Forward Josh Jenkins will have a fitness test on his injured ribs to see if he returns for Sunday's twilight blockbuster with Richmond at Adelaide Oval. Jenkins has missed the past three games with fractured ribs and cartilage damage sustained in the round two win against Hawthorn. If Jenkins returns, utility Andy Otten could return to the backline with key defender Daniel Talia set to be sidelined with a hamstring injury. However, if Jenkins fails a fitness test, it could open the door for mature-aged recruit Jono Beech to make his AFL debut. Beech was the Crows' player of the year in the SANFL last season. Beech could also come into the side if Riley Knight is ruled out with a hamstring injury. In his first game back from an adductor injury, veteran midfielder Scott Thompson had a team-high 21 possessions for the Crows in a 54-point loss to Central Districts in the SANFL. Defender Jake Kelly will be assessed this week to see if he can return from an eye injury after missing last week’s win against Gold Coast. - Lee Gaskin
With his side's clean bill of health and strong showing against the Western Bulldogs, coach Chris Fagan is unlikely to make many changes ahead of Saturday's home match against Port Adelaide. Rugged defender Darcy Gardiner should come back into the team though after overcoming a calf niggle that forced him to withdraw late from playing the Dogs. Versatile Marco Paparone and swingman Josh Walker could also come into calculations after strong showings in the NEAFL. – Michael Whiting
Carlton should be boosted by the return of veterans Matthew Kreuzer and Dale Thomas, who were rested from last Friday night's game against Port Adelaide because of soreness. Young key forward Harry McKay produced an encouraging performance for the Northern Blues against Williamstown last Saturday, kicking the first three goals. David Cuningham pressed his claim for a return to the seniors with a fine display (23 disposals and a goal). Sam Kerridge and Nick Graham racked up plenty of possessions, collecting 31 apiece. - Howard Kotton
With just a five-day break between their Anzac Day loss to Essendon and their big date with Geelong at the MCG on Sunday, the Magpies will likely need to inject some fresh legs into their line-up, with Josh Smith seemingly certain to be recalled. There might also be at least one forced change after Tim Broomhead copped a knock to the jaw against the Bombers. Capping a disappointing round for the club, the Pies' VFL side suffered an 80-point hiding from Essendon in which few players enhanced their chances of senior selection. Midfielders Rupert Wills (23 possessions, six clearances and nine tackles) and James Aish (18 quality touches at 83.3 per cent efficiency) gamely fought the odds in the midfield and so did Matthew Scharenberg (20 possessions at 90 per cent efficiency and two contested marks) in defence, while little man Jarryd Blair (25 touches and a goal) and versatile runner Adam Oxley (29) were workmanlike. Forwards Chris Mayne (nine touches and one goal), Jesse White (10 touches) and prospective debutant Josh Daicos (14) suffered from a lack of supply. - Ben Collins
Matt Scharenberg could come in for the Magpies. Picture: AFL Photos
There are bound to be some sore Bombers after Tuesday's win over Collingwood and the club has only a five-day break before meeting Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. David Myers may come into contention for his first game since 2015 after a strong return in the VFL, where he gathered 35 disposals, eight marks and kicked a goal. Ben Howlett may also be a chance if the Bombers look for more pressure in the forward half, while Matt Dea and Heath Hocking are available for some backline relief. Tom Bellchambers is also waiting in the wings after booting three goals in the VFL. - Callum Twomey
The Dockers have kept a settled line-up throughout their resurgence but will be forced into one change for the Western Derby with star midfielder Stephen Hill ruled out with a hamstring strain. Peel Thunder had the bye at the weekend, but defender Cam Sutcliffe excelled the previous week playing on a wing and as an inside midfielder with 24 touches and 10 tackles. Youngster Harley Balic missed the win over the Roos due to a hip issue, the extent of which is unclear, but he could also come back in to an inside midfield role. Experienced campaigners Danyle Pearce and Nick Suban will likely also come under consideration, and so might big men Jonathon Griffin and Matt Taberner, but the Dockers aren't expected to make many changes to a winning team. - Travis King
Sam Menegola is available after a one-match suspension for rough conduct against Luke Hodge, but James Parsons has one week left on his ban for striking the former Hawthorn skipper in round four. Scott Selwood finally played on the weekend after overcoming a pre-season toe injury and had 23 disposals in the VFL, but will need more time at that level, as will Jake Kolodjashnij, who got through his second game after a summer groin complaint. Jed Bews, who was named as emergency again, pushed his case with a best-on-ground performance in the club's loss to Port Melbourne and is showing promise at both ends of the ground, while Rhys Stanley had 27 hit-outs and 20 disposals to also catch the eye. However, he is up against it to regain his spot given the Cats' preference to play one ruckman in Zac Smith plus Mark Blicavs. Tom Ruggles was the carry-over emergency and didn't play in the VFL but is available this week, as is Lincoln McCarthy after a few weeks off with groin soreness. Josh Cowan faces a fitness test after an Achilles issue but is more likely to play in the VFL if deemed fit. - Jennifer Phelan
All eyes will be on Rory Thompson this week as the key defender ramps up his training in recovering from a quad injury. Thompson has missed the past two weeks and is an outside chance to play North Melbourne on Saturday night. Pearce Hanley missed two matches with personal leave, then hurt his ankle in a return NEAFL match, and after missing last weekend, would be likely to return at the lower level if his body stands up. Matt Shaw was excellent in the NEAFL and would be in consideration to play the Kangaroos. – Michael Whiting
Pearce Hanley is likely to resume at NEAFL level. Picture: AFL Photos
After a dominant win over the Swans last week there's unlikely to be too much movement at the selection table for the senior side, but Leon Cameron has a few options if needed. An injury for co-captain Phil Davis means young defender Harry Himmelberg could get a call-up despite missing last week with sore ribs. The club's No.2 draft pick Tim Taranto should be fresh to return after being rested last week, while Harry Perryman continued his good form, with the midfielder gathering 21 touches in the reserves. Fellow onballer Matt de Boer picked up 28 disposals to go with six tackles in his second game back from a hamstring injury, and athletic defender Jeremy Finlayson racked up a team-high 31 possessions and took 12 marks, while Daniel Lloyd was prolific again through the midfield and playing forward with 26 touches, seven marks and two goals. - Adam Curley
The Hawks are on the winners' list for 2017 and a feature of the 50-point win over West Coast on Sunday was that every player contributed. It is hard to see the Hawks making many changes for their first Tasmanian home game for 2017 on Saturday against St Kilda, however Isaac Smith, James Sicily and Cyril Rioli all suffered knocks and will need to be monitored through another six-day break. There was reasonable confidence afterwards that Jaeger O'Meara (bruised knee) would be available to play and he seems a lock to return if fit. Grant Birchall (jaw) is not far away from resuming, while those who impressed at Box Hill included Ty Vickery (three goals) and Taylor Duryea. Midfielder Jonathan O'Rourke came through a second game at VFL and is now in the selection mix when and if the Hawks feel they need more run. - Ashley Browne
The Demons have lost three consecutive matches and coach Simon Goodwin's most urgent need is to fashion a makeshift ruck division after losing first choice big man Max Gawn (hamstring) and back-up Jake Spencer (shoulder) to lengthy injury stints. Youngster Mitch King played his first VFL game at the weekend after a 12-month layoff with a serious knee injury, but is not considered ready for AFL footy just yet. Melbourne is likely to recall utility Cam Pedersen for his first game of the season, with Jack Watts and Sam Frost the others to provide ruck support. In better news, experienced midfielder Jordan Lewis has finally served his three-week suspension and will return to a side desperately needing a steady head. Tomas Bugg racked up 35 disposals and kicked five goals for Casey against VFL strugglers North Ballarat. Oscar McDonald, who played limited game time in case he was needed for the Anzac Day eve clash against Richmond, and Dean Kent remain in the selection frame. - Ben Guthrie
Cam Pedersen (marking, left) is in the frame to return for Melbourne. Picture: AFL Photos
The Kangaroos gave up a 29-point third-quarter lead against Freo to fall short by five points or fewer for the third time in the past four rounds, so Brad Scott might swing the axe. Late scratching Shaun Higgins (hamstring) is certain to return if he is fit and it could be at Lindsay Thomas' expense. Thomas has not kicked a goal for three weeks and was also goalless in round one. A player knocking on the door is Ryan Clarke, who won plenty of the ball and kicked multiple goals for the second straight week for Werribee. Midfielder Jed Anderson was shaded by demoted Bulldog Caleb Daniel in the VFL at the weekend, but may be in the selection mix, as could ruckman Braydon Preuss (rested). - Marc McGowan
Midfielder Brendon Ah Chee is the front-runner to replace injured captain Travis Boak for Saturday's game with Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. Boak injured his hamstring in the third quarter of last weekend's easy 90-point win against Carlton at Adelaide Oval. Ah Chee has been in great form in the SANFL, booting three goals to go with 22 possessions against Norwood last weekend. Half-back flanker Hamish Hartlett will come back into the side providing he passes a fitness test on his injured quad. Key defender Jack Hombsch is also a chance of returning from a knee injury after missing the past three games. Apart from Boak, the Power should have a full list to choose from with forward Angus Monfries and ruckman Matthew Lobbe to return from injury in the SANFL. - Lee Gaskin
Brendon Ah Chee is the ideal replacement for Travis Boak. Picture: AFL Photos
Nick Vlastuin (concussion) was kept out of the Tigers' Anzac Day eve clash against Melbourne as a precaution, but the Tigers are hopeful he will be fit to make the trip to Adelaide in round six. The 23-year-old missed back-to-back matches because of concussion in 2016. Onballer Anthony Miles was on standby as an emergency in round five and his strong VFL form should be rewarded if the Tigers make any midfield changes. Athletic tall Mabior Chol (three goals in the VFL) is also on the cusp if the Tigers choose to replace Todd Elton, with Ben Griffiths (concussion) unlikely to return. Half-forward Ben Lennon (one goal in the VFL) has been in and out of the team and is jockeying with Sam Lloyd, who was held over as an emergency against the Demons, for a chance in attack. – Nathan Schmook
A disappointing last term against Geelong overshadowed an impressive first three quarters and coach Alan Richardson wasn't happy with how his midfield fell away when the game was on the line. Jack Sinclair picked up 31 disposals for Sandringham in the VFL last Saturday. Daniel McKenzie had 26 and his toughness on a wing and across half-back could be called upon, while Brandon White collected the same amount of the footy. Young forward Paddy McCartin booted three goals and took seven marks while rookie Rowan Marshall again impressed as a tall target with four contested marks and two goals. Ruckman Tom Hickey didn't play at any level last week with soreness and will likely need to find form in the VFL. - Dinny Navaratnam
Former co-captain Jarrad McVeigh looks to be little chance of returning against Carlton after pulling up with a sore hamstring after training last Thursday, but dumped defender Nic Newman put his surprise axing behind him to be one of the Swans' best in the NEAFL with 31 possessions and seven tackles, and will be looked at again this week. Forgotten midfielder Brandon Jack keeps getting plenty of the footy and had a game-high 35 touches, while Jordan Dawson kicked two goals from 26 disposals after he was dropped the week after his round three debut. James Rose could be looked at, with the clever small forward booting four goals last week, while defenders Aliir Aliir, Jeremy Laidler and Michael Talia shared 66 possessions and 25 marks, but laid just two tackles between them, which wouldn't impress the Swans' coaching staff. - Adam Curley
Brandon Jack has been prolific in the NEAFL. Picture: AFL Photos
Adam Simpson flagged changes after the deflating 50-point pummeling from Hawthorn, and perhaps the time has come for the Eagles to follow Fremantle's lead by turning to youth instead of the same tried and tested performers. Yet-to-debut midfielder Kurt Mutimer has been prolific at East Perth this season, averaging 25 touches a game, and was among the best with another 28 disposals as the Royals notched their first win. Last year's top draftee Daniel Venables (14 disposals, five inside 50s) hasn't set the world on fire at WAFL level yet after an interrupted pre-season, but he has pace and spark and could bring some energy. Simpson is looking at hard-working onballer Mark Hutchings (28, two goals), Lewis Jetta (19, one goal) and Eric Mackenzie (19, eight marks). The Eagles are likely to bring back ruckman Jonathan Giles to combat Aaron Sandilands after Nathan Vardy was well beaten by Ben McEvoy one-out, while Sam Mitchell is a chance to return from his ankle injury. - Travis King
Matthew Boyd (head) and Josh Dunkley (hip) should overcome minor injuries sustained in the win over the Brisbane Lions in time for Friday night's clash with Greater Western Sydney in Canberra. If coach Luke Beveridge is looking to make a change to his inconsistent side, plenty of players in the VFL put their hands up for senior selection. Second-year midfielder Bailey Williams continued his blazing start to the season with a commanding performance in Footscray's win over Werribee. The 19-year-old amassed 31 disposals, 13 marks and three tackles in a best afield display. Dumped playmaker Caleb Daniel gave another reminder of his worth by collecting 27 touches and six tackles. Versatile midfielder Lukas Webb continued his good form with 25 possessions and five tackles. Impressive draftee Tim English was prominent in the ruck again with 31 hit-outs, 16 possessions and five marks. And while AFL selection would be a left-field call, first-year forward Fergus Greene finished with a bag of five goals after kicking four in his VFL debut last week. Taken with pick 70 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, the Bendigo product has great game sense and is a beautiful kick. - Ryan Davidson
Listen to AFL Exchange
On this week's podcast the boys discuss:
• Why the umpires put away the whistle on Anzac Day
• Do Melbourne's ruck woes mean it's time for a mid-season draft?
• Will an AFL reserves competition return?
