If skipper Simon Goodwin fails to recover from an ankle injury, the Crows could look to recall second-year onballer Myke Cook, who showed solid form in the SANFL after a couple of weeks at AFL level. Tagger Rob Shirley was on stand-by for the Bulldogs clash and will also be considered. Ivan Maric kicked another three goals for the Port Adelaide Magpies, but Kurt Tippett and Brad Moran might’ve done enough to keep the ruckman in the SANFL for another week.
Brisbane Lions
A fit Brisbane Lions outfit will be tough to break into after a stirring victory against Richmond on Saturday. Rhan Hooper returned from a month-long break with an ankle injury to kick four goals for the seconds on Sunday, while Tim Notting and Tom Rockliff have been solid for the reserves in recent weeks. With Joel Tippett hampered by a back injury, youngsters Matt Tyler and Aaron Cornelius were tested in the ruck against former Demon Jeff White, a recruit for local club Redlands.
Carlton
Mitch Robinson was among the best for the Northern Bullants with 27 touches. Also in contention are Brad Fisher, who according to Bullants' coach David Teague played his best game for the year, and Ryan Houlihan, who responded to his omission from the senior side with an eight-clearance performance. Greg Bentley, Adam Hartlett and Joe Anderson also put in commendable VFL performances. Defender Shaun Grigg could return from an ankle injury but Andrew Carrazzo will miss at least three weeks with a finger injury.
Collingwood
The Magpies will be looking for reinforcements after several players pulled up sore after Monday night’s match. Collingwood will regain John Anthony from suspension, while Dayne Beams will come into contention after having a week off. Paul Medhurst (ankle) and Leon Davis (abdominal strain) could also be recalled after being late withdrawals. Travis Cloke will miss so Chris Dawes, after booting five goals at VFL level, looks a prime candidate to replace him. Chris Bryan is another on the cusp of selection.
Essendon
Coach Matthew Knights says he will make few changes to his winning side, despite strong form from Michael Quinn, Scott Lucas and Tyson Slattery in the VFL. Mark McVeigh is moving closer to a return, Hayden Skipworth remains a week from resuming and Dustin Fletcher three. Brent Prismall and Michael Hurley played VFL on the weekend but need more game time, and Kyle Reimers and Andrew Welsh are on track for mid-season returns as they overcome long-term injuries.
Fremantle
Byron Schammer will fight his one-week ban, but if he is unsuccessful defender Greg Broughton looms as the likely replacement, with some positional changes to cover Schammer's midfield role. Broughton had 25 touches for WAFL side Subiaco at the weekend playing mostly off half-back and pushing midfield at times. Andrew Foster will also be considered while Des Headland is fit and available but may need a WAFL hit-out before being considered for selection.
Geelong
The question every Geelong fan – and North Melbourne fan, most likely – wants answered is: will Gary Ablett play this weekend? The answer will make North fans happy – it's very unlikely. Football manager Neale Balme gave some hope on Monday, but that was pretty much snuffed out by coach Mark Thompson on Tuesday, who said Ablett was on a two-week rehab program. David Wojcinski hurt a wrist on the weekend but is almost certain to be fit.
Hawthorn
Xavier Ellis came back through Box Hill in the VFL last week and was the side’s best as he played off half-back. Beau Muston was another to impress but is likely to spend a few more weeks at VFL level before he is considered for Hawthorn. Stephen Gilham will once again push for selection as he recovers from a knee injury, while Clinton Young and Brent Guerra are also a chance to return from injury.
Melbourne
The Demons will be forced to make at least two changes for Saturday's clash against the Dogs, with Jared Rivers (ankle) and James Frawley (hip flexor) sidelined. Although Casey had a bye last round, the form of Michael Newton (five goals) the previous week and the continued form of Tom McNamara, who could be a chance to debut, will be noted. Remarkably after just three matches on the sidelines with a broken jaw, Brad Green will be assessed for Saturday's clash against the Bulldogs.
North Melbourne
Midfielders Brady Rawlings (calf) and Gavin Urquhart (illness) will return for North's clash with Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Saturday. However, a recall for Josh Smith will also be considered after the burly forward kicked six goals in North Ballarat's win over the Bendigo Bombers. A hamstring injury to small forward Matt Campbell means the experienced Corey Jones could be rewarded after three solid weeks in the VFL. Draftee Sam Wright and rookie-listed utility Alan Obst were among Werribee's better players but remain outside chances.
Port Adelaide
Midfielder Kane Cornes (sprained AC joint) maintains he’s a chance of playing this week, but it is likely Port Adelaide will need to cover the loss of both he and defender Steve Salopek. First-year player Hamish Hartlett, who missed last week with hamstring tightness, should be available to fill in across half-back and veteran Josh Carr could replace Cornes if he can prove he’s got a nagging hip injury under control. Nick Lower and Marlon Motlop also remain around the mark.
Richmond
Young gun Trent Cotchin is likely to play his first AFL match of the season. Coach Terry Wallace warned he would swing the axe following the Tigers’ sixth loss of the season, so he's likely to be joined by a few others in addition to the forced change of Alex Rance.
St Kilda
He can’t seem to crack a spot in St Kilda’s back six, so Matt Maguire is presenting a case to be used up the other end with a five-goal effort for VFL team Sandringham last weekend. Jack Steven and David Armitage continue to do their bit for the Zebras, while Steven King is a chance to return from injury. Max Hudghton could be back on the scene within weeks but is likely to come back through the VFL.
Sydney Swans
Young onballer Daniel O’Keefe put his name before the Swans’ match committee with a four-goal performance as the Swans’ reserves lost to Belconnen by 90 points. Jared Crouch also continued his good form as he works towards match fitness, Matt Laidlaw produced another good game and Leo Barry made a successful return to footy after pre-season knee surgery. Craig Bird should be fit to resume after missing two weeks with a shoulder injury while Luke Ablett’s shoulder will be assessed.
West Coast
A superb month at WAFL level has Tim Houlihan in calculations if Daniel Kerr (adductor) doesn’t come up, while Chad Fletcher and Tyson Stenglein also have claims on the spot given this week’s mature-bodied opponents, the Sydney Swans. Mark Seaby is a chance to come in to support ruckman Dean Cox, while Matt Priddis (thigh), Eric Mackenzie (calf) and Mitch Brown (hamstring) appear certain inclusions if deemed fit after missing last week.
Western Bulldogs
Young forward Shaun Higgins faces a fitness test this week to see if he's overcome a groin problem, while Stephen Tiller is listed as available after overcoming his own groin issues. Callan Ward was good for Williamstown and Guy O'Keefe is moving closer to his debut. Jarrad Grant also booted three goals. Forgotten ruckman Wayde Skipper had another solid game for Willy, while omitted midfielder Dylan Addison could get another chance after being named as an emergency last weekend.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
