Get them in: Does exciting key position prospect Elliott Himmelberg make his debut in the last game of the season? Sam Gibson could get a farewell game after 40 touches in the SANFL, while out-of-contract midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen also had 40. There's no need to risk defenders Daniel Talia (calf), Brodie Smith (calf) and Alex Keath (hamstring).

Under the pump:  Jake Kelly could be squeezed out if Keath returns.

Medical room: Defender Tom Doedee is out with a broken collarbone. Talia, Smith and Keath will have to pass fitness tests.

Verdict: It's worth seeing how Mitch McGovern goes with a full game in defence, taking Doedee's spot. It also opens the door for Himmelberg to debut. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: He was ill last week, so big Oscar McInerney should demand a spot again. Ben Keays was also strong in the NEAFL.

Under the pump: He was very good against the Suns, but Ryan Lester was a late inclusion and would be anxious about retaining his spot.

Medical room: Young defender Alex Witherden injured his left hamstring against the Suns and will miss Sunday's match.

Verdict: It looks pretty straightforward with McInerney coming back in for the injured Witherden. Zac Bailey will shuffle to Witherden's half-back spot and McInerney can slot into the forward line. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: Levi Casboult was pushing for selection, before he copped a one-match VFL suspension for a dangerous tackle on Saturday. Cam O'Shea has impressed as an inside midfielder over the last fortnight in the reserves and could return to the team.

Under the pump: Aaron Mullett was relatively quiet in his return to the senior team on Sunday, but Carlton didn't have many players that didn't contribute against the Bulldogs.

Medical room: Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow were both sore after Sunday's loss to the Western Bulldogs, but both returned to the field and should play.

Verdict: O'Shea could replace Mullett to provide more midfield support, while Angus Schumacher may be a chance to make his debut, but don't expect too many changes for the Blues going into their last game for the season. - Riley Beveridge

Get them in: Star defender Jeremy Howe is likely to be back and speedster Sam Murray could also be included after experiencing personal issues, while other options include big man Sam McLarty (if he gets off a tripping charge in the VFL) and runners Callum Brown, Josh Daicos, Josh Smith and Jarryd Blair.

Under the pump: With Howe's return imminent, rookie-listed defender Adam Oxley remains vulnerable.

Medical room: Coach Nathan Buckley regards the selection of Howe (thigh) as a "probability".

Verdict: As we've been saying for a fortnight, a fit Howe would significantly improve an understrength defence. - Ben Collins

After a few false starts, Jeremy Howe should return for the Magpies. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Nobody is banging the door down for senior selection at this stage of the season. Jordan Ridley, James Stewart and Dylan Clarke are all possible inclusions with strong VFL form under their belt.  

Under the pump: Essendon's pressure forward pair Mark Baguley and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti managed just seven disposals each against Richmond but will hold their spots, although McDonald-Tipungwuti did have an ankle concern.

Medical room: The Bombers' list of injured players is unlikely to provide any relief this week against Port Adelaide.

Verdict: Essendon has kept a steady line-up for most of the second half of the season and appears unlikely to change that this week in what will be its final game of 2018. - Callum Twomey

Get them in: There should be mass changes after a club record defeat in Geelong. Veteran Danyle Pearce could get a farewell in his first game since round 10, and it might be worth giving young talls Hugh Dixon and Luke Strnadica a taste of the big time after encouraging Peel form.

Under the pump: Only a handful of Dockers will feel safe but Hayden Ballantyne and Cam McCarthy in particular look likely to be on the chopping block after gathering only four touches each against the Cats.

Medical room: If fit, Aaron Sandilands (calf), Stephen Hill (quad) and Joel Hamling (calf) come straight back in. Harley Bennell battled calf tightness in his return game at Peel and looks like ending his season without a senior appearance.

Verdict: There could be any number of changes and no complaints from any omitted players after an insipid display. Pearce has kept his end of the bargain by performing at Peel and has earned a farewell appearance. - Travis King

Get them in: Quinton Narkle (34 disposals) gave a sharp reminder of his finals credentials in the VFL and will be considered alongside fellow small forwards Lachie Fogarty and Jamaine Jones. Wingman Jordan Cunico was the carryover emergency, while Zach Guthrie continues to be an option down back.

Under the pump: Second-year defender Mark O'Connor, out-of-contract utility Jackson Thurlow and Jordan Murdoch are yet to nail down their spots. Jake Kolodjashnij was quiet on the wing after making way for Harry Taylor in defence.

Medical room: Jed Bews will need to prove he's over a shoulder injury. The pre-finals bye could see him given a full month to recover. 

Verdict: If fit, Bews for O'Connor. Potentially Narkle for Murdoch. - Mitch Cleary

Get them in: From a NEAFL team that was severely undermanned, Josh Schoenfeld and Jacob Dawson stood out.

Under the pump: Small forward Sean Lemmens battled against the Lions.

Medical room: After missing four months through injury Darcy MacPherson made a successful return through the NEAFL at the weekend and would be putting his hand up. Rory Thompson's hamstring problem lingers on.

Verdict: Almost no fresh legs to pick from and after a strong showing against Brisbane, you'd expect the same 22 to run out against Geelong. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: Star midfielder Josh Kelly will make a much-needed return against Melbourne after missing a game with concussion, with Sam Reid (hamstring) also a chance. Defender Zac Williams will tempt the coach after his brilliant return in the NEAFL, while Aidan Corr (groin) could be close.

Under the pump: Young forward Brent Daniels struggled against the Swans with just one tackle and eight possessions and hasn't kicked a goal in the past fortnight.

Medical room: Veteran Ryan Griffen (hamstring) will miss the clash with the Dees, while co-captain Phil Davis (hip) should be right with an eight-day break.

Verdict: Kelly and Reid in for Griffen and Daniels. - Adam Curley

Get them in: A smokey for selection to take on the Swans on Saturday night is midfielder James Cousins, who kicked a goal at the SCG on debut last season and who was solid for Box Hill with 35 disposals eight tackles and six marks. David Mirra kicked three goals playing as a forward, while Jonathan O'Rourke was solid with 25 touches.

Under the pump:  Conor Glass battled in his first game back for some time, while Ryan Schoenmakers was quiet, with just seven touches and two marks.

Medical room: Defender James Frawley was the main concern, sitting out the second half with a jarred back. Star small forward Luke Breust spent the frantic final few minutes on the interchange bench, but the club didn't indicate whether he was injured. Jon Ceglar (calf), Ricky Henderson (hip) and Jarryd Roughead (ankle) didn't play against the Saints. James Sicily (wrist) will be back for the finals.

Verdict:  Roughead appears certain to return and Ceglar and Henderson will need to train well this week. Marc Pittonet, Glass, Schoenmakers and Conor Nash will be in the conversation to make way depending on who comes back. Nash would be stiff because he has made a huge impression in two games. - Ashley Browne

Jarryd Roughead will return to lead the Hawks against the Swans. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Unlikely to be many changes, although Cameron Pedersen and Jay Kennedy Harris were the travelling emergencies to Perth. Jeff Garlett and Josh Wagner will come into the frame, while Joel Smith may be ready to return from a broken collarbone. Tom Bugg is another who has been in good form in the VFL.

Under the pump: Youngster Charlie Spargo (12 disposals) did not win a lot of the footy against the Eagles, but he is unlikely to go out.

Medical room: Michael Hibberd copped a corky but should be right to play. Jack Viney (foot) is confident he will make it back for the Demons' first final and stepped up his training on Monday.

Verdict: No change. - Ben Guthrie

Get them in: Paul Ahern, who was dropped last week, will be a contender to return, while Luke Davies-Uniacke was in red-hot VFL form before the Roos' bye at the weekend. Ben McKay and Declan Mountford, along with Davies-Uniacke, made the trip to Adelaide and are also in the mix. Could Billy Hartung resume in the AFL after his hamstring injury and one game in the VFL?

Under the pump: Nathan Hrovat failed to make a significant impact on his return and could make way for younger options, given the club's finals hopes were extinguished last week.

Medical room: It seems unlikely that Ben Jacobs (concussion) will play, while Will Walker's knee injury from last week will prematurely end his season. Could Robbie Tarrant be put on ice this week after playing through duress in recent weeks?

Verdict: Davies-Uniacke, McKay and Mountford in for Walker, Hrovat and Tarrant. – Marc McGowan

Get them in: Inside midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper had 33 touches in the SANFL. Will Snelling, Jack Trengove and Jake Neade are around the mark, while it might finally be time to give ruckman Billy Frampton a go.

Under the pump: The usual suspects are on the fringe – youngsters Aidyn Johnson, Kane Farrell and Riley Bonner.

Medical room: Not much to come back in. Winger Karl Amon (knee) could be available, but he hasn't played in three weeks.

Verdict: Powell-Pepper and Neade in for Bonner and Johnson, with Brad Ebert to play in defence. Amon's leg speed would be handy, but he's short of a run. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: Trent Cotchin and David Astbury will return after managing minor sore spots while Dion Prestia is rated a good chance. Anthony Miles, Connor Menadue and Corey Ellis remain on the cusp while Jacob Townsend and Tyson Stengle are also available.

Under the pump: With a bye on the weekend, there were no blistering performances in the VFL to see anyone dislodged so omissions will come down to who returns from injury. Ryan Garthwaite, Sam Lloyd and Liam Baker, through no fault of their own, will probably be the unlucky ones feeling the heat after coming in for the injured trio last week.

Medical room: Jason Castagna was treated for a corked quad in the second quarter against the Bombers and will be sore this week but the Tigers have said he should be ok. Same goes for Dylan Grimes, who had his back worked on during the game. Kane Lambert should become available over the bye round while Dan Butler won't be far behind him, which will throw up a selection conundrum for the first week of finals.

Verdict: Garthwaite for Astbury, unless another defender needs a week to manage an injury, and Lloyd for Cotchin. Baker for Prestia, unless Jack Higgins could do with a break before finals, although the bye could suffice. Townsend or Stengle could be considered if Castagna doesn't come up. – Jennifer Phelan

Captain Trent Cotchin will be back after managing a sore spot. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Wingman Ed Phillips pressed his case for a recall, racking up 34 disposals and 10 marks in Sandringham's loss to the Northern Blues last Saturday. Luke Dunstan was once again prolific, amassing 33 disposals and eight tackles. Darren Minchington was an emergency against Hawthorn last week.

Under the pump: As a 32-year-old, Sam Gilbert might be dropped so the list management committee can see more of younger players such as Hugh Goddard. Draftee Ben Paton was quiet against the Hawks.

Medical room: Defender Jake Carlisle should recover from a back issue, Jarryn Geary should recover from concussion while forward Josh Battle has been ruled out with his own concussion.

Verdict: Carlisle for Gilbert. – Dinny Navaratnam

Get them in: Young forward Jordan Dawson was managed last week and should return to add some versatility inside 50. Veteran Heath Grundy had 28 possessions and took 12 marks in his return in the NEAFL last week, while Colin O'Riordan and Dean Towers both gathered 30 disposals.

Under the pump: Robbie Fox was a late inclusion last week against the Giants but had just four possessions and little impact.

Medical room: Superstar forward Lance Franklin looks set to miss the Hawks clash with a groin issue, while key forward Sam Reid (Achilles) is increasing his training intensity and could be a smoky for the finals.

Verdict: Dawson and Grundy for Franklin and Fox. - Adam Curley

Get them in: Dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy has already been ruled out after missing four matches with a hairline fracture in his shin. If Jack Darling (concussion) doesn't come up, Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen are in goalkicking form at East Perth. 

Under the pump: A number of Eagles were beaten, but few, if any, could be accused of not having a crack against Melbourne. Balancing talls and smalls looks likely to dictate selection against Brisbane. 

Medical room: Versatile backman Will Schofield (hamstring) should be available but it remains to be seen if he will slot in after missing two games. The Eagles need East Perth to win to make finals, which is another consideration, albeit down the order of priorities.

Verdict: There probably won't be many changes for a must-win game in Brisbane, with the Eagles disappointed not to get Kennedy back to help secure a top-two spot. - Travis King

Jack Darling is in doubt after suffering concussion last week. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: If Marcus Adams (shoulder) passes a fitness test, he’s an automatic inclusion to face Richmond at the MCG on Saturday. Mitch Honeychurch has been in and out of the senior side this season, but a best-on-ground performance for Footscray in the VFL last weekend has staked his case for an AFL return.

Under the pump: Brad Lynch and forward Tory Dickson have been quiet over the last fortnight and could be squeezed out. Last weekend, the duo combined for just 14 touches, two tackles and no goals.

Medical room: Marcus Bontempelli has been prolific in the Dogs’ three successive wins, but the young gun is in doubt for round 23 after he nursed a hip complaint throughout last weekend’s victory over Carlton, before copping an elbow to the back in the final quarter.

Verdict: In: Adams. Out: Dickson. However, if Bontempelli is ruled out though, Honeychurch should be given a chance. - Adrian Johnson