Defender Kyle Cheney is the front-runner to replace the injured Luke Brown for Friday night's clash with St Kilda at Adelaide Oval. Brown will miss up to a month with a fractured cheekbone. Cheney played every game last year, but groin and hamstring injuries interrupted his start to this season. Tall defender Jake Lever is expected to take his place in the side after a minor ankle sprain. Forward Mitch McGovern (hamstring) and winger Paul Seedsman (groin) are both available to return from long-term injuries, but are likely to come back through the SANFL. If the Crows want to add more grunt to their midfield, veteran Scott Thompson could be recalled. The 34-year-old had a team-high 23 disposals in his side's 41-point loss to Glenelg on Saturday. After flying back from Geelong on Saturday morning, travelling emergency Jono Beech had just 15 disposals. - Lee Gaskin
After missing the past two matches with a dislocated shoulder, vice-captain Tom Rockliff will return to play Fremantle at the Gabba on Saturday. Rockliff has been in tremendous form and should line up alongside Dayne Beams for the first time since round six, when the skipper suffered a quad injury. Claye Beams, Ryan Harwood and Tom Bell could also come into consideration to play the Dockers. - Michael Whiting
Who's missing? The injury list for round 12
Liam Jones had been in terrific form in a reinvented role as a defender and part-time ruckman before injuring his ankle late in the Northern Blues' last game against Sandringham on May 20. If he can prove his fitness this week, Jones would be in contention for his first senior game this season. Sam Kerridge and Blaine Boekhorst have racked up plenty of possessions in recent games, while young key forward Harry McKay has shown some encouraging signs. - Howard Kotton
The Pies will likely need to replace Jamie Elliott (ankle), Daniel Wells (calf) and Tyson Goldsack (shoulder) for their annual Queen's Birthday clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Monday. Alex Fasolo could come into contention to fill the Elliott void after being sidelined for a week with mental illness. Defender Henry Schade could cover the loss of Goldsack, as could Tom Langdon, who has reached full match fitness after an interrupted pre-season. First-year father-son selection Callum Brown, a 19-year-old midfielder, is in line to make his debut after being a travelling emergency against Fremantle. Others who might come under consideration include beanpole Mason Cox, who kicked three goals in the VFL, little man Jarryd Blair and ex-Docker Chris Mayne. An interesting one is explosive medium-sized forward Kayle Kirby – the club's leading goalkicker at VFL level – who bagged six goals at the weekend and has tallied 12 in his past three outings. - Ben Collins
Jarryd Blair may be in contention for a spot in the Queen's Birthday clash. Picture: AFL Photos
The Bombers may have veteran James Kelly available after he missed last week's loss to Greater Western Sydney with a groin injury, while a bunch of midfielders showed their traits at VFL level to be under consideration. Heath Hocking, Craig Bird and Kyle Langford combined for 90 disposals in the VFL side's 38-point win over North Ballarat, with all of them booting two goals as well. Aaron Francis returned from a minor injury to kick three goals, while first-year midfielder Kobe Mutch continues to bang down the door with 25 disposals. Matthew Leuenberger was overlooked for senior selection with Tom Bellchambers holding his spot in the ruck, but Leuenberger performed well in the VFL with 23 disposals, a goal and a dominant showing in the midfield battle. - Callum Twomey
The Dockers could regain Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) for their trip to the Gabba to face the Brisbane Lions in a must-win game but, with the bye next week, the smart longer-term move might be to allow the veteran big man more time to recuperate in Perth. Young ruckman Sean Darcy has been knocking on the door for an AFL debut and did his chances no harm with 49 hit-outs, six tackles and 12 touches in Peel's narrow loss to Subiaco and he could put pressure on Jon Griffin's spot. With Ed Langdon (knee) doubtful to face the Lions, Tommy Sheridan kept his name in the selection mix with 29 disposals and 11 marks in a best afield display for the Thunder, while Danyle Pearce (27 possessions, seven inside 50s) and young backman Griffin Logue (15 disposals, one goal) might also be in the frame for recalls. - Travis King
No fresh injuries for the Suns, but the off-field misdemeanour by Jarrod Harbrow means coach Rodney Eade will have to make at least one change to play Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday. Jesse Lonergan and Matt Shaw were among the Suns' best in the NEAFL at the weekend and could come into calculations. - Michael Whiting
Veteran forward Steve Johnson (knee) and big man Rory Lobb (groin) have missed the past two matches, but could be a chance to face Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday if they can get through the Giants' main session on Thursday. Johnson did some training last week, while Lobb was limited to running, so both don't look to be far away. Tendai Mzungu (hamstring) played his first game since round one and picked up 32 possessions to go with eight tackles in the NEAFL last week, while young utility Jeremy Finlayson (groin) also returned in the reserves and continued his great form with 23 touches and two goals. Injury came at a bad time for the versatile left-footer, but he's still very close to making his debut. Ruckman Dawson Simpson dominated the lower level again with 63 hit-outs, 16 possessions, eight tackles and a goal, but unfortunately he's stuck behind Shane Mumford and won't get a game while Mummy is fit to play. - Adam Curley
The performance against Port Adelaide last week, particularly the 0.3 first half, was a major embarrassment for the Hawks, but it was their third game in 13 days and their second straight game outside Victoria in six days. So they will appreciate the opportunity to freshen up for their first MCG home game in seven weeks. None of the injured players appear set to return at this stage, with Alastair Clarkson indicating that Grant Birchall (knee) will likely be held over until after the bye. Will Langford (30 disposals, six tackles, three goals) was super in a high-standard, top of the table VFL clash on Saturday, while Kade Stewart (25 touches, four marks, five tackles) and Billy Hartung (20 touches, two marks and five inside 50s) also played well. They along with key forward Tim O'Brien, who resumed at VFL level after missing two matches with a hip injury shape as the likely inclusions for the clash with Gold Coast if the Hawks ring the changes. Team selection at Hawthorn will be fascinating for the rest of the season now that Clarkson has admitted the team is not in premiership contention. Does he pick the best available 22 every week or play the kids? - Ashley Browne
Tim O'Brien could boost the Hawks' forward stocks this week. Picture: AFL Photos
Jesse Hogan is unlikely to be fit for the Queen's Birthday clash against Collingwood, with the star forward to be eased back into playing after surgery to remove testicular cancer. After serving his one-week suspension, Christian Salem will be available and seems an automatic selection. Ruckman Jake Spencer is also ready to resume following a shoulder injury, with the Demons to make a call on whether they bring in a recognised ruckman or stick with Cameron Pedersen, Jack Watts and Tom McDonald as their preferred big men. Jay Kennedy-Harris has to come into the selection frame after racking up 47 disposals in a scintillating performance in the VFL on Sunday. Ben Kennedy (23 disposals and three goals), Dean Kent (28) and Billy Stretch (23) are others who will be considered. - Ben Guthrie
Star midfielder/forward Chad Wingard is a strong chance to return from a calf injury for Saturday's game against Essendon at Etihad Stadium. Wingard has missed the past two games. Experienced forward Angus Monfries continues to push his claims for a senior recall with another strong performance in the SANFL. Monfries had 26 possessions and booted two goals for the Magpies in their 50-point win against South Adelaide. Midfielders Jesse Palmer (30 disposals, 10 marks, eight Inside 50s and two goals) and Joe Atley (26 disposals) were also outstanding. Half-back flanker Dan Houston missed the game with a hip injury and will have a fitness test this week. - Lee Gaskin
With Nick Riewoldt confirmed to be out again with a knee injury, Josh Bruce seems the obvious one to come back. The athletic tall kicked four goals in the first half of Sandringham's VFL game against Collingwood last Sunday and was rested for much of the second half, with a five-day break until the senior side faces Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Meanwhile, defender Jimmy Webster is a chance to return from a broken right hand. Managing the pain will likely be the issue for him. Tough midfielder Luke Dunstan won 30 disposals for the Zebras, while Jack Lonie also played well. Nick O'Kearney has impressed in recent weeks, although as a rookie, he would need to be upgraded to the senior list. - Dinny Navaratnam
Coach John Longmire will be eagle-eyed at training on Tuesday, with former co-captains Jarrad McVeigh (hamstring) and Kieren Jack (hip), plus ruckman Sam Naismith (knee), all looking to prove their fitness ahead of Thursday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs. Naismith and Jack would have been close to playing last week but the Swans had the bye, and the extra time off would have been an enormous help for McVeigh, who has struggled all season with soft tissue problems. If the trio does get through training, Longmire will have to decide if they come straight in through the NEAFL. Defenders Harry Marsh, Aliir Aliir and Jeremy Laidler have all been in good form in the reserves, along with forward Jordan Dawson and young ruckman Darcy Cameron, so the coach can also look to the NEAFL if he needs to make any more changes. - Adam Curley
Star playmakers Matthew Boyd and Tom Liberatore loom as the most likely inclusions for the Bulldogs' clash with Sydney at the SCG on Thursday night. Coach Luke Beveridge said Boyd should overcome a shoulder injury, while he didn't want to "torture" Liberatore for too long in the VFL after his indifferent start to the season. Dumped key forward Travis Cloke is another player the premiership coach said was in the selection mix. Forward Toby McLean should also be in the selectors' minds after strong VFL form following his omission from the senior side. First-year ruckman Tim English could be player to make way for the returning stars despite his promising debut against St Kilda in round 10. - Ryan Davidson
Tom Liberatore has spent two weeks in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos
