Adelaide could be forced to make at least one change for Sunday night's clash with Essendon at Adelaide Oval with captain Taylor Walker in doubt with an ankle injury. The Crows won't be taking any risks with the skipper and he'll have scans this week to assess the damage. Key defender Daniel Talia is also in doubt, but he's expected to be fit to play. Defender Paul Seedsman and winger David Mackay will both be keen to push for a senior recall after being dropped to the SANFL last week. Cam Ellis-Yolmen led the way again with 30 possessions for Adelaide's SANFL team, which lost to Woodville-West Torrens by 20 points. Harrison Wigg and Mitch Grigg also had strong games, while young key defender Tom Doedee continues to impress and could be handed an AFL debut if Talia fails to come up. - Lee Gaskin 

After winning just their second game of the season, and with no obviously injuries coming out of the match, it's hard to see the Lions making many changes for their match against Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday night. Lewy Taylor is ready to return from an ankle injury, while Ryan Lester was strong in the NEAFL after being dropped and could come into consideration. - Michael Whiting 

First-round draftee Harry McKay edged closer to senior selection with an impressive performance in the VFL last Sunday. In only his second game for the Northern Blues after being sidelined with a back problem for most of the season, the young key forward booted three goals in the six-point win over Footscray and looms as the ideal replacement for the injured Charlie Curnow, another draftee from last year. Others to impress were midfielder Mark Whiley (a team-high 31 disposals), Jason Tutt (28 touches) and Andrejs Everitt (20 disposals and 11 marks). Liam Jones kicked three goals and Kristian Jaksch chipped in with two. - Howard Kotton 

Harry McKay is edging closer to a debut for the Blues. Picture: AFL Media

The Magpies will most likely need to find a replacement for pacy defender Ben Sinclair, who suffered another bout of concussion, for Saturday's twilight clash with West Coast at the MCG. The club's reserves had a bye at the weekend but the candidates for promotion include experienced duo Brent Macaffer and Tyson Goldsack, along with the more youthful Adam Oxley, Tom Phillips, Matthew Goodyear and Rupert Wills. - Ben Collins

The Bombers don't have heaps of options left as they stagger towards the end of the season, but Jackson Merrett continues to press for a spot in the seniors. The quick wingman/half-forward picked up 24 disposals at VFL level last week but has only had a limited run in the senior team this year. Jonathan Simpkin picked up 34 disposals in the club's VFL loss to Geelong, James Polkinghorne continued his solid form with 28 touches and Ryan Crowley gathered 23. Mathew Stokes might be about ready to return from his groin injury but given his longer than expected absence he could come back via the VFL. - Callum Twomey

There aren't any injury concerns for the Dockers this week but there are some big names in the mix. They will regain Matthew Pavlich for his 350th game after missing the trip to the Gold Coast. The other big name that might return is Aaron Sandilands. He has been in full training for awhile including contact work. He is close but whether it is this week or next remains to be seen. Michael Johnson is also closing on a return but he is likely to go through the WAFL first. Michael Apeness took seven marks, had 14 hit-outs and kicked two goals in his first game back for Peel Thunder from a broken collarbone and might be considered to come into the Dockers line-up. Youngsters Darcy Tucker and Ethan Hughes remain in the mix. Veterans Matt de Boer and Clancee Pearce are ready to go if needed. - Alex Malcolm

Zac Smith is likely to return after being a late withdrawal against Adelaide to relieve some soreness. Defender Lachie Henderson missed because of concussion, so will be considered provided he is cleared to play, while Josh Caddy is also a chance to play if he is declared fit. The Cats are hopeful Caddy will return, having been sidelined since round 13, but whether he returns via the VFL or senior side remains to be seen.  Darcy Lang is putting his hand up to play with 32 touches while Jordan Murdoch responded well to being dropped despite kicking 2.4 against Essendon VFL. Nathan Vardy rolled an ankle in the VFL and Mitch Clark kicked three goals but the Cats are unlikely to include more than one tall. - Peter Ryan 

The Suns' injury woes should be slightly eased when they head to Melbourne to take on the Demons on Sunday. Wingman Matt Rosa – a late withdrawal against Fremantle – is expected to overcome a hamstring niggle to regain his place. Trent McKenzie, who has missed a month with a quad injury, is also in the frame to return and play his 100th game. Jaeger O'Meara is expected to play a full game in the NEAFL, while Adam Saad and Sean Lemmens will also come back through the reserves. - Michael Whiting 

GWS had some positive news on the injury front last week with gun midfielder Lachie Whitfield gathering 26 possessions in last week's NEAFL win over the Sydney Swans, after he was a late withdrawal from the Giants' round 17 win over the Brisbane Lions with tonsillitis. Reliable defender Matt Buntine (hamstring) also made a successful return to the field with 27 touches and seven tackles, with Will Hoskin-Elliott (quad) also good in his first game back with 29 disposals and two goals. Hardworking midfielder Jake Barrett continued to bang down the selectors' door with another 40 touches and eight tackles, while defenders Jeremy Finlayson and Tim Mohr were both very good against the Swans. Star midfielder Ryan Griffen could bolster the Giants for this week's clash against Richmond in Canberra after missing the past two matches with a hamstring strain, but is more likely to return in round 20. - Adam Curley 

Lachie Whitfield starred in the NEAFL against the Swans. Picture: AFL Media

Skipper Luke Hodge missed the last 15 minutes of the Richmond game on Sunday with hamstring soreness and with just six days and a plane trip ahead of the Aurora Stadium clash with Carlton, the Hawks may give him a spell, given Alastair Clarkson has now flagged a no-risk policy from here to the finals. Billy Hartung or Angus Litherland would be next in line to take his place. Liam Shiels remains a fortnight away with a hamstring injury, but you suspect time is running out for Ryan Schoenmakers and Matt Spangher to get back in the side before the end of the season. Don't be surprised if the Hawks use the next fortnight to have a look key defender Kurt Heatherley, the New Zealander who has been in excellent touch for Box Hill. - Ashley Browne 

Save for poor goal kicking and a couple of dubious deliberate out of bounds decisions, Melbourne would have beaten West Coast. The Demons now have a game they should win against Gold Coast and have a number of players putting their hands up for selection after strong performances for the Casey Scorpions at the weekend. Neville Jetta (ankle) has been passed fit to play while doubt surrounds Oscar McDonald due to a lower leg injury. If McDonald does not come up, Colin Garland (25 disposals) and Lynden Dunn might come back into the selection frame. Viv Michie (33 disposals), Jack Grimes (31) and Ben Kennedy (30) were the major ball winners for the Scorpions, while Clayton Oliver (28) and Tomas Bugg (27) may also earn a recall. - Ben Guthrie 

With a lengthy injury list and inexperienced VFL side playing for Werribee, the cupboard is relatively bare for reserves to call-up. Fortunately, the Roos seemed to get through Friday night's win over Collingwood without fresh injury concerns, apart from Daniel Wells' pre-game scare. All eyes will be on Jarrad Waite at training this week as he attempts to overcome a hip issue, but the veteran forward was only hopeful of getting up for Brent Harvey's record-breaking game against St Kilda. Otherwise, the Roos might go in unchanged, although Declan Mountford has been running with the opposition's most dangerous midfielder in the VFL in recent weeks and is knocking on the door for a senior debut, and AFL emergency Corey Wagner will still be in the mix. - Travis King

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has indicated he's not afraid to wield the axe at selection for Saturday night's must-win encounter with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. While the Power are probably already out of finals contention, they still have a slim chance if they win their last five games. Hinkley has stated that Jake Neade, Karl Amon, Nathan Krakouer, Mathew Lobbe and Matthew White will all come into consideration for a senior recall. White hasn't played since a pectoral injury in round one, while experienced ruckman Lobbe has missed the past three months with a knee injury. The Power's fringe players didn't get a chance to impress this weekend with the Port Adelaide Magpies having a bye in the SANFL. - Lee Gaskin

Changes shouldn't be ruled out after what Damien Hardwick labelled a "shameful" fourth quarter against Hawthorn. The coach has the freedom to play as many youngsters as he likes and he may turn to the VFL again this week, where recycled midfielder Andrew Moore racked up 28 possessions and two goals. Mature-age rookie Adam Marcon is yet to be given a chance at senior level and should be tested before the end of the season. Defender Bachar Houli (24 possessions) played 75 per cent game time in the VFL after 11 weeks sidelined with a wrist injury, but he looks ready to return and would give the Tigers the creativity off half-back they were missing against the Hawks. Jacob Townsend had 28 possessions in the VFL, but the Tigers have been reluctant to bring him back into the 22, playing him once in three months. - Nathan Schmook  

A return for Sam Fisher is on the cards. He has not played since round 10 after a hamstring injury and despite St Kilda's good form – having won seven of its past nine games – the Saints are short on key defensive personnel. The length of time he has been out might mean Fisher needs to return through the VFL. Cam Shenton had 23 disposals, six tackles and two goals for Sandringham and could be an emergency against North Melbourne. Small forwards Eli Templeton and Jack Lonie are also in solid VFL form. - Dinny Navaratnam 

Veterans Ted Richards and Ben McGlynn were solid in the Swans' NEAFL loss to the Giants last week after being dropped from the senior side, but are unlikely to win back their spots with their performances. Richards was reliable down back, while McGlynn had a strong second half and finished with 22 possessions and two goals. Ruckman Toby Nankervis had 21 touches and six tackles to keep the pressure on Callum Sinclair in the senior team, who managed just six disposals and two marks against Carlton last week and is struggling for form. Defender Harrison Marsh returned from a hamstring strain and was serviceable against the Giants, while small forward James Rose had 21 touches to keep his name in the frame. - Adam Curley 

The Eagles have a decision to make on star ruckman Nic Naitanui. He looks ready to go, but if there is any risk the Eagles won't rush him. He needs to get through training on Wednesday but is a big chance to return. Sharrod Wellingham copped a heavy cork and will be monitored this week. He is likely to be fine but Xavier Ellis is the automatic replacement if he doesn't come up after 21 touches and a goal for East Perth. The Eagles need some midfield grunt and Dom Sheed could provide it after a month of solid form in the WAFL. Patrick McGinnity and Mark Hutchings both responded to their axing last week with 27 and 24 disposals respectively to put themselves back in contention. The Eagles are down on scoring in recent weeks and might need a different mix up front. Malcolm Karpany had 22 touches and kicked a goal for East Perth. Brant Colledge had 22 and kicked two goals for the Royals and is a strong body who can push into the midfield. Simon Tunbridge and Tom Lamb are also finding some form. - Alex Malcolm

The Eagles have to make a call on Nic Naitanui's return. Picture: AFL Media

Star forwards Jake Stringer and Luke Dahlhaus are set to bolster the injury-hit Bulldogs for Friday night's massive clash against Geelong. With the club confirming Mitch Wallis (leg) and Jack Redpath (knee) have both suffered season-ending injuries in the upset loss to St Kilda, the duo's return is a huge fillip for Luke Beveridge's seventh-placed side. Evergreen veteran Dale Morris is some chance to face the Cats after hamstring tightness saw the defender sit out the second half against the Cats. Joel Hamling is a likely starter against his old side if Morris doesn't come up. Midfielder Lin Jong could be under pressure to hold his spot after nine of his 19 possessions against the Saints were turnovers.  Classy playmaker Lukas Webb (32 touches and two goals) put his hand up for a senior recall with a dominant performance for Footscray in the VFL while hard nut Mitch Honeychurch continued his strong state league form with 28 touches. - Ryan Davidson