Tall defender Jake Lever pushed his claims for a recall for Saturday night's Showdown with Port Adelaide with a strong performance in the club's SANFL trial last weekend. In his second game back from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the entire JLT Community Series, Lever had 18 possessions and six marks against Norwood last Friday night. However, Andy Otten's impressive game against Hawthorn may keep Lever in the state league side for another week. Otten could be used in attack if Josh Jenkins is ruled out, opening up a spot for Lever in defence. Jenkins is also the Crows' back-up ruckman, so Reilly O'Brien is another option if Jenkins is sidelined with a rib injury. Harrison Wigg continues to play strongly across wing and half-back, picking up 22 possessions against Norwood. - Lee Gaskin

After two solid performances, coach Chris Fagan might be loath to make changes ahead of playing St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but the coach has some high-end talent returning from injury and back at his disposal. Draftee Jarrod Berry is in line to debut after his second successive excellent game in the NEAFL at the weekend. Second-year forward Josh Schache kicked four goals in the same match in his return from a knee injury and would be a chance to return to the seniors, although Eric Hipwood and Michael Close were very good against Essendon. Number three draft pick Hugh McCluggage also came back through the twos after an ankle injury with a solid showing and is in the frame, although the club might decide he needs another week at the lower level. - Michael Whiting

Carlton may be forced to make at least one change after their gallant loss to Melbourne last Sunday, with star midfielder Patrick Cripps suffering a hairline fracture of the jaw in a clash with Jordan Lewis. If Cripps is unavailable, it would provide an opportunity for Sam Kerridge to return to the seniors after impressing for the Northern Blues in a practice match against Werribee last Sunday. Kerridge had 23 touches and kicked one goal in the Blues' 23-point win. Rhys Palmer collected 23 disposals and booted three goals, and Blaine Boekhorst had 21 disposals and booted a goal. The Blues are looking to bolster their forward potency and Kristian Jaksch and Harry McKay are seeking to keep their names in front of the selectors. Jaksch booted two goals and McKay contributed one. - Howard Kotton

Sam Kerridge impressed for the Northern Blues in a VFL practice match last week. Pictures: AFL Photos

Brilliant small forward Jamie Elliott remains in contention to play his first game since 2015 after overcoming an ankle injury, as the Magpies try to manufacture an upset over the also winless Sydney at the SCG on Friday night. Elliott trained strongly on Monday but might need a game at VFL level first given his lack of match practice. Ditto midfielder Levi Greenwood, who has entered the selection frame well ahead of schedule after hip surgery. The Pies are certain to recall versatile runner Travis Varcoe after serving a one-match suspension, while others in the mix include big man Mason Cox, ex-Demon defender Lynden Dunn, fellow backman Matthew Scharenberg, father-son draftee Josh Daicos and midfielder Josh Thomas. - Ben Collins

The Bombers were beaten in the ruck last week by dominant Brisbane Lions big man Stefan Martin, but coach John Worsfold will look to bring back Matthew Leuenberger, who has recovered from his hamstring strain. Tom Bellchambers is also a chance to come in for his first game since the middle of 2015. The Bombers ruckman played well in a VFL practice match on the weekend but is most likely to spend another week at that level before being fully considered. Aaron Francis and James Stewart are ready to step up if positions open for the undefeated Bombers, with both impressing in the VFL. Mitch Brown, Heath Hocking and Conor McKenna are others who remain in contention in a show of Essendon's improved depth this season, with at least one change expected given Ben Howlett's hamstring strain. - Callum Twomey

The axe is hovering over Fremantle's senior players after the same 22 from round one delivered a woeful display against Port Adelaide. Fans are clamouring to see the side injected with youth, and Ross Lyon singled out Harley Balic and Griffin Logue as potential debutants against the Western Bulldogs. Balic has been in sparkling touch at Peel over the first three WAFL rounds and the 20-year-old racked up another 29 touches with 11 marks in the loss to South Fremantle at the weekend. Logue (18 disposals, seven marks) is a work in progress but last year's No.8 draft pick would learn fast playing down back at the top level. Key defender Sam Collins was Peel's best player, while travelling emergency Ethan Hughes has to be in contention for a half-back spot given the Dockers' shocking ball use in Adelaide. Jonathon Griffin has been underwhelming as Aaron Sandilands' back-up, and first-year ruckman Sean Darcy (35 hit-outs) might be discussed alongside Matt Taberner (eight marks, 1.5) as a forward-ruck option. Rookie Brady Grey is a goer, while Hayden Crozier (15 disposals, one goal) and Tommy Sheridan (25 disposals) should also be right in the mix. - Travis King

The Cats will consider Zac Smith to face Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn this week after the big man had 48 hit-outs and 25 disposals in the VFL. Sam Menegola will press his case after 35 touches in the Cats' pre-season win over Williamstown, while Jed Bews is also in contention after he was held back from the VFL as an emergency for the AFL side. Cam Guthrie (calf) will have a fitness test, but is doubtful of facing the Demons on Saturday night and is more likely to return the following round. Scott Selwood and Jake Kolodjashnij are still yet to appear at VFL level and will need to before being considered for senior selection, with the latter in full training and closer to playing. - Jennifer Phelan.

Coming off a 102-point hiding last weekend, it's hard to see coach Rodney Eade not making at least a few changes to take on Hawthorn at Metricon Stadium on Sunday. Veteran Jarrod Harbrow has now played three NEAFL games after missing a big chunk of pre-season following ankle surgery and is likely to return. Brandon Matera kicked four goals in the NEAFL, while second-year midfielder Brayden Fiorini also impressed in the same game. Eade likes to reward good form, and these two are at the head of the queue in that department. - Michael Whiting

Jarrad Harbrow is nearing a return to senior action. Picture: AFL Photos

Key forward Jonathon Patton is a chance to face North Melbourne this week after he was a late withdrawal from round one with a hip injury. The big man trained late last week but couldn't quite get up for the Giants' massive win over the Suns. Highly rated draftee Will Setterfield was outstanding in the NEAFL with three goals and 33 possessions against Gold Coast, in what was his first match since the Giants' second game of the JLT Community Series after being managed. The midfielder was dominant around stoppages and will push hard for a debut with more performances at that level. Matt Kennedy was also very good after being dropped from the senior side with 31 touches and seven tackles, while Daniel Lloyd, an emergency for the senior game, continued to put pressure on with 25 disposals and eight tackles playing onball and forward. Key defender Aidan Corr played with a glove on his left hand in his return from injury and got through the match without incident, he could be an option for Leon Cameron against North's tall forward line. He was hurt in the Giants' final pre-season clash with the Kangaroos in Canberra. - Adam Curley

At least one compulsory change for the Hawks this week, with defender Grant Birchall sidelined for about four weeks with a fractured jaw. Isaac Smith and Liam Shiels suffered corkies in the loss to Adelaide and will be assessed ahead of Sunday's trip to meet Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. Good news for the Hawks is that some of those dropped from the side last week responded well for Box Bill. Speedster Billy Hartung had 30 possessions (including nine inside 50s), while James Sicily (26) and Taylor Duryea (23) also played well. Emerging midfielder Dan Howe had 24 possessions and is inching closer to a return for Hawthorn. Also noteworthy is that tall defender Kaiden Brand has now played two VFL games after recovering from a hand injury and may now come into consideration at AFL level, particularly against the Suns and their dangerous Tom Lynch/Peter Wright combination. - Ashley Browne

For the second time in as many weeks, the Demons will be forced into multiple changes for Saturday's match. After accepting their suspensions on Tuesday, Jordan Lewis will serve a three-game ban, while star forward Jesse Hogan will miss a fortnight after also being charged with striking. Veteran defender Bernie Vince, who was suspended in round two, will almost certainly replace Lewis in the side. However, replacing Hogan will be more difficult given his absence's effect on the team's structure. Ruckman Jake Spencer could come in for his first game of the season, while tall utility Cam Pedersen may also be considered. One to keep an eye on is mature-age rookie Tim Smith, who was excellent in a practice match for Casey in the VFL at the weekend. The Demons have room to elevate the 26-year-old to the senior list with Colin Garland on the long-term injury list. Tom Bugg and Dean Kent were others to perform strongly for Casey and would fit into the team if Melbourne decided to go with a running-type player. - Ben Guthrie

The Kangaroos are almost certain to make at least two changes this week. Ruckman Todd Goldstein (ankle) will return and defender Scott Thompson (suspension) comes out as punishment for landing a crude elbow to the face of Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield. Ed Vickers-Willis and Sam Durdin loom as the players most likely to replace Thompson. The biggest selection decision for coach Brad Scott is whether he can fit tall timber Goldstein, Braydon Preuss and Majak Daw into the same line-up, on top of focal point Ben Brown. Daw and Preuss, in particular, made good contributions in the one-point defeat to Geelong. Others who could come into contention for the trip to Tasmania include fit-again Jed Anderson, first-year forward Nick Larkey, who has kicked seven goals for Werribee across the past two weeks, and midfield speedster Corey Wagner. Sam Wright (ankle) was slated to play a VFL practice match last Sunday, but did not take the field. - Marc McGowan

Todd Goldstein will be back to take on Shane Mumford. Picture: AFL Photos

Running defender Jasper Pittard could play his first game of the season against cross-town rivals Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Pittard has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in the Power's second JLT Community Series game against Richmond in Mount Gambier. He will have a fitness test this week. Pittard was third in the Power's best and fairest last year. The temptation will be to put him straight back into the side rather than having him come through the state league. Half-back Hamish Hartlett is available after missing the win over Fremantle through illness. Utility Nathan Krakouer could come into the side to get the defensive job on Crows star Eddie Betts. Krakouer was suspended for the Power's round one win against Sydney and was left out of the team last week. The Port Adelaide Magpies didn't have a SANFL trial last weekend, which could count against Krakouer. Coach Ken Hinkley will be loath to make too many changes with the Power off to an impressive 2-0 start to the season. - Lee Gaskin

It's a three-way race to replace Ben Griffiths (concussion), with Mabior Chol, Ivan Soldo and Todd Elton competing for the tall forward spot. The trio were lined up for goalkicking and marking drills on Tuesday as they battle for selection. Chol suffered a head knock last Thursday but he completed a full session on Tuesday and is the front-runner after the more impressive pre-season. Soldo has reasonable recent form and will be strongly considered, with Elton the wildcard after four games in five seasons. There will be at least one other change, to replace Shane Edwards (hip), with Kamdyn McIntosh a strong chance to earn an immediate recall after an impressive VFL hit-out. Anthony Miles is also pushing hard, but McIntosh's run gives him an advantage at selection this week. Miles is next in line on the slim chance Dustin Martin doesn't play with a fractured cheekbone. - Nathan Schmook    

The Saints return from Perth with their three-time best and fairest Jack Steven unavailable after he suffered a punctured lung against West Coast. Tough onballer David Armitage will see how his groin holds up at training before a decision is made on whether he faces the Brisbane Lions on Sunday. It seems unlikely former captain Nick Riewoldt would return after hyperextending his right knee in round one, but the 34-year-old is renowned for his courage and is desperate to help his side avoid going 0-3. VFL affiliate Sandringham did not play last week, so fringe players haven't had much of a chance to press their claims, but Jack Sinclair and Daniel McKenzie would not be far away from selection. - Dinny Navaratnam

Kurt Tippett's ankle injury will see coach John Longmire choose between Callum Sinclair and Darcy Cameron as his replacement. Both ruckmen were solid without being spectacular during the JLT Community Series, with mature-aged draftee Cameron probably the most impressive. The pair mirrored each other in the NEAFL last week with Cameron (12 disposals, four marks, 16 hit-outs, two clearances and two goals) and Sinclair (10 possessions, four marks, 14 hit-outs, two clearances, two goals) both showing their ability to also play forward. Longmire has shown he's keen to give his new players a run, but Sinclair has experience on his side, which could be a factor against Collingwood's No.1 big man Brodie Grundy. Shaun Edwards was amongst the Swans' best in the reserves and his pace could have him in the frame for a club debut against the Pies, with first-year defender Jack Maibaum and midfielder Brandon Jack also good in the NEAFL. - Adam Curley

Sore bodies cost speedy wingman Lewis Jetta (glute) and key defender Eric Mackenzie (general soreness) their spots for round two and neither seems guaranteed to come straight back in to face Richmond. Jetta got up to play for East Perth and had his moments in the Royals' loss to Swan Districts, picking up 19 touches on managed game time and helping inspire a fightback in the third quarter after shifting into the centre square. Mackenzie was rested and his replacement Tom Barrass was more than handy for the Eagles with 10 marks, and some important interceptions, down back. Veteran defenders Sam Butler (27 disposals) and Will Schofield (18, one goal) are waiting in the wings with the Eagles oversupplied with defenders. Liam Duggan (21 disposals, five inside 50s) and Luke Partington (25) again found plenty of ball for the Royals but might have to bide their time for an opportunity. Fraser McInnes had 17 touches for East Perth, won 31 hit-outs and was among the best in an encouraging sign amid the Eagles' ruck crisis. - Travis King

After escaping with a thrilling win over the Sydney Swans injury-free, the Dogs may take an unchanged side into Saturday night's clash with Fremantle at Domain Stadium. If Luke Beveridge does want to make changes he has several charges in form playing in VFL practice matches. Midfielders Mitch Honeychurch, Josh Dunkley and Clay Smith were prominent for Footscray in the loss to Essendon. Premiership forward Toby McLean kicked a goal in his response from being dropped from the senior side following round one. - Ryan Davidson

Josh Dunkley was prominent in a VFL practice hit-out. Picture: AFL Photos