Nathan Bock’s departure should see Phil Davis return to centre half-back and Taylor Walker recalled to the team. Trent Hentschel could also come in for his first game since round three, as the club prepares to make a call on his playing future. Bernie Vince will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Chris Knights (hamstring) will also be put in cotton wool, leaving the door open for Brodie Martin, Will Young, Matthew Jaensch or Shaun McKernan.
BRISBANE LIONS
The Brisbane Lions will be sweating on the fitness of skipper Jonathan Brown ahead of Sunday’s clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium. Brown, who has struggled this season with groin and abdominal injuries, missed Sunday’s loss to Adelaide with soreness but is a chance to resume against the Bombers. The Lions reserves suffered another loss in the Queensland state league last weekend but Amon Buchanan, Justin Sherman and James Hawksley impressed.
CARLTON
The Blues have plenty of selection options at the right time of the season and it’s just as well with Aaron Joseph and Shaun Hampson both in doubt with ankle injuries. Setanta O’hAilpin booted five goals in the VFL while Bret Thornton, Joe Anderson, Andrew Walker and Chris Johnson were among the Bullants’ best. Sam Jacobs has been dominating in recent weeks and is the obvious replacement if Hampson doesn’t come up. Chris Yarran went goalless in his return from injury against Casey.
COLLINGWOOD
Several players are likely to be available after a week off for minor niggles. Luke Ball (hip) and Tyson Goldsack (ankle) should be okay to resume, while Ben Reid (quad) has recovered quickly from what looked a potentially-serious leg injury. Leon Davis (quad) is another who may return. The big query will be whether the coach brings in Josh Fraser for his 200th AFL match. He was impressive in the VFL, while Darren Jolly might earn a rest.
ESSENDON
The season is petering out for the Bombers but they’ll have to reshuffle their side this week anyway with David Zaharakis ruled out with a medial ligament injury. Dustin Fletcher missed round 20 with a hamstring and Matthew Knights said it looked at least a two-week layoff, while Nathan Lovett-Murray (back), Bachar Houli (knee) and Jason Winderlich (hand) face fitness tests. Brent Prismall, Michael Quinn, Leroy Jetta and rookie Marcus Marigliani were among the best for Bendigo on the weekend.
FREMANTLE
Doubts hover over Aaron Sandilands’ availability, with Fremantle committed to taking a cautious approach with the ruckman’s injured right foot. Chris Mayne has been suspended for two matches by the WAFL, but the club is contesting the charge in an effort to ensure he is available this week. Alex Silvagni (groin) could come into the side after missing four matches, while Rhys Palmer and Clancee Pearce pressed their claims in the WAFL with reasonable games.
GEELONG
Cameron Ling (hamstring) and Joel Corey (calf) are expected to return as is Tom Lonergan with Jeremy Laidler expected to make way. James Podsiadly and Tom Hawkins have both shored up their places in the team thanks to good performances against the Bulldogs. Max Rooke's miracle comeback from a chronic knee problem has been thrown into doubt after he was forced to pull out of Geelong's VFL team last weekend.
HAWTHORN
Cyril Rioli is available after serving a two-match suspension for his momentary lapse of reason against Port Adelaide and should come straight back in. Clinton Young pulled out of last Sunday’s team with general soreness and should also be ready to return assuming there’s nothing more sinister to his withdrawal. Liam Shiels, Jordan Lisle and Beau Muston were named among the best players in Box Hill’s win over Collingwood.
MELBOURNE
Matthew Bate continued to impress for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL while Cale Morton also pressed for selection with a shutdown job on Carlton/Northern Bullant forward Brad Fisher. Sam Blease, Kyle Cheney and Daniel Bell could also come into contention. Brent Moloney is also due to return from the thigh injury that has sidelined him for several weeks.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Ruckman Todd Goldstein will miss with a claf injury, paving the way for David Hale to play his second AFL game in 10 weeks, though rookie-listed utility Alan Obst's recent form for VFL affiliate Werribee could pull him into calculations. Small forward Matt Campbell and tagger Marcus White will push for their opportunities again after being named as emergencies last week.
PORT ADELAIDE
Forward Daniel Stewart was a late withdrawal against West Coast and should return. Jay Nash displayed solid form for Central District over the weekend and could also earn a recall, if caretaker coach Matthew Primus decides to take a hard line on selection, following the Power’s patchy performance against the Eagles. Daniel Motlop was reported while playing in the SANFL and will need to have his rough conduct charge thrown out to be available for AFL selection this week.
RICHMOND
Trent Cotchin is back in this week after serving his four-week suspension, and Matt White, who injured a calf 10 minutes into the weekend's game, is expected to be okay to play. Will Thursfield kicked a goal at Coburg, so could get a game forward, while another being considered is Troy Taylor - with only two matches left in the season, time is running out to see how he goes.
ST KILDA
St Kilda's VFL side Sandringham didn't exactly cover itself in glory with a three-goal effort against North Ballarat last weekend. Tom Lynch showed some signs but he is unlikely to be back in the side. Zac Dawson is the most likely inclusion after missing the past couple of weeks with a hand injury. Michael Gardiner could also be back from the hamstring tightness that forced him to sit out of last week's win over North Melbourne.
SYDNEY SWANS
Defender Nick Smith is a certain inclusion after resuming from a hamstring injury in the reserves and Lewis Roberts-Thomson will also be considered. Jarred Moore will be assessed after suffering concussion against Fremantle. Daniel Bradshaw was expected to return this week but with the Swans almost certain of playing finals, he will likely wait another week. Ruckman Daniel Currie impressed in the reserves' eight-point loss to last-placed Tuggeranong, as did Gary Rohan and Sam Reid.
WEST COAST
Matt Priddis (ankle) and Shannon Hurn (hamstring) are in line to return this week if they can pass fitness tests, while Ashton Hams has served his three-week suspension and should come straight back. Chris Masten is also poised to return after a 35-possession game for East Fremantle, while Tim Houlihan, who has averaged 23 disposals in nine WAFL games this year, could play his first AFL game for the season. Jordan Jones and Ryan Neates are being considered to debut.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Adam Cooney and Ben Hudson are expected to return from illness while Jarrad Grant will come in after a week off with soreness and Jarrod Harbrow remains a chance after overcoming a corked leg and sickness. Brad Johnson is expected to play despite looking sore but Shaun Higgins (calf) and Easton Wood (hamstring) are out for a few weeks. Mitch Hahn, Josh Hill and Dylan Addison were strong in the VFL on Sunday.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
