Chris Knights will miss the last game of the season against West Coast after having surgery on his hip, while Andy Otten (head knock) remains in doubt. Michael Doughty withdrew from the team to play Richmond because of illness, but should be recalled this week. Richard Tambling, Ian Callinan, Brodie Smith, Luke Thompson, Ricky Henderson and Ivan Maric all displayed solid form in the SANFL, and could be considered after the Crows' disappointing loss to the Tigers.
- Katrina Gill
BRISBANE LIONS
Coach Michael Voss will need to make two forced changes to play the Sydney Swans on Saturday with Brent Staker (knee) and Luke Power (retired) out from last week's match against West Coast. The Lions have no fit talls available on their list to bring in for Staker, but Pat Karnezis will move from the substitute's role into his starting position. James Hawksley, Ryan Harwood and Amon Buchanan will come into consideration.
- Michael Whiting
CARLTON
There were plenty of Blues desperate for a good showing at VFL level at the weekend, but it would have been hard to shine in a Bullants team that got smashed by 100 points. Michael Jamison had a few goals kicked on him by former teammate Brendan Fevola, but he got the extra run he needed. Kane Lucas, Brock McLean and Jordan Russell were named in the best players. Jarrad Waite is facing an uphill battle to overcome his hip complaint and remains a long shot to play AFL footy this weekend with Setanta O'hAilpin more likely if Brett Ratten wants to bring in a bigger-bodied forward.
- Jason Phelan
COLLINGWOOD
Dale Thomas will miss Friday night's clash with Geelong - and the Magpies' first final - after accepting a two-week suspension for rough conduct against Garrick Ibbotson. Sharrod Wellingham will need to prove his fitness at training this week but is a chance to return from his groin injury while Chris Tarrant and Luke Ball, who missed last Friday night with soreness, are expected to come back in.
- Jennifer Witham
FREMANTLE
Eighteen Fremantle players have been ruled out for Saturday's season-ending clash against the Western Bulldogs, and a further five face fitness tests. Ben Bucovaz may be ruled out through a WAFL suspension. That leaves 22 players, including three rookies, who are definitely available for selection this week. Fremantle will need to find at least four inclusions, with Antoni Grover, Alex Silvagni. Jayden Pitt and Justin Bollenhagen the most likely if they pass fitness tests this week. Young key position player Joel Houghton could be handed his AFL debut.
- Nathan Schmook
GEELONG
The Cats are likely to leave Harry Taylor out of the team to play Collingwood on Friday night after the defender was concussed in last Saturday's loss to the Sydney Swans. Joel Corey, who is battling a groin problem, is also likely to be left out again. Veteran forward Cameron Mooney will return after serving his suspension, while another old boy, Darren Milburn, is also a strong chance to play.
- Adam McNicol
GOLD COAST
The Suns could unleash one final debutant for the season against Hawthorn on Saturday, but scans on Jacob Gillbee's hand from an injury sustained in the weekend's reserves match could determine his availability. Impressive forward Tom Lynch will undergo a test on his back to take on the Hawks.
- Michael Whiting
HAWTHORN
With third spot secure and the possibility of a Friday night qualifying final against Geelong meaning a six-day break, the Hawks will ring the changes for Saturday's Gold Coast clash. Max Bailey and probably Cyril Rioli will be among those to stay home, and Ben Stratton, Brent Renouf, Xavier Ellis and Rick Ladson could all be given a chance to press their finals claims. Star midfielder Sam Mitchell should also return from the knee soreness that kept him out of last weekend's win over the Western Bulldogs.
- Mark Macgugan
MELBOURNE
Aaron Davey comes back from suspension for the final game of Melbourne's season. He could be joined by Jack Fitzpatrick who kicked four goals after being named an emergency last week. Promising performances from Matthew Bate, Lynden Dunn and Rohan Bail could also give them a chance to return and prove their worth for a spot on the 2012 list.
- Luke Holmesby
NORTH MELBOURNE
It looms as a busy one at selection for the Roos. Hamish McIntosh has already been announced as a certain starter - he may replace a tired Todd Goldstein. Daniel Wells (shoulder), Jack Ziebell and Levi Greenwood (both suspended) are definite non-starters while Ryan Bastinac and Leigh Adams (both knees) remain doubtful. Their absence will create opportunities for Ben Ross, Cameron Richardson, Jamie Macmillan, Ben Cunnington and Shaun Atley, all of whom have enjoyed excellent recent VFL form. Midfielder Brayden Norris is an outside chance to make his AFL debut while Daniel Pratt could be given a farewell AFL appearance.
- Michael Tormey
PORT ADELAIDE
The Power are hoping retiring ruckman Dean Brogan (calf) will be fit to play in his farewell game against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, while Cam O'Shea faces a fitness test on his injured ankle. Forward Daniel Stewart kicked six goals for SANFL club North Adelaide, but might find it hard to displace John Butcher, Justin Westhoff or Jay Schulz in attack. Ben Jacobs and Kane Cornes could be considered if O'Shea fails to come up.
- Katrina Gill
RICHMOND
The Tigers round out their 2011 campaign against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and they are likely to be without feisty forward Jake King, who was cited by the match review panel for a sling tackle in last weekend's win over the Crows. Ben Nason was named among the best players for the Coburg Tigers in their last match, while rookie midfielder Pat Contin has also been winning plenty of the ball in the VFL.
- Adam McNicol
ST KILDA
The Saints have to find a replacement for forward/midfielder David Armitage who is out suspended. Ryan Gamble is a chance, as is Jamie Cripps who had looked set to miss the season but has since come back via Sandringham in the VFL. Nick Heyne is another possibility. Meanwhile big men Michael Gardiner and Tommy Walsh continue to press their claims but the strong performances of St Kilda's talls on the weekend might not help their case.
- Luke Holmesby
SYDNEY SWANS
With the Swans showing some of their best form of the season over the past two weeks, it will be hard for anyone to force their way into the side just before the finals. Gary Rohan, Luke Parker and Jesse White have come into the side of late and performed their roles well, with Lewis Roberts-Thomson the most likely player who could fight his way back into the 22. Roberts-Thomson has just about recovered from a calf problem that has kept him out the past two weeks.
- James Dampney
WEST COAST
Coach John Worsfold has ruled a mass resting of players now that fourth spot is secured, but there is an opportunity for the club to give genuinely sore players this week off. Defender Sam Butler and young forward Jack Darling are both available for selection against Adelaide and the club would be particularly keen to give Butler a run before the finals after he returned from a calf injury in the WAFL. Midfielder Tom Swift (36 possessions and two goals) was outstanding for Claremont and could earn another chance, while Jordan Jones pushed his claims with 20 possessions and two goals for Peel Thunder.
- Nathan Schmook
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Dogs lost another tall defender on Saturday with Ayce Cordy breaking his hand against the Hawks. His departure means there will be no selection headaches fitting Ben Hudson in for his farewell game against Fremantle this weekend. Lindsay Gilbee and Sam Reid were in the best for Williamstown in its 93-point win over Frankston on Sunday while first-year forward Tom Hill - who is the only player on the Dogs' senior list to have not played a senior game this year - kicked eight goals in the VFL reserves and has now booted 18 goals in four games.
- Jennifer Witham
