• Nine things we learned from round eight
• Fantasy form watch: This week's pig and Presti
• After the siren: Vengeance is sweet, and a Bulldog's fall 

Adelaide

After sitting out the loss to Greater Western Sydney with concussion, Brodie Smith should return to the Crows' line-up in time to take on Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. The club is also sweating on the fitness of defensive pair Rory Laird (concussion) and Luke Brown (concussion) as well as Ricky Henderson (back) who was a late withdrawal from the Giants' game. Sam Kerridge (ankle) was added to the club's horrific injury list last weekend and Adelaide's depth will be tested if several players fail to pass their fitness tests. In such a scenario, it appears likely Harrison Wigg, Brodie Martin or Riley Knight would be required, while James Podsiadly is also available to insert some size and experience into defence. - Harry Thring

Brisbane Lions

Hard to see many changes for the Lions ahead of Sunday's match against St Kilda at the Gabba. Forward Dan McStay (finger) looks like missing a week or two, but with no obvious replacement in the reserves, might force a reshuffle with either Ryan Harwood or Zac O'Brien to force their way into the seniors. If McStay misses, he will join fellow forwards Michael Close, Jono Freeman, Brent Staker, Luke McGuane and Jackson Paine on the sidelines. Coach Justin Leppitsch will need some creativity with his forward line against the Saints. - Michael Whiting

Carlton

After another crushing loss last Friday night, this time against the Cats, Carlton hopes to regain experienced duo Lachie Henderson and Andrew Walker for its Friday night encounter against the Sydney Swans at the SCG. Henderson has been out for the past three matches with a hamstring problem and Walker has missed two games with a knee injury. Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, on the comeback trail after recovering from persistent foot problems, was rested after pulling up sore in the VFL the previous week, so it will be interesting to see if he is available to play this week. Midfielder Nick Graham (23 disposals) was again the Northern Blues’ best player in their narrow loss to Essendon. Nick Holman (13 disposals, 11 tackles) was typically dogged in a shutdown role. - Howard Kotton

The return of Lachie Henderson could give the Blues some hope against the Swans. Picture: AFL Media

Collingwood

The Magpies are perhaps unlikely to make many – if any – changes for their clash with North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday given they easily defeated Gold Coast and their VFL side had a bye at the weekend. Those in contention for promotion include midfielders Ben Kennedy and Sam Dwyer, and defenders Jonathon Marsh and Tony Armstrong after strong VFL showings the previous week. Fellow backman Jackson Ramsay (shin) is likely to return via the reserves when passed fit. - Ben Collins

Essendon

James Hird seems unlikely to need to make too many changes to the team that convincingly beat the Brisbane Lions last weekend. He also has a fair bit of coverage in most areas of the ground, after a few solid performances at VFL level. Shaun McKernan starred for the Essendon VFL team after being dropped from the senior team, while James Gwilt is ready for a call-up if a hole needs to be filled in defence. Jonathan Giles booted two goals in the VFL and could come in if the Bombers are looking to restructure their ruck set-up, while Jayden Laverde keeps showing exciting signs and must be close to his AFL debut. David Zaharakis has missed the past two weeks with an ankle injury and faces a fitness test to get up to face Richmond on Saturday night. - Callum Twomey

Fremantle

The mix remains the same at the Dockers as they continue to win with a healthy squad. Matthew Pavlich was subbed out of the win over North Melbourne with adductor tightness but he should be fine this week. Nick Suban copped a heavy head knock but there were no signs of concussion post-match. Peel Thunder had a bye last weekend so the remainder of the squad trained on Saturday. Tendai Mzungu, Hayden Crozier, Matt de Boer, Connor Blakely, Lachie Weller, Jon Griffin and Jack Hannath are all itching for a chance but there is no spot up for grabs at the moment. Zac Dawson should finally return via the WAFL this week after missing all season to-date with groin issues. - Alex Malcolm

Gold Coast

A solid win and the return of key players make changes less likely this week than at any other time so far this season for the Cats. Josh Walker responded well to his demotion in the VFL but inaccurate kicking stopped him from making more impact on the scoreboard. Jake Kolodjashnij had a good battle with Port Melbourne forward Jordan Lisle while rookie Michael Luxford played well. The Cats will have to determine when and if they give youngsters such as Corey Gregson and to a lesser extent Darcy Lang a rest, however it seems unlikely to happen this week. - Peter Ryan 

Geelong

Finally there's some relief for the injury-ravaged Suns, with key defender Steven May (suspension) a definite starter against Hawthorn on Saturday, and Jack Martin (ankle) also a likely inclusion. Nick Malceski has resumed running with the main group as he recovers from a knee injury, but might have to play in the NEAFL as he's missed a month of running. As May and Martin return, midfielder Dion Prestia (knee) joins the long-term injury list, forcing yet another change. Matt Shaw starred in the NEAFL at the weekend and could come back in, while skilful half-forward Andrew Boston also played well in the reserves. - Michael Whiting

GWS

Young defender Aiden Corr looms as the logical replacement for co-captain Phil Davis, who will miss this week's clash with the Western Bulldogs through suspension. Speedster Nathan Wilson was best on ground in the NEAFL last week, while top 10 draft picks Paul Ahern and Jarrod Pickett, plus ball magnet Jack Steele will also come under consideration. - Adam Curley

Hawthorn

At least one change will be made to the side which lost a gripping Grand Final rematch, with skipper Luke Hodge ready to return from his three-game suspension. A watch will be on Brian Lake's knee injury this week, with Angus Litherland or Kurt Heatherley potential defensive replacements. Half-forward James Sicily put his hand-up for a recall by bagging five goals for Box Hill, while midfielder Jonathan Simpkin produced another strong VFL performance and Ben McEvoy (hamstring) could be cleared to play. There's plenty of experienced depth in reserve if changes are made, although the Hawks could be tempted to reward Daniel Howe or Teia Miles for their continued good form by calling them up to debut against Gold Coast. – Travis King

The Hawks lost two of three games while Luke Hodge was out. Picture: AFL Media 

Melbourne

The Demons could have upto four inclusions for their trip to take on Port Adelaide in Alice Springs on Saturday. Chris Dawes (calf), Neville Jetta (concussion), Dom Tyson (knee) and Jack Viney (leg) are all expected to put up their hands for recalls after missing the club's 38-point win over the Western Bulldogs. Dawes has been struggling with a niggling calf complaint which forced him to miss games against Fremantle and the Dogs. But his looming return creates a dilemma for coach Paul Roos after the successful partnership of Jesse Hogan and Cam Pedersen yielded six goals against the Bulldogs. Jetta's potential return, after missing a month of football, will also be crucial as Melbourne looks at ways of curtailing the influence of the Power's dangerous small forwards. – Ben Guthrie 

North Melbourne

The Roos will be hoping to regain skipper Andrew Swallow (broken thumb) and key forward Ben Brown (knee) for Sunday's clash against Collingwood, but Dr Peter Larkins told AFL.com.au both are likely to miss at least another round. If Brown is ruled out, Majak Daw could earn a recall for his first AFL game of the season after starring for Werribee on Sunday with eight marks, three goals and 22 hit-outs. Daniel Currie (five goals, 11 marks and 35 hitouts) was also outstanding in Werribee's win over Frankston, but the ruckman is unlikely to earn a senior recall given North's recent commitment to playing Todd Goldstein as its sole ruckman. Running defender Aaron Mullett has now played two matches in the VFL since returning from a pre-season shoulder reconstruction but probably needs more game time before earning a senior recall. - Nick Bowen

Ben Brown will be a popular return for the Kangaroos. Picture: AFL Media

Port Adelaide

There are two positions now vacant in the Power's senior side – those previously occupied by Kane Cornes (retired) and Jackson Trengove (ankle). Trengove injured his ankle and although the club is still awaiting results on scans, he's set for another lengthy stint on the sidelines. Either Tom Clurey or Cam O'Shea could move into tdefence to cover Trengove's absence, while Sam Colquhoun could play his first senior game since 2013. Aaron Young hit super form before last weekend's SANFL bye, as did Paul Stewart and Andrew Moore is another AFL-seasoned option for coach Ken Hinkley to think about. - Harry Thring

Richmond

Young forward Liam McBean was sent straight back to the VFL after making his debut in round seven, but granted he passes a fitness test on his injured thumb, he appears certain to get another chance this week after Ty Vickery suffered a knee injury. McBean kicked one goal in the VFL at the weekend, but has strong enough recent form after booting a five-goal bag two weeks ago. Changes won't be extensive this week, but if young midfielder Corey Ellis is sent back to the VFL, Matt McDonough (17 possessions at the weekend) is pushing for selection. He had 30 possessions and three goals a fortnight ago. Ben Lennon, who last played in round five in his only game this season, is another option, or the Tigers could choose to elevate nippy half-back Jason Castagna. – Nathan Schmook  

St Kilda

Sam Fisher is set to miss at least three weeks with a hamstring injury while Jimmy Webster faces a concussion test after being subbed out of the Saints' loss to West Coast. They should get Luke Delaney back from a hip complaint and Jack Lonie should be available after missing last week following a concussion against Adelaide. A decision will be made on Nick Riewoldt regarding whether he lines up but coach Alan Richardson said on Saturday he was feeling positive after his heavy concussion nearly two weeks ago, and Jarryn Geary faces a fitness test to see if he's recovered from a corked thigh that's kept him from the past two matches. Meanwhile, Paddy McCartin kicked three goals in the VFL on the weekend and Tom Lee played another solid game in defence. - Jennifer Phelan 

The Saints will be praying for the return of star forward Nick Riewoldt this week. Picture: AFL Media

Sydney Swans

The Swans' reserves had a bye last week but senior coach John Longmire is unlikely to make too many changes to the side after a gutsy win over the premiers. Craig Bird, Brandon Jack and Dean Towers lead the queue if any injuries force a re-shuffle for Friday night's clash with Carlton. - Adam Curley 

West Coast

The Eagles will need to replace Elliot Yeo this week after he was suspended. East Perth had a bye last week so the replacements are fresh but Yeo's role is tough to replace. Brant Colledge is a big-bodied midfielder who can push forward and he has been banging on the coach's door for a chance. Mark Hutchings was a late withdrawal last week and is another inside midfield option. Beyond that there is Kane Lucas or youngster Alec Waterman. Xavier Ellis needs more time at WAFL level to get his match fitness up after missing nine weeks. Scott Lycett cannot break into the side due to Callum Sinclair's form at the moment. Jack Darling is edging closer to a return however it won't be this week. – Alex Malcolm  

Western Bulldogs

The Dogs will have to make at least one change for Saturday's clash against GWS with Brett Goodes sustaining a broken arm in the disappointing loss to Melbourne. Ayce Cordy and Lachy Hunter will be lucky to hold their spots after underwhelming performances and Luke Beveridge is considering resting Tom Boyd after the forward's one handball effort against the Dees. Draftee Lukas Webb heads a long list of players pushing for recalls after strong form in the VFL. Webb, 19, was best on ground in Footscray's 146-point win over North Ballarat, picking up 33 disposals and kicking three goals. Youngsters Jack Macrae and Nathan Hrovat were prominent in the midfield again while Tom Campbell, Jack Redpath or - depending on his VFL tribunal outcome - Will Minson loom as a replacements for Cordy. And clever small forward Toby Mclean put his hand up for a debut with five goals. – Ryan Davidson