ADELAIDE
Full-back Daniel Talia (corked buttock) and Sam Kerridge (ribs) are both expected to be fit to play against West Coast on Saturday night.
Tom Lynch was a late withdrawal last weekend with a foot injury and will have surgery this week to alleviate a bursa. Matthew Wright will push hard for selection after collecting 34 possessions and nine clearances in the SANFL, while Jason Porplyzia was also handy with 29 disposals and six clearances and Matthew Jaensch was good again with 26 touches.
- Harry Thring
BRISBANE LIONS
Brownlow medallist Simon Black is racing the clock to be fit for Saturday's must-win match against Geelong at Simonds Stadium. Black missed last week's win over the Western Bulldogs through suspension, but is battling a groin injury ahead of the final round of the season.
Daniel Merrett's fractured ankle ensures Mark Harvey will need to make at least one change, with Jordan Lisle the obvious replacement to come in as the Lions spearhead.
- Michael Whiting
CARLTON
The Blues are expected to be boosted by three key inclusions for their clash with Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday. Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (calf) and club champion fancy Andrew Walker (gastro) were late withdrawals for the clash with Essendon, while leading goalkicker Jeff Garlett (glute) is also expected to return after proving his fitness in the VFL. Others who could be promoted from the VFL include the versatile Jeremy Laidler, midfielders Dave Ellard, Kane Lucas, Rhys O’Keeffe and Jaryd Cachia. - Ben Collins
COLLINGWOOD
Two key Pies face fitness tests ahead of Sunday's MCG clash with North Melbourne. Luke Ball was substituted out of last week's win over West Coast because of calf tightness and while scans over the weekend were clear, he was still experiencing some discomfort on Monday. Fellow midfielder Dayne Beams was a late withdrawal from the Eagle game because of back soreness, will need to train later this week to convince the club of his fitness. However given the Pies know their finals fate – a home elimination final in week one – the safest bet might be to give them both a spell. Ruckman Darren Jolly got through the VFL at the weekend and the Pies will give some consideration to selecting him to play against the Kangaroos. Coach Nathan Buckley will be keen to see how the Jolly-Brodie Grundy combination works. It might mean a week on the sidelines for Quinten Lynch.
- Ashley Browne
ESSENDON
Essendon could regain Jason Winderlich, Scott Gumbleton and Travis Colyer from soft-tissue injuries for Saturday night's clash with Richmond. But Dyson Heppell (foot) is unlikely to return, while small forward Nick Kommer has been ruled out after breaking his thumb in the Bombers' win over the Blues.
Dustin Fletcher is also out after straining his hamstring at training last week. Jason Ashby and Will Hams played well in the VFL, as did Nick O'Brien. -
Callum Twomey
FREMANTLE
There are a number of senior players in the mix this week that will cause Ross Lyon headaches at selection. There is a possibility that Aaron Sandilands, Luke McPharlin, Clancee Pearce and Garrick Ibbotson could all be available to play against St Kilda. Ross Lyon said the incumbents would be hard to dislodge. Sandilands would be the most certain inclusion of the four. McPharlin has been flagged as a 50-50 chance. Ibbotson and Pearce have been unknowns for the past few weeks. Nick Suban has a tight hamstring from the Port Adelaide but scans cleared him of any damage and hecould easily play this week. - Alex Malcolm
Giant Freo ruckman Aaron Sandilands is likely to come back to face St Kilda. Picture: AFL Media
GEELONG
Chris Scott has said Tom Hawkins will get “solid game time” against the Lions on Saturday and his back problem, contrary to popular belief, is improving every week. Paul Chapman pulled up well from his return from a lengthy hamstring injury and will play again this week. Jordan Murdoch (32 disposals, three goals) and Trent West (62 hit-outs) were dominant in the Cats’ record-breaking 201-point win in the VFL, although another dominant performance by the senior side against the Swans has made spots in the senior side almost impossible to crack. West could replace a sore Nathan Vardy should Scott decide to give him a rest.
- David SchoutGOLD COAST
The Suns are starting to scrape the barrel of their playing reserves with another three injuries and one suspension from the loss against St Kilda on Sunday. Greg Broughton (Achilles), Andrew Boston (chest) and Daniel Gorringe (groin) are all likely to miss Sunday's season finale against Greater Western Sydney, while Steven May's one-match suspension further depletes the stocks. Rugged defender Seb Tape should return after missing last week through concussion, as should midfielder David Swallow who is recovering from a minor knee complaint. Mav Weller, Jack Hutchins and Josh Hall are all chances to play. - Michael Whiting
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
As coach Kevin Sheedy prepares for his final match at the helm of an AFL club, he has just about fulfilled his plans with his young list. Kristian Jaksch made his debut against Richmond last week, leaving fellow 2012 draft pick James Stewart as the final player he would like to give a taste of senior football before 2013 draws to a close. There will also be some other Giants hoping for one last game at the top level this year after the reserves had a solid win in their first NEAFL final on the weekend. Gerald Ugle, Sam Schulz and Anthony Miles all performed well in the 42-point win over Eastlake. - James Dampney
HAWTHORN
The Hawks will hope to have a fit Paul Puopolo and Jordan Lewis for Friday night's clash with the Sydney Swans, after both players missed Saturday's win over North Melbourne. Puopolo was ruled out after hurting his calf at training last week, while Lewis was a late withdrawal with a corked hip. Matt Spangher, Jonathan Simpkin, Xavier Ellis and Kyle Cheney all featured in Box Hill's best on the weekend. - Mark Macgugan
After missing last week's clash against North, Jordan Lewis should be back. Picture: AFL Media
MELBOURNE
Unfortunately David Rodan's season appears over, so an opening exists for either James Magner or possible first gamers Dom Barry or Rory Taggert. Melbourne may decide togive Mark Jamar a run in the final game of the season, matching his wits against potential All-Australian ruckman Will Minson. However after just one game, it might be unfair particularly given the form in the past two weeks of Max Gawn. Jeremy Howe copped a knock to the face but he looks set to play. His form has been indifferent up until the game against Adelaide and he would want to finish the season well. - Peter Ryan
NORTH MELBOURNE
Leigh Adams was a late withdrawal before the clash with the Hawks and is available to return against Collingwood on Sunday. Robbie Tarrant, who broke his nose before being subbed out in the third quarter against the Hawks, is also free to play. Despite being all but ruled out for the season, the Roos have said key defender Scott Thompson is a chance to return should they make the finals. Thompson suffered lung bruising in the round 20 loss to Adelaide but director of medical services Steve Saunders confirmed North will give him every chance to play an elimination final should it be elevated into the top eight. - David Schout
PORT ADELAIDE
Dom Cassisi could make his return from hamstring tightness this weekend as the Power aim to enter their finals campaign on a high. He's one of several players who will be assessed this week, including Cameron Hitchcock (hamstring) and John Butcher (hip). Paul Stewart (wrist) and Jack Hombsch (cheekbone) are also a chance, having recovered sooner than expected form their injuries. Ben Newton continued his solid SANFL form with 21 possessions and two goals, while Lewis Stevenson (28 disposals, one goal), Darren Pfeiffer (20, three goals) and Tom Clurey (21 possessions, 11 marks) were also impressive. - Harry Thring
RICHMOND
With one game to play before the Tigers' drought-breaking finals appearance, Chris Newman looks certain to return from a minor ankle injury. Coach Damien Hardwick will be looking to settle his 22 ahead of September and multiple changes are unlikely after
a 121-point win over Greater Western Sydney. Midfielder Shane Tuck is waiting in the wings, as is small forward Robin Nahas, who has performed well at VFL level. Tall forward Luke McGuane is also hoping to regain his place but would have to force out Aaron Edwards, who booted five goals against the Giants.
- Nathan Schmook