Forward Taylor Walker faces a fitness test after suffering a bruised chest in the Crows' win over Gold Coast last weekend. Ricky Henderson (groin) is a chance to play against Richmond, but Chris Knights (thigh) will miss at least another week. Brodie Martin, Ivan Maric and Luke Thompson all starred in the SANFL, but might find it tough to break into a winning team.
-Katrina Gill
BRISBANE LIONS
They may have lost last weekend, but coach Michael Voss would be loathe to change the line-up that pushed premier Collingwood to within three goals. There are no Lions coming back from injury but if Voss is looking for some flexibility, James Hawksley may come back into consideration.
-Michael Whiting
COLLINGWOOD
Leon Davis, Andrew Krakouer and Ben Johnson are expected to be available after missing Saturday night's 18-point win over the Brisbane Lions while Chris Dawes (hand) and Sharrod Wellingham (groin) face fitness tests. Ben Reid has declared himself fit to face Fremantle despite being subbed out of the Lions' game after landing on his back following a marking contest. The young defender was seen coughing up blood after he crashed to the ground. Coach Mick Malthouse flagged changes to the team after being disappointed with a "few players" on Saturday night. Luke Rounds and John McCarthy were held over from the VFL on Saturday after being omitted from the senior sidewhile firs-year midfielder Paul Seedsman was judged as the team's best player in its three-point loss to Sandringham, which was the Pies' final VFL game for 2011.
-Jennifer Witham
ESSENDON
Just as Essendon's injury headaches appeared to be easing, the Bombers travelled to Perth and returned with Jobe Watson and Andrew Welsh suffering from concussion and Stewart Crameri set to miss this week's clash with Port Adelaide with a shoulder injury. In better news, Michael Hurley (foot) and Tayte Pears (leg) are expected to return to face the Power on Sunday. Michael Ross, Ricky Dyson and Alex Browne will be close to senior selection. Travis Colyer is likely to return from a lower leg injury through the VFL this week.
-Callum Twomey
FREMANTLE
Fremantle's injury crisis, which has left the club with 25 fit players to choose from this week, has opened the door to a host of fringe players who will have two weeks to prove their worth. Byron Schammer, who has not played at AFL level this season, and rookie Ben Bucovaz (one game) could both be selected out of necessity against Collingwood on Friday night. Regular senior players this season Kepler Bradley, Paul Duffield and Nick Lower could return, while ruckman Jon Griffin and key defender Peter Faulks are also available.
-Nathan Schmook
GEELONG
The Cats are likely to bring back some big names for their clash with the Sydney Swans at Skilled Stadium on Saturday. Matthew Scarlett has shaken off his knee injury, while Darren Milburn, Andrew Mackie and Tom Hawkins, who all missed the clash with the Crows in round 21, are expected to be available. Retiring forward Cameron Mooney will miss the game due to suspension.
-Adam McNicol
GOLD COAST
Sam Iles has recovered from the hip injury that kept him out of last weekend's loss against Adelaide and will be available to play Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday. It would also be no surprise to see two more youngsters debut for the Suns. Highly rated No.7 Draft selection Josh Caddy has played a couple of reserves matches after recovering from a foot injury, while clever small forward Jacob Gillbee has also excelled in the twos and must be close to a call up.
-Michael Whiting
HAWTHORN
Shane Savage was a solid performer in Box Hill's 101-point belting at the hands of Williamstown on Saturday and could be considered for his first senior match since hurting his shoulder against Melbourne in round 18. Kyle Cheney is ready should a spot at half-back open up, and premiership half-forward Michael Osborne is also awaiting a recall.
-Mark MacGugan
MELBOURNE
The Demons will be forced to make at least two changes with Colin Sylvia and Aaron Davey both suspended. Coach Todd Viney has alrady flagged Tom McNamara, Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald and Jack Fitzpatrick as potential replacements. Matthew Bate and Matthew Warnock are also potential inclusions.
-Luke Holmesby
NORTH MELBOURNE
Given North has declared Jack Ziebell (bruised lungs) a likely starter, it's hard to envisage too many changes to the team that thrashed Fremantle. But Cameron Richardson again bounced back after being dropped from North's senior side, racking up 34 possessions in North Ballarat's win over Bendigo last Saturday. Daniel Pratt also put his name up for a recall as one of the Roosters' best players. Of North's Werribee-aligned players, ruckman Hamish McIntosh was outstanding in his sixth game back after Achilles tendon surgery, finishing with 21 disposals, 25 hit-outs and three goals in the Tigers' loss to Casey. Ben Ross also continued his rich vein of form for the Tigers with 21 disposals and eight inside 50s.
-Nick Bowen
PORT ADELAIDE
Midfielders Matt Thomas and Tom Logan have both been cleared to play against Essendon after sustaining nasty head knocks in the loss to the Western Bulldogs. Ruckman Dean Brogan (calf) was a late withdrawal from the team that lost to the Dogs and faces a fitness test later in the week. Kane Cornes responded to his omission by amassing 40 possessions for Glenelg, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to earn a recall. Brett Ebert and untried ruckman Jarrad Redden also performed well in the SANFL.
-Katrina Gill
RICHMOND
After two wins in succession, the Tigers are unlikely to make many changes for their trip to Adelaide to play the Crows. Youngster Reece Conca is a good chance to be recalled after shaking off a niggling injury, but few others pushed their case in the VFL last weekend when Coburg was thrashed by bottom side Frankston.
-Adam McNicol
ST KILDA
Justin Koschitzke and Zac Dawson should come straight back in after both were last-minute withdrawals through illness last week. The Saints have some concerns with both Sean Dempster and Nick Riewoldt sustaining injuries against the Sydney Swans last week. One gamble the Saints might consider is bringing in Tommy Walsh for his debut. He kicked six goals for VFL team Sandringham but would be a left-field selection considering the stage of the season. Alistair Smith and Tom Simpkin were also both solid for the Zebras.
-Luke Holmesby
SYDNEY SWANS
The Sydney Swans made a number of changes last week, bringing in Gary Rohan, Matt Spangher, Nick Malceski and Jesse White to take on St Kilda. The manner of their 15-point win, and with finals just around the corner, means coach John Longmire may be reluctant to tinker with his team much more. With goalkicking the Swans' main area of concern at the moment, Trent Dennis-Lane and Brett Meredith are doing all they can to force recalls to the senior side. Dennis-Lane kicked six goals in the reserves on Saturday, with Meredith adding five from the midfield a week after being dropped from the senior team.
-James Dampney
WEST COAST
West Coast finds itself in peak physical condition a fortnight out from finals, with just two players expected to be unavailable for Saturday's clash with the Brisbane Lions. Patrick McGinnity has served his one match club-imposed suspension and could make an immediate return and Jack Darling is available after missing one week with hip soreness. If the Eagles choose to rest ruckman Dean Cox, Scott Lycett could come into the team after kicking three goals in the WAFL. Impressive half-back Sam Butler, who reinjured a calf two weeks ago, is expected to return through the WAFL.
-Nathan Schmook
WESTERN BULLDOGS
It would be hard to see Jason Tutt not holding his spot after his four-goal AFL debut on Sunday (although he did admit post-match he suffered cramp late in his first AFL game) while caretaker coach Paul Williams suggested last week they had to get a good look at the new boys, which leaves Ayce Cordy and Patrick Veszpremi as chances to face Hawthorn on Saturday. Luke Dahlhaus remains a chance to return after missing the trip to face Port Adelaide with soreness while Justin Sherman has now missed three games with a foot issue. Josh Hill and Sam Reid were in the best for Williamstown on Saturday and a raft of other senior players including Ben Hudson, Will Minson, Lindsay Gilbee and Dylan Addison got through although there were no injuries from the senior side. James Mulligan is another who might be considered if Ryan Hargrave can't prove his fitness with the Dogs light on for quick defenders who could run with Buddy Franklin.
-Jennifer Witham
The views in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
