Get them in: Skipper Taylor Walker is a certain inclusion for Saturday night's clash with Melbourne. There's a chance Andy Otten comes in for Tom Doedee, who is in doubt with concussion. Brodie Smith will probably have another game in the SANFL in his return from a torn ACL.

Under the pump: Mitch McGovern should retain his spot despite having just nine disposals in his first game in two months after an ankle injury. Jordan Gallucci could be squeezed out to accommodate Walker's return.

Medical room: Rory Sloane has a sore foot, but should be right. Doedee and Lachlan Murphy need to pass concussion tests.

Verdict: In: Walker. Out: Doedee. Jake Kelly will revert to defence to cover Doedee, with Tom Lynch and Gallucci part of the wing rotation. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: A number of more senior players keep banging the door down in the NEAFL, led by Ryan Bastinac, Tom Bell and Rohan Bewick. Hard to see them squeezing into the seniors, though.

Under the pump: It seems almost sacrilege to say it, so good has his form been, but Josh Walker would be nervous with Harris Andrews' possible return. Cedric Cox and Jake Barrett were quiet against the Crows.

Medical room: Vice-captain Andrews will be put through his paces on Thursday and could make a return after four matches out with concussion. Luke Hodge will be tested on the same day to see if he's overcome a calf injury.

Verdict: A lot of 'ifs' this week, with question marks over Andrews, Hodge and Tom Cutler for various reasons. Walker must retain his spot, so Andrews in for Cox seems likely. No harm done if Hodge is rested for another week. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: Dale Thomas and Matthew Kreuzer are likely to return after missing last Sunday's clash with Hawthorn. Cam O'Shea was among the best in the VFL and could push for a place in the side, while youngster Angus Schumacher could earn a late-season debut after a solid run with the Northern Blues.

Under the pump: Levi Casboult had just five disposals and failed to hit the scoreboard after returning to the senior team. His spot could be in jeopardy with Kreuzer returning and with Matthew Lobbe solid on debut.

Medical room: Zac Fisher (leg) and Liam Jones (knee) will miss the rest of the year, but the Blues should have Kreuzer (heart) and Thomas (lacerated knee) available for selection after they missed Sunday's game with the Hawks.

Verdict: Kreuzer and Thomas will return, with Fisher and Jones going out of the side. Sam Rowe or O'Shea could come into the team to provide defensive reinforcements, while Schumacher is an outside chance to debut. - Riley Beveridge

Get them in: Tall defender Darcy Moore was a late withdrawal with a hamstring issue and could return for the big clash with Richmond. Midfielder Callum Brown is in the mix, as are big man Sam McLarty and defenders Adam Oxley and Jack Madgen, but small forward Jamie Elliott probably needs at least another VFL hit-out.

Under the pump: Levi Greenwood has been used at either end and hasn't yet cemented his spot. A return to a tagging role on either Trent Cotchin or Dustin Martin might just prove the circuit-breaker.

Medical room: Aside from Moore, Steele Sidebottom had scans on his jaw but was cleared of a break and isn't expected to miss training, let alone a game.

Verdict: Fitness permitting, Moore would be a welcome addition to a defence lacking height. - Ben Collins

Get them in: Michael Hartley, Aaron Francis and Kobe Mutch were all solid in the VFL on the weekend and could be considered. James Stewart could also be a chance to return.

Under the pump: It was quite an all-round performance from Essendon last week with plenty of contributors. Travis Colyer was quiet with only nine touches but laid six tackles so did his job as a pressure forward.

Medical room: The Bombers lost Shaun McKernan to a hamstring tear against the Dockers and he is set for a stint on the sidelines.

Verdict: Essendon may have to mix things up after McKernan's hamstring injury. Do they push Cale Hooker forward and bring in a defender such as Hartley or Francis? Or do they look at Stewart and include him in the forward role? Apart from that, don't expect many changes. - Callum Twomey

James Stewart is a chance to replace injured forward Shaun McKernan. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: The Dockers nearly had both first-choice ruckmen Aaron Sandilands (calf) and Sean Darcy (groin) against Essendon but ended up with neither. If both are fit, they will be keen to get on the park together.

Under the pump: He is developing but Scott Jones might make way if both big men are available after a tough day against Tom Bellchambers, especially with veteran Michael Johnson kicking two goals as a makeshift forward.

Medical room: Young gun Andrew Brayshaw (groin) and veteran forward Hayden Ballantyne (calf) should be pushing to return, while classy half-back Stephen Hill (quad) is also expected to be right for the Hawks.

Verdict: Plenty will depend on fitness, but the Harley Bennell (22 disposals, one goal) comeback speculation will continue after another strong WAFL performance and Mitch Crowden (27) is back in form. - Travis King

Get them in: Charlie Constable continues to put his hand up for an AFL debut, collecting 28 disposals in the VFL. Jackson Thurlow looks to be the next defender in line, taken off at half-time of the VFL as emergency cover for the AFL side. Zac Smith's 51 hit-outs will provide some discussion for two rucks, however Rhys Stanley proved he was up to the level against Max Gawn.

Under the pump: Jamaine Jones (eight disposals, one tackle) and Quinton Narkle (seven disposals, three tackles) were quiet. Lachie Henderson will be better for the run after nine touches in his first game back.

Medical room: Harry Taylor's foot soreness continues to hamper him and will need a big session on Thursday to be considered, while George Horlin-Smith's shoulder will rule him out of contention for a recall. 

Verdict: Unless the small forward rotations continue, could be the first unchanged line-up this season. - Mitch Cleary

Get them in: David Swallow will return after being rested, while Brayden Fiorini proved his fitness with 43 touches and two goals in the NEAFL. Hard to ignore Michael Barlow's 50 disposals and 10 clearances in the same game.

Under the pump: Might be a good time to rest a couple of younger guys this week with Wil Powell and Charlie Ballard quiet against the Swans.

Medical room: Classy utility Jack Martin has been floored by a calf injury and will miss at least a month, while Brayden Crossley has a fractured cheekbone and will be unavailable for a few weeks. Pearce Hanley and Ben Ainsworth will return through the NEAFL after gastro ruled them out last week.

Verdict: Coach Stuart Dew would be reluctant to make many changes, but there's a few openings here. Swallow and Fiorini must come in, with Crossley and Powell the possible omissions. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: Ryan Griffen (hamstring), Aidan Corr (groin) and Sam Taylor (corked leg) all missed last week's win over Port Adelaide, but could be a chance to return against the Saints if they can get through training this week.

Under the pump: Lachie Keeffe and Matt Buntine came in for Corr and Taylor and will likely head back to the NEAFL if the pair of backmen are fit this week, while youngster Brent Daniels could make way for Griffen.

Medical room: Matt de Boer (ankle) might only miss another game or two, with Harry Perryman (hamstring) in the same boat.

Verdict: A six-day break could hurt the chances of Griffen and Corr, but Taylor should get up. Taylor in for Keeffe. - Adam Curley

A six-day break may hurt Ryan Griffen's chances of selection. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Box Hill had the bye on the weekend, so there were no fringe players pressing for selection. As it is the Hawks have some injuries, so their depth is being tested a little.

Under the pump: Harry Morrison (13 touches) was quiet against the Blues, Kaiden Brand went OK in his return, but the three free kicks against is a concern for a key defender.

Medical room: No injuries out of the game, but Shaun Burgoyne will be back after four weeks out with a hamstring injury and Jaeger O'Meara should return from a hip complaint.

Verdict: Burgoyne and O’Meara for the suspended Daniel Howe and one of Jonathan O'Rourke, Teia Miles, Brand and Morrison. Don’t rule out Marc Pittonet’s return at some stage while Ben McEvoy remains sidelined. - Ashley Browne

Get them in: Cameron Pedersen has been pushing for selection for several weeks and could come into the team to contend with Adelaide's tall forwards. Dean Kent, Tim Smith, Sam Weideman, Mitch Hannan and potential debutant Oskar Baker will also be considered.

Under the pump: Jay Kennedy-Harris, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jeff Garlett and Oscar McDonald were all poor against the Cats.

Medical room: James Harmes had surgery to fix a broken hand on Monday but remains a chance to get up for the clash against the Crows. The Demons hope Jack Viney (foot) and Michael Hibberd (quad) will be available in round 21.

Verdict: If Harmes is unable to get up for Saturday night's game, Hannan – providing he has overcome a jarred knee – should return to the team. Kennedy-Harris is on thin ice. - Ben Guthrie

Get them in: Key defender Ben McKay and midfielder-forward Will Walker are on the cusp of senior selection after impressing again in the VFL.

Under the pump: There are a few Roos in this basket after last week's big loss to Collingwood. Among them might be first-year midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke and defensive forward Kayne Turner, who went goalless for the 11th time in 16 matches (not counting the previous week's concussion) and had single-digit touches for a sixth occasion.

Medical room:  Alex Morgan (calf) left the game in the third quarter against the Pies, while Scott Thompson played through a broken/bloodied nose, so should be OK to face West Coast. It's anyone's guess where Ben Jacobs is at with his recovery from concussion. Mason Wood (hamstring) was discussed as a surprise selection chance last week, so should be in contention.

Verdict: McKay's time might have arrived, with the Eagles playing three talls up forward at different stages. Jacobs and Wood come in if fit, with Davies-Uniacke and Turner vulnerable and Morgan under an injury cloud. - Marc McGowan

Get them in: Steven Motlop was a late out from the Power's 22-point loss to GWS through illness. Ruckman Billy Frampton should make his senior debut. Jimmy Toumpas (32 disposals, seven inside 50s) had a strong SANFL game, as did Kane Farrell, who kicked three goals.

Under the pump: Jack Trengove and Jack Watts could find themselves on the outer, while Sam Powell-Pepper (11 disposals at 36.4 per cent efficiency) and Lindsay Thomas are also in danger.

Medical room: Dougal Howard is in doubt with a hand injury, while Karl Amon took a knock to his knee. Paddy Ryder is still at least a week away.

Verdict: The Power could have two debutants in Frampton and Farrell. Motlop and Toumpas back in. Out goes Trengove, Amon, Howard and Watts. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: Bachar Houli is a chance to return from groin soreness but it may be through the VFL. Liam Baker and Tyson Stengle kept themselves in the selection frame with strong performances at VFL level while Patrick Naish put in a career-best game with 32 disposals in the Tigers' 66-point win over Sandringham.

Under the pump: Jason Castagna has had a quiet few weeks; he hasn't kicked a goal since round 13, was wildly inaccurate last week against the Giants with 0.5, had just four kicks in the win over the Saints and has dropped off in pressure. Connor Menadue had 10 disposals in his fourth game for the season and Kamdyn McIntosh wasn't prolific in his return to the AFL side.  

Medical room: The Tigers reported no fresh injuries out of Friday night's win. Houli didn't play because of soreness and is only a chance to return this week as the club works out the best way to manage him after his groin, which kept him out between rounds 11 and 16, flared up after just one game. Oleg Markov has been sidelined again with a fresh knee injury he sustained in the VFL.

Verdict: There's a chance they could go in unchanged if they decide to push Houli through the VFL. But, Baker and Stengle just keep making cases for themselves and Castagna has struggled in recent weeks, while Naish could bob up for a surprise debut at the expense of Menadue or McIntosh. - Jennifer Phelan

Half-back Bachar Houli is a chance for the Collingwood blockbuster. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: After St Kilda looked second-rate against Richmond last week, Blake Acres (36 disposals), Nick Coffield (30) and Nathan Freeman (29 and one goal) did their chances of a senior call-up no harm in strong performances for Sandringham while Ben Paton (22) has been pushing hard for a debut.

Under the pump: Plenty were down but Ed Phillips, Jack Newnes and Hunter Clark didn't seem to have much impact. Josh Battle was quiet but it was a tough night for forwards.

Medical room: The backline could be boosted if Jimmy Webster (right groin) and Nathan Brown (left hamstring) return while Bailey Rice hurt his right shoulder against the Tigers but played out the game.

Verdict: Acres, Brown and Coffield for Phillips, Newnes and Clark. - Dinny Navaratnam

Get them in: Key defender Heath Grundy was surprisingly not recalled last week and is no guarantee to return against Essendon's speedy forward line. Young forward Jordan Dawson had an incredible 24 tackles to go with 29 possessions, nine marks and three goals in the reserves.

Under the pump: Harry Marsh and Robbie Fox have had a couple of quiet games, while big man Darcy Cameron struggled on debut against Gold Coast.

Medical room: Veteran Kieren Jack could be a chance to return against the Bombers if he gets through training on Wednesday, but Gary Rohan is set to miss multiple games after having surgery on his broken hand.

Verdict: Grundy and Dawson in for Cameron and Marsh. - Adam Curley

Veetran Heath Grundy is likely to be recalled to face the Bombers. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: It was impossible to take anything out of East Perth's waterlogged clash with Claremont except the positive that there were no injuries. Tom Barrass and Jake Waterman are thereabouts when required.

Under the pump: Midfielder Dom Sheed was used across half-forward in his return against the Dogs and failed to fire, picking up just 10 disposals.

Medical room: The Eagles have very few injury concerns, with nearly the full squad fit and available. 

Verdict: Sheed could be in trouble, with like-for-like youngster Brayden Ainsworth in the mix, or Waterman if the Eagles want another forward in that role. Barrass might be called up for the job on North Melbourne star Ben Brown. – Travis King

Get them in: Superstar playmaker Marcus Bontempelli is expected to return from appendicitis for Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide. With Luke Dahlhaus and Mitch Honeychurch sidelined through injury, second-year forward Fergus Greene should finally make his long-awaited debut. 

Under the pump: With Port star Paddy Ryder sidelined through injury and Dougal Howard battling a hand complaint, do the Dogs need both struggling big men Jordan Roughead and Tom Boyd?

Medical room: Dahlhaus will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, while Honeychurch will spend at least a week on the sidelines with neck and concussion issues.

Verdict: Bontempelli and Greene for Dahlhaus and Honeychurch - Ryan Davidson

Marcus Bontempelli is set for his return from having his appendix removed. Picture: AFL Photos