ADELAIDE
Jason Porplyzia should return to bolster the Crows' depleted forward line after an impressive two-goal performance for West Adelaide. Brett Burton (knee) and Chris Knights (foot) are also likely to play this weekend, but probably in the SANFL. Scott Stevens (concussion) is in doubt and midfielder Rory Sloane will be sidelined for six weeks after injuring his ankle in the loss to Freo. Defender Will Young could make his AFL debut if Stevens misses.

BRISBANE LIONS
Several players unlucky to miss senior selection last week are back in contention after impressing in a reserves practice match at the weekend. James Hawksley, James Polkinghorne and Troy Selwood shone against Gold Coast while Cheynee Stiller and Tom Rockliff should also be considered. Injuries to Amon Buchanan (broken thumb) and Jed Adcock (ankle) mean at least one spot will be available.

CARLTON
Having emerged from the season opener unscathed and victorious, Brett Ratten will be loathe to change a winning combination against the Lions. Joe Anderson is probably under the most pressure to keep his spot after a few fumbles in defence against the Tigers, with Dennis Armfield, Shaun Grigg and Kane Lucas pressing their claims with the match committee.

COLLINGWOOD
No injuries to the AFL side means Dayne Beams, Nathan Brown and Brent Macaffer will need the selectors to change a winning line-up if they're any chance of breaking in. Those players and key position prospect Ben Reid seem ahead of John McCarthy and Simon Buckley. Sean Rusling needs more game time before he will come into serious calculations.

ESSENDON
Mark McVeigh will resume after serving his one-match suspension from last year's elimination final. Jay Neagle is available despite tweaking his ankle against Geelong while David Hille will play after avoiding suspension for a charge on Jimmy Bartel. Matthew Knights is not expecting to make many changes but David Myers, Bachar Houli and Sam Lonergan are pushing for selection. Nathan Lovett-Murray and Michael Hurley remain suspended with Lovett-Murray available next week and Hurley in round four.

FREMANTLE
Aaron Sandilands played an incredible 96 per cent of Sunday's big win over Adelaide and may need ruck support against Essendon this week. Zac Clarke (16 disposals and 24 hit-outs) was handy in the WAFL, but Kepler Bradley (20 disposals and two goals) did more around the ground and would be ahead of him. Byron Schammer (22 disposals) and Steven Dodd (24) were solid at the lower level but changes to allow their inclusion are unlikely.

GEELONG
Andrew Mackie and Darren Milburn both picked up niggles in the Cats' first-up win with Milburn's hamstring strain ruling him out of at least one game. Elevated rookie James Podsiadly hammered on the selectors' door with a six-goal bag at VFL level, while Ryan Gamble, Nathan Djerrkura and Steven Motlop were also impressive in a practice match against North Ballarat.

HAWTHORN
The Hawks reported a clean bill of health from last weekend so it is hard to see them making any drastic changes to the side that thumped Melbourne. Cyril Rioli (osteitis pubis) is a chance to return after an interrupted pre-season, which would be a huge boost, however Shaun Burgoyne (hamstring) is still a little while away from making his club debut.

MELBOURNE
Coach Dean Bailey has already suggested changes will come, with Colin Sylvia itching to play after missing the opening round with a broken jaw. The midfielder/forward will have to pass a fitness test first. Versatile big man Stef Martin will come into contention while Michael Newton is an outside chance to add some height in attack. Round one emergencies Addam Maric, Rohan Bail and Clint Bartram will also be considered.

NORTH MELBOURNE
VFL practice match performances have pulled nominated rookie Ben Speight (28 possessions, four goals) and forward Aaron Edwards (10 marks, five goals) into the frame for Saturday night's clash with the Saints. However, Corey Jones, last weekend's travelling emergency, won't be discounted as North seeks to strengthen its forward line in Drew Petrie's extended absence. Though Nathan Grima is better placed than prospective debutant Robbie Tarrant, the back six should remain unchanged.

PORT ADELAIDE
Defender Troy Chaplin will return from a one-match suspension, but forwards Daniel Motlop (hamstring) and Robbie Gray (back/hamstring) are likely to miss another week. The Power could call upon Cameron Cloke or Matthew Lobbe to help Dean Brogan in the ruck against talented West Coast pair Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui, while midfielders David Rodan and Hamish Hartlett will continue their respective comebacks from injury in the SANFL.

RICHMOND
Despite the Tigers' poor performance against traditional rival Carlton in round one, it's unlikely that too many changes will be made. Of the debutants, forward Relton Roberts seems the most likely to cough up his spot, and that could be to fellow promoted rookie Graham Polak if coach Damien Hardwick decides to add a bit of height. The Tigers' lack of hardness could mean a recall for the experienced Shane Tuck, even with his inconsistent disposal.

ST KILDA
Michael Gardiner was solid in a practice match for Sandringham last week and is getting back to full fitness. He is a chance to replace the suspended Justin Koschitzke, as is Rhys Stanley who was impressive when given opportunities in the NAB Cup competition. Mid-sized forward Tom Lynch also looked good at VFL level and should be in line for selection.

SYDNEY SWANS
Paul Roos has flagged a largely unchanged side to face Adelaide, although Tadhg Kennelly and Nick Malceski will be assessed after copping heavy hits against St Kilda. Young midfielder Dan Hannebery is pushing for selection after collecting 40-odd touches for the reserves in a trial game and Matt O'Dwyer impressed. Pat Veszpremi also played well in his first hit-out of the year.

WEST COAST
Wingman Matt Rosa has recovered from a back injury and could replace one of the Eagles' young midfielders against Port Adelaide in round two. Tall defenders Matt Spangher and Beau Wilkes are pushing their selection claims from the WAFL after West Coast conceded 17 scoring shots to Lions Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola. Draftees Brad Sheppard (fractured cheekbone) and Koby Stevens (knee) were injured playing in the state league and can't be considered for debuts.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Dale Morris is expected to return to the side after missing Sunday's clash with Collingwood with illness while Nathan Eagleton is rated an outside chance to overcome his hamstring injury. Callan Ward (groin) will miss another two weeks but Brad Johnson is expected to back up his first game for the year after pulling up well. With few injury concerns, the Dogs won't make too many changes although elevated rookie Brodie Moles remains in the wings.

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