Defender Nathan Bock is confident he can overcome a groin strain and be fit to take on Essendon this weekend, but David Mackay will miss with a badly sprained ankle. Jason Porplyzia, Myke Cook and Jared Petrenko will be competing to take the dashing midfielder’s place, while Trent Hentschel (hamstring) and James Sellar (knee) will be sidelined for at least a fortnight after sustaining injuries playing in the SANFL.
BRISBANE LIONS
Jesse O’Brien will make his AFL debut on Thursday night. While the split round will have helped the Lions rest, injuries have still hit the club hard. Ash McGrath (hamstring) and James Polkinghorne (thigh) are listed as tests for this week and could return should they overcome their niggles. Cheynee Stiller, Pearce Hanley and Albert Proud could be others the coach turns to should he want to shake things up ahead of the Blues clash.
CARLTON
Marc Murphy was a late withdrawal against Fremantle with general soreness but should come straight back. Jarrad Waite will miss after accepting a two-week ban for rough conduct and Matthew Kreuzer is done for the season after tearing his ACL. Other contenders for inclusion will be Robbie Warnock, Shaun Hampson, Shaun Grigg, and Mitch Robinson after all played well in the VFL. Chris Judd has overcome an ankle injury and will play while Setanta O’hAilpin is a chance to resume.
COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood will be sweating on the fitness of skipper Nick Maxwell, who has a calf injury. Brad Dick injured his shoulder but is rated a chance to play this week. Should he miss, Paul Medhurst may come in. John Anthony was a standout in a defensive role in the VFL, while Simon Buckley (31 possessions) is getting closer. Josh Fraser was good in the VFL, but with Darren Jolly and Leigh Brown teaming up well a call up this week seems unlikely.
ESSENDON
Angus Monfries is set to return from injury this week. Their defensive structure has taken a hit with the loss of Dustin Fletcher to suspension and Tayte Pears after he underwent surgery after the Hawthorn game due to an inflamed pancreas. Ricky Dyson and Courtenay Dempsey were both rested over the bye to ensure their availability for this weekend.
FREMANTLE
Michael Johnson has completed his club-imposed suspension and made an encouraging WAFL return, finishing with 15 possessions, nine marks and two goals at centre half-forward. However, after an important road win against Carlton, it is unlikely Fremantle will make any changes and it is expected Johnson, who was suspended after facing drugs charges, will be made to earn his place back over time.
GEELONG
The Cats have two forced exclusions, with Steve Johnson and Cameron Mooney both accepting bans from the match review panel. But the Cats have some big inclusions with Paul Chapman, James Kelly and Joel Corey all set to play. Key defender Harry Taylor has a lacerated foot and is doubtful - Tom Gillies is flying in the VFL and appeals as a replacement.
HAWTHORN
Injury and form have seen the Hawks struggle for consistency this season, but they look set to go unchanged this week after emerging from the win over Essendon unscathed. Josh Gibson played well in the VFL in his return game after a serious hamstring injury early in the season but will most likely need another week before he is ready to go at AFL level.
MELBOURNE
Colin Sylvia and James McDonald were both close to selection last week before being given an extra week to recover from toe and hamstring injuries respectively. There aren’t too many players at Casey Scorpions pushing their case for selection after a thumping at the hands of Williamstown but Kyle Cheney continues to bob up in the best each week and could come under consideration.
NORTH MELBOURNE
The Roos have little cause to make changes. Leigh Adams will definitely be in the selectors’ minds following a 37-possession, best-on-ground performance for Werribee. Ben Speight was another to impress. The Roos’ other VFL affiliate, North Ballarat, had last weekend off, however the hot form of Aaron Edwards, Josh Smith and Corey Jones will again have them in consideration. David Hale also enjoyed a solid hit-out for North Ballarat after recovering from a back injury a fortnight ago.
PORT ADELAIDE
Steven Salopek is set to return despite a nagging shoulder complaint but forward Brett Ebert (ankle) will need to get through training this week to prove his fitness. Robbie Gray (back/hamstring), Jacob Surjan (knee) and Hamish Hartlett (quad) have already been ruled out, while John Butcher could make his much-anticipated return from a back injury in the SANFL. Defender Troy Chaplin will return to the side, after missing the Power's loss to North Melbourne because of personal reasons.
RICHMOND
Tough to change a winning side, but the most likely inclusion is key defender Kelvin Moore, who faces a fitness test for a leg injury this week, which he is expected to pass that with flying colours. Pushing hard from Coburg are ruckman Andrew Browne, key defender David Gourdis and small forward Robin Nahas, but they are unlikely to crack a spot in the side to take on Sydney Swans.
ST KILDA
Nick Riewoldt is a chance to make return from a hamstring injury. He has been in full training for a couple of weeks now and was said to be close last week. The Saints need a replacement for the suspended Steven Baker and while they don’t have a raft of small defenders available, Luke Miles could be in the mix after a solid VFL game. Jason Gram could return from injury, while Zac Dawson and Steven King were strong for the Zebras.
SYDNEY SWANS
Strong reserves games from Trent Dennis-Lane (seven goals) and Henry Playfair (five) have put the pair in contention to face Richmond after Paul Roos signalled his intention to field a new-look forward line. Jesse White is set to be dropped after a lean run, while Daniel Bradshaw (knee) and Tadhg Kennelly (knee) will be tested this week. Jarred Moore (ankle) played a full game in the reserves' 132-point win against Queanbeyan while Pat Veszpremi and Brett Meredith also impressed.
WEST COAST
The Eagles’ injury-hit midfield should be boosted by the returning Adam Selwood (AC joint) and Chris Masten (knee) this week, with Masten racking up 38 possessions in his return to senior WAFL football. Tom Swift and Lewis Stevenson are also available after impressive games with Claremont, while Ashton Hams could be recalled after a versatile performance for South Fremantle. Tim Houlihan’s leg-speed may be called on after four handy WAFL matches as he returns from a foot injury.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Shaun Higgins (ankle) and Tom Williams (hamstring) could return from injury while Callan Ward has played three VFL games now and must be nearing a return. Sam Reid has played six games in the VFL since his return from a groin injury and could provide an option, as could Andrejs Everitt. Jason Akermanis is expected to play his first game in the VFL this weekend after returning from an injured hamstring.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
