Bye
BRISBANE LIONS
Two prime movers return from suspension for the Lions, with co-captain Jonathan Brown and full-back Daniel Merrett both available to play Geelong at the Gabba on Sunday. The return of the bookends almost completes the Lions' best team, following the return from injury last week of Daniel Rich, Matthew Leuenberger, Tom Rockliff and Mitch Golby. - Michael Whiting
CARLTON
Bye
COLLINGWOOD
Bye
ESSENDON
Bye
FREMANTLE
The biggest question this week is whether Michael Walters and Matthew Pavlich will play. Walters is the one most likely to come in against the Kangaroos. The skipper is in full training after missing the last eight matches and while he would be an unlikely starter, you wouldn't rule out Ross Lyon springing a surprise. The Dockers have no injury concerns following their win over Brisbane so it will be tough for Cameron Sutcliffe, Viv Michie, Tom Sheridan, and Matt Taberner to force their way in. - Alex Malcolm
GEELONG
The Cats will welcome star defender Harry Taylor back into their team for Sunday's twilight game against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. Taylor was rested when Geelong defeated Greater Western Sydney in round 11. Ruckman Mark Blicavs was also rested from the game against the Giants, and he is a big chance to come straight back in. Midfielder Taylor Hunt has been declared right to play after recovering from the broken collarbone he suffered against Essendon in round seven. Steven Johnson and Allen Christensen, who had a head-clash during the win over GWS, have recovered from the incident. - Adam McNicol
Harry Taylor will return from a fortnight's rest to face the Brisbane Lions. Picture: AFL Media
GOLD COAST
Bye
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Bye
HAWTHORN
With Box Hill on top of the VFL ladder, the Hawks have a number of players in good form and pushing for senior selection. Xavier Ellis has now played three games at state level following injury, and was one of Box Hill's better performers on Sunday, alongside Matt Spangher, Mitch Hallahan and Kyle Cheney. Brendan Whitecross played his first game of the season after an ACL reconstruction, but will need more time in the VFL to build match fitness. - Mark Macgugan
Xavier Ellis has played the last three games for Box Hill on the way back from a calf injury. Picture: AFL Media
MELBOURNE
Much interest will surround the changes Neil Craig makes to the team in his first game as senior coach. James Magner and Shannon Byrnes will vie for selection. James Frawley is a slim chance to return from a hamstring injury for Saturday's game against St Kilda. He has progressed well since suffering the injury in the final minutes against Hawthorn a fortnight ago. Chris Dawes hurt his ankle against Collingwood and is racing time to be fit but continues to push claims. Jordie McKenzie is recovering from an elbow injury. Michael Evans will be missing with a foot injury similar to that suffered by Jack Viney. Joel MacDonald will undergo a fitness test. - Peter Ryan
NORTH MELBOURNE
Majak Daw is a good chance to return against Fremantle after being a late withdrawal from North's round 11 loss to Gold Coast, largely because of the wet conditions at Metricon Stadium that night. Midfielders Levi Greenwood, Jordan Gysberts, Liam Anthony and Ben Jacobs continued to push for senior selection with strong performances in the VFL last weekend. Greenwood (30 possessions) and Gysberts (23) were among Werribee's best in its win over Bendigo, while Anthony (34) was best on ground in North Ballarat's comeback win over Port Adelaide last Sunday, with Jacobs (23) also among the Roosters' best. Key defender Luke Delaney continued his strong form for North Ballarat, but will likely have to bide his time in the VFL given the good form of key defenders Scott Thompson, Nathan Grima and Lachie Hansen. - Nick Bowen
PORT ADELAIDE
In a massive blow for the Power, skipper Travis Boak will miss two weeks after having surgery on Monday to fix a dislocated finger. His absence will be partially offset should Jasper Pittard (hip flexor) and Domenic Cassisi (hamstring) make their long awaited returns to the senior side from injury. Pittard hasn't played since round four and Cassisi since round eight, but both are now available for selection. Ruckman Jarrad Redden (shoulder) will be assessed this week before a decision is made on his immediate future as will Cameron Hitchcock (rolled ankle). Aaron Young (24 touches, eight clearances) and Kane Mitchell (14 possessions, eight tackles, one goal) stood out in the SANFL, ruckman Brent Renouf had 10 disposals, 24 hit-outs and one goal while Andrew Moore was again solid (23 disposals, seven clearances). Youngsters Sam Colquhoun (18 disposals, one goal) and Tom Clurey (17 touches, five tackles) could also be considered. - Harry Thring
RICHMOND
If Jake Batchelor can get up from the sore knee that kept out of Saturday's win over Adelaide, he is a like-for-like replacement for David Astbury, who suffered a head knock against the Crows and will be closely monitored throughout the week. Matt Dea (calf) will have a test while Ricky Petterd (calf) is moving closer to playing again. Luke McGuane kicked three goals in the VFL on the weekend and Sam Lonergan and Matt Arnot were solid contributors. - Jennifer Phelan
ST KILDA
Midfielder Lenny Hayes could push to return from a calf injury after he aggravated it against the Western Bulldogs in round nine. Hayes, who has missed five of the Saints' last six games, has been listed as a 'test' on the club's injury list. Defender Sam Fisher could also return after missing the round 11 clash against West Coast with a foot injury. Young forward Brodie Murdoch was Sandringam's best in the VFL at the weekend, kicking three goals to mount his case. Nathan Wright (back) and Tom Hickey (foot) were late withdrawals against the Eagles but have recovered and will be available for selection. - Nathan Schmook
SYDNEY SWANS
One enormous name will dominate the Sydney Swans' team sheet this week – Kurt Tippett. With his 11-game ban finally over, the Swans have already announced Tippett will be in the line-up to take on Port Adelaide. Shane Mumford's fracture cheekbone, coupled with Tippett's lack of match practice, means Jesse White is almost certain to retain his place as Mike Pyke's back-up ruckman. Lewis Jetta is also pushing for a recall, having missed one game with shin soreness. Sam Reid meanwhile could still be a little while off returning as he deals with his torn quad. Brandon Jack would be the most likely player to drop out for Jetta, but otherwise the Swans have a settled look heading into the back half of the season. - James Dampney
Kurt Tippett will make his long-awaited debut for the Swans this weekend. Picture: AFL Media
WEST COAST
The Eagles could make as many as five changes to the side that beat St Kilda two weeks ago. Darren Glass, Beau Waters, Mark LeCras, Will Schofield, and Josh Kennedy are all available. Schofield was the only one to play WAFL last weekend but he is the unlikeliest to play. Waters was fit for the St Kilda clash but the Eagles opted to give him an extra week of conditioning so expect him to be named. Glass, LeCras, and Kennedy will be included to take on Hawthorn provided they get through the necessary checks. Adam Selwood has been ruled out for two weeks with a back issue. Three or four others will be looking over their shoulder. - Alex Malcolm
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Tory Dickson has put his hand up for selection after a decent hit-out in the VFL over the weekend, in his first competitive outing since injuring his ankle. Lachie Hunter is pressing, with another strong performance for Williamstown, booting three goals in his side's win over Essendon. Daniel Cross put in another big game, while Mark Austin was amongst the best on ground and Jarrad Grant slotted two goals. Koby Stevens copped a knock to his shoulder in the loss to Collingwood, but the club is hopeful he will be fit to play this week. - Jacqui Reed
Lachie Hunter is pushing for selection for the Bulldogs. Picture: AFL Media
