ADELAIDE
David Mackay is expected to return on Sunday from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the club's narrow loss to Hawthorn, while the likes of Sam Kerridge (foot), Charlie Cameron (groin) and Jared Petrenko (leg) are also chances to play after a week off to rest weary bodies. Scott Thompson entered the club's bye with hamstring tightness but is also expected to face Collingwood. Although the Crows' SANFL side had a bye last week, Brenton Sanderson still has depth to pick from given the recent performances from Matt Crouch, Mitch Grigg, Luke Thompson and Cam Ellis-Yolmen. - Harry Thring


BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions will welcome vice-captain Tom Rockliff back from suspension for Saturday's QClash against Gold Coast at the Gabba. Rockliff was sorely missed in the narrow loss to West Coast and is a huge inclusion for the battling club. Matthew Leuenberger is close to returning from an Achilles niggle, but is likely to come back through the reserves as he tries to regain match fitness. - Michael Whiting


COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies could be boosted by the return of two of their most crucial players, with Ben Reid and Jamie Elliott both pushing to play in Sunday's crucial clash with Adelaide. Reid's 2014 campaign has been hampered by a combination of quad and calf injuries and he is still to play an AFL game this season. Two games back in the VFL might be enough for him to get the nod. Meanwhile, Elliott is almost certain to come back from the hamstring injury that has kept him out for the past two games and will notch his 50th match in the process. Collingwood's VFL team had the bye last weekend. - Ben Guthrie

Five things we learned from last weekend

GOLD COAST
With Tom Murphy suspended, the Suns' defensive stocks are getting thin for Saturday's clash with the Lions. Kade Kolodjashnij is racing the clock to get over a hamstring injury, while fellow defender Trent McKenzie (also with a hamstring niggle) is probably another week away. The Lions like to use Marco Paparone as a third tall forward, so Clay Cameron would appear a good match-up and is a chance to return, while Luke Russell was best on ground in his last reserves match and is also right in the frame. - Michael Whiting

HAWTHORN
The Hawks should be boosted by the key inclusions of Josh Gibson and Bradley Hill for their blockbuster clash against the Sydney Swans. Gibson has been out of action since he tore a pectoral muscle against the Swans in round 8, but is likely to return to take on his good mate, Lance Franklin. Hill has missed the past two games with a knee complaint, but should be fit after the bye week. Young speedster Billy Hartung (elbow) played in Box Hill’s last VFL game two weeks ago and could be in the mix to add some pace to the line-up. - Travis King




Josh Gibson's first assignment back could be the daunting task of quelling Buddy. Picture: AFL Media

RICHMOND
With six games remaining, there is a battle among the Tigers' fringe players to earn senior selection before the season is out. Mature-age recruit Nathan Gordon, who had 27 possessions and a goal in the VFL at the weekend, is staking his claim, as is young midfielder Matt McDonough (22 possessions and seven clearances). Both were influential in the VFL Tigers' win over Geelong. Tall forward Liam McBean is also finding form and the Tigers would be keen to expose him at AFL level for the first time before the season is finished. Opportunities will present with Dan Jackson (glute) and Ricky Petterd (finger) both sidelined this week. Regular senior players Reece Conca (concussion) and Shaun Grigg (hamstring) need to prove their fitness on the track ahead of Friday night's clash against West Coast, as does youngster Ben Lennon (concussion). - Nathan Schmook



Reece Conca is a chance to line up in Richmond's clash against West Coast. Picture: AFL Media

SYDNEY SWANS
Rested and recharged following their week off, the Sydney Swans will try to extend their 12-game winning run when they take on Hawthorn on Saturday night. There are three big names fighting for a recall so they can take part in a repeat of the 2012 Grand Final. Kurt Tippett is making good progress in his recovery from a knee problem and is a strong chance of playing his first game since round 15 and just his sixth of the season. Rhyce Shaw (ankle) is also pushing for a recall along with Dan Hannebery (ankle), although the latter is likely to need at least another week to recover fully. Dean Towers could be under a little pressure to retain his spot to take on the Hawks after making his senior debut prior to the break, while George Hewett and Shane Biggs are among the players putting pressure on in the seconds. - James Dampney




Kurt TIppett could boost the Swans' scoring power even further if he's passed fit. Picture: AFL Media

WEST COAST
The Eagles' mix is intriguing this week. They made six changes for their last match against the Brisbane Lions and won, meaning it may be tough to for Adam Simpson to make changes. Dean Cox was rested for the Lions clash but he will be in the mix to return. Brad Sheppard missed with an ankle injury but has been a first-choice player so he could return immediately. Mitch Brown is a chance to be fit to return from his knee/ankle injury. Sharrod Wellingham had 26 touches in the WAFL after being dropped. Jamie Cripps had 17 possessions and kicked two goals. Jamie Bennell had just 14 touches and a goal for East Perth but it was an impressive display in defence given the Royals controlled the match. Youngster Malcolm Karpany had 16 touches and kicked two goals and is pushing for an opportunity late in the year. - Alex Malcolm