GEELONG
The Cats will regain ruckman Hamish McIntosh and midfielders Allen Christensen and Steven Motlop for Friday night's qualifying final against Hawthorn at the MCG. Steve Johnson is also expected to return after three weeks on the sidelines with a foot problem, although Johnson still has to pass a number of fitness tests. Fringe players Lincoln McCarthy, Mitch Brown, Josh Walker and Jackson Thurlow, who were part of the big win over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, are among the young lads battling to hold their places in the team. - Adam McNicol

Hawthorn has the selection headaches every side wants in September, with four of its best 22 in the mix to return for the qualifying final showdown against Geelong. Skipper Luke Hodge (knee), Brad Hill (quad) and Ben Stratton (calf) should come straight back in, while half-back Matt Suckling (knee) is also pushing for a recall. Unless Brian Lake (corked hip) fails to come up, it means four Hawks who played in the 65-point win over Collingwood are potentially facing the axe. Then there's the three-way ruck battle that continues to intrigue. Ben McEvoy ramped up the pressure on Jonathon Ceglar and David Hale after booting four goals and winning 46 hit-outs in Box Hill's VFL qualifying final victory on Saturday. – Travis King

A host of Hawks are in the mix to return, including rebounding defender Matt Suckling. Picture: AFL Media





Matt White has been declared fit to play in Sunday's elimination final against Richmond. White was substituted last weekend against Fremantle but the club said that decision was simply part of his ongoing management of a groin issue. White's fitness means Ken Hinkley has virtually a full list to pick from, with Aaron Young – who'll undergo a fitness test for a foot injury – the only player possibly sidelined, other than the club's three long-term injuries. Those who didn't play against the Dockers last weekend face a tough task to break into the senior side, particularly given the Magpies didn't play in the SANFL's opening week of the finals. - Harry Thring

Port will be desperate for Matt White to inject some pace against Richmond. Picture: AFL Media



The Tigers will have to decide on whether to play Dan Jackson, after his return from a hip/groin injury was stalled last week when he was suspended for an incident in the VFL. Ty Vickery is in a similar boat after failing to gain a call up last week when his four-match suspension ended. But it's a hard team to break into at the moment given the Tigers haven't lost since round 14. Matt Thomas has not played since round 20 due to a knee complaint but faces a tough task to break into the midfield if deemed fit, while it remains to be seen if David Astbury's three quarters in the Tigers' final VFL match last weekend will be enough to see him return to the seniors for this epic clash in Adelaide. - Jennifer Phelan

Some of the Swans' biggest names are set for recalls this week as coach John Longmire tries to manage his squad. This time last year, in Longmire's own words, the Swans were "a little bit buggered" so they've altered their plans to try to have the players as fresh as possible for September. Lance Franklin, who kicked four second-half goals in a pivotal role when they last met Fremantle, at the SCG in round five, will come back after his troublesome knee was given another week's rest. Mike Pyke will also be another important inclusion in the ruck. Josh Kennedy (hamstring) and Ben McGlynn (calf) are also tipped to be named on Thursday, following two and three weeks off respectively, while Craig Bird (knee) is considered the least likely to prove his fitness this week. So who misses out? Ruckman Sam Naismith is one after a tough debut. Shane Biggs and Dean Towers have played well when they've been given an opportunity, but they – along with Zak Jones – are set to pay for the return of such big names for a qualifying final. - James Dampney