THE CROWS are confident Graham Johncock (hip) and Ian Callinan (hamstring) will be fit to play against St Kilda, but Matt Jaensch has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Taylor Walker is available for selection having served a SANFL suspension for rough conduct, but will return via Norwood. Chris Knights is also likely to play another game in the local league after struggling for form and fitness in recent weeks. Jack Gunston, who kicked five goals for Central District, and rookie Aidan Riley were among the club's better players in the SANFL.
-Katrina Gill
BRISBANE LIONS
With Jonathan Brown out of action and Mitch Clark still doubtful after last week's horrific collision against Geelong, a couple of Lions big men come into calculation to play North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Bryce Retzlaff looks a likely option, while out-of-favour Aaron Cornelius is also a chance if Clark doesn't come up. Defender Josh Drummond has a test on his injured knee.
-Michael Whiting
CARLTON
Aaron Joseph was subbed out of last Saturday's loss to Collingwood with hamstring tightness in the third quarter and will miss Saturday night's clash against Essendon. Andrew Carrazzo has missed two games and will miss another with a hamstring injury with defender Simon White unavailable with a similar complaint. Jordan Russell, who missed last weekend's game with general soreness, is close to proving his fitness. Setanta O'hAilpin is a big chance to return after missing five games with a hand injury. The club's VFL affiliate, the Northern Bullants, had a bye last weekend.
-Jason Phelan
COLLINGWOOD
Alan Toovey is expected to be right to play despite dislocating a finger against Carlton on Saturday. Brent Macaffer continues to press for selection and was very close last week while young guns Tom Young, Ben Sinclair and Josh Thomas are also in contention for a senior debut and Simon Buckley - omitted last week - was in the VFL team's best in its loss to Williamstown on Sunday. Alan Didak (calf) and Dayne Beams (foot) will face fitness tests later in the week but Mick Malthouse said on Friday it was unlikely they would risk the former on the "unknown" surface of Metricon Stadium when the Pies face Gold Coast on Saturday night.
-Jennifer Witham
ESSENDON
Essendon will be reluctant to change a winning formula, but captain Jobe Watson is almost certain to return from a hamstring injury. Michael Hibberd should also come back into the side to face Carlton on Saturday night after missing last week's win over Adelaide with soreness. Scott Gumbleton, Michael Ross and Jake Carlisle continue to push their claims for senior selection with strong VFL performances, but defender Cale Hooker is in doubt of making his AFL return after leaving the field early in last week's VFL game with a leg injury.
-Callum Twomey
FREMANTLE
Nick Suban appears ready to return from a broken leg and shapes as an immediate backline replacement for the injured Roger Hayden. In his first game for three months, Suban impressed across half-back for Claremont in its Foxtel Cup semi-final win over SANFL club Port Adelaide. Ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who has missed six of Fremantle's last seven games with a toe injury, has not yet been ruled out for Sunday's Western Derby. Kepler Bradley (18 possessions and a goal) and Josh Mellington (three goals) pushed their claims from the WAFL.
-Nathan Schmook
GEELONG
Brad Ottens will return from suspension and the Cats don't have a lot to worry about on the injury front. Midfielders Shannon Byrnes and Josh Cowan, along with big men Cameron Mooney and Dawson Simpson, all showed good form in the VFL. Mooney kicked four goals and looks a big chance to regain his place in the Geelong line-up for Sunday's game against Richmond.
-Adam McNicol
GOLD COAST
Guy McKenna has shown he likes to bring in big bodies when the Suns play experienced teams, so watch for some changes for Saturday night's match against Collingwood. Karmichael Hunt was rested last week and should return, while Daniel Harris would also be a chance to give the midfield some extra muscle. Former Geelong Falcon Jeremy Taylor shone in reserves last week, and the half-back must be nearing a senior call up.
-Michael Whiting
HAWTHORN
Tough week at the selection table. The Hawks need to find room for stars Brad Sewell, Cyril Rioli and Chance Bateman, all recovered from injuries, plus Jordan Lewis, who has served his two-week suspension for head-butting Essendon's Angus Monfries. Jordan Lisle is back in training after surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone and also a chance to face Melbourne on Sunday. Ryan Schoenmakers, out since round 12 with a sore foot, could make his return via the VFL, where he'd be joined by Cameron Bruce, who'll run out in his first match since a round five knee injury.
-Mark MacGugan
MELBOURNE
Much was made of Brendan Fevola's 11-goal haul for Casey last week but there were several Demons who put in solid performances as well. Michael Evans had 25 disposals and Lynden Dunn kicked four goals. Aaron Davey did not play at any level last week and looks to be at least a week away from making his return from a knee injury.
-Luke Holmesby
NORTH MELBOURNE
With Tuesday's news Ben Speight will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, a spot presumably opens up for another midfielder. Ben Cunnington will come under serious consideration after starring for North Ballarat against Box Hill last Sunday with 30 possessions. Cameron Richardson (31 possessions) and Cruize Garlett (26) continued their outstanding form for the Roosters, while defender Daniel Pratt (29) also impressed and Lindsay Thomas responded well to his demotion with three goals. Werribee had a bye last weekend but Ben Ross and Gavin Urquhart (an emergency last round) have been in good form and will be in the selection mix.
-Nick Bowen
RICHMOND
A number of Tigers face the axe after their poor efforts in the club's disappointing loss to Gold Coast in Cairns last weekend. Veteran forwards Mitch Morton and Brad Miller both put their hands up to be recalled to the team for Sunday's clash with Geelong by putting in solid performances for Coburg in the VFL. Morton played on the wing and collected 28 possessions, while Miller Kicked five goals and took 10 marks.
-Adam McNicol
ST KILDA
The Saints will need to make at least one change after James Gwilt's season came to an end with a knee injury. Jason Blake is a logical replacement even though Sandringham had the bye in the VFL last week. Tommy Walsh and Tom Simpkin have also been named by assistant coach Robert Harvey as potential candidates while Tom Lynch must also be a chance after he was a late withdrawal with illness last week.
-Luke Holmesby
SYDNEY SWANS
With the Swans heading into a massive game against the Western Bulldogs and coming off a disappointing month of football, coach John Longmire may be tempted to ring the changes. Courageous midfielder Jude Bolton is one who will make a very welcome return from a knee injury at the SCG on Saturday. Paul Bevan and Jarred Moore will also come under consideration after strong efforts for the reserves in their win over Eastlake last weekend.
-James Dampney
WEST COAST
Key midfielder Daniel Kerr faces a fitness test this week after missing one match with hip and glute complaints. He shapes as an important inclusion for Sunday's Western Derby after West Coast was out-pointed at the stoppages early against St Kilda in round 17. Rookie-listed forward Ashton Hams, who had 28 possessions and kicked one goal in the WAFL, is pushing for his first game since round one, with Patrick McGinnity (16 possessions) an option to be recalled to play a lockdown role. Midfielder Tom Swift (24 possessions) and Callum Wilson (nine goals) were others to impress in the WAFL.
-Nathan Schmook
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Dogs had no injuries on Sunday against North Melbourne and could potentially enter their clash with the Sydney Swans unchanged again. Ryan Hargrave (foot) and Ed Barlow (finger) face fitness tests, although Rodney Eade said last week the former was likely to play in the VFL, while Brennan Stack, Ayce Cordy and Jason Tutt showed good form in Williamstown's win over Collingwood in the VFL on Sunday. Patrick Veszpremi found the goals twice in the 32-point victory while Will Minson played his second game this month in the lower league. Justin Sherman had one more week to serve on his four-match suspension for racial vilification.
-Jennifer Witham
