After the horror loss to Fremantle, coach Justin Leppitsch will be looking to make some changes to take on West Coast on Saturday and a couple of players have put their hand up. Versatile Marco Paparone and rugged young midfielder Rhys Mathieson were standouts in the Lions' NEAFL team last weekend and should be close to a recall. - Michael Whiting
Another heavy loss last week to Hawthorn might see Essendon make a few changes for its clash against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday. Jason Ashby (26 disposals) performed well at half-back in the VFL and might come into consideration for his first senior game of the season. Jayden Laverde returned to football after a long lay-off with a shoulder injury and did some exciting things, but is likely to need at least another VFL game before being ready for AFL selection, but Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who was rested last week, should return. Hard-working forward James Polkinghorne will also be in calculations after strong VFL form. - Callum Twomey
There might not be too many changes this week given the excellent performance of the Dockers' young side last week. There were no injury concerns to speak of out of the win over the Brisbane Lions. Matthew Pavlich will come back in after missing with a groin niggle but he could be the only inclusion. Clancee Pearce has fully recovered from the concussion he suffered in round nine and could come into contention. Peel Thunder did not play last week due to a competition bye for the state game. Tendai Mzungu, Matt de Boer and Brady Grey were all emergencies last week and could all play a role. Grey would be the first preference depending on what was needed given Ross Lyon's push to develop the youngsters. - Alex Malcolm
Injury update: Swans, Roos sweat on stars
Geelong will welcome back Tom Hawkins from suspension to take on the Western Bulldogs. The key forward could replace Daniel Menzel if he misses, as is likely, with an ankle injury. Cory Gregson remains another option to replace Menzel, as he is a small forward who was the carry-over emergency last week. Nathan Vardy played his best VFL game for some time while Jed Bews kept the pressure on selectors and Tom Ruggles with another solid performance. Sam Menegola and Mitch Clark have put together two good games at VFL level and could come into consideration for round 15 after the Cats' bye. - Peter Ryan
Tom Hawkins will be a welcome return after his one-match suspension. Picture: AFL Media
There's unlikely to be any forced changes at the Giants after they thumped the Sydney Swans by seven goals, but there are plenty of replacements if they're needed, especially if Steve Johnson is rested. Adam Tomlinson (26 possessions and a goal) and Jack Steele (33 and one) responded well in the NEAFL after they were dropped for the derby, while Rhys Palmer racked up 39 disposals and kicked two goals in the reserves' one-point win over the Swans after missing the previous week with a toe injury. Young midfielder Jake Barrett trumped Palmer with 40 touches and also kicked a goal, while academy guns Matthew Kennedy (26 and three goals), Harrison Himmelberg (29 and nine marks) and Jeremy Finlayson were all very impressive, the latter pair outstanding in defence. - Adam Curley
Sam Mitchell (back) and Taylor Duryea (hip) weren't risked against Essendon last week but will be back for the crunch Friday night clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Jon Ceglar will also return from suspension. The other selection note of interest will be whether the Hawks include an extra tall defender such as Kaiden Brand to help counter the three North tall forwards – Jarrad Waite, Ben Brown and Drew Petrie. That might mean that mid-sized defenders such as Angus Litherland or Daniel Howe miss out for team balance reasons. On form they'd be stiff. - Ashley Browne
Melbourne won't look to change too much from its winning formula after a 46-point win over Collingwood. Both Jack Viney and Aaron vandenBerg looked a little sore after the game and will be monitored in the lead up to the Swans game this week. In his second game on return from a back injury, Matt Jones topped the stats sheet with 32 disposals in the Casey Scorpions' heavy loss to Collingwood. Viv Michie (27 disposals) and Alex Neal-Bullen (22) were also industrious for the Scorpions. Jeff Garlett failed to kick a goal in a low-scoring game, but will be considered after being dropped for exhibiting a lack of forward pressure. Rookie Mitch White is also doing his chances of elevation no harm with consistent performances at VFL level. Young forward Sam Weideman, pick No.9 in last year's draft, didn't play in the VFL at the weekend but the feeling is he is getting closer to a debut game. - Ben Guthrie
There will be a watch on the injury-hit Roos this week, with skipper Andrew Swallow (concussion), Ben Cunnington (corked quad), Nick Dal Santo (adductor), Robin Nahas (fractured finger) and Shaun Atley (ankle) racing the clock to be fit to face Hawthorn on Friday night. No player had been ruled out on Tuesday, but midfielders Trent Dumont, Farren Ray and possible debutant Corey Wagner were all taken out of Werribee's VFL match on Sunday as a precaution. Majak Daw (four marks, one goal) was rested in the second half, although star ruckman Todd Goldstein (knee) has been declared right to face the Hawks. Forgotten defender Lachie Hansen (26 disposals, 12 marks) was outstanding in the VFL loss to Richmond and booted three final-quarter goals after being swung into attack and Ryan Clarke (29 disposals, eight tackles) continues to push for a senior debut. - Travis King
Majak Daw was rested in the second half of last week's VFL match. Picture: AFL Media
The Power emerged unscathed from a close loss to the Bulldogs, and could call on forward Jay Schulz for his second game of the year, with the veteran having recovered from back surgery. Ken Hinkley may look to bolster his midfield for the trip to Fremantle with ex-Demon Jimmy Toumpas, who had 24 touches for the SANFL side last Sunday, in contention for a call-up. Livewire forward Karl Amon and midfielder Brendon Ah Chee also starred in the second tier to put their hands up for senior selection. Defender Jack Hombsch is still a week away but should be ready to resume, along with speedster Matt White, after the club's round 14 bye. - Tim Roman
With ruckman Kurt Tippett (hamstring) ruled out for up to six weeks, John Longmire will look to youngsters Toby Nankervis and Sam Naismith to replace him this week. Nankervis was held over as an emergency last week, while Naismith was serviceable in the NEAFL, and both big men have been in good form in the reserves. Nankervis has slightly more senior experience, while Naismith is more mobile around the ground, but both can take a mark and kick goals while resting forward. Veteran defender Ted Richards will train this week in a bid to play after missing the past three matches with concussion. Gary Rohan (cork) is touch and go, and if he doesn't come up George Hewett could come straight in after he missed round 12 with concussion. Dean Towers and Brandon Jack have been consistent performers in the NEAFL, while draftee Tyrone Leonardis had 20 possessions and kicked three goals last week. - Adam Curley
Adam Simpson confirmed that changes would be made this week and he did so before Nic Naitanui's injury was confirmed. The Eagles will have to reshape their centre square strategy for the next six weeks at least. Jonathan Giles was recruited specifically as insurance in case of injury to Naitanui. But Fraser McInnes was preferred in round five when Scott Lycett was suspended. They could also risk Jeremy McGovern in the ruck and reshape the defence. Eric Mackenzie is a certainty to return after illness last week. Sam Butler would be touch and go after tweaking his groin moments before the opening bounce against Adelaide. Jackson Nelson and Tom Cole remain in the frame but the defence isn't necessarily the Eagles' issue. They require some more grunt around the ball. Patrick McGinnity could certainly provide that having been in great form at WAFL level. - Alex Malcolm
The Dogs will have to make at least one change for Saturday night's top-four showdown against Geelong with star playmaker Luke Dahlhaus to be sidelined with a knee injury. Despite a best on ground performance from Clay Smith in his return from a third knee reconstruction in as many years on the weekend, the 23-year-old won't be considered for senior selection just yet. Lin Jong (32 possessions and two goals) and Lukas Webb (21 disposals and six tackles) loom as replacements for Dahlhaus after also having good games for Footscray. Key forward Tom Boyd had a serviceable afternoon in his second game back from a shoulder injury, but is unlikely to be considered this week with fellow man mountain Jack Redpath in fine form. And after illness forced him to miss the win over Port Adelaide, key defender Marcus Adams should be right to face the Cats at the expense of Joel Hamling. - Ryan Davidson
