Get them in: The Crows will be sweating on the fitness of All Australian defender Rory Laird (hand) and forward Tom Lynch (side strain) for Saturday night's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG. Jordan Gallucci and Andy Otten were the travelling emergencies for last Sunday's loss to Fremantle in Perth, while Curtly Hampton and Patrick Wilson played well in the SANFL. Experienced defender Kyle Cheney could get a call-up to replace the injured Luke Brown (ankle).

Under the pump: Youngster Darcy Fogarty is likely to get squeezed out if Lynch returns. Winger Rory Atkins and midfielder David Mackay have been down on form.

Medical room: Brown is expected to be sidelined with a right ankle injury, while Laird and Lynch are also considered unlikely to return this week.

Verdict: It's desperate times at 6-6 ahead of the bye. Lynch and Laird are unlikely, but will be included if they train well Thursday. Laird in for Brown, Lynch in for Fogarty and Hampton deserves his chance, with Myles Poholke, Mackay or Atkins in the firing line. Cheney into the side for Brown, if Laird is out. Cam Ellis-Yolmen or Hugh Greenwood might need a rest after carrying a big workload if star Rory Sloane (foot) makes a miracle recovery and plays his first game since round four. - Lee Gaskin

Bye

Get them in: Levi Casboult will give the Blues the experienced body they need up forward after missing five weeks with a broken rib, while Aaron Mullett could return after a prolific performance in his last VFL outing. 

Under the pump: Jed Lamb hasn't kicked a goal in two games and could risk losing his spot in the side as a result, while Matthew Wright is also enduring a lean patch.

Medical room: Casboult is likely to return from a rib injury, while midfielder Matthew Kennedy will have a fitness test after missing more than a month with an ankle problem. Captain Marc Murphy remains a few weeks away.

Verdict: Expect Casboult to return, which could mean young forward Harry McKay is forced to bide his time in the VFL. - Riley Beveridge

Levi Casboult will give the Blues the experienced body they need. Picture: AFL Photos

Bye

Bye

Get them in: Two leaders in Alex Pearce (broken thumb) and Michael Walters (suspension) go out, but skipper Nat Fyfe (suspension) will be back and ruckman Aaron Sandilands (concussion) could return.

Under the pump: Developing big man Scott Jones will most likely make way if Sandilands is back.

Medical room: With veteran backman Michael Johnson under a WAFL suspension cloud, the Dockers will hope Taylin Duman is good to go after hurting a disc in his back getting out of his car at Optus Stadium before Sunday's game. Griffin Logue's two-month ankle injury came at the worst possible time.

Verdict: Fyfe, Sandilands and Duman are likely to return against Carlton, while youngster Mitch Crowden is a chance following a 27-disposal effort at Peel. Did Cam McCarthy do enough with 17 disposals and a goal? - Travis King

Get them in: Cory Gregson gave a reminder of his quality in the VFL (five goals, 19 disposals) after two weeks out. Jackson Thurlow looms as an Aaron Black replacement against an undersized Richmond attack after Chris Scott volunteered his name in his post-match press conference. Ruckman Ryan Abbott remains in the conversation, while Sam Simpson was the carryover emergency.

Under the pump: Jamaine Jones (six disposals) and Wylie Buzza (seven disposals) will be nervous. James Parsons was the late inclusion, the third time he's been recalled this year.

Medical room: Aaron Black's knee will rule him out for the year. Lincoln McCarthy (hamstring tightness) was a late out and will be available. Scott Selwood (back) is the most likely of the returning VFL trio (the others are Lachie Henderson and Cam Guthrie) to be in the frame.

Verdict: Thurlow for Black. Only two of Jones, Parsons, McCarthy and Gregson. Abbott a smokey which could see Buzza dropped and Stanley play more forward to expose Hardwick's lack of a back-up ruckman. - Mitch Cleary

Jackson Thurlow is likely to replace the unlucky Aaron Black. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: He's had only two matches back after three months out, but Sean Lemmens provides spark and energy the Suns have been missing. Jarryd Lyons had 37 touches in the NEAFL and is also demanding a recall.

Under the pump: Take your pick. After back-to-back floggings, Stuart Dew could look in many directions. Alex Sexton, Jacob Heron and Nick Holman should be among the nervous players.

Medical room: No immediate help on the horizon, with Jesse Lonergan and Matt Rosa (both hamstrings) at least another week away, and co-captain Steven May still at least three weeks from returning.

Verdict: You can't lose by almost 200 points over the past fortnight and not make some changes, so look for Dew to make a couple. Lemmens and Lyons should return and you can raffle those omitted. - Michael Whiting

Bye

Get them in: Given the surprise news that Cyril Rioli has returned to Darwin to be with his family, there are unlikely to be too many changes ahead of the huge game against Adelaide. Conor Glass, Teia Miles, Jonathan O'Rourke and Kieran Lovell are among those pressing their claims at Box Hill hoping for a recall.

Under the pump:  Hawthorn's last two games before the bye were actually solid. Youngster Harry Morrison struggled a bit and might need some VFL time. Still waiting for Tim O'Brien to tear a game apart. Jon Ceglar is still finding his feet after his extended absence.

Medical room: There were no reported injuries out of the Port game a fortnight ago and after the bye, the Hawks should be fresh and ready to go.

Verdict: No change. - Ashley Browne

Bye

Bye

Get them in: Defender Jack Hombsch looks set to return in place of the injured Tom Jonas (hamstring). Wingers Dom Barry and Karl Amon, midfielder Jack Trengove and veteran forward Lindsay Thomas all played well in the SANFL.

Under the pump: No need to make any changes. Only reason might be for defensive balance if the Power want to go taller. Small forward Jake Neade could face pressure from Thomas.

Medical room: Jonas' hamstring injury opens up a place in defence. Forward Todd Marshall made a successful return from a shoulder injury in the SANFL on the weekend.

Verdict: Hombsch in for Jonas. Marshall might be a chance, but the five-day break works against him. Best to get him ready for the following week's game against Melbourne. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: Daniel Rioli is now officially banging down the door now. He had 18 disposals (10 contested) and kicked two goals against Williamstown on Sunday. Also, Jacob Townsend and Corey Ellis impressed while defender Ryan Garthwaite is on the cusp, and of course, they have a handy player called Dustin Martin to bring in as well while Jack Graham is fresh after a week off.

Under the pump: Callum Moore was subdued against the Power while Connor Menadue didn't have a heap of it. Anthony Miles had 20 touches without starring in his first AFL game for the year but will come under pressure particularly if Martin is available or Graham is recalled. Dan Butler was also quiet and has Rioli circling to steal his spot.

Medical room: David Astbury played out the Power loss with a sore ankle and will be tested but looks up against it. Nathan Broad reportedly has a sore back and will be managed this week while Martin is set to return after resting his calf. Sam Lloyd is likely to miss after being handed a two-match VFL rough conduct suspension, downgraded to one with an early plea.

Verdict: The Tigers' third loss could spark some changes. Rioli and Townsend to be recalled, Moore and Butler in trouble. The return of Martin and Graham to the midfield will see Miles and possibly Menadue out, while Garthwaite is ready to go if Astbury doesn't get up. - Jennifer Phelan

Dusty's brute strength will be a massive addition for the Tigers. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Backman Jake Carlisle is ready to return from suspension. It will be hard to overlook Jack Billings, who had 54 disposals and three goals for Sandringham, while David Armitage finished with 41. Josh Bruce booted four goals in limited game time. Meanwhile, Nathan Freeman returned from a left shoulder injury to pick up 28 disposals.

Under the pump: The midfield was smashed in the first quarter against Sydney last week while Mav Weller and Daniel McKenzie aren't flying. Logan Austin could be dropped for Carlisle.

Medical room: Key defender Nathan Brown needs to overcome concussion.

Verdict: Carlisle and Billings in for Austin and Weller. - Dinny Navaratnam

Get them in: Veteran Kieren Jack was managed last week as he battles a hip issue but should be right to face West Coast on Friday night if he can train solidly on Wednesday.

Under the pump: Fringe midfielder Dan Robinson is the man likely to make way for Jack.

Medical room: Key forward Sam Reid (quad) and defender Lewis Melican (hamstring) continue to make good progress and the Swans are hopeful they'll be available for selection after the round 14 bye.

Verdict: The experienced Jack to replace Robinson. - Adam Curley

Kieren Jack is likely to return in place of Dan Robinson. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Star onballer Luke Shuey (hamstring) is a confirmed starter for Friday night's blockbuster against Sydney, while Chris Masten (hamstring) and high-flying Liam Ryan (ankle) are also available.

Under the pump: Brendon Ah Chee hasn't set the world on fire yet and might make way if the Eagles bring in Shuey and a specialist forward to replace Jack Darling (ankle).

Medical room: The Eagles were tired and sore before the bye but should be cherry ripe for the Swans.

Verdict: Shuey returns but the Eagles match committee has a call to make replacing Darling. Is Ryan ready to step straight into AFL ranks after missing since round three? Could Jarrod Brander make his debut, or might Fraser McInnes get another shot? - Travis King

Get them in: After having the week off, the Dogs will have important defenders Zaine Cordy (concussion) and Aaron Naughton (ankle) available for Thursday night's clash with Port Adelaide.

Under the pump: Fourth-year defender Roarke Smith has been serviceable in two games this season, but might lose his spot with Cordy and Naughton returning.

Medical room: Dale Morris' future remains unclear with the veteran experiencing complications with his troublesome knee. Forward Tory Dickson will miss up to six weeks after tearing his hamstring in round 11.

Verdict: Cordy and Naughton for Dickson and Morris. - Ryan Davidson