The Crows could make at least two changes for Friday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval. Utility Andy Otten is the logical choice to replace key defender Kyle Hartigan, who suffered a hamstring injury in last Saturday's 12-point win over Carlton. Otten was dropped for the victory against the Blues after playing the first 13 games of the season. Speedster Charlie Cameron (wrist) is also likely to be fit, while link-up forward Tom Lynch will be monitored in his recovery from viral meningitis, but is unlikely to play this week. Half-back flanker Tom Doedee (23 disposals) and first-year midfielder Myles Poholke (22) had strong games in a 52-point loss to Sturt in the SANFL. Scott Thompson, who was an emergency last week, didn't play in the SANFL and defender Kyle Cheney was a late scratching with hamstring soreness. - Lee Gaskin
It's hard to change a winning team, but Chris Fagan needs someone to step in for Darcy Gardiner against Geelong on Saturday night after the rugged defender's elbow injury. Liam Dawson has been excellent in the NEAFL of late, while Ben Keays starred on Saturday with 34 touches and four goals. Perhaps Lions Academy graduate Jacob Allison could make his debut after his 30 disposals and a goal at the weekend? Fagan could also look at Josh Schache or Michael Close as another forward line option. - Michael Whiting
Josh Schache has been building his form since re-signing with the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos
Young defender Harrison Macreadie pushed his claims for a senior recall with a strong display for the Northern Blues last Sunday. Macreadie, who has not played at AFL level since the bye in round 11, impressed with 20 disposals against the Box Hill Hawks. Blaine Boekhorst (36 disposals) and Billie Smedts (22), who were omitted after Carlton's loss to Richmond in round 14, responded well to be in the Northern Blues' best. Jed Lamb, who missed last Saturday's game against the Crows with concussion, should return. - Howard Kotton
Travis Varcoe might need another game in the VFL to prove his fitness and Daniel Wells appears unlikely to return from another calf complaint, but premiership defender Ben Reid looks certain to earn an immediate recall following his shock omission last week. Reid was solid in the Pies' five-point VFL win over Footscray at Victoria Park on Sunday and would seem an automatic inclusion if Tyson Goldsack is ruled out after suffering concussion and a broken nose in the loss to Hawthorn. With key forward Darcy Moore (hamstring) also likely to be sidelined for the clash with Essendon on Saturday, Lachie Keeffe might come into contention after some good VFL form. Keeffe served a two-year doping suspension with best mate Josh Thomas, who last week played his first AFL game since their ban. Other forward options include Chris Mayne, Ben Crocker and Kayle Kirby, along with little man Jarryd Blair and youngsters Callum Brown and Josh Daicos. Also in the frame are defenders Matthew Scharenberg and Josh Smith. - Ben Collins
The Pies will most likely bring Ben Reid straight back into the seniors. Picture: AFL Photos
Essendon may look to make some changes following its woeful performance against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, when the Bombers coughed up another comfortable lead to be overrun. There are some options at VFL level, including David Myers, who picked up 34 disposals and six tackles in the side's loss to Richmond's VFL line-up on Saturday. Jackson Merrett kicked three goals and could be a chance to come into the side, while Josh Begley is very close to making his AFL debut. Craig Bird, Dylan Clarke and Brent Stanton were others to find some of the ball. - Callum Twomey
Losing star midfielder Stephen Hill (calf) and emerging youngster Connor Blakely (club-imposed suspension) for the St Kilda defeat was a blow, but Hill looks set to resume against the Kangaroos and Blakely will be available for selection. Elevated rookie Ryan Nyhuis starred for Peel Thunder in their win over Claremont, picking up 30 touches – including 25 kicks – and offering plenty of rebound from defence in the wet to push for a senior debut. Freo has already handed first games to six players this year. It remains unclear whether Josh Deluca will be fit and available after being withdrawn before the Saints loss with an ankle issue, while Ed Langdon (knee) has been close in recent weeks. The Dockers have lost Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) for the season and Sean Darcy appears set to shoulder the ruck load, but Jonathon Griffin or Matt Taberner might be considered to offer support. Cam McCarthy's two-match ban offered by the Match Review Panel could open the door for Shane Kersten to return. The ex-Cat booted two goals for Peel although he had only six touches after being dropped to the WAFL. - Travis King
Youngster Connor Blakely will want to make amends for his surfing safari. Picture: AFL Photos
Geelong is set to welcome back skipper Joel Selwood and forward Daniel Menzel for its clash against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night. Selwood was listed to play against the Giants last weekend, after being knocked out against the Dockers, but was withdrawn hours before the game based on the club's medical staff's advice. Menzel was sore in the knee in the warm-up and the club took a cautious approach given his injury history. Talented youngster Brandan Parfitt is also in the frame to return after an impressive performance in his comeback game via the VFL. Parfitt, playing his first match since April, gathered 26 disposals and laid 10 tackles. Scott Selwood is also a chance to return after missing the Giants clash with a hamstring problem. Nakia Cockatoo may also be recalled after battling a niggling hamstring issue, and has made the trip to the Gold Coast for the club's week of training ahead of the match against the Lions. - Ben Guthrie
The Suns are fresh off a win, but Rodney Eade might make a change or two for their trip to Sydney to play the Swans. Kade Kolodjashnij has missed the past two games with concussion but would be in strong consideration if he passes his test, particularly if Pearce Hanley succumbs to a hamstring niggle. Michael Rischitelli could also come into the frame for his first game in 12 months after three matches in the NEAFL following his knee reconstruction. Jack Bowes and Darcy Macpherson are also not far off recalls. - Michael Whiting
Draftee Will Setterfield made a brilliant return from a long-term layoff in the Giants' after-the-siren loss to NT Thunder in the NEAFL, after missing 11 weeks with an ankle injury. The GWS academy product kicked two goals from 31 possessions playing through the midfield, and laid an incredible 18 tackles. Fellow first round draftee Harry Perryman was another young gun to show plenty after gathering 29 touches and adding two goals playing in defence and onball, continuing the good form he's shown after being dropped to the reserves following the senior side's round 12 loss to Carlton. Experienced midfielder Tendai Mzungu picked up 20 disposals and laid five tackles in his fourth game back from a serious hamstring strain, while ruckman Dawson Simpson was dominant again despite battling illness during the week. - Adam Curley
The Hawks were all set to regain defender Ben Stratton last week after a five-week absence due to bone bruising in his knee, but he woke up on game day last Sunday feeling discomfort and with some swelling to his knee and was withdrawn from the side that beat Collingwood. He had scans on Monday and his immediate playing future is unclear. Paul Puopolo (groin) should be back after missing the Collingwood game. Ty Vickery kicked three goals in the VFL, but it is unlikely the Hawks will make many non-compulsory changes for the game against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday. Ryan Burton and Ben McEvoy finished the game sore but are both expected to be available. - Ashley Browne
Paul Puopolo always adds an element of excitement to the Hawks' forward line. Picture: AFL Photos
Melbourne's lengthy injury list has continued to mount with Jack Viney sidelined until August after undergoing surgery on his foot. Viney has had an operation to release the plantar fascia and has been ruled out for between 4-6 weeks. The Demons are feeling the effects after playing four games in 18 days, with Dom Tyson facing a fitness test after hurting his knee against the Swans. Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts and Jeff Garlett will all be pushing their case for a recall on the training track this week. Jay Kennedy-Harris (27 disposals and one goal) was again prominent in the VFL and is again available for selection after serving a club-imposed suspension. Ben Kennedy (29 touches and 13 tackles) and Dean Kent are also back in the selection frame. Rookie Corey Maynard (32) has also displayed impressive form and could be considered for a debut game at some point this season. - Ben Guthrie
The Demons will be hoping to get Jack Watts back. Picture: AFL Photos
Inside midfielder Ben Cunnington will return from his second suspension of the year and won't be the only change. Marley Williams (back) was a late withdrawal last week and will miss again, with Jarrad Waite (calf) and Jamie Macmillan (finger) set for extended stints out. Trent Dumont was managed last week and is a probable inclusion, while 2016 draftee Jy Simpkin and veteran Sam Wright – after 30 disposals in his second VFL game back from a long injury layoff – should be in senior contention. The one to watch is third-year key backman Daniel Nielson, who looks to have leapfrogged both Lachie Hansen and Sam Durdin to be the next tall defender in. Ruckman Braydon Preuss is perennially in the mix, but an elbow injury sidelined him at the weekend. Rookie forward Nick Larkey, who is equal fifth in the VFL goalkicking, continues to impress and may force his way into the AFL side before season's end. - Marc McGowan
Ben Cunnington has been in great form for the Roos in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos
Key defender Jack Hombsch (knee) is set to return for Sunday's crucial game with fellow top-eight side West Coast at Domain Stadium. Half-back flanker Hamish Hartlett is in doubt after picking up a cork to his quad in the 13-point loss to Richmond. If Hartlett is out, that could allow 20-year-old Riley Bonner to play his second career game, and first since round 23 last year. The Power could also shuffle their line-up around and push Jarman Impey to defence and recall Aaron Young. Midfielder Karl Amon (knee) will have a fitness test this week. Bonner had 20 disposals for the Port Adelaide Magpies in a 27-point loss to Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL last weekend. Jimmy Toumpas (27 disposals), Joe Atley (25) and Brendon Ah Chee (24) had solid games. - Lee Gaskin
The Tigers have some decisions to make with their small forwards after Tyson Stengle made an impression in his debut with two goals. The Tiger he replaced, Shai Bolton, was managed in round 15 and is available to return, while Daniel Rioli kicked one goal against Port Adelaide. Bringing Bolton back for a fellow small looks to be the only likely change at this stage, with Nick Vlastuin (shoulder) still needing to pass a fitness test to be available. Todd Elton (shoulder) is closing in on his return and needs to pass a fitness test, but it is unlikely he would force out a small forward with the combination working so well. Anthony Miles (36 possessions) continues to win a stack of football in the VFL but can’t break into the midfield. Taylor Hunt (33 possessions) was also impressive at state league level and could come under consideration. - Nathan Schmook
Which Tigers small forward will make way for Shai Bolton to return? Picture: AFL Photos
The Saints would be reluctant to make too many changes after winning three straight games. Jimmy Webster will miss after being suspended for an eye gouge on Nick Suban, while experienced defender Sam Gilbert needs to be declared fit after he was concussed against Fremantle. Bailey Rice, the son of former Saint Dean, would be in contention to make his debut, while Daniel McKenzie and Shane Savage are pressing for a recall. Tom Hickey impressed in the VFL last Sunday, which would have put a little pressure on incumbent ruckman Billy Longer. Young forward Paddy McCartin has trained after being concussed a couple of weekends ago and if all goes well, should be right to return. However, he will likely come back through the VFL. Blake Acres was an emergency against the Dockers but is too good to be out of the side for too long. - Dinny Navaratnam
The Swans reserves belted the Canberra Demons last week and plenty of players cashed in, led by big man Callum Sinclair. Playing in the ruck and as a mobile forward, Sinclair responded to his senior axing by kicking 3.3 from 26 possessions, and taking nine marks. Usual defender Aliir Aliir was also dominant playing as a key forward, taking 10 marks and booting two goals from 25 touches, while recently promoted rookie Shaun Edwards was impressive with his ball-carrying ability, kicking two goals from 25 disposals playing through the midfield and across half-forward. Harry Marsh was a rock across half back with 29 possessions and midfielders Dan Robinson and Jordan Foote combined for 65 touches, 17 tackles and two goals to keep the pressure on the seniors. Speedy midfielder Harry Cunningham is an outside chance to return at some level if he can get through training this week, but his foot injury could see him spend another week on the sidelines, with Kurt Tippett likely to have another week off to get his ankle right. - Adam Curley
Adam Simpson could have some major selection headaches ahead of Sunday's Port Adelaide clash with a host of senior players on the verge of returning. Skipper Shannon Hurn (concussion/hamstring), star goalkicker Josh Kennedy (calf/Achilles) and Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis (soreness) are set to step straight back into the line-up if they pass fitness tests, while forwards Mark LeCras (hip) and Josh Hill (illness) plus defenders Will Schofield (hip) and Jackson Nelson (hamstring) could also be vying for selection with Sam Butler hurting a hamstring in the win against the Dogs and Sharrod Wellingham (hip) in doubt. Ruckman Scott Lycett was strongly considered last round but despite a stellar 67 hit-outs, 21 disposals and a goal for East Perth he still might not be able to unseat Nathan Vardy. Midfielder Luke Partington was the travelling emergency and should remain in the mix for a debut. - Travis King
The resurgent Eagles will be even better if Josh Kennedy returns. Picture: AFL Photos
Will coach Luke Beveridge finally lose patience with Jason Johannisen, and drop the struggling playmaker to the VFL? Goalsneak Tory Dickson has also been below his best after overcoming injuries and could be set for a stint in the twos. Tom Liberatore needs to pass a fitness test on a cork if he's to make the trip to Adelaide to face the Crows on Friday night. All Australian defender Matthew Boyd put his hand up for a senior recall with another solid outing for Footscray on the weekend. The 34-year-old, who was dropped following round 12, racked up 26 disposals in a best-on-ground performance. Premiership forward Clay Smith should also be in calculations for the trip to Adelaide to face the Crows after collecting 22 disposals and laying 16 tackles. Running defender Bailey Williams continues to press for selection with 19 possessions, seven marks and a goal. Second-year key defender Kieran Collins was again named in the bests and must be inching closer to a second senior game. Draftee ruckman Tim English had 16 disposals and 24 hit-outs in another encouraging performance. Midfielder Lukas Webb was a noticeable absentee from the VFL on Sunday, and appears to have been rested in preparation for the clash against Adelaide. - Ryan Davidson
Will Matthew Boyd return to break the record for games played off the rookie list? Picture: AFL Photos
