ADELAIDE
Taylor Walker will make his highly anticipated return to AFL football on Thursday night having rested at the weekend after seven goals in two SANFL games. The club's midfield will also be significantly improved with the return from suspension of Richard Douglas. Patrick Dangerfield will take his place in the line up despite spending the club's bye week in a moon boot to treat a sprained ankle, while both Tom Lynch (jaw) and Matthew Jaensch (ribs) will miss the game. Andy Otten could replace Lynch after a third SANFL game back from a knee injury, although Lewis Johnston could also be a chance after being rested at the weekend. Ben Rutten will also push for selection after a few weeks out of the side. Brad Crouch is nearing a return, but could come back via the SANFL. – Harry Thring


BRISBANE LIONS
With veteran defender Matt Maguire suspended for one match, coach Justin Leppitsch will need to bring in a key position player for Saturday's match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. The likelihood is Daniel Merrett will return to his defensive post to tackle the tall Kangaroos forward line, allowing the return of Michael Close into the Lions' forward 50. Claye Beams successfully got through his first game in two months in the NEAFL last weekend and would also be a chance to return to the seniors. – Michael Whiting


COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies could make up to four changes for its Thursday night face-off with Adelaide. But, as coach Nathan Buckley hinted at on Tuesday, the Magpies are likely to treat team selection fairly cautiously. Nick Maxwell, Alan Toovey, Clinton Young, Alex Fasolo and Sam Dwyer have all been passed fit to play and their availability creates plenty of selection headaches for Buckley. Nathan Brown has also been pressing his claims via the VFL but there might not be a place for him with Jack Frost, Lachlan Keeffe and Maxwell patrolling the backline. – Ben Guthrie

ESSENDON
Essendon's VFL side had a bye last week, meaning a number of players pressing for senior selection didn't get a chance to show their wares. David Myers is probably still going to miss with his hamstring injury, while the club is still unsure when Tom Bellchambers will be ready to come back from his long layoff after ankle surgery. Travis Colyer, Jason Ashby and Ben Howlett will come under consideration, while Jason Winderlich's knee injury is a wait-and-see situation as the club faces a big assignment against the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on Friday night after a six-day break. - Callum Twomey


FREMANTLE
The Dockers will be hoping key defender Zac Dawson can recover from an ankle injury in time to face Geelong, with injuries starting to mount at Fremantle Oval. Luke McPharlin is also pushing to be fit after being sidelined with a minor quad complaint. In the WAFL, Matt Taberber booted five goals and took 12 marks for Peel Thunder, while half-back Garrick Ibbotson (25 possessions) and midfielder Tom Sheridan (32 and two goals) were impressive. Anthony Morabito, who moved closer to his anticipated return, finished with 21 possessions and two goals. – Nathan Schmook       
 
GEELONG
The Cats will regain Andrew Mackie for their clash with Fremantle at Patersons Stadium. Mackie trained strongly on Tuesday and has recovered from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for the past two games. He is likely to replace midfielder Mathew Stokes, who copped a one-match suspension for his part in the melee that broke out during the round seven win over Richmond. Other players in the mix include Jordan Schroder, Jesse Stringer and Mitch Brown, who were impressive performers in Geelong's VFL team's last outing. - Adam McNicol

The Cats will welcome back Andrew Mackie from a hamstring injury. Picture: AFL Media
GOLD COAST
Two bolters have come into the frame for Sunday's game against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, with Zac Smith and Nathan Bock both chances of long-awaited returns. Smith has been out for 12 months with a ruptured ACL, but coach Guy McKenna has indicated he is a chance to replace fellow injured ruckman Tom Nicholls (PCL), despite having no football under his belt. Bock has been strong in the reserves as he continues to overcome the fractured leg he suffered in 2012. If Smith is overlooked, it will force either Charlie Dixon or Rory Thompson to move into a ruck role, opening the door for Bock to return in a key position role. – Michael Whiting

MELBOURNE
Melbourne has only made one change since round six, with Colin Garland coming in for Alex Georgiou last week. Remarkably, 15 Melbourne players have played every game so far this season and the most changes it has made between weeks is three, as the Roos' imprint takes hold. It means young players such as Aidan Riley, Jimmy Toumpas, Sam Blease, Viv Michie and Luke Tapscott will need to bash down the door with good form in the VFL to get a game. Dean Terlich will be monitored after being concussed against the Western Bulldogs and James Frawley is touch and go as he battles toe and hamstring problems. – Peter Ryan

NORTH MELBOURNE
North will welcome back skipper Andrew Swallow from a long stint on the sidelines provided he gets through this week's training unscathed. Swallow last played for the Roos in round 18 last year when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon against Melbourne. The captain's likely return will bolster the Roos' midfield, but Daniel Wells (foot) could still be missing after being limited to light skills work on Monday. North's VFL affiliates, North Ballarat and Werribee, also enjoyed a bye last weekend, but Ben Jacobs, Liam Anthony, Sam Wright and Mason Wood have all been pushing hard for a senior berth in recent weeks. - Nick Bowen

Captain Andrew Swallow is expected to be back this week. Picture: AFL Media 

RICHMOND
The time may have come for prized youngster Ben Lennon to make his debut, with the Tigers looking to replace injured veteran Chris Newman. Lennon, who was recruited with pick No.12 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, has been in consistent form at VFL level, racking up possessions across half-back and using the ball with precision. Ricky Petterd is also in the mix to return, while ruckman Ivan Maric is listed as a test on the club's injury list. Rookie Anthony Miles has been the Tigers' form midfielder in the VFL and would push for selection if there was a long-term injury allowing him to be promoted to the senior list. A return date for forward Jake King (foot) is uncertain. – Nathan Schmook  

ST KILDA
The Saints don't look like they'll get back any players from the injury list this week to face Gold Coast, with the majority of them facing lengthy layoffs. Sam Dunell was Sandringham's best in Saturday's 40-point loss to Footscray but there weren't too many other highlights in the team's first loss for the season. Beau Maister and Tom Lee are there if Nick Riewoldt needs a rest after copping knocks to his head and shoulder, while Jack Steven could be set for a spell after struggling to regain touch after a foot injury. Luke Dunstan was also left dazed against Carlton after missing last week with concussion. Terry Milera and Josh Saunders didn't play VFL on the weekend as they were emergencies for Monday night. – Jennifer Phelan

SYDNEY SWANS
For the first time this season, the Swans have a relatively clean bill of health, outside of long-term injury concern Alex Johnson (knee). Their forward quartet of Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid played together for the first time in last week's win over Hawthorn and functioned well. But there is pressure coming from a reserves side that destroyed Greater Western Sydney's seconds by 75 points on Saturday, holding them goalless after quarter-time. Ryan O'Keefe impressed as he battles to get back into the senior team, while Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Gary Rohan and Tom Mitchell showed good signs and Dean Towers is getting closer to his AFL debut. Tommy Walsh also successfully got through his first game since a serious hamstring injury nearly 12 months ago. – James Dampney

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