Bye

Get them in: No-one back from injury and no NEAFL game at the weekend for players to press their cases, but Josh Walker has been strong for a few weeks, while Brandon Starcevich and Mitch Hinge are getting closer to their debuts.

Under the pump: Young utility Ben Keays has battled in his couple of games since promotion, while Oscar McInerney and Dan McStay have to keep producing to justify coach Chris Fagan's perseverance with three tall forwards.

Medical room: Quite a few back this week, but all will return through the NEAFL. Sam Skinner will play his first match in 10 games after rehabbing a third knee reconstruction, while Toby Wooller will play his first Lions game. Cedric Cox and Connor Ballenden are also expected to return.

Verdict: Wouldn't expect too many changes following the bye. Fagan may wish to drop a tall forward and replace him with a midfielder to match the Giants' powerhouse running game, but it wouldn't shock if he went unchanged. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: Matthew Kennedy returned from injury in the VFL and could give the Blues the big body they need in midfield. He finished with 29 disposals and a goal to make his case for senior selection.

Under the pump: The Blues must get smaller in the forward line. That puts Patrick Kerr's spot in jeopardy after he was held goalless against the Dockers. Jack Silvagni also had minimal impact.

Medical room: Caleb Marchbank could return from an ankle injury, but it's likely to be via the VFL. Alex Silvagni and Cam O'Shea suffered setbacks in the reserves last week. Captain Marc Murphy is still a couple of weeks away.

Verdict: Kennedy should return to give the Blues depth in the midfield, while Jarrod Pickett made it through his return in the VFL unscathed. He could add a new dimension to the side's forward line. - Riley Beveridge

Matthew Kennedy may be the big body the Blues need in midfield. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Brayden Sier remains in the mix to make his AFL debut against Carlton on Sunday and fellow midfielder Rupert Wills could also be considered for his first game of the season, while young runners Sam Murray and Callum Brown could be recalled.

Under the pump: Levi Greenwood had just six possessions as a lockdown defender in the win over Melbourne and still seems out of place away from a midfield stopping role.

Medical room: Ben Reid and Travis Varcoe have been ruled out and Daniel Wells (foot) is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Verdict: Given the Pies' form, just one change is likely, with Sier a good chance to replace the injured Wells. - Ben Collins

Get them in: Essendon also had the bye at VFL level last week, so it will be interesting to see how many changes the Bombers make for Thursday night's clash with West Coast. Aaron Francis, Jayden Laverde and James Stewart will all be considered.

Under the pump: Matt Dea was quiet last game against the Lions with only 10 disposals, and Jordan Ridley, who missed last week with a minor knee injury, could come in for him across half-back.

Medical room: Captain Dyson Heppell sat out the majority of the Bombers' win over Brisbane after being concussed in a collision with Luke Hodge but he is expected to be fine to take on the Eagles.

Verdict: Don't expect many changes after a good win on the road in round 12. - Callum Twomey

Bye

Bye

Get them in: Now with four games under his belt in the NEAFL, Peter Wright is knocking the door down. Max Spencer has also impressed at the lower level. Brad Scheer or Jacob Heron might also be a chance of a recall.

Under the pump: Any number of players could be in strife after Saturday's final quarter fade-out. Michael Rischitelli was quiet but the Suns need his leadership, while Josh Schoenfeld would like more output in his second game back.

Medical room: Young utility Jack Bowes (quad) is expected to miss a couple of weeks. Midfielder Jesse Lonergan (hamstring) must pass a fitness test to put his hand up but would likely play NEAFL.

Verdict: Coach Stuart Dew simply doesn't have the depth to make many changes. Scheer or Heron look a good swap for the injured Bowes. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: The Giants will be boosted by the return of vice-captain Stephen Coniglio (concussion) for their clash with Brisbane, while Dawson Simpson could be recalled to replace the injured Rory Lobb.

Under the pump: With their injury issues and two solid wins before the bye, there's unlikely to be any unforced changes this week.

Medical room: Lobb will miss 4-5 weeks with a small fracture in his spine, while forward Daniel Lloyd will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury. Toby Greene (foot) did some running on Tuesday but is still at least a month away.

Verdict: Coniglio and Simpson to come in for Lobb and Lloyd, with small forward Brent Daniels, or the versatile Jeremy Finlayson an outside chance if coach Leon Cameron decides to go for a more mobile team against the Lions. - Adam Curley

Get them in: James Cousins, Teia Miles and Kieran Lovell continue to put their hands up with consistently fine efforts for Box Hill. Cousins had 35 touches and kicked two goals in Box Hill's big win over Frankston.

Under the pump:  Had the Hawks kicked straight on Saturday night, the 58-point win over Adelaide might have been closer to 80 points. The scoreboard took some time to reflect it, but this was a complete domination and there was a good contribution from every player in the side. Kaiden Brand appears to be the most vulnerable.

Medical room: James Frawley suffered from a migraine for the second time this season and was a last-minute withdrawal.

Verdict: Frawley for Brand would seem the only change. But Brand would be a bit stiff, because he did OK on the weekend. - Ashley Browne  

James Frawley was a late withdrawal last week, but may not be an automatic inclusion. Picture: AFL Photos 

Get them in: Dom Tyson has been a prolific ball-winner at VFL level and is pressing his case for a recall. Harrison Petty could make his debut if the Demons decide to go for another tall down back. Jeff Garlett is another in the selection frame, as are Sam Weideman, Tim Smith and Sam Frost.

Under the pump: Mitch Hannan, Charlie Spargo, Cameron Pedersen and James Harmes might find themselves under pressure.

Medical room: Jayden Hunt would have been pushing to be picked, but will now miss 4-6 weeks with an ankle complaint. Oscar McDonald (concussion) and Neville Jetta (shoulder) will face fitness tests.

Verdict: Spargo could go out for Garlett, with the youngster having had a good taste of senior football. Tyson will be difficult to overlook and could come in for Hannan. Petty is a serious chance of making his debut. - Ben Guthrie

Get them in: This probably isn't the week for the Roos' VFL hopefuls to break into the AFL, with Jed Anderson (hamstring) and Jarrad Waite (calf) almost certain to return from respective one- and two-game absences. But Nathan Hrovat, Ryan Clarke and the improving Alex Morgan are contenders. Luke Davies-Uniacke is also trying to earn another senior opportunity.

Under the pump: Tom Murphy and Cameron Zurhaar would be stiff to miss out, but loom as the most likely options. Billy Hartung's spot isn't in danger yet, but his form has dipped since a pretty strong start to the year.

Medical room: Waite and Anderson need to pass fitness tests but should be back for Saturday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs. Jack Ziebell is unlikely to miss any time with the cuts he sustained to his knees on GMHBA Stadium's LED fence, but Taylor Garner and Declan Mountford have suffered hamstring recurrences and face a further period out.

Verdict: Anderson and Waite in for Murphy and Zurhaar. - Marc McGowan

Get them in: A bunch of ex-Melbourne players put their hands up to face their former team with strong performances in the SANFL on Sunday. Jack Trengove, Jack Watts, Dom Barry and Jimmy Toumpas were among the best, while Tom Jonas is rated a "reasonable" chance to return.

Under the pump: The Power got it done comfortably against the Bulldogs so it's hard to see many unforced changes.

Medical room: Jonas could return from the hamstring issue he missed the win over the Bulldogs with, while Darcy Byrne-Jones will be assessed this week after reporting "hamstring awareness" after the game. Paddy Ryder will be sore this week after copping a knock to his shin but should be fine.

Verdict: Could be as simple as Byrne-Jones for Jonas, depending on how they train this week. Otherwise, Watts responded to his omission with three goals for the Magpies while Trengove couldn't have done more to press for his Power debut. However, who they dislodge is the challenging question. – Jennifer Phelan

Will Jack Watts return from a week in the SANFL to face his old side? Picture: AFL Photos

Bye

Bye

Bye

Get them in: If full-back Tom Barrass has overcome his back tightness he'll be a welcome addition against a Bombers outfit which can stretch opposition defences.

Under the pump: Debutant Jarrod Brander found out about the big time with just five touches against Sydney, while Dom Sheed – dropped and recalled against St Kilda in round 11 – had only 11 disposals on a disappointing night.

Medical room: Barrass should be close while there will be a watch on spearhead Josh Kennedy and Liam Ryan after both were limping against the Swans.

Verdict: Barrass could return for Brander, with Scott Lycett spending more time forward, while Brendon Ah Chee (22 disposals for East Perth), Mark Hutchings or Brayden Ainsworth (20, one goal) could be eyeing Sheed's spot. – Travis King

Tom Barrass will be a welcome inclusion if he's over back tightness. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: After the injury-marred loss to Port Adelaide, the Dogs could recall Aaron Naughton (ankle), but the exciting draftee has missed six weeks. Injury-prone key defender Marcus Adams is also a chance, while Lin Jong and Josh Dunkley were also prominent in the VFL. Matt Suckling will need to pass a fitness test on his troublesome Achilles.

Under the pump: Caleb Daniel and Mitch Honeychurch have had limited impact in recent weeks, but the club's fitness crisis could be their saviour.

Medical room: Easton Wood, Jack Macrae and Lukas Webb have been added to an already long injury list, with premiership stars Marcus Bontempelli (knee), Toby McLean (shoulder) and Tom Boyd (finger) a chance to join them.

Verdict: Suckling, Adams, Jong and Dunkley for Wood, Macrae, Webb and Honeychurch. - Ryan Davidson