ADELAIDE
A fractured leg for Brad Crouch sees another important Crow sidelined, this time for six weeks. Sam Shaw struggled with a wrist complaint against Port Adelaide last Saturday and although he's a chance to drop out of the side, he'll be given an opportunity this week to prove his fitness. With Andy Otten (knee) and Tom Lynch (shoulder) still at least a few weeks away, wholesale changes to the Crows' line up will be difficult, although strong form from Brad's brother Matt Crouch (29 possessions) in the club's SANFL trial could be enough to see him granted an AFL debut. Small defender Rory Laird continued his return from injury with 23 disposals, while key forward Josh Jenkins managed 15 disposals as he split his time in attack and defence. - Harry ThringBRISBANE LIONS
Vice-captain Tom Rockliff will be a welcome return from suspension for Saturday's twilight game against Queensland rivals Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. Rockliff missed Sunday's loss against Geelong after being found guilty of rough conduct for an off-the-ball incident on Sam Mitchell in round one against Hawthorn. Ryan Harwood is also a chance to return after the Lions played a top-heavy defensive unit against the Cats that lacked run. Harwood was originally ruled out of the Cats match with a shoulder injury but strangely played reserves and is fit to return. And while Andrew Raines appears out of favour at the selection table, he usually does a solid job tagging Gary Ablett and could come into calculations. - Michael Whiting
Dashing defender Andrew Walker returns from a one-match suspension to add much-needed run. Matthew Watson, who was forced to drop out of the selected team last round with an ankle injury, might return as the Blues look for tall defenders to counter Essendon’s height advantage in attack. Brock McLean, subbed off against the Tigers, is likely to earn a reprieve while his replacement, Kane Lucas, may miss out. - Howard Kotton
COLLINGWOOD
The shoulder injury to Nathan Brown has opened the door for tall utility Lachie Keeffe to earn a recall to the senior team. Keeffe played a commanding role for the VFL Magpies in defence, meaning he could be set to lock down on Tom Hawkins this week. Alex Fasolo kicked two goals once he was freed up in the last term and is line to replace the injured Ben Sinclair (hamstring). Josh Thomas won plenty of the ball through the midfield, as he continues his journey back from knee tendinitis. Ben Kennedy's work rate was impressive on the ball and he could be another in contention to make a quick return. - Ben Guthrie
ESSENDON
After heading into round two unchanged, expect a couple of new faces for the Bombers this week against Carlton. Whether or not Paddy Ryder gets up to play with his ankle injury will change things, but there are a number of players pushing for selection. Jake Melksham is likely to return after serving his two-week suspension from last year and has some VFL form under his belt, while Jason Winderlich is also in line for a recall after a standout return in a practice match on Saturday. He's probably ahead of Leroy Jetta, despite his five-goal haul at the weekend. Rookie ruckman Fraser Thurlow is ready to play if required and elevated to the senior list, while Jason Ashby is inching closer to a senior debut. Courtenay Dempsey also played well in the VFL practice game but would appear unlikely after feeling some hamstring soreness late in the game. - Callum Twomey
Jake Melksham is set to give the Dons a boost for Sunday's clash against Carlton. Picture: AFL Media
FREMANTLE
The Dockers will need to look to their depth this week as they face the Hawks. Nat Fyfe and Zac Dawson are likey to miss through suspension while Michael Barlow has been hit for six. There are also a number of bruised bodies after a tough wet-weather clash with Gold Coast. Peel Thunder did not play at the weekend due to a WAFL bye that meant the Dockers squad members could only train. Lachie Neale was unlucky to miss last week and could come in for Fyfe. Hayden Crozier will also come into calculations. Ross Lyon mentioned Josh Simpson as a possibility and Clancee Pearce could also come straight in. Garrick Ibbotson, Zac Clarke, Alex Silvagni, and Colin Sylvia would all play another WAFL match in an ideal world but any one of them could be called up if required. - Alex MalcolmGEELONG
The Cats have lost star defender Corey Enright to an ankle injury, but a host of talented players are in the queue to replace him for Saturday night's big clash with Collingwood at the MCG. Jared Rivers, who missed the win over the Brisbane Lions on Sunday due to "team balance", is a good chance to return, while Jackson Sheringham and Jackson Thurlow are very much in the mix. Draftee Jake Kolodjashnij is also pushing hard with some encouraging performances in the VFL. Josh Walker kicked three goals in a VFL practice match last weekend, while George Burbury impressed in his first game back after breaking his jaw during the NAB Challenge. - Adam McNicol
GOLD COAST
With no new injuries and a competitive loss against Fremantle, it's hard to see Guy McKenna making too many changes for Saturday's QClash against the Lions. However a couple of Suns reserves impressed at the weekend and may come into consideration, including Karmichael Hunt. Hunt kicked three goals and was a solid midfield contributor in the NEAFL and is getting closer to a senior recall. Lively half-forward Luke Russell was also strong in the twos and his run-and-carry could make him a viable option. - Michael Whiting
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
There is one virtual certainty for the Giants against Melbourne this week – Josh Kelly won't start in the green substitute's vest. In his 30-minute cameo against St Kilda, the youngster picked up 11 touches, three tackles and two inside-50s. There is plenty of pressure being put on from the reserves, with defenders Stephen Gilham, Matt Buntine and Kristian Jaksch performing well in their loss to NT Thunder. Will Hoskin-Elliott and Jed Lamb are also pushing hard for senior berths to take on the Demons, while Dylan Shiel (quad) will be back if he proves his fitness. Coach Leon Cameron may opt to largely stick with the side that has performed well over the opening two rounds, although if he decides to shake up his defence, Lachie Plowman could be the one under pressure. - James DampneyHAWTHORN
The wounded Hawks have a number of players under injury clouds heading into the Grand Final rematch against Fremantle. Of most concern are skipper Luke Hodge (groin) and Sam Mitchell (calf), who are seemingly touch and go for Friday night's blockbuster. Hodge was subbed out of last round's four-point win over Essendon in the third term, while Mitchell was a late withdrawal. The pair was restricted to light duties at Hawthorn training on Tuesday morning. In better news, veteran Brad Sewell (hamstring) and key defender Ben Stratton (hamstring/calf) trained on Tuesday and could be available for selection. Stratton's inclusion could place first-gamer Angus Litherland under pressure. Jed Anderson (shoulder) and Matt Spangher (corked leg) are struggling from injuries suffered in Box Hill's season-opener last Saturday. Anderson didn't train on Tuesday, while Spangher was restricted to boxing exercises. Elevated rookie Derick Wanganeen could come back into contention this week, while tenacious midfielder Mitch Hallahan was third best in Box Hill's 13-point win over Williamstown. - Travis King
MELBOURNE
Paul Roos has flagged changes but his options remain limited. Mark Jamar returns via the VFL while the question remains as to whether Col Garland needs to play VFL before being selected at AFL level. Michael Evans, Dean Kent and Sam Blease are in contention to play. Finding a tall option up forward is problematic with Chris Dawes, Jesse Hogan, Mitch Clark and Max Gawn unavailable through injury. Max King remains on a rookie list and with Aidan Riley likely to return via the VFL soon the option of promoting him to the senior list is closing. - Peter Ryan
The Demons are short on talls, so they may roll the dice with Colin Garland this week. Picture: AFL Media
NORTH MELBOURNE
With vice-captain Jack Ziebell in doubt with a sore right shoulder, midfielders Ben Jacobs and Liam Anthony loom as possible replacements. Jacobs (24 possessions) and Anthony (27) were among North Ballarat's best players last Saturday against Collingwood's VFL team, but Jacobs' clearance work would probably give him the nod if Ziebell is ruled out of Sunday's clash against Port Adelaide. Robin Nahas was another strong performer for the Roosters, kicking three goals in three quarters before being forced from the ground with a minor knee injury, while full-back Joel Tippett again impressed, keeping Magpie Quinten Lynch goalless. Utility Sam Wright should be available for selection after withdrawing from the Bulldogs clash with illness. - Nick Bowen
PORT ADELAIDE
With no injuries reported from their crushing Showdown victory, the Power would be unlikely to change things too much ahead of their game against North Melbourne on Sunday. Big-bodied midfielder Andrew Moore is continuing his recovery from an AC joint injury and should be available within the next few weeks, while the versatility of forward Paul Stewart is an option for coach Ken Hinkley should he pick the 26-year-old to face the Kangaroos. - Harry ThringRICHMOND
Daniel Jackson has played two VFL matches since returning from a hamstring injury and the midfielder is ready for an AFL recall. The 2013 club champion won 15 possessions and was a strong presence for the VFL Tigers, meaning he will likely return to run with Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen on Saturday. Rookie midfielder Anthony Miles produced his second consecutive standout performance in the VFL, finishing with 24 possessions, four clearances and a goal. Versatile midfielder Matt McDonough (18 possessions) remains on the cusp of selection if injuries hit. - Nathan Schmook
Things are looking up for Richmond's veteran midfielder Daniel Jackson. Picture: AFL Medai
ST KILDA
Seb Ross gathered 33 disposals in Sandringham's final practice match before round one while Billy Longer was impressive after starting the game in the second quarter because he was on standby for St Kilda's clash with Greater Western Sydney. The Saints had plenty of sore players after the win over the Giants, with Tom Hickey nursing a sore foot, Sam Gilbert and Dylan Roberton injuring ankles, Leigh Montagna hurting his leg and a range of others icing sore spots after the bruising encounter. With the likes of Daniel Markworth, Sam Dunell, Tom Simpkin, Terry Milera and Jack Billings putting in solid VFL games, there are options there if some don't come up in time to travel to Perth on Thursday. Sam Fisher (hamstring) isn't expected to be available but Jimmy Webster (groin) might be. Jack Steven (foot) and Adam Schneider (back) are nearing a return and are listed at one week away. - Jennifer Phelan
SYDNEY SWANS
It will be interesting to see what coach John Longmire does with his side this week following its winless start to 2014. Lewis Roberts-Thomson (groin) is a strong chance of returning to face the Crows, with his replacement against Collingwood, Tom Derickx, failing to impress on his Swans debut. Ryan O'Keefe is again under the microscope after his quiet performance on Saturday in a high half-forward role. There is some pressure coming from the reserves, who opened their season with a big win over the Brisbane Lions. Dean Towers continues to stamp his claims for a first appearance for the seniors, while developing ruckman Sam Naismith and defender Shane Biggs were named among the best for the seconds and Brandon Jack could be in the mix for his first senior appearance of 2014. - James Dampney
WEST COAST
The Eagles have lost Shannon Hurn for at least a month to a knee injury. Adam Simpson was pleased with Brad Sheppard's performance coming on as the sub to fill the defensive running role. He has other options if required. Adam Carter and Sam Butler had 23 touches apiece for East Perth in the WAFL. Dom Sheed had 23 and kicked two goals in the same game to make a strong case for an immediate return to the Eagles side. Will Schofield had 16 possessions in the WAFL and could provide the closest like for like replacement for the valuable run, carry, and penetrating kicking of Hurn. - Alex MalcolmWESTERN BULLDOGS
With the Bulldogs lacking the polish to compliment their contested work against the Kangaroos, it could open the door for the much-anticipated debut of No.4 draft pick Marcus Bontempelli. The 18-year-old, and fellow midfielder Nathan Hrovat, stood out with clean skills in the club's VFL practice match against Geelong at the weekend. Michael Talia may also get a recall if the Dogs feel they need more height in the backline. - Ryan Davidson
Marcus Bontempelli (below) could be in contention for a debut for the Bulldogs. Picture: AFL Media
