The Crows will welcome back star midfielder Rory Sloane and winger Brodie Smith for Saturday night's elimination final against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval. Both players missed Adelaide's 29-point loss to West Coast in round 23. Sloane served a one-match suspension for his hit on Brad Ebert, while Smith sat out the game recovering from concussion. Smith trained with the main squad last week and looks to be on track to come straight back into the side. Paul Seedsman would be very unlikely to be recalled after he was a late scratching from Adelaide's SANFL elimination final last Saturday. Seedsman hasn't played a game in the past four weeks with a corked buttock and there's no way he would be risked in a sudden-death game. Midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen is likely to be squeezed out of the side to make room for Sloane, despite a terrific performance in Adelaide's 72-point win against Central Districts in the SANFL, with 29 possessions, seven clearances, 10 tackles and a goal. Small forward Wayne Milera (24 possessions, six marks, six inside 50s) pushed his claims for a recall, while Reilly O'Brien amassed 38 hit-outs and could be an option if the Crows want to give Sam Jacobs some assistance in the battle with Kangaroos giant Todd Goldstein. Riley Knight has only played one AFL game this season, but could be recalled with the Crows looking to add pace to their midfield. Uncapped midfielder Harrison Wigg (25 possessions in the SANFL) would be an outside chance after excellent form in the reserves. - Lee Gaskin

Scott Selwood looks likely to return after missing the final game of the season with hamstring tightness. He shapes as an important player given the potential match-up with Hawthorn playmaker Sam Mitchell. Key defender Lachie Henderson is yet to be ruled out although he remains unlikely after having an operation on his knee between round 22 and 23.  The Cats have said he is in a race against time but they hope he will return for the finals. Nakia Cockatoo played in the VFL on Saturday so will be in line for selection, while Shane Kersten and Darcy Lang have been in good enough form to step up if needed. - Peter Ryan  

It's a race against time for Lachie Henderson to be fit for the qualifying final. Picture: AFL Photos

With a near non-existent injury list and a host of talent in form, Leon Cameron has plenty of options should he want or need to make changes to the side that beat North Melbourne a fortnight ago. Rhys Palmer kicked four goals, had 35 possessions, 13 tackles and 14 clearances in the club's NEAFL preliminary final win over Sydney University, while fellow midfielder Jack Steele racked up 41 touches, laid 11 tackles, and booted a goal. Defenders Adam Kennedy and Matt Buntine did their chances of a call-up no harm, with Matthew Kennedy, Sam Reid and Will Hoskin-Elliott all very good, leaving Cameron with some major headaches at the selection table. - Adam Curley 

Thank heavens for the bye weekend because the Hawk match committee will have needed plenty of extra time ahead of their most challenging selection meeting of the year. The starting point is the near-certain return of Ben Stratton (pectoral) and Ben McEvoy (back) for Friday night's qualifying final against Geelong. Stratton is a huge inclusion and the backline is much more solid when he plays. Marc Pittonet will make way for McEvoy and then it gets interesting. Third-gamer Ryan Burton was super in the backline against Collingwood, but probably makes way for Stratton. But do the Hawks need extra defensive height, either Kaiden Brand or Angus Litherland, to counter the tall Geelong forwards? Does Will Langford return to provide extra grunt at the contests. The Hawks will be mindful that Patrick Dangerfield mauled them in round one and they might need some sort of Plan B if he gets off the chain again. On the other hand, Hawthorn's brilliant small forwards will cause Geelong huge headaches, while the extra pace of Billy Hartung might also be an issue for Geelong, so the Hawks might not want to tinker any more than necessary. - Ashley Browne 

Ben Stratton is expected back after injury. Picture: AFL Photos

Star forward Jarrad Waite's likely return from a hip injury has created a conundrum for coach Brad Scott. If fit, Waite could come in to face the Crows at the expense of Majak Daw or even Drew Petrie, potentially spelling the end of the veteran's illustrious career. Defender Scott Thompson (adductor) missed round 23 after breaking down in his comeback game, but will be tested this week at training, while tagger Ben Jacobs (foot) and Sam Wright (ankle) are highly doubtful after pulling up sore in their returns from long-term injuries. Ryan Clarke (32 disposals, one goal) was outstanding in Werribee's final VFL game for the season and would be in contention for a recall if the Roos want some more run. - Travis King  

Young defender Callum Mills looks certain to face the Giants after overcoming a minor calf issue that caused him to miss the Swans' round 23 thumping of Richmond. Mills trained towards the end of last week, and if he gets through the club's Tuesday and Thursday sessions, the 19-year-old will play. Attacking defender Zak Jones played his first game since round 17 thanks to an ankle injury, and was impressive in the NEAFL, but is likely to need another game before being considered for senior selection. Veteran defender Ted Richards and Jeremy Laidler played solid roles in the reserves' big win over Aspley, with Dean Towers, Brandon Jack, James Rose and ruckman Toby Nankervis all very influential. - Adam Curley 

Callum Mills only needs to get through training to be selected. Picture: AFL Photos

The Eagles are unlikely to make a change from the 22 that demolished Adelaide in round 23. There are some concerns over ruckman Scott Lycett who is carrying a PCL injury but the week off has allowed him to rest and he should play. Mitch Brown was held out of a WAFL final on Sunday and would come in if Lycett was not fit enough to play. Young defender Jackson Nelson was also held out as cover for Thursday night. Jack Redden and Liam Duggan played limited minutes and could potentially back up four days later but only if desperately needed. - Alex Malcolm 

The Dogs are hopeful injured stars Easton Wood (ankle), Tom Liberatore (ankle) and Jack Macrae (hamstring) will prove their fitness for Thursday night's cut-throat elimination final against West Coast at Domain Stadium. Wood seems the most likely of the trio to play as he's only been sidelined since the round 22 win over Essendon. Liberatore and Macrae have both been unavailable since round 19 and there are genuine question marks over whether the underdone duo will make the trip to Perth. Dynamic forward Jake Stringer looks destined to reclaim his spot in the 22 after the 2015 All Australian recaptured some form in the VFL over the past fortnight. He's attack on the ball and defensive pressure has been down in the second half of the season, but if the Dogs are to kick a winning score against the Eagles, they'll need Stringer leading the charge. Versatile big man Jordan Roughead is expected return from a leg injury that saw him miss the final round of the home and away season. Will Minson appears certain to be dropped again after playing in the VFL at the weekend, but fellow ruckman Tom Campbell could be a possible inclusion after sitting out Footscray's loss to the Casey Scorpions. Lin Jong, Koby Stevens, Bailey Williams, Josh Dunkley and Joel Hamling loom as omissions if the injured stars return. - Ryan Davidson