Get them in: The heavy artillery should be back for Saturday's crucial game with West Coast. Rory Sloane (foot), Rory Laird (hand), Tom Lynch (side strain) and Luke Brown (ankle) need to get through training. Small forward Lachlan Murphy should also be recalled to replace the injured Eddie Betts.

Under the pump: A lot of players should be nervous after losing four straight. It's the least experienced ones – Pat Wilson, Myles Poholke and Jordan Gallucci – who will likely make way, along with Kyle Cheney or Andy Otten. Rory Atkins, David Mackay and Kyle Hartigan are also on the chopping block.

Medical room: Sloane hasn't played since round four so will need to get through pain-free this week. Laird, Lynch and Brown have missed a couple of weeks each. Midfielder Sam Gibson is in doubt with back-related hamstring tightness.

Verdict: In comes Sloane, Laird, Lynch and Murphy, replacing Wilson, Otten, Gibson and Betts. – Lee Gaskin

Coach Don Pyke will be wanting star midfielder Rory Sloane back on the field. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: After missing last week with a shin injury, Dan McStay should be available this week, as should Mitch Robinson, who has missed two matches with a broken toe. Cedric Cox and Claye Beams were exceptional in the NEAFL.

Under the pump: Youngsters Cam Rayner and Zac Bailey were a little quiet at the weekend and it wouldn't surprise to see the Lions rest one of them for the long trip to Perth.

Medical room: Vice-captain Harris Andrews will be re-assessed in two weeks after copping his big hit against the Giants, while Darcy Gardiner will have to get through training to prove he has fully recovered from an ankle niggle.

Verdict: Seems pretty straightforward with McStay an ideal replacement for Andrews, shuffling Josh Walker back to the forward line, and Robinson also to come in for one of the younger players to give them a rest. – Michael Whiting

Get them in: Jarrod Pickett kicked three goals in the VFL to continue his successful return from a wrist injury and will likely earn a recall as a result. Nick Graham could earn one last senior chance after collecting 35 disposals and 10 tackles. Andrew Phillips was also listed among the best, while Harry McKay kicked a goal and took a couple of nice marks.

Under the pump: Cameron Polson won only four touches, but was impeded by an early bump that left him very groggy. Cameron O'Shea was the late, late inclusion for Levi Casboult and may face a battle to keep his place.

Medical room: Casboult suffered a badly dislocated finger, while Lachie Plowman's year is over after injuring his knee. Matthew Kreuzer is unlikely to feature due to an ankle problem, while captain Marc Murphy remains a 50-50 chance to play as he returns from a foot injury.

Verdict: Phillips is the obvious replacement for Kreuzer, while McKay could come in for Casboult. Pickett should earn a recall. - Riley Beveridge

Get them in: Prospective debutant Brayden Sier and fellow midfielders Rupert Wills and Callum Brown remain in contention to take on Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, while Ben Crocker bagged five of the Magpies’ 10 goals in the VFL.

Under the pump: It seems forward-turned-wingman Chris Mayne's spot will come under scrutiny whenever his output dips, as it did in a 14-touch effort against Carlton.

Medical room: Adam Treloar (hamstrings) appears set for a stint on the sidelines, as is Levi Greenwood (concussion), but experienced pair Ben Reid (calf) and Travis Varcoe are closing in on a return.

Verdict: Treloar’s absence would force Jordan De Goey into an almost permanent midfield role, which could open the door for Crocker. – Ben Collins

Get them in: Jordan Ridley dominated at VFL level with 31 disposals across half-back in the VFL, while Aaron Francis continues to show his talents as an intercepting mark in defence.  

Under the pump: Matt Dea has been good but would likely be first out of the backline if Francis or even Michael Hartley is recalled.

Medical room: Josh Green is in some doubt after a foot injury last week, while Mason Redman also left Perth on crutches last week. Jayden Laverde would have been a chance but injured his hamstring in the VFL.  

Verdict: Injury might force John Worsfold's hand on a couple of changes but otherwise the Bombers will be keen to keep things settled with their faint finals hopes still alive. - Callum Twomey

Get them in: Michael Walters has served his one-game suspension and will return to the line-up against Brisbane, while Alex Pearce is a very slim chance to return from a broken thumb.

Under the pump: Veteran Hayden Ballantyne is under pressure to retain his spot, while youngsters Ryan Nyhuis and Darcy Tucker were quiet against Carlton.

Medical room: Pearce and Bradley Hill will have to undergo tests to prove their fitness for this weekend, although Hill still has to serve his one-game suspension for breaching the club's alcohol policy.

Verdict: Walters to replace Ballantyne. Pearce will return if he's cleared to play, but that appears unlikely, with one of Nyhuis and Tucker to make way for the star defender. – Ben Guthrie

Get them in: Cam Guthrie and Scott Selwood have both ticked off two VFL matches, while Harry Taylor got much-needed game time before the bye. Forward/ruck Wylie Buzza was left out on game day in round 14 due to the conditions. Ryan Abbott (65 hit-outs) continues to bang down the door, while human wrecking-ball Quinton Narkle turned heads in the VFL.    

Under the pump: Jordan Murdoch will be nervous after nine touches against Richmond, while inclusion Zach Guthrie is the most likely to drop out in defence. James Parsons failed to make a big impact after replacing Buzza. Small forwards Cory Gregson (eight touches) and Lachie Fogarty (nine) were quiet.  

Medical room: From the side that lost to Richmond, Lincoln McCarthy will miss with a hamstring. Daniel Menzel is an outside chance to return from a groin but more likely to come through the VFL.  

Verdict: Taylor, Scott Selwood and Cam Guthrie to return for Zach Guthrie, McCarthy and Murdoch. Depending on talls v smalls, select three of Buzza, Gregson, Narkle, Parsons and Fogarty. - Mitch Cleary

Get them in: He was the travelling emergency last week and Max Spencer would be in the frame again. Will Brodie impressed in the NEAFL, while Jesse Lonergan also made a strong return from injury and has some midfield leg speed.

Under the pump: He's had a strong first season at the club, but Nick Holman battled against the Hawks, while Jack Leslie could struggle to find a defensive match-up.

Medical room: Swingman Sam Day has a shoulder injury and is in doubt to play Collingwood, but in better news Steven May (ankle) and Rory Thompson (hamstring) are both chances to return.

Verdict: If May and Thompson pass fitness tests, they'll return. Gold Coast can afford to play only two key defenders against the smaller Magpies forward line, so Day (through injury) and Leslie would be the most likely to miss out. – Michael Whiting

Get them in: Dumped defender Harry Perryman kicked four goals from 34 possessions in the NEAFL last week, while draftees Aiden Bonar (25 touches and 13 clearances) and Brent Daniels (two goals), plus Lachie Keeffe were also solid.

Under the pump: With star forward Jeremy Cameron set to be suspended, the Giants aren't likley to make any unforced changes.

Medical room: Gun forward Toby Greene (foot) continues to make some progress but is still at least 2-3 weeks away.

Verdict: Perryman to come in for Cameron. Don't rule out a debut for Daniels if the Giants decide to go small against Hawthorn. – Adam Curley

Get them in: Midfielders James Cousins (25 possessions, four tackles) and Kieran Lovell (22 disposals) continue to impress at Box Hill. Key forward Mitchell Lewis (three goals, six marks and seven tackles) was also in good touch. He shapes as a player.

Under the pump: Winning form is good form. Tim O’Brien did OK as a late replacement for Jon Ceglar. Will Langford seems to have found some form.

Medical room: Shaun Burgoyne has hurt his hamstring again and is facing a few weeks on the sidelines.

Verdict: Ceglar for O'Brien if he's over his quad injury. The Hawks will need some extra run this week and it might be the week to have one last look at the forgotten Jonathan O’Rourke. Lovell and Cousins will also be considered. – Ashley Browne

The Hawks could welcome back ruckman Jon Ceglar this week. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Sam Weideman booted seven goals in the VFL in a dominant display against Coburg, while Sam Frost and Billy Stretch were also excellent. Harrison Petty was the carryover emergency for Friday night and will be considered strongly, as will Jeff Garlett and Charlie Spargo.

Under the pump: Tim Smith and Mitch Hannan had little impact against the Power. The Demons may have to make a tough call on Jordan Lewis or Bernie Vince.

Medical room: Tom McDonald (ribs) and Neville Jetta (ankle/head knock) will be monitored cautiously this week.

Verdict: Petty or Frost will most likely come into the team to contend with the Saints' tall forward line, while Stretch's outside speed could be used in the midfield. Weideman may replace Tim Smith after his seven-goal haul for Casey. - Ben Guthrie

Get them in: Cameron Zurhaar looms as an inclusion for Billy Hartung (hamstring), unless Ben Jacobs (delayed concussion) is available to play. Ryan Clarke lost his half-back spot in the AFL side to three-gamer Tom Murphy, but remains on the cusp of selection. Nick Larkey seems ready if a key forward slot opens up.  

Under the pump: Murphy and Nathan Hrovat, who last week played his first game since round three, are the most likely to go out if multiple changes are made.  

Medical room: Hartung won a reprieve from the axe when Jacobs was a late withdrawal against the Western Bulldogs, but the ex-Hawk suffered a left hamstring injury and faces time out. The Roos are being cautious with Jacobs, but he is a chance to return. Jarrad Waite (calf) is unlikely to be available. Key defenders Sam Durdin (eye/concussion) and Ben McKay (left knee) sustained injuries in the VFL.  

Verdict: Jacobs, if fit, comes in for Hartung. – Marc McGowan

Get them in: The in-form Power look very settled ahead of Saturday's clash with Carlton at the MCG. Port Adelaide had a bye in the SANFL last week, denying fringe players an opportunity to press their claims. Jack Watts is the most prominent, while Dom Barry, Karl Amon and Jack Trengove aren't far off.

Under the pump: Everyone's playing their role. Jack Hombsch is keeping the pressure up on the defenders, while Todd Marshall and Lindsay Thomas are keeping Watts out of the side.

Medical room: Key defender Tom Jonas and midfielder/forward Chad Wingard did limited training on Tuesday, but both are expected to play.

Verdict: The Power will likely be unchanged. If Jonas is out, then Hombsch comes in. Barry looks like the replacement for Wingard if he's ruled out. – Lee Gaskin

Get them in: David Astbury is expected to play after hurting his ankle against Port Adelaide and then missing the Geelong game, while Dion Prestia is rated a chance to return. Connor Menadue responded well to his omission from the AFL team with a strong VFL game last weekend, while Corey Ellis continues to press for selection and Sam Lloyd is available after serving a VFL suspension.

Under the pump: Ryan Garthwaite didn't do much wrong after overcoming a shaky start against the Cats and big forward Tom Hawkins, but he's the logical omission for Astbury if the defender is fit. Kamdyn McIntosh has had a quiet three weeks.

Medical room: Prestia last played in round seven, so whether he comes straight back in remains to be seen although the Tigers are backing his recent training regime as enough fitness work to see him return at AFL level. Bachar Houli will miss at least one more with the groin injury he suffered in round 10. 

Verdict: Astbury for Garthwaite, and possibly Prestia for McIntosh, although that would involve some shuffling. There's no obvious omission for Prestia, given the strength of the performance against Geelong. - Jennifer Phelan

Get them in: Captain Jarryn Geary is ready to return from a left calf strain. Sandringham is coming off a bye but prior to that, backmen Sam Gilbert and Brandon White impressed against Williamstown. Tom Hickey also looked good while Josh Bruce and Nick Coffield are waiting for their call-ups.

Under the pump: Key defender Nathan Brown has had better games than his performance against Gold Coast but he will probably keep his spot.

Medical room: Jimmy Webster will be tested after suffering a groin injury, while Bailey Rice needs to overcome concussion.

Verdict: Geary in for Webster. - Dinny Navaratnam

Skipper Jarryn Geary is set to lead the Saints against the Demons. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Veteran Jarrad McVeigh should be right to face Richmond after missing one game with a minor calf issue.

Under the pump: Defender Harry Marsh could be the unlucky one again despite a solid game against West Coast before last week's bye.

Medical room: Tall forward Sam Reid (quad) and key defender Lewis Melican (hamstring) are back training but will play NEAFL this week if they're declared fit to get back on the park for their first game since round three.

Verdict: McVeigh back in for the top-of-the-table clash with Richmond, with Marsh to miss out. – Adam Curley

Get them in: Dom Sheed responded to his axing with a strong WAFL performance where he gathered 25 possessions. Luke Partington and Brayden Ainsworth were others who rated a mention in East Perth's loss and Brendon Ah Chee has put in a decent fortnight at WAFL level.

Under the pump: There were a few below-par performers against Essendon; Jackson Nelson, Fraser McInnes and Will Schofield in particular were quiet.

Medical room: There was initial belief Josh Kennedy was a chance to face Essendon but could now miss another fortnight with a hairline fracture in his leg. Tom Barrass has turned the corner in his recovery from a back injury but will miss at least another week, but Mark LeCras remains in line to play despite sustaining a wrist injury against the Bombers.

Verdict: Two losses in a row, but at third on the ladder, it's hardly time to panic. There's a host of players in the WAFL putting their hands up if Adam Simpson wants to really swing the axe or if LeCras doesn't get up. - Jennifer Phelan

Get them in: Matt Suckling will need to pass a fitness test on his troublesome Achilles if the defensive playmaker is to return from a two-game absence. Second-year forward Fergus Greene is a chance to debut after 21 disposals and two goals in the VFL.

Under the pump: Mitch Honeychurch had limited impact in the loss to North Melbourne, registering just 14 possessions. Fellow forward Paddy Lipinski was also quiet with eight touches.

Medical room: Suckling is the only player a chance to come off the injury list in the next fortnight.

Verdict: Suckling for Honeychurch. – Ryan Davidson