Whichever way the selection axe falls, there will be a number of very unlucky Hawks who miss out on the preliminary final team. Cyril Rioli cleared another hurdle in his recovery from a hamstring tendon injury by training with Hawthorn's main group on Monday and looks increasingly likely to be available, barring any setbacks. Defender Matt Suckling is also hopeful of a recall after overcoming a knee issue, while ruckman Ben McEvoy's outstanding VFL form has kept the pressure on Jonathon Ceglar and David Hale. Ryan Schoenmakers played the VFL young guns exhibition game on Sunday but is unlikely to oust Matt Spangher from a key defensive post. Angus Litherland could be a wildcard selection if the Hawks believe they need another pacy defender to combat Port's speedy small forwards. Others on the selection fringe, including midfielders Billy Hartung and Alex Woodward, will have Box Hill's VFL Grand Final to stake their claims should Hawthorn advance to a third consecutive Grand Final. - Travis King

Check out each team's current injury list

North faces the prospect of heading into another cut-throat final without Brent Harvey, after the star veteran's bump on Geelong captain Joel Selwood last Friday night saw him offered a one-match ban by the Match Review Panel. Harvey was returning from a three-match suspension against Geelong and North will challenge his latest ban at the Tribunal on Tuesday night. But if the Roos are unsuccessful, Leigh Adams looms as Harvey's likely replacement. Adams missed North's first two finals with concussion, but should be available for selection this week. Defender Jamie Macmillan remains a chance to play against the Sydney Swans after the results of scans on his injured hamstring were more positive than North had anticipated. The Roos are yet to rule out Lachie Hansen (hip) although the key defender seems a long-shot after playing just half a game in the past six weeks. If Macmillan is ruled out, Ben Jacobs seems his most likely replacement ahead of Aaron Mullett. However, the Roos could opt to replace him with key defender Joel Tippett given the Swans' wealth of tall forward targets led by Lance Franklin and Tippett's elder brother Kurt. - Nick Bowen

Ben Jacobs looks a likely replacement for Jamie Macmillan if the defender can't get up. Picture: AFL Media

PORT ADELAIDE
Tom Jonas is expected to make himself available for Saturday's preliminary final against Hawthorn, despite being subbed out of last Saturday's semi final against Fremantle with a corked hip. Jonas played no part in the second half but moved freely upon his return to Adelaide and the club maintains that while the corkie restricted him against the Dockers, it wasn't a major concern. Ken Hinkley could look at bringing Jarman Impey back into the side to stand damaging Hawks' small Paul Puopolo, although it'd be almost impossible to drop Cam O'Shea after his terrific semi-final performance. With Jonas' corkie the club's only injury worry, Hinkley could well name an unchanged line up for a second consecutive week. - Harry Thring

Rising Star nominee Jarman Impey remains an option to face the Hawks' small forwards. Picture: AFL Media

It has been a relatively trouble-free build-up for the premiership favourites, outside of one man, Nick Malceski. From the moment he was subbed out of the first quarter of the Swans' qualifying final victory over Fremantle with hamstring tightness, he has been the only injury concern for the club. And with good reason. Malceski finished first in the AFL for metres gained this season and all signs coming out of the club indicate he will play. But it will be only 13 days since the injury when the Swans line-up against North Melbourne, an incredibly short time for any type of hamstring problem, and there is a chance he won't be risked. If he doesn't make it to the start line, the Swans have some options waiting in the wings. Tom Mitchell was named best afield in the reserves' two-point loss to Aspley in the NEAFL Grand Final on Saturday for his 30 touches, 11 clearances, 10 tackles and a goal. If they want a like-for-like replacement, young defender Shane Biggs could fit the bill. Mitchell, Biggs and Dean Towers were all unfortunate to be dropped for the returning Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn and Craig Bird for week one of the finals. Any of them would be ready if called upon. - James Dampney