BRISBANE LIONS

With the Lions sweating on the fitness of three key players during the week, some in-form reserves will come into calculations to play North Melbourne at the Gabba on Saturday night. Simon Black (calf) is a chance to return after missing the win over Gold Coast, but will need to prove his fitness during the week, while Brent Moloney (calf) and Mitch Golby (lung) are also in doubt. Jack Crisp, Patrick Karnezis and James Polkinghorne were excellent in the reserves at the weekend and are at the front of the queue if either fails to come up. - Michael Whiting

 

Teenage midfielder Nick Graham appears likely to make his AFL debut against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. The first-year draftee has performed strongly in four VFL games since returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for the first half of the season. Fellow youngster Troy Menzel will also be in contention for a senior recall after having 20 touches and kicking three of the Northern Blues' six goals in a 69-point loss to Essendon on Sunday. The Blues might regain veteran Heath Scotland (adductor) and Josh Bootsma (hamstring). The versatile Simon White, who was omitted for the clash with Collingwood, could also be considered, as could defenders Nick Duigan, Marcus Davies and Matthew Watson, the latter blanketing Scott Gumbleton in the VFL. - Ben Collins

COLLINGWOOD

Collingwood's season finally looks to be turning the corner and Pies fans have even more reason to rejoice with star midfielder Dayne Beams set to play his first game against Adelaide this week. However, coach Nathan Buckley faces a quandary about what to do with Ben Reid. Reid booted four goals and was close to best afield up forward against Carlton but the fact remains that he is an All Australian defender. Buckley may look to Lachlan Keeffe to fill the key post in defence, which would allow Reid to drift forward to ease the pressure on Travis Cloke. Harry O'Brien is a likely non-starter as he deals with some personal issues.

- Ben Guthrie

ESSENDON

Essendon could be without three of its best midfielders against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, with Jobe Watson (collarbone) and Heath Hocking (calf) already certain to miss and Brent Stanton (ankle) also a chance to sit out the game. It leaves a few opportunities for younger midfielders to break into the side, including Elliott Kavanagh and Alex Browne. Leroy Jetta might also push for selection, while Joe Daniher and Scott Gumbleton will continue to be considered after strong VFL form. - Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE

The Dockers have calf issues. Luke McPharlin has been ruled out for five weeks and Paul Duffield will miss another week because of calf injuries. Ross Lyon has already designated Alex Silvagni to come in for McPharlin. Peter Faulks is another possibility in defence if required. Jack Hannath had 48 hit-outs for Peel Thunder just in case Aaron Sandilands pulls up sore. Lachie Neale has had an injury-interrupted year but had 34 disposals and two goals in the WAFL to let Ross Lyon know that he's available. Viv Michie was dropped after his debut against Geelong and responded with 23 disposals and a goal for Peel to keep his name in the mix. - Alex Malcolm

GEELONG

The Cats are likely to include Travis Varcoe and Jared Rivers in their team to play Melbourne at Simonds Stadium on Saturday. Varcoe hasn't played in the AFL since suffering a shoulder injury in round three. Rivers has been sidelined by a knee problem since round five. Steve Johnson will return from suspension, while Billie Smedts and George Horlin-Smith are pushing hard for a spot in the team. Joel Corey and Nathan Vardy won't play this weekend as they are recovering from concussion. - Adam McNicol

GOLD COAST

Champion midfielder Gary Ablett (calf) will be assessed during the week to see if he makes the trip to Cairns to play Richmond on Saturday. Ablett missed Saturday's loss against the Brisbane Lions and is still touch and go to face the Tigers. Karmichael Hunt (calf) also missed against the Lions and is racing the clock to return to the scene of his after-the-siren heroics last year. Sam Day's (groin) injury might pave the way for the long-awaited return of Seb Tape, who has played strongly in the reserves since missing 12 months with a knee reconstruction. - Michael Whiting

Gold Coast will be sweating on the availability of captain Gary Ablett this week. Picture: AFL Media

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 

GWS coach Kevin Sheedy concedes a 186-point win for his reserves makes it difficult to gauge the form of those pushing for senior call-ups. But there are still some big names getting closer to a recall, including co-captain Phil Davis and gun midfielder Dom Tyson. Both have spent some time in the reserves following long-term injuries and are in the mix to take on the Swans. Sheedy also wants to give more of his 2012 draftees a taste of AFL action before the year is out and Jono O'Rourke and Kristian Jaksch would seem the most likely at this stage. Shaun Edwards, Tom Bugg, Mark Whiley and Toby Greene are others pushing for a spot in a senior side still chasing its first win. - James Dampney

RICHMOND

Half-back Bachar Houli, who was a late withdrawal against the North Melbourne, is expected to return from hamstring soreness for Saturday night's clash against Gold Coast in Cairns. Ruckman Ivan Maric is also set for inclusion after two weeks on the sidelines because of a groin strain. Stoppage specialist Shane Tuck has returned from a shoulder injury through the VFL and appears ready for an AFL recall, while Matthew Arnot and Ricky Petterd have pressed strong claims with Coburg. Brandon Ellis will need to pass a concussion test this week, while Daniel Jackson (ankle) is expected to be fit. – Nathan Schmook  

ST KILDA

Captain Nick Riewoldt will return after resting his sore body from the Saints' trip to Perth at the weekend to play Fremantle. A decision on whether Stephen Milne plays his first game since round 11 will be made later in the week. Justin Koschitzke is due for his 200th milestone but the Saints may wait until their home game in round 17, as well as considering the fact Tom Lee played well against the Dockers. Sandringham had a bye at the weekend. - Jennifer Phelan

SYDNEY SWANS

A recurrence of a quad injury to Sam Reid in his comeback game on Sunday was not good news for the Swans. It was Reid's first chance to line-up alongside Kurt Tippett, but that tandem will have to wait a while longer to mesh. Reid's injury means Jesse White could earn a recall after he performed strongly in the reserves' big NEAFL win over Eastlake. Shane Mumford's successful return against Melbourne on Sunday, however, could mean coach John Longmire decides to stick with Mumford, Pyke and Tippett as his key talls. Mitch Morton will face a fitness test on his quad and could replace Reid in the forward line, while Brandon Jack is almost certain to retain his spot after his four-goal performance against the Demons. - James Dampney

Easton Wood is back in full training, and is up for selection this week after battling a recurring hamstring injury for much of the season. The Dogs will need him to shore up their defence, after Jason Johannisen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Greater Western Sydney. Nick Lower and Lachie Hunter are options to return, after being omitted last week. - Jacqui Reed