ADELAIDE
The Crows added four more players, Nathan Bock (hamstring), Trent Hentschel (knee), Patrick Dangerfield (neck) and Kurt Tippett (ankle), to their already bulging injury list after last week's loss to Melbourne. Of the four, only Dangerfield and Tippett are rated any chance of playing against Carlton. Graham Johncock and Scott Stevens should return to bolster the depleted defence, while inexperienced trio Tony Armstrong, Shaun McKernan and Will Young could also add to their respective game tallies.

BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions regain Jared Brennan after a one-game suspension, however coach Michael Voss now has to cover Mitch Clark and Ashley McGrath's bans. Albert Proud, who travelled to Adelaide last week but didn't play, will be among those considered for Saturday night's clash with the Dogs, while Pearce Hanley, youngster Jesse O'Brien and mature-age rookie Broc McCauley impressed in a reserve grade side that was thrashed in the Queensland state league competition.

CARLTON
Skipper Chris Judd returns to a floundering Blues outfit after serving his three-match ban and coach Brett Ratten will be tempted to make a bold statement at the selection table following the disappointing loss to the Bombers. Simon Wiggins kicked five for the Bullants on the weekend, Jeff Garlett continues to press his case and Paul Bower (leg) was close to playing last week before the match committee decided to err on the side of caution. Brock McLean looked to play under duress last week, with Richard Hadley the obvious replacement if he doesn't come up.

COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies hope to regain Heath Shaw from a back complaint but other senior players battling injury are still some way off. Collingwood's VFL side lost last week but there were a few promising performers. Chris Dawes was solid in attack, Jack Anthony booted three goals and could be called upon - especially given the Pies managed just four goals against the Saints - while Ryan Cook found a bit of the ball. Youngster Luke Rounds was also lively up forward, although he might need a few more consistent efforts before being seriously considered.

ESSENDON
Michael Hurley, having finished his club-imposed AFL suspension and kicked four goals for the Bendigo Bombers, is likely to return to the side. Mark McVeigh is a possibility, but after spending the best part of last week in hospital with blood poisoning, is unlikely to make the trip to Subiaco. Upgraded rookie Ben Howlett, who was impressive in his first two senior outings but missed last weekend, may be a chance to return home for the clash with West Coast.

FREMANTLE
Late withdrawal Chris Tarrant (ankle) was keen to take his place against Geelong and should be fit to resume this week against the Saints. Nick Suban's ankle injury opens the door for youngsters Nat Fyfe (four goals) and Clancee Pearce, while Kepler Bradley and Zac Clarke continued their excellent WAFL form and are waiting on a call-up to support ruckman Aaron Sandilands. Rhys Palmer is highly unlikely to be rushed back, despite playing his second WAFL league game.

GEELONG CATS
Coach Mark Thompson could make up to five changes for Sunday's clash against Port Adelaide. Cam Mooney and Matthew Scarlett have both served one-match suspensions, Max Rooke (knee) got through his VFL return unscathed, and Brad Ottens (knee) and Darren Milburn (hamstring) are winning their battles with injury. James Podsiadly impressed in his AFL debut, but Thompson was lukewarm on the idea of playing three talls when he addressed the media on Tuesday.

HAWTHORN
The Hawks will have to make at least one change after a bruising encounter against the Bulldogs on Sunday. Josh Gibson's hamstring injury will keep him out for a while but early indications are Jordan Lewis will be OK to take on Collingwood on Saturday night. Shaun Burgoyne is right to go but may have to spend some time at Box Hill first. Clinton Young is a chance to return from injury, while Luke Breust has put his name forward after a four-goal effort in the VFL.

MELBOURNE
Colin Sylvia was a late withdrawal against the Crows, but is likely to return from his broken jaw against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday. Defender Jared Rivers (knee) will also face a fitness test. Stefan Martin kicked three goals for Casey in the opening round of the VFL last weekend and will be pushing for his first match of 2010. Defender Kyle Cheney, an emergency in round three, impressed for the Scorpions and will again be on the cusp. So too are ruckman Jake Spencer and forward Addam Maric.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Twenty-nine possessions for North Ballarat has first-round draftee Ben Cunnington in a near-certain position for his AFL debut. Coach Brad Scott says the 18-year-old is very close, however he may have to wait until round five. Tagger Levi Greenwood made an impressive return from a toe injury in the VFL reserves but will need another week with Werribee's senior side, while significant injuries to Matt Campbell (ankle) and Ben Speight (jaw) mean they'll now be waiting some time.

PORT ADELAIDE
Midfielder David Rodan will complete his remarkable comeback from successful LARS surgery by lining up for the Power just 16 weeks after tearing his ACL. Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) is also ready to return, but the club will wait until later in the week to make a call on ruckman Dean Brogan (shoulder) and Jay Schulz (knee). Robbie Gray (hamstring) only needs to get through training this week to play his first game of the season against Geelong on Sunday.

RICHMOND
The Tigers have an empty injury list, but four players on club suspension. David Gourdis was solid for Coburg and for the Tigers in the first round of the NAB Cup - and is a likely replacement in defence for Luke McGuane. Matt Dea, pick 44 in last year's draft, could also make his debut for the club in place of Daniel Connors. Elevated rookie Graham Polak kicked a couple but is unlikely to step up, though midfielder Andrew Collins seems a good fit in the midfield.

ST KILDA
The obvious problem for the Saints is how to replace fallen skipper Nick Riewoldt. With Justin Koschitzke still a week away from returning, the Saints might look at bringing ruckman Ben McEvoy back and rotating him forward with fellow tall Michael Gardiner. Rhys Stanley could also be in line for a debut but it is unclear how well he has progressed from a groin injury sustained two weeks ago.

SYDNEY SWANS
Jarred Moore (ankle) could miss Saturday's clash against North Melbourne, opening the door for Paul Bevan to play his first game of the season. There are unlikely to be any unforced changes but youngsters Campbell Heath, Sam Reid (five goals) and Daniel Currie (four) impressed in the reserves' big win over Belconnen. Nick Smith and Matt O'Dwyer also continued to press their cases for a senior recall.

WEST COAST
Pat McGinnity (quad) and Mark Nicoski (shoulder) will face fitness tests, with Nicoski's recovery a week ahead of schedule. In-form rookies Andrew Strijk, Ashton Hams and Lewis Stevenson could be considered for elevation to face the Bombers, with foot skills continuing to let the side down, while defender Eric Mackenzie and forward Ben McKinley (five goals) were effective in the WAFL. Quinten Lynch (one goal) didn't impact the scoreboard as had been hoped, despite West Perth’s good form.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Dogs paid a hefty price for their win over Hawthorn with Ryan Hargrave (neck) in some doubt and Liam Picken (ankle) and Jason Akermanis (hamstring) definitely out. Coach Rodney Eade was quite uncomplimentary towards Will Minson after the game which could signal a spell at Williamstown. Brad Johnson should be over his cold by now while Jordan Roughead appears the logical replacement if Minson gets the chop. Nathan Eagleton, Dylan Addison and Tim Callan will be fighting it out to replace Picken.

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