BRISBANE LIONS
Reliable defender Matt Maguire was a crucial absentee from Saturday's loss against Adelaide, but is expected to recover from a leg injury to play against Gold Coast on Saturday. The Suns usually play three talls up forward and having Maguire in defence would be a big plus for the Lions. Aaron Cornelius might also come into calculations after the Lions struggled for avenues to goal against the Crows, while Ryan Harwood and Jared Polec were impressive in the reserves.
Michael Whiting

CARLTON
The Blues face a number of tough selection decisions before their clash with Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Reigning club champion Heath Scotland appears certain to return after serving a club-imposed suspension, and big man Shaun Hampson is also a chance after having his appendix removed. Others in consideration include defender Nick Duigan, a member of the Blues' leadership group, who was dropped for "balance" last week, ruckman Robert Warnock after having 46 hitouts in the VFL, midfielder Ed Curnow (30 possessions, including 17 contested, and 13 tackles), utility Simon White, tagger Aaron Joseph (omitted last week) and would-be debutant Dylan Buckley. Jarrad Waite (calf) is expected to be sidelined for at least another week.

COLLINGWOOD
The Pies' injury list is improving by the day and some of their big guns are due back over the next couple of weeks. Dale Thomas starred in the VFL and has already urged coach Nathan Buckley to pick him against the Hawks, while Alex Fasolo, Alan Didak and Jack Frost are also likely to come into selection calculations. If, as expected, Darren Jolly is ruled out with his rib injury, one of Ben Hudson or Jarrod Witts is likely to get the nod as his replacement. Pleasingly, deputy-vice captain Luke Ball is set to play his first game of the year in the VFL on Saturday night.
Ben Guthrie

ESSENDON
Difficult to see many changes being made to a side that has been so impressive, but several Bombers are staking claims with terrific form in the VFL. Key forwards Joe Daniher (11 marks and four goals) and Scott Gumbleton (three goals) continue to impress, as does tall defender Tayte Pears (25 touches). The Dons are also building great midfield depth with Leroy Jetta (34 touches), Travis Colyer (28), Nathan Lovett-Murray and draftees Jason Ashby (27) and Martin Gleeson being strong performers. Jason Winderlich bagged eight goals but, by his own admission, needs at least another week in the VFL to get his match fitness to AFL levels.
Ben Collins

FREMANTLE
Hayden Ballantyne is available after serving a one-game suspension and is an automatic inclusion to Fremantle's forward line, presenting coach Ross Lyon with a selection dilemma after Hayden Crozier's impressive two-goal performance against the Western Bulldogs. Lyon is optimistic young ruckman Zac Clarke will be available against Essendon to support Jon Griffin against the Bombers' in-form big men. Cameron Sutcliffe impressed as the substitute with nine fourth-quarter possessions, putting his hand up for promotion.
Nathan Schmook

GEELONG
The Cats have ruled Jared Rivers (knee) out of this weekend's clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium. But they might regain mercurial midfielder Steve Johnson, who is fit again after having knee surgery on the eve of the home and away season. Geelong's VFL side didn't play on the weekend, but draftee Jackson Thurlow was among the players who stood out the week before. Daniel Menzel (knee) and Cameron Guthrie (calf) will both return to action via the VFL on Sunday.
Adam McNicol

GOLD COAST
Greg Broughton is expected to return to the Suns' line-up for Saturday's QClash against the Brisbane Lions after missing last week with a calf injury. Broughton will add stability to a team that also has two other seasoned bodies coming back into the frame. Danny Stanley (groin) and Kyal Horsley (corked thigh) played full reserves matches last weekend and will be strongly considered.
Michael Whiting

GWS
Giants' coach Kevin Sheedy has mooted the possibility of shaking his team up this week and giving some youngsters a rest. Lachie Whitfield and Lachie Plowman have performed well to start the season but it could be time for them to have a spell. Setanta O'hAilpin is inching closer to senior selection, showing good goalkicking form in the reserves over the past fortnight. Sam Frost, Anthony Miles, Nick Haynes, Sam Reid and another draftee Kristian Jaksch are also knocking on the door to take on the Saints in Canberra.
James Dampney

HAWTHORN
The Hawks might be reluctant to make changes after Sunday's commanding performance against West Coast. Key defender Brian Lake will be discussed after getting through Sunday's hit-out with Box Hill. It was the former Western Bulldog's first game since round one of the NAB Cup. Jack Gunston will be available after illness forced his late withdrawal against the Eagles. Others knocking on the door with impressive VFL performances include Jonathan Simpkin and Kyle Cheney.
Mark Macgugan

MELBOURNE
While the Demons were being toweled by the Bombers, their VFL affiliate, the Casey Scorpions, had a thumping 68-point win. A number of players pressed their claims for a senior recall, led by Luke Tapscott who booted six goals (five in the first half) from 23 disposals. Max Gawn has shown he is over his hamstring complaint and is a strong chance of playing against West Coast on Saturday. Midfielder Jordie McKenzie (tight calf) is in doubt for the game against the Eagles, after being a late withdrawal against the Bombers, while James Magner (who would have to be elevated to the senior list) and Dean Kent are likely to be considered after strong showings for the Scorpions.
Ben Guthrie

NORTH MELBOURNE

PORT ADELAIDE
Robbie Gray is "busting the door down" to return to AFL football less than 12 months after having a knee reconstruction. Gray booted two goals and found plenty of the ball for West Adelaide at the weekend and while his match fitness isn't up to AFL midfield standards, the club said he could make his return to the Power side as a forward or as the sub. Former captain Dom Cassisi looked in neat touch alongside Gray for the Bloods with 24 touches, while John Butcher booted five goals for the Port Adelaide Magpies and Daniel Stewart, four, for North Adelaide. Jay Schulz (ankle) and Hamish Hartlett (back) were the only injury concerns out of the side's big win over Greater Western Sydney last Saturday night, but both are expected to play in Sunday's Showdown.

RICHMOND
No injuries and strong showings in the VFL mean the Tigers could be forced to again make some tough calls at the selection table. David Astbury is moving closer to returning from a foot injury while Chris Knights continued to push hard for a senior call-up with 41 disposals against Sandringham while Orren Stephenson with 35 hit-outs. Aaron Edwards kicked four goals, omitted forward Robin Nahas had 22 touches and laid six tackles, first-year prospect Nick Vlastuin had 16 and six, and Brad Helbig racked up 26 disposals, as did Matt White.
Jennifer Phelan

ST KILDA
The Saints will need to make at least one change with defender Sean Dempster (hand) sidelined for up to three weeks. Tom Simpkin impressed for Sandringham in the VFL and will be considered after a strong lock-down job on Aaron Edwards. The door could also open for Nathan Wright to make his debut after an impressive performance across half-back. In the forward line, Trent Dennis-Lane booted five goals, while Justin Koschitzke and Tom Lee kicked two each to put their names in the mix if Scott Watters opts for more changes against Greater Western Sydney.
Nathan Schmook

SYDNEY SWANS
An abdominal injury to Rhyce Shaw has the influential defender in considerable doubt for the Swans' biggest test so far against North Melbourne. Shane Mumford also took a knock to his knee against the Suns and will face a fitness test later in the week. Shaw's injury may give Tony Armstrong a reprieve after he was dropped last week, while it could also signal the long-awaited AFL debut of Jed Lamb. Picked at 21 in the 2010 national draft, Lamb has battled fitness and form issues, but is playing well in the seconds and is close to finally making his senior debut. Mitch Morton, Dane Rampe and Harry Cunningham are also doing all they can to force the match committee's hand.
James Dampney

WEST COAST
Star forward Mark LeCras is pushing to make his return from a broken arm after just three weeks on the sidelines. The classy goalkicker had a plate inserted in his right arm following the round one injury and has made a quicker than expected recovery. Midfielder Daniel Kerr is also on the cusp after returning from a knee injury through the WAFL. Half-backs Jacob Brennan and Ash Smith are up for consideration, as well as mature-age recruit Mark Hutchings, who had 36 possessions for West Perth.
Nathan Schmook   

WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs may look to bolster their defence for Sunday's clash with Richmond, after Jack Riewoldt tore St Kilda apart. Easton Wood is the obvious choice, having overcome his hamstring issues. The club's VFL affiliate Williamstown had a bye on the weekend, but top draft picks Jake Stringer and Jackson Macrae continued to impress, with a good hit-out in the VFL reserves. Both are nearing a debut for the Dogs.
Jacqui Reed