted, Caddy and Shuey ready and gun Sun a chance
ADELAIDE
A second straight standout performance from Brad Crouch (26 disposals, six marks, five tackles) in the SANFL might have had him in line for a senior recall, but a one week suspension will put that on hold. Ricky Henderson was great in his return from a badly broken leg, collecting 24 possessions, Jason Porplyzia managed a team-high 26 disposals, while Shaun McKernan was solid in the ruck for the SANFL Crows with 31 hit-outs. Tom Lynch will return to competitive football this weekend from a broken jaw and Charlie Cameron could be recalled to the senior line up after resting an injured groin last weekend. - Harry Thring
Daniel Merrett will come straight back into the team for Saturday's match against Fremantle in Perth after missing last week with illness. Merrett was struck down with a throat infection the day before the Lions lost to Greater Western Sydney and was forced to miss. It looks like an easy swap for coach Justin Leppitsch, with former skipper Jonathan Brown (concussion) set to be rested from the long trip west. Nick Robertson and Tom Cutler could also come into calculations with their extra run on the vast expanse of Patersons Stadium. - Michael Whiting
The Blues should regain deputy vice-captain Michael Jamison, who was a late withdrawal from last Friday night’s game against Hawthorn with a shoulder injury. Tagger Ed Curnow, sidelined since round five with a broken leg, is also likely to be available for selection this week. Elevated rookie Blaine Johnson was the Northern Blues' best player in their seven-point win over Richmond last Saturday, kicking three goals, including the sealer in the dying moments. Jaryd Cachia (29 possessions) and Kane Lucas also made important contributions. - Howard Kotton
Dayne Beams is expected to return for Collingwood's Saturday showdown with Hawthorn after being a late withdrawal against the Bulldogs with a corked calf. Pressure king Tyson Goldsack (knee) should also be right to come back into the' team. Nick Maxwell (calf) may come into the selection mix but will need to prove his fitness at training this week. Defender Jack Frost will also be monitored after hyperextending his knee on Sunday.
Alex Fasolo (foot surgery) and Ben Reid (quad) are still several weeks away from returning - Ben Guthrie
Underrated Magpie Tyson Goldsack should be fit to face the Hawks on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media
ESSENDON
There's several leading contenders to come into the Essendon team should coach Mark Thompson decide to make some changes after last week's one-point loss to Melbourne. Leroy Jetta played well in the club's VFL win last week, as did midfielders Travis Colyer, Nick O'Brien and Jackson Merrett. Merrett would be expected to be first option of that group, while Kyle Hardingham kicked two goals in the VFL. Shaun Edwards, recruited from Greater Western Sydney, is yet to make his first appearance in Essendon colours. - Callum Twomey
The Dockers had a couple of players battling illness last weekend and Alex Silvagni suffered a knock to the ribs. Ross Lyon flagged that changes are possible despite a fourth straight win. Fremantle's WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder had a bad loss on Saturday but some players put their hand up for selection, among them Anthony Morabito with 18 touches. Brady Grey had 26 touches and has been close to senior selection for a number of weeks. Hayden Crozier had another 22 disposals and continues his push. Jon Griffin and Kepler Bradley are almost fully recovered from their knee reconstructions and are in good form for Peel but displacing Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke will be a tall order. Matt Taberner kicked two goals and took eight marks in a solid display up forward but it will be difficult for him to break in. - Alex Malcolm
GEELONG
The Cats are likely to regain Steve Johnson and Jared Rivers for their big clash with Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. Johnson missed Sunday's win over St Kilda due to back soreness, while Rivers was sidelined by knee soreness. Ruckman Hamish McIntosh is also likely to return after being rested last weekend. In addition, Josh Caddy and Allen Christensen are very much in the mix after returning from injury layoffs via the VFL in recent weeks. Both were among Geelong's best players in the Cats' big VFL win over Coburg last Saturday. Yet-to-debut forward Shane Kersten was another star in that game, booting six goals, while young defender Jackson Thurlow was best on ground. - Adam McNicol
Important Cat Allen Christensen could be called upon for the clash against Gold Coast. Picture: AFL Media
GOLD COAST
After three months out with a shoulder injury, exciting first-year player Jack Martin is close to putting his hand up for selection. Martin injured himself in the opening round against Richmond and still needs the tick of approval to resume playing from his surgeon. However, he has begun contact training and has recovered strongly. The Suns play Geelong on Saturday and need to decide whether to rush him back or return the 19-year-old through the reserves the following week (they have a bye this weekend). - Michael Whiting
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
GWS coach Leon Cameron faces a welcome dilemma this week – how many changes does he make to a winning team? The Giants snapped an eight-game losing streak dating back to April 6 with their history-making 45-point win over the Brisbane Lions, their first road victory. They made two late changes, with defenders Aidan Corr and Adam Kennedy both succumbing to shoulder problems that will need to be assessed ahead of this week's home game against Carlton. Midfielder Mark Whiley seems to put in a good shift every week in the reserves, as was the case again on the weekend, and he surely must get another senior opportunity soon. Zac Williams was also strong in the seconds' win over the Lions' reserves, along with ruckman Jon Giles and backmen Kristian Jaksch and Matthew Buntine. - James Dampney
HAWTHORN
The Hawks have some tough selection decisions to make with Brian Lake, Ben Stratton and Ben McEvoy available to resume against Collingwood. Lake (calf) is an ideal match-up for Travis Cloke but he hasn't played since round seven and might come back through the VFL. Ditto for Stratton (adductor), who would also strengthen the key defensive posts after missing three games. That duo's imminent comeback will put pressure on Matt Spangher and potentially Ryan Schoenmakers and Angus Litherland. Jonathan Ceglar has impressed in the ruck but McEvoy played for Box Hill on Saturday and has his hand up for senior football. Alex Woodward was in the best yet again for Box Hill. - Travis King
Ben Stratton is fit to resume but he may come back through the VFL. Picture: AFL Media
MELBOURNE
Paul Roos has been steadfast in his desire to keep his side settled this year and that is likely to continue this week after the dramatic win against Essendon. No injuries came from that game, meaning any changes will be minimal. Inside midfielder Aidan Riley was quiet against the Dons, so if Roos opts for a like-for-like he may turn to Viv Michie, who has been in solid form for Casey. Jimmy Toumpas, Luke Tapscott and Sam Blease were also named in the bests in the VFL and would be on the verge of selection if changes were made for the clash against North Melbourne. - Niall Seewang
NORTH MELBOURNE
North coach Brad Scott said last week that Nathan Grima (foot) was close to returning for the Adelaide clash, so the key defender could play his first game since round seven this week. However, the Roos could choose to ease Grima back via the VFL given the amount of football he has missed. Scott could make some changes this week after expressing his frustration with some of his players' inconsistency after the Crows loss. If he does, Brad McKenzie, Trent Dumont, Ben Brown and Majak Daw were among the Roos' best performers in the VFL last weekend. - Nick Bowen
RICHMOND
Midfielder Reece Conca is considered a strong chance to return from a groin injury in Friday night's clash against the Sydney Swans. The 21-year-old needs to get through training this week to secure his spot after missing two matches. Midfielder Matt Thomas has served his one-match suspension and can be considered for selection. The Tigers will need to look to the VFL if they make further changes, with Matt McDonough among those pushing for selection after being named as an emergency last week. Midfielder Matt Arnot (29 possessions and nine tackles) is in good form, with Brett O'Hanlon (two goals and 20 possessions) also getting closer to senior selection. - Nathan Schmook
PORT ADELAIDE
Hamish Hartlett and Jared Polec will be monitored this week to determine whether they can overcome ankle injuries to take on the Western Bulldogs. Polec missed last week's loss to the Sydney Swans, while Hartlett was subbed out of the contest. Neither will be risked if not 100 per cent fit, but the club is hopeful they will both line up. Sam Gray (35 disposals, nine clearances) and Ben Newton (29 possessions, 0.4) both dominated in the SANFL yet again, while Jake Neade (21 touches, one goal), Brendon Ah Chee (20 disposals, two goals) and Mason Shaw (seven marks, six goals) all performed. - Harry Thring
Star recruit Jared Polec is battling an ankle injury as Port prepares for the Dogs. Picture: AFL Media
ST KILDA
Shane Savage and Tom Curren racked up 30 disposals in Sandringham's win over Collingwood on Saturday while James Gwilt gathered 22 and was important down back. Rhys Stanley was quiet but Sam Dunell booted four goals. Again, it doesn't look like anyone is set to return from injury - although Terry Milera should be available after being withdrawn on Sunday because of illness - and Sam Fisher is set to play in the VFL after a lengthy battle with a hamstring problem. Tom Hickey is also moving closer to a return from a foot injury. Tom Lee might be looking at a return to the VFL after being subbed out of the Saints' team before half-time in their 96-point loss to Geelong. - Jennifer Phelan
SYDNEY SWANS
Midfielder Dan Hannebery (ankle) has added his name to an injury list that is starting to get a little long for the Swans. The All Australian will be out for around a month, joining Kurt Tippett (knee), Ben McGlynn (thumb), Tom Mitchell (ankle) and Lewis Roberts-Thomson (calf) on the sidelines. The good news is the other four should only be out for one more week. Some youngsters are putting their names up for selection for Friday night, including Zak Jones, Shane Biggs, Dan Robinson and Tim Membrey. At the other end of the scale is Ryan O'Keefe, who continues battling away in the reserves and could also be a chance of a recall. It will be interesting to see which direction the match committee takes when picking the side to face Richmond at the MCG. - James Dampney
WEST COAST
The Eagles will lose Elliot Yeo for up to seven weeks with a broken hand. Luke Shuey will come straight back in after missing last week with a rolled ankle. Dean Cox will likely come in after having a rest, which doesn't leave much room for others. Sam Butler dislocated his finger as the sub last week but could still play. Simon Tunbridge made a strong case to be included after kicking four goals in the WAFL. Brant Colledge had 26 disposals and Dom Sheed had 20 touches for East Perth. With the Eagles looking for midfield depth, both are form at the right time. -Alex Malcolm
Luke Shuey is set to bolster West Coast's midfield against the Saints. Picture: AFL Media
WESTERN BULLDOGS
A hamstring injury will see midfielder Adam Cooney miss the clash against Port Adelaide, but the Bulldogs aren’t short of replacements for the Brownlow medalist after several of their talented youngsters shone in the VFL at the weekend. Mitch Honeychurch put his hand up for a much-deserved debut, kicking five goals in a best on ground performance in Footscray's win over Port Melbourne. Jake Stringer was also prominent, kicking three goals in a dominant midfield showing. Lachie Hunter again proved he's a class above state league level, kicking two goals and setting up numerous others as a creative half-forward. Key defender Fletcher Roberts and ruckman Tom Campbell also impressed. Veteran midfielder Matthew Boyd may have finally recovered from a hamstring complaint - Ryan Davidson