ADELAIDE
The Crows lost another player to injury last weekend, with utility James Sellar suffering a minor hamstring strain. Skipper Simon Goodwin is nursing a corked knee, but the club is optimistic he'll play against the Dees. Scott Stevens (concussion) should return after a week on the sidelines and forward Chris Knights is also in line to play his first game of the season. Midfielder Nathan van Berlo and ruckman Jon Griffin are two other possible inclusions.

BRISBANE LIONS
The undefeated Lions have options with a number of players pushing strongly with good performances in the Queensland state league. Tom Rockliff, who kicked five goals and gathered 40 possessions, appears a front-runner to win a call-up given Jared Brennan's suspension. Troy Selwood, Albert Proud and James Hawksley will also be considered for the trip to AAMI Stadium.

CARLTON
The Blues are sweating on the fitness of Paul Bower who was a late withdrawal last week. They're being a bit cagey with what's actually wrong with the key defender - he has a 'leg' injury suffered at training and remains in doubt. Before the start of the season, Brett Ratten forecast a debut for first-round draft pick Kane Lucas in the absence of Chris Judd and this is the last week the skipper is out. Shaun Grigg cannot be considered after picking up a suspension from a VFL practice match.

COLLINGWOOD
While defender Ben Johnson (knee) has been sidelined, Shane O'Bree is set to resume from a virus and appears certain for Friday's big clash with St Kilda. Collingwood's VFL side had plenty of good performers, giving coach Mick Malthouse several options. John McCarthy and Chris Dawes both impressed with four goals, while Jaxson Barham and Brent Macaffer are also in contention.

ESSENDON
Courtenay Dempsey is free to play after accepting a reprimand from the match review panel for striking Hayden Ballantyne. However, Mark McVeigh is in doubt after he was admitted to hospital on Monday with a blood infection. Nathan Lovett-Murray is available after serving his two-match suspension while Jay Neagle and Kyle Reimers could be considered after being dropped last week.

FREMANTLE
With Chris Tarrant (ankle) in doubt and Garrick Ibbotson (shoulder) unavailable, Steven Dodd and Byron Schammer may be recalled. Both were put through match-conditioning drills on Monday morning, as was Kepler Bradley, who could be considered as ruck support for Aaron Sandilands against Geelong. Other changes are unlikely at Freo, but Michael Walters, Clancee Pearce and Dylan Roberton were impressive in the WAFL.

GEELONG CATS
There could be a fair bit of movement at the Cattery this week with one-match sanctions handed to Matthew Scarlett and Cam Mooney. Steven Motlop's shoulder injury is also a huge blow for the youngster. In the VFL, James Podsiadly booted four goals in two-and-a-half quarters to again press his case, while Taylor Hunt, Allen Christensen and Ryan Gamble also impressed.

HAWTHORN
The Hawks desperately need a ruckman and may have to look at fast-tracking 19-year-old Sam Grimley since Wayde Skipper (hamstring tendon) and Max Bailey (knee) are still a long way off returning. Garry Moss is the obvious choice to replace the injured Rhan Hooper (hamstring) while Jarrod Kayler-Thomson could also be in line for a recall.

MELBOURNE
Midfielder Colin Sylvia looms as the most likely inclusion, after missing the opening two rounds with a broken jaw. Leadership group member Brad Miller was dropped after round one and named as an emergency last Saturday, but he will be on the cusp of a return. First-round draftee Jordan Gysberts will again be in the mix, while backman Jared Rivers missed the loss to the Pies with a knee injury and faces a fitness test.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Brad Scott says he will scrutinise how his players rebound from round two's horror outing, but expect a handful of them to do it from the VFL. Room should be made for Scott McMahon and Leigh Harding, who had 30 possessions and two goals in North Ballarat's practice match, while a struggling midfield could be better for Ben Cunnington's debut. Forwards Josh Smith and Aaron Edwards would bolster a side that kicked six goals against St Kilda.

PORT ADELAIDE
Defenders Jacob Surjan (shoulder/neck) and Paul Stewart (nose) will be monitored after copping big hits in the Power's win over West Coast, but should be fit to play against the Brisbane Lions. Robbie Gray will need to get through training on Wednesday to prove he's recovered from a hamstring complaint, while forward Daniel Motlop will miss at least another fortnight. Midfielders David Rodan and Hamish Hartlett are both likely to spend another week in the SANFL.

RICHMOND
The Tigers will be buoyed by the looming availability of Nathan Foley, who is likely to return in the VFL if he gets through training this week. An ankle injury has prevented the midfielder from playing this year. Ben Cousins is still battling a sore knee, but is a possible inclusion.

ST KILDA
Ruckman Steven King was impressive for VFL side Sandringham in its practice match last weekend, as were youngsters Steven Gaertner and Paul Cahill - but they're not quite banging down the selection door. Sam Fisher is still a couple of weeks off returning from his ankle injury.

SYDNEY SWANS
The Swans will be loath to change a winning combination after Sunday's drubbing of Adelaide but plenty of players are knocking on the door. Paul Bevan kicked three goals in a reserves practice match against the AIS-AFL squad on Saturday, while Pat Veszpremi and Matt O'Dwyer continued to push their claims. Gary Rohan also impressed and Ted Richards will be considered, pending match-ups in Richmond's forward line.

WEST COAST
The backline has been hit hard with injury and suspension and mature-age rookies Ashton Hams and Andrew Strijk shape as in-form replacements with foot skills so lacking against Port Adelaide. Lewis Stevenson could also find himself in the frame, but only one rookie can be elevated. Matt Rosa (back) will be considered if fit, while Mark LeCras (hamstring soreness) is expected to return. Key defender Will Schofield is demanding selection after a best-on-ground display in the WAFL.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Brad Johnson should come into calculations after being a late withdrawal on Sunday with a virus, while Nathan Eagleton could be in line for his first game for the season after an impressive display in the VFL. Dylan Addison and Jordan Roughead also played well in the Williamstown practice match. Shaun Higgins played out Sunday's game with a calf injury and should be right to face the Hawks.

The views in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.