Retiring veteran Tyson Edwards will return to play his 321st and final game for the Crows, but defender Nathan Bock will miss the occasion with a groin strain. Graham Johncock served his club-imposed suspension in the SANFL last weekend and will be recalled, while Brad Symes is also in contention after another good game for Central District. Forwards Jack Gunston and Ricky Henderson are also putting pressure on the Adelaide selectors.
BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions’ reserves enjoyed a hard-fought win, with several AFL-listed players pushing their case for a call-up to the senior team. Recently-demoted Andrew Raines had 23 first-half possessions for the Lions’ reserves to regain confidence, while veteran Troy Selwood further bolstered his case with another dogged performance. Bryce Retzlaff and Callum Bartlett impressed while Aaron Cornelius booted four goals.
CARLTON
The Blues regain Jarrad Waite (suspension) and Ryan Houlihan (hamstring) this week while Paul Bower will need to pass a fitness test on the quadriceps muscle that’s kept him out since round six in order to play. Shaun Grigg, Robbie Warnock and Shaun Hampson have all been in good form at VFL level and it wouldn’t surprise if one or all of them earn promotion before the split round.
COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood will make changes after two straight losses. Leigh Brown has been playing great footy in the VFL and was again Collingwood’s best at the lower level, while Jaxson Barham has been knocking on the door for several weeks. Experienced campaigner Tarkyn Lockyer is close, while all eyes will again be on Paul Medhurst to see if he has overcome a foot injury. Brad Dick has played two VFL matches and could be a surprise inclusion.
ESSENDON
The Bombers have a host of players to choose from this week with Andrew Welsh available after a four-week suspension, and Ricky Dyson, Kyle Reimers, Bachar Houli and Travis Coyler all performing well in the VFL. Jake Melksham (ankle) and Henry Slattery (ribs) will have to prove their fitness while Dustin Fletcher could be an omission depending on the outcome of Tuesday night's tribunal.
FREMANTLE
Michael Barlow missed Fremantle’s big win over North Melbourne with a minor hamstring strain, but he appears certain to return this week after proving his fitness on Monday morning with a series of sprints and lateral movement exercises. Defender Alex Silvagni (ankle) also missed one week and should be available after an extensive running session at Fremantle Oval. The challenge for Mark Harvey will be fitting him into the side.
GEELONG
Having already lost Matthew Scarlett to a hamstring injury after a training mishap, the Cats suffered no further problems in their comfortable win over Melbourne. Young defender Tom Gillies was Geelong’s best player in the VFL, so he shapes as a chance to take on the Eagles in Perth. Experienced trio Brad Ottens, Joel Corey and Max Rooke remain on the sidelines for at least another two weeks, while Scarlett is expected to miss a month.
HAWTHORN
Alastair Clarkson has some decisions to make after losing Lance Franklin to suspension and Campbell Brown to a knee injury last weekend and there is also some doubt on the fitness of Rhan Hooper. Ryan Schoenmakers and Beau Muston will come into selection considerations after they acquitted themselves well in Box Hill’s loss to Williamstown while Chance Bateman has served his suspension for engaging in rough conduct against young Eagle Brad Sheppard in round seven.
MELBOURNE
Jack Trengove and Tom Scully should slot straight back in to the Melbourne side after they were rested for last week's game against Geelong. They could be joined by Matthew Bate and Cameron Bruce who have been sidelined over the past couple of weeks with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively. Lynden Dunn and the rookie-listed Michael Newton have been pressing their claims in the VFL.
NORTH MELBOURNE
After another dominant performance for North Ballarat, midfielder Ed Lower (29 disposals, nine tackles) is in the box seat for his first AFL game of the season, while defender Gavin Urquhart will also be considered. The Roos' biggest dilemma is what to do with its forward line. Corey Jones (30 possessions), Ben Warren (three goals) and Josh Smith (13 marks) had better VFL outings than Aaron Edwards, who suffered a minor shoulder injury. The availability of Daniel Wells (groin) is unclear.
PORT ADELAIDE
Forwards Daniel Motlop (club suspension) and Jason Davenport (AFL suspension) will be recalled, having served their respective one-match bans. Dean Brogan (back), Brett Ebert (concussion), Cameron Hitchcock (shoulder), Steven Salopek (shoulder) and Nathan Krakouer (groin) all face fitness tests later in the week, with Jay Schulz, Matthew Lobbe and Danny Meyer on standby to come into the side. Young midfielder Hamish Hartlett could also be a surprise inclusion, despite not having played since round six.
RICHMOND
It's tough to get your head around, but the Richmond match committee will have a bit of a dilemma on its hands this week. The inclusion of Troy Simmonds for his final AFL match should see the struggling Graham Polak make way, but with senior midfielder Nathan Foley expected to be passed fit to play, Richard Tambling could be the player to make way, which is unfortunate after the side collected its first win.
ST KILDA
With Zac Dawson set to miss this week the Saints will need to cover his absence in defence. Jesse Smith and Sean Dempster have made steady returns from injury with VFL side Sandringham while rookie-listed tall defender Steven Gaertner could be a left-field pick. Alistair Smith and David Armitage have impressed for the Zebras in recent weeks too.
SYDNEY SWANS
Midfielder Craig Bird is a good chance of playing against Essendon after a solid return from a foot stress fracture in the reserves against Ainslie. Brett Meredith also starred with three goals from midfield, while ruckman Daniel Currie continued to push for a senior debut. However, places in the senior team could be at a premium after the Swans sustained no new injuries in their narrow loss to Hawthorn.
WEST COAST
Forward Quinten Lynch has kicked just four goals in five games since being recalled and Mitch Brown, who booted four goals in the WAFL, looms as a possible replacement at full forward this week. Classy ball user Lewis Stevenson had a strong game for Claremont, while Bradd Dalziell had 35 possessions and eight tackles for East Fremantle. Brett Jones could add experience to a defence that will again be missing captain Darren Glass, while Koby Stevens and Ash Smith are pushing for debuts.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Jordan Roughead, Andrejs Everitt, Easton Wood and Nathan Eagleton are providing selection pressure from Williamstown while Sam Reid has played six games in the VFL now and is starting to find some form. Callan Ward is nearing a VFL return from a groin problem and Jason Akermanis is expected to leave the side with a hamstring injury.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
