Coach Neil Craig could be forced to make some tough decisions at the selection table this week, with stars Andrew McLeod, Nathan Bock and Chris Knights all putting their hands up to play. Midfielder David Mackay will face a fitness test on his injured ankle, while small forward/defender Jared Petrenko has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken foot.
BRISBANE LIONS
The Brisbane Lions copped more injuries at reserve level, however Xavier Clarke starred in his first match back from a knee reconstruction. He is likely to need at least one more match before being considered for promotion to AFL level. James Hawksley and Sam Sheldon were also good for the Lions’ reserves. Skipper Jonathan Brown (abdomen) and Matt Maguire (foot) are probably at least one more week away from resuming.
CARLTON
Chris Johnson, Robbie Warnock, Steven Browne, Shaun Grigg and Brad Fisher were all named in the Bullants’ best with Fisher booting four goals as he looks for his first AFL game since LARS knee surgery. Jarrad Waite has served his two-game suspension and will come straight back in - probably at the expense of Setanta O’hAilpin. Fellow key forward Lachie Henderson copped a knock to a knee in the loss to the Dogs and must be in some doubt.
COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood loses Travis Cloke to suspension but has options to replace him. Leon Davis missed last week with a neck complaint but his name is not on the injured list so he might slot straight back in. Josh Fraser could come in for game number 200 after booting two in the VFL, but Paul Medhurst might be ahead of him after he kicked three and was among the best. Brent Macaffer, Simon Buckley and Shane O’Bree are also pressing for promotion.
ESSENDON
Leroy Jetta will miss after accepting a one-match suspension but Dustin Fletcher will return to bolster the depleted backline. Scott Gumbleton is also expected to play after being a late withdrawal against Melbourne. Although the Bendigo Bombers were beaten badly on the weekend, Bachar Houli and Michael Quinn put their hands up for selection with solid performances. Jake Melksham will also be considered.
FREMANTLE
Important defenders Luke McPharlin (knee) and Greg Broughton (hamstring) are due to return from injury this week, with both likely to bypass a run in the WAFL if declared fit. Doubts linger over Chris Tarrant’s immediate availability after the star full-back missed a second straight match with a lower leg injury. Nat Fyfe (concussion) will be available to face the Demons, while Chris Mayne (ankle) is likely to return through the WAFL after more than a month on the sidelines.
GEELONG
Midfielder Joel Corey was a late withdrawal from Geelong's team that edged out Hawthorn last weekend. He had made his comeback from a long-term knee injury against North Melbourne a week earlier and as Cats coach Mark Thompson admitted, Corey's body "was just aching for about 48 hours [after the game]”. But Corey is expected to line up against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. Key forward Cameron Mooney is also free to return after serving a two-match suspension.
HAWTHORN
With no major injury concerns out of the weekend’s narrow loss to Geelong, the Hawks will strongly consider going unchanged this week. Coach Alastair Clarkson hopes to have Sam Mitchell available to face the Lions, but having missed just one game following surgery to repair a broken hand, the skipper looks more likely to return the week after. Jordan Lisle, Brendan Whitecross, Beau Muston and Matt Suckling were named in the best for Box Hill at the weekend.
MELBOURNE
James McDonald cannot be too far off returning from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the side for the past month. He is a chance to be brought back into the side, as are Matthew Warnock and Rohan Bail who both performed solidly for Casey Scorpions in the VFL last week but it is unlikely that the Demons will tamper too much with a winning formula.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Yet another foot injury to Drew Petrie has created an opening for Josh Smith or Aaron Edwards, who were both solid in North Ballarat’s low-scoring victory. Smith (32 possessions) has been used as a key defender in recent weeks, while David Hale (18 possessions, 38 hit-outs) has spent a good amount of time in the ruck to put pressure on struggling Hamish McIntosh. Nathan Grima (ankle) is no certainty to return, however Ben Speight and Jamie Macmillan are on the cusp of AFL debuts.
PORT ADELAIDE
Robbie Gray is a chance to return from a hamstring/back complaint and Matt Thomas will also face a fitness test on his corked knee. Chad Cornes is available, but caretaker coach Matthew Primus has expressed a desire to promote youth. Jay Schulz (back) was a late withdrawal from the team last weekend, but should return. Hamish Hartlett will miss the rest of the season, after re-injuring his quad and vice-captain Jacob Surjan (knee) is still at least another week away.
RICHMOND
Two Tigers are definitely out after the side's great win over Fremantle - Daniel Jackson has been suspended again, while young key tall Ben Griffiths' season is over due to shoulder surgery. Ben Cousins is the obvious replacement for Jackson, while key forward Jayden Post has been good for Coburg in recent weeks. David Gourdis is also putting in good performances, while Alex Rance is also showing positive signs after being BOG a couple of weeks ago.
ST KILDA
Brendon Goddard will come straight back in after missing last week’s game against the Brisbane Lions with the flu. Fellow late withdrawal Justin Koschitzke is less certain to play but will come close to selection after missing the past two weeks with an ankle injury. Rhys Stanley performed well for Sandringham but he would be behind Koschitzke in the pecking order.
SYDNEY SWANS
Martin Mattner (corked thigh) is set to come straight back to face the Blues on Sunday, while Lewis Jetta and Jesse White (eight goals) will be considered after strong games in the reserves' 80-point win against Tuggeranong. Jetta, who made opponents look silly a number of times in the seconds, is the most likely of that pair. Ted Richards is also set to hold his place after a strong-marking game up forward against North, releasing Adam Goodes further upfield.
WEST COAST
With Beau Waters (corked hamstring) under an injury cloud, Shannon Hurn’s expected return from a calf injury is timely after two weeks on the sidelines. Tom Swift missed last week’s clash with abdominal soreness but the young midfielder should be available to return against Essendon. Wingman Tim Houlihan has averaged 25 possessions in six WAFL games this season and, along with first-year midfielder Koby Stevens, will be considered this week.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Rodney Eade has already flagged a few changes to the side with Barry Hall to miss the Darwin trip and Brad Johnson in doubt, both with ankle problems. Brennan Stack will leave the side as well with a hamstring injury, meaning there could be at least three spots up for grabs. Nathan Eagleton, Brodie Moles and Jason Akermanis are considerations after strong games in the VFL while Will Minson faces a fitness test.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
