• The injury list: Your club's sidelined players
• Who starred in the state leagues?
• Nine things we learned from round 16
• Fantasy form watch
Rory Sloane could return to the senior side this week after re-fracturing his cheekbone in round 13. He trained on Tuesday in a helmet and the club is hopeful he'll he fit to play the Suns. Star fullback Daniel Talia will be monitored closely at training after being subbed from Showdown XXXIX with concussion. Talia appeared in good spirits after the game, but given the mysterious nature of concussions, he'll be forced to prove his fitness. James Podsiadly was dominant in attack in the SANFL with five goals, while Jarryd Lyons booted four. Cam Ellis-Yolmen was prolific (38 possessions, 10 clearances, two goals) as was Sam Kerridge (32, 10 clearances, two goals). Mitch Grigg successfully returned from an ankle injury (29 disposals, one goal) and Nathan van Berlo was solid in his first game in the SANFL since 2005 (23 touches, one goal). - Harry Thring
Coach Justin Leppitsch has some interesting decisions ahead of Saturday night's home match against North Melbourne after the Lions' poor showing against the Demons at the weekend. That was their strongest team for the season, and with no-one coming back from injury, it's likely his only decision will be tactical. Liam Dawson was strong in the NEAFL and must be close to a recall, while Tom Cutler would also give them some more run – something sadly missing against Melbourne. - Michael Whiting
Troy Menzel finished last Saturday night's game against Fremantle on the bench after being subbed off in the third quarter. Although the Northern Blues lost comfortably on Saturday, there were several positive performances to come out of the game. Mark Whiley provided a contest all day to be one of the Blues' more influential players, finishing with 20 disposals in the midfield. Kristian Jaksch was solid and Liam Jones battled manfully, with both booting two goals. - Howard Kotton
With spearhead Travis Cloke sidelined with a calf injury, the Magpies could promote promising swingman Darcy Moore to a key forward role in just his third AFL game, when the Pies face the Western Bulldogs in another crunch game at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. An omission last week, Moore slotted two last-quarter goals in the Pies' 41-point win over Frankston in the VFL on Sunday. Desperate for scoring avenues with goalsneak Jamie Elliott also likely to miss again with the back problem, the Pies will hope to regain the versatile Tyson Goldsack, who has been battling knee tendinitis. Another option is Patrick Karnezis, who was again among the club's best in the VFL, as were Sam Dwyer and prospective debutants Matt Scharenberg and Jonathon Marsh. - Ben Collins
Travis Cloke's been subbed out early for the Pies. Details: http://t.co/ifjGfAFKfS #AFLPiesEagles http://t.co/6a6puwGXA2
— AFL (@AFL) July 18, 2015
Ruckman Jonathan Giles is on the cusp of senior selection after playing well for Essendon's VFL team last week. The Bombers are desperate for a competitive ruckman after being smashed in the middle throughout this season, but have so far overlooked Giles, who crossed from GWS last year. He kicked two goals in the VFL and has shown his ability to drift forward. Alex Browne should be available after missing last week with concussion, and might get another shot in the senior team. Elliott Kavanagh, Courtenay Dempsey and Lauchlan Dalgleish are others who played in the VFL last week and might be given a go in the back end of this season as the club weighs up its list. - Callum Twomey
Will the Bombers finally turn to recruit Jonathan Giles? Picture: AFL Media
Hayden Ballantyne's pec injury creates an opportunity for at least one change this week. Hayden Crozier started as the sub last week and should come into the 21. There are plenty of players keen to grab the 22nd spot. Clancee Pearce responded after being dropped with 40 disposals and a goal for Peel. Ed Langdon has put together some really good form in the WAFL and is on Ross Lyon's radar after gathering 31 touches in the WAFL. Connor Blakely collected 30 disposals and kicked two goals. Lachie Weller was held over as the emergency last week and is still in the mix while veterans Tendai Mzungu and Paul Duffield remain in contention each week. Zac Clarke had 18 hit-outs and kicked two goals but Jon Griffin is holding him out at the moment. - Alex Malcolm
Joel Selwood will return from suspension, with Cory Gregson a possible out, depending on the extent of his ankle injury. Billie Smedts kept pressure on the selectors with 27 disposals in the VFL while Nakia Cockatoo showed class playing across half-back. Sam Blease is performing well too, winning 19 disposals and the Cats might opt for his pace against the Giants. Dawson Simpson played well in the ruck but might battle to push himself ahead of Mark Blicavs. Daniel Menzel once again performed well in the VFL but remains a fair way off AFL action, while the Cats hope Nathan Vardy will return to the VFL following a long lay off with a knee injury. - Peter Ryan
Joel Selwood will return to boost the Cats against GWS. Picture: AFL Media
The Suns should have a couple of big inclusions for Saturday's match against the Crows at Adelaide Oval, with Harley Bennell and Charlie Dixon expected to return. Bennell had 37 disposals in the NEAFL at the weekend as he served the last match of his club-imposed punishment. Following his performance, coach Rodney Eade said "at this stage he'd play next week". Dixon missed the loss against GWS with an ankle injury, but was close to playing and should be right this week. Adam Saad is also a chance to return from a groin injury. - Michael Whiting
Harley Bennell's club-imposed exile should end this week. Picture: AFL Media
Key defender Joel Patfull (ribs) will be tested this week and is a massive chance to return when the Giants take on Geelong in Canberra. Jon Patton kicked seven goals in his second game back from a knee reconstruction, and while the bag came against the undermanned Gold Coast reserves, it was still another positive week for the Victorian. Youngsters Jake Barrett and Paul Ahern continued to push for a debut with 30-plus possessions each, while Nathan Wilson and Tomas Bugg were both good chasing a recall to the senior side. Young key defender Caleb Marchbank was dominant down back with 27 possessions and 11 marks. - Adam Curley
It will be tough to change the team after another dominant performance, but Bradley Hill (corked calf), James Frawley (dislocated shoulder) and Taylor Duryea (shoulder) could strengthen the premiership favourites against Carlton. Frawley was still experiencing some soreness last week, while it remains to be seen whether the other two are available. The Hawks will also face the selection dilemma of whether to recall young gun Jed Anderson for the first time since round six after his starring six-goal effort for Box Hill. Out-of-favour ruckman Jon Ceglar also kept the pressure on, while Jonathan Simpkin continued racking up possessions in another consistent VFL display. - Travis King
After beating the Brisbane Lions, Melbourne coach Paul Roos indicated some of the side's younger players could be due for a rest in his post-game press conference and there is no shortage of players putting their hands up for a recall. At the front of the queue is Jack Grimes who performed strongly (27 disposals and one goal) in his second game back from a broken thumb. Matt Jones (26, one goal) and Viv Michie (25, one goal) are also pushing their claims with consistent performances for Casey in the VFL. As is Mark Jamar (44 hit-outs, three goals), who would already be playing if not for Max Gawn's strong form. - Ben Guthrie
Drew Petrie will return from his one-match suspension for long-time teammate Brent Harvey's 400th game on Saturday night, probably at the expense of fellow forward Aaron Black. But North will have to replace utility Jamie Macmillan after he strained his hamstring against Essendon last Friday night, while defender Aaron Mullett is in doubt with hamstring soreness. Backman Luke McDonald could be a replacement after producing a strong defensive game in Werribee's loss to Sandringham on Saturday. Forward Robbie Nahas showed he had overcome the hamstring soreness that forced him to withdraw from North's round 15 clash against Geelong with an impressive performance in North Ballarat's loss to Essendon's VFL team on Saturday. Nahas was the Roosters' leading goalkicker with three majors and laid nine tackles, while key defender Joel Tippett was also among their best players with 25 disposals. Brad McKenzie (19 disposals) continued his good recent form through the midfield where his class ball use stood out, while fellow on-baller Trent Dumont was solid with 20 possessions. Lindsay Thomas (two goals) had his moments for the Roosters but might not have done enough to win a senior recall. Key defender Lachlan Hansen has missed the past two games with hip soreness and will need to prove his fitness at training this week to earn a recall. - Nick Bowen
Matt White is shaping as a likely return to the senior side, which would inject much-needed speed and run into the unit. White has progressed nicely from a hamstring strain to the point where he'll undergo a fitness test this week. Jasper Pittard will also be tested, after injuring his ankle at training last week. Tom Jonas (quad) is another set to be tested, but still hasn't played a game in SANFL – as was requested by coach Ken Hinkley. Sam Gray was at his very best in the SANFL with 34 disposals, 11 tackles and eight clearances, as was Sam Colquhoun (31, 12 marks, two goals). Andrew Moore thrived as the third man up (25 touches, 19 hit-outs, nine clearances, one goal), while Kane Mitchell (31, seven tackles, one goal) and Jarrad Redden (30 hit-outs, two goals) were both in great form. - Harry Thring
Matt White may be ready to inject some pace into Port's line-up. Picture: AFL Media
If key forward Ben Griffiths is available to face Fremantle after a two-week shoulder injury, he demands selection. The 23-year-old can come into the team as a dangerous forward but also provide ruck support, which leaves the Tigers with an interesting selection dilemma. Do they play both ruckmen, Shaun Hampson and Ivan Maric, or drop one? While it seemed unfathomable that Hampson would push Maric out of the team two weeks ago, he has taken on the No.1 ruck role the past two weeks and stood up and may be the best option against Aaron Sandilands. Then there is young forward Liam McBean, who kicked five goals in the VFL to press his claims as a third tall forward. If there are further changes, Chris Knights is nearly ready for senior action after three VFL games. He had 28 touches at the weekend. Matt Dea had 35 possessions and 12 marks across half-back and will surely be considered. - Nathan Schmook
Captain Nick Riewoldt will be tested this week to see if his sore right calf can withstand another game, after he battled through Sunday's 16-point loss to Richmond. Adam Schneider and Tim Membrey were omitted last week and didn't play in the VFL, so they will be fresh to return if required, while Blake Acres picked up 15 disposals for Sandringham in his first game back from a hand injury. Darren Minchington, Brodie Murdoch, Josh Saunders and Luke Delaney continued to push for a calł-up with solid performances. - Jennifer Phelan
Big man Kurt Tippett (hand), midfielder Craig Bird (calf) and defender Ted Richards (suspension) will all miss this week's clash with West Coast in Perth. Ruckman Mike Pyke (knee) will return if fit, but if the Canadian doesn't come up, Tom Derickx could be an inclusion to help Toby Nankervis in the ruck against Nic Naitanui. Young star Isaac Heeney had 29 touches in the NEAFL for the second week in a row, plus 11 tackles and two goals, and looks a certainty to come in after three games at the lower level. Consistent reserves players Dan Robinson and Dean Towers could make the trip west, while veteran Ben McGlynn got through unscathed after returning with limited game time from a calf problem. - Adam Curley
The Eagles’ mix is intriguing after they were unchanged last week. Jeremy McGovern will miss at least a couple of weeks with his hamstring injury. The defensive options are there but each brings something different to the table. Tom Barrass is in line for a debut as a 194cm key defender who plays in a similar manner to McGovern. Sam Butler has missed the past two matches with a hip problem but was well established in the best 22 prior to that. Jackson Nelson continues to perform well in the WAFL and remains in the mix. Jamie Bennell also gathered 21 touches for East Perth at the weekend while Fraser McInnes could also potentially fill a key post in defence if required. He had 18 disposals, took eight marks, had 19 hit-outs and kicked two goals in the WAFL last week. - Alex Malcolm
McGovern has left the field with an apparent hamstring injury #AFLPiesEagles http://t.co/YgnOlzah7A
— AFL (@AFL) July 18, 2015
Lin Jong looks a likely inclusion for Sunday's clash with Collingwood, with the Bulldogs needing an injection of hardness after injuries have decimated their inside midfielder brigade. With Koby Stevens set to miss the next six weeks with a foot stress fracture, and Tom Liberatore and Clay Smith succumbing to season-ending knee injuries, Jong will be required to help Mitch Wallis and Luke Dahlhaus at the coalface. Key defender Joel Hamling and midfielder Mitch Honeychurch will both need to pass fitness tests on back injuries. Will Minson's return from a shoulder injury remains a mystery after he wasn't named on the club's weekly injury list. Running defender Shane Biggs (26 possessions), key defender Michael Talia (23 possessions) and draftee Lukas Webb (20 possessions and a goal) all had strong performances in the VFL. – Ryan Davidson
