All-Australian defender Nathan Bock (hamstring) should return, but there are unlikely to be many other unforced changes after the big win over Carlton. Young trio Jared Petrenko, Tony Armstrong and Shaun McKernan are around the mark, but the SANFL bye last weekend means no senior-listed player got the chance to push his name forward to the selectors. Rob Shirley is still serving an SANFL suspension and ruckman Jon Griffin remains in doubt with a hamstring injury.
Brisbane Lions
Troy Selwood will likely make a return via the seconds after a fortnight sidelined with concussion. Tim Notting’s senior elevation proved helpful in defence in the absence of Daniel Merrett (ankle) and Joel Patfull (jaw), who are both several weeks away. Irish recruit Pearce Hanley is pushing for selection while Tom Collier was a last minute inclusion for Albert Proud, who is uncertain due to a hip complaint. Rhan Hooper showed promise in the reserves, while versatile tall Lachlan Henderson also impressed.
Carlton
Brad Fisher was best for the Bullants on Sunday with four goals while Shaun Grigg returned from an ankle injury and was one of the side's best. Chris Johnson could return from a thigh injury but Adam Bentick will miss another week, Andrew Carrazzo two, and Simon Wiggins two-to-three with a hamstring. Jarrad Waite is out for the season with a confirmed anterior cruciate ligament. Ryan Houlihan and Cameron Cloke also played VFL last weekend and could be recalled.
Collingwood
Collingwood’s VFL team had a bye last week so for Mick Malthouse it will be a matter of sweating on those on the injury list. Forwards Alan Didak (hamstring), Paul Medhurst (ankle) and Dale Thomas (knee) are all big chances to return against Port Adelaide. Others to have shown good form in the VFL in recent weeks include Chris Dawes and Chris Bryan, while youngster Dayne Beams is likely to be considered.
Essendon
Mark McVeigh and Hayden Skipworth could be available for senior selection after playing their first games since round four on the weekend. Brent Prismall, Kyle Reimers and Scott Lucas are progressing well in the VFL but won't return this weekend, while Courtenay Dempsey is in doubt with an ankle injury and Nathan Lovett-Murray is suspended for three weeks.
Fremantle
Roger Hayden's fractured fibula opens the door for one of Freo's impressive rookie elevations, with Greg Broughton (two games) and Luke Pratt (one game) at the front of the queue to face Richmond on Saturday night. A faltering forward line should also see small forward Michael Walters, ruckman/forward Zac Clarke and the imposing Adam Campbell debated at selection, while the versatile Kepler Bradley had a solid WAFL hit-out prior to last week's general bye.
Geelong
The Cats have two confirmed outs this week in Paul Chapman (finger) and Mathew Stokes (suspended), but such is their depth that many are in the mix to replace them. Heading the queue are Simon Hogan – best on ground for Geelong in the VFL – and Nathan Djerrkura. Shannon Byrnes is likely to be available after missing with hamstring tightness, along with Kane Tenace.
Hawthorn
Stuart Dew looks a chance to return for this week’s clash with Adelaide after booting four goals in the VFL on the weekend. Dew is a proven performer at AAMI Stadium and is likely to come into contention for the Hawks. Xavier Ellis was Box Hill’s best and is a strong chance to play his third AFL game of the season, while Clinton Young could also return from injury.
Melbourne
Ruckman Mark Jamar is on target to play his first AFL match this season, after missing the first seven rounds with a foot stress fracture. He has played the past two matches for Casey Scorpions and was their best last round. Clint Bartram, Lynden Dunn and Kyle Cheney will again be in contention for a recall, after they were omitted last round.
North Melbourne
Matt Campbell (hamstring) will need to get through training this week to be considered. Lachlan Hansen (hamstring) is in the same situation but more likely to be brought back through the VFL. Backman Levi Greenwood, who has played two AFL games this year, was Werribee’s best player and could be recalled before the split round. Josh Smith and Cruize Garlett stood out for North Ballarat, however, rookie-listed Garlett won’t be given an opportunity before round 11.
Port Adelaide
Defender Troy Chaplin has been cleared to play despite injuring his groin in the 55-point loss to the Swans. Tall forward Matthew Westhoff, who was a late omission last week, will be in with a chance, as will Toby Thurstans and versatile onballer Jason Davenport. Coach Mark Williams doesn’t like dropping players after one game, so Marlon Motlop should hold his spot, but David Rodan will keep the pressure on after missing out against the Swans. Nathan Krakouer will return after being rested last week.
Richmond
A couple of players could be back from injury - Ben Cousins had a week off with a broken hand and Alex Rance has missed two weeks with a concussion after his sickening collision with Brisbane's Troy Selwood. Both could return, while Jack Riewoldt has booted six in each of the last two games for Coburg, so is pushing for a return to the underperforming Richmond forward line.
St Kilda
Sean Dempster is close to coming back after his knee reconstruction last year. Dempster ruptured his ACL in the round 22 clash with Essendon but has now been taken off the injury list and likely to return via Sandringham. Jason Gram is also likely to return after his week in the VFL while young guns Tom Lynch and David Armitage have also been impressive for the Zebras.
Sydney Swans
Defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson should be fit to return against the Bulldogs after missing one week with a hamstring strain. Vacancies will be at a premium after last weekend’s 55-point win against Port Adelaide but Nick Smith, Kristin Thornton and Ryan Brabazon did their chances of a senior recall no harm as the Swans’ reserves drew with Eastlake.
West Coast
Mark LeCras is over the virus that held him out of round nine and shapes as an automatic inclusion, while Adam Hunter (shoulder) will also be considered for Friday night. After a bye in the WAFL, Chad Fletcher and Tyson Stenglein will be fresh and one or both may be called on to relieve West Coast's young midfielders. Adam Cockie has returned to the rookie list, suggesting fellow rookie-elevation Ryan Davis is on notice for this week's match.
Western Bulldogs
Dylan Addison (knee) and Andrejs Everitt (foot) are listed as available by the club while Lindsay Gilbee (ankle) and Shaun Higgins (groin) will be tested ahead of the trip to Canberra. Ryan Hargrave (quad) and Robert Murphy (hamstring) will miss at least one more week. Stephen Tiller played another good game for Williamstown on the weekend, while Sam Reid, Guy O'Keefe and Wayde Skipper were also mentioned in the best.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
