Bye

Get them in: After missing two matches, Oscar McInerney is ready to go, while Allen Christensen and Ryan Bastinac were dominating at NEAFL level before the bye.

Under the pump: Plenty of players were down in the last-start loss to Carlton. Lincoln McCarthy and Cam Rayner have had a difficult stretch of games while ruckman Archie Smith battled to impact in his second game for the season. Rhys Mathieson was quiet but his grunt work is needed. 

Medical room: No major problems for the Lions with Marcus Adams and Zac Bailey to resume in the NEAFL this weekend. 

Verdict: Tough selection for the Lions this week, but McInerney's marking presence is required forward so he should come in for an unlucky Smith. McCarthy and Rayner are just two players that have to lift. - Michael Whiting

'The Big O' should return for the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos

Bye

Get them in: Runners Josh Daicos and Ben Crocker, along with prospective debutant Isaac Quaynor are in the frame for the clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Under the pump: Veteran Travis Varcoe still provides great energy, defensive pressure and experience, but is struggling to have an offensive impact, averaging 11.5 touches and tallying just 3.2 for the season. In danger of being dropped for the third time this season.

Medical room: Grundy (neck) was almost a late withdrawal for the Queen's Birthday game but should be OK. Taylor Adams (adductor) and Jamie Elliott (hamstring) won't return against the Dogs.

Verdict: Varcoe appears vulnerable and Daicos is primed for an opportunity. - Ben Collins

Travis Varcoe hasn't had too many moments to celebrate in 2019. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Mitch Brown and Aaron Francis appear likely to battle it out to replace Jake Stringer if the forward doesn't come up from his leg injury. Martin Gleeson continues to play good footy at VFL level but can't break into the Bombers' back half at senior level. 

Under the pump: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti's inconsistent season continued with just seven disposals against the Hawks last week, but he won't be left out due to his ability around goal.

Medical room: The attention will focus on Stringer this week, but the goalkicker is in serious doubt to travel to Perth to take on West Coast on Thursday, particularly given the Bombers' six-day break.

Verdict: After a solid win last week it would be a surprise if the Bombers made any unforced changes. Francis' versatility could give him the edge to break back in the side if Stringer isn't passed fit. - Callum Twomey

Get them in: If Adam Cerra has recovered from illness the youngster will almost certainly be back against Melbourne, while the selection intrigue over Harley Bennell will continue for another week following a two-goal, 11-disposal effort in his third game for Peel.

Under the pump: Three straight wins means there aren't many worried for their spot.

Medical room: Cerra's health and how Stephen Hill pulled up from his first game this year will be the main issues for the medical team this week. Small forward Sam Switkowski hurt an ankle against Port Adelaide but played out the game.

Verdict: The fight for spots is on in earnest among the midfield/half-back types, but Cerra will likely come in for one of Brett Bewley, Darcy Tucker or Ethan Hughes. - Travis King

Is this the week for Harley Bennell? Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Darcy Fort remains in the ruck/forward conversation after returning to the VFL playing as a predominant forward and Wylie Buzza continues to ask the question. James Parsons is the next midfielder in line after he was dropped last match, while Zach Guthrie is putting his hand up in defence. Lachie Fogarty, Jed Bews and Scott Selwood now have enough matches under the belt to be considered after injury, while Charlie Constable can't be forgotten.

Under the pump: Hard to drop anyone after a 67-point win over Richmond, but Jordan Clark and Tom Atkins remain closest to the edge.

Medical room: Esava Ratugolea has completed two running sessions this week and remains touch and go with his hamstring. Sam Menegola is expected to be at least another week away.

Verdict: Should Ratugolea fail to overcome his hamstring, Fort would be the front-runner with Port Adelaide's talls. - Mitch Cleary

Darcy Fort could return for his third AFL game if Esava Ratugolea isn't passed fit. Picture: AFL Photos

Bye

Bye

Get them in: Casey last played more than a week ago but Jordan Lewis was prominent with 30 disposals, Corey Wagner had 27 and ruckman Braydon Preuss was influential. Kade Kolodjashnij has played a couple of VFL games since returning from concussion and looks in good touch. When in form, Alex Neal-Bullen is in the team.

Under the pump: Josh Wagner was a late in for the Queen's Birthday loss to Collingwood and didn't cement his spot in the side, while Jeff Garlett isn't having the best year.

Medical room: Defender Sam Frost needs to overcome concussion while Tim Smith should be available after being struck down by the flu for the Pies clash.

Verdict: If Frost isn't right, Lewis will replace him. Otherwise, the former Hawk will take Wagner's spot. - Dinny Navaratnam

Jordan Lewis should return for the Demons. Picture: AFL Photos

Bye

Get them in: Ollie Wines and Brad Ebert are certainties to return for Saturday night's encounter with Geelong at Adelaide Oval, while key forward Charlie Dixon could come back for his first senior game since breaking his leg in August last year. Willem Drew, Joe Atley, Trent McKenzie and Cam Sutcliffe were all strong in the SANFL.

Under the pump: Riley Bonner, Jarrod Lienert, Dougal Howard, Sam Gray, Zak Butters, Karl Amon and Steven Motlop are among those who could be squeezed out with the big guns returning.

Medical room: Tom Rockliff is set to miss another week with a hamstring injury.

Verdict: Wines and Ebert return, with Butters and Bonner missing out. Dixon has played two SANFL games, but might need another week of conditioning to cover the ground required at AFL level. Taking on the ladder leaders after a long absence is a big ask. - Lee Gaskin

Co-captain Ollie Wines is a certainty to take on the ladder-leading Cats. Picture: AFL Photos

Bye

Get them in: After two VFL games, Dan Hannebery is ready. Jake Carlisle could be considered after coming back via Sandringham after pre-season back surgery. Impressive youngster Ben Paton collected 27 disposals for the Zebras.

Under the pump: It was a quiet debut for Nick Hind in the Gold Coast win, although he was in unfamiliar terrain up forward. David Armitage acquitted himself relatively well down back but could be squeezed out, while Hunter Clark didn't cement his spot either.

Medical room: Defender Brandon White hurt a thigh in the narrow win over Gold Coast and needs to be declared fit to be available for selection, while Jimmy Webster is expected to return after right hand surgery. 

Verdict: The Saints debut is finally going to happen for Hannebery, while Webster will also bolster the line-up. Armitage will make way, and possibly Hind as well, although he could be saved if White is ruled out. - Dinny Navaratnam 

Get them in: The Swans could have Josh Kennedy (knee), Zak Jones (hamstring), Will Hayward (hip) and Kieren Jack (hip) available to face Hawthorn on Friday night in what would be a massive boost for coach John Longmire.

Under the pump: With a host of senior players expected to be fit to take on the Hawks, James Rose, Nick Blakey, Daniel Menzel, Colin O'Riordan and Jackson Thurlow will all be looked at.

Medical room: Veteran Jarrad McVeigh is out with a hamstring strain, while speedster Harry Cunningham had a setback with his groin at training on Saturday, so could miss another couple of weeks.

Verdict: Kennedy, Jones and Hayward come in for McVeigh, Rose and Thurlow. - Adam Curley

Co-captain Josh Kennedy would be a huge inclusion for the Swans. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: The Eagles are sweating on the fitness of skipper Shannon Hurn, midfield star Elliot Yeo and emerging tall Oscar Allen ahead of the Essendon clash on Thursday night. 

Under the pump: Nathan Vardy and Willie Rioli have been suspended, and Josh Smith or Josh Rotham will likely also make way if the above trio are fit.  

Medical room: The are some big names set for returns with Nic Naitanui (ACL) and potentially Tom Barrass (foot) set for WAFL comebacks on Saturday before likely call-ups against Hawthorn at the MCG next weekend.

Verdict: Hurn, Yeo and Allen for Vardy, Rioli and Rotham. - Travis King

Get them in: Experienced defender Taylor Duryea returned from a two-month injury absence to play a pivotal role in Footscray's 54-point win against the Northern Blues at Ikon Park. Forward Josh Schache took eight marks and kicked two goals in a positive performance. Ed Richards and Rhylee West were handy contributors, the latter kicking two goals.

Under the pump: After a whirlwind fortnight, forward Ryan Gardner struggled to have an impact against Carlton with only three possessions. It wasn't much more fruitful for Bailey Dale and his four disposals, while Charlie Curnow was the latest opposition forward to get a hold of the Bulldogs' defence.

Medical room: Hard-nosed midfielder Tom Liberatore suffered a knee injury but avoided damage to his ACL. Dale Morris could feature in the next week or two, recovering from pre-season knee surgery. 

Verdict: Schache hasn't set the world on fire in the VFL but might be a more capable option than Gardner as it stands. Duryea in to replace Dale, which releases the likes of Bailey Williams up the ground. A debut could be on the cards for West as Liberatore is sidelined. - Paul Bastin