Adelaide
Brad Crouch is expected to require another week in the SANFL despite amassing 31possessions on his return from a broken leg at the weekend. Crouch was the Crows' equal highest possession-getter along with brother Matt, who will be in line for a senior recall after Adelaide's poor loss to Fremantle. Ricky Henderson could make his return to SANFL football having recovered from a badly broken leg, while Matthew Wright and Matthew Jaensch (concussion) will both undergo fitness tests this week. Veterans Jason Porplyzia (31 disposals, one goal) and Brent Reilly (30 disposals, 17 marks) shone in the SANFL, with Reilly in particular pushing for a senior return to notch his 200th AFLgame. - Harry Thring


Brisbane Lions
After back-to-back wins, Justin Leppitsch is unlikely to tinker with his team too much for Saturday night's match against GWS at the Gabba. Ash McGrath made a strong return from his long-term calf injury in the reserves, but is likely to need another game or two of match fitness before coming back in. If the Lions are looking for a little more run, Nick Robertson and Tom Cutler could come into the frame, while Ryan Lester is a chance if Leppitsch thinks the Lions need one more inside ball winner. - Michael Whiting


Carlton
Although the Blues are unlikely to make too many changes after coming so close against Geelong last Friday night, they will make room for champion midfielder Chris Judd. Judd played for the Northern Blues last Saturday, his first match since injuring his hamstring in the round five game against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. The dual Brownlow medallist came off midway through the last quarter against Sandringham at Visy Park but got through the game unscathed, finishing with 18 disposals (10 contested), three clearances and two inside-50s. Inside midfielders Nick Graham and Jaryd Cachia pressed their claims for senior selection with impressive displays against the Zebras. Young defender Dylan Buckley, dropped for the Cats’ clash, left the ground in the second quarter with a wrist injury but returned later to perform strongly. - Howard Kotton


Collingwood
After being a late withdrawal from Monday's clash against Melbourne, Jesse White (finger) should be well in the frame to return immediately to the senior side. The Magpies' VFL team faced difficult conditions at Casey Fields on Saturday, with players finding it difficult to impose themselves on the contest. However, the two-goal return of Ben Reid in his first game of the year, after overcoming a calf injury was a clear highlight. Taylor Adams and Ben Kennedy will be thereabouts, while Tim Broomhead continues to press his case for his senior debut after some solid form at the lower level. - Ben Guthrie

Essendon
The big question is who will come in to the Bombers' line-up for injured skipper Jobe Watson. With Watson set to miss 10-12 weeks with his torn hip tendon, others should get a chance. Elliott Kavanagh will be right in line for his first senior game of the season after being an emergency last week, and Travis Colyer could get a go. Shaun Edwards and Kurt Aylett could come under consideration, while Jackson Merrett is still expected to miss another week or two with his hand injury. In better news, the Bombers should regain Jason Winderlich from a virus and Michael Hurley from his back injury to face Melbourne next Sunday. – Callum Twomey




Michael Hurley is a chance to bolster Essendon's defence against Melbourne. Picture: AFL Media

Fremantle
The Dockers may need some replacements this week after an unchanged line-up accounted for the Crows. Michael Johnson appears set to miss at least a couple of weeks. Luke McPharlin is in doubt and the club will hold its collective breath over Hayden Ballantyne's Tribunal hearing. Alex Silvagni will be the obvious replacement in defence. Anthony Morabito's case for selection has been well documented but Ross Lyon has hosed down his chances. Clancee Pearce had 25 touches in the WAFL, including 18 in the first quarter. Colin Sylvia had 21 touches and two goals for Peel Thunder last week after three goals in his previous match. Hayden Crozier gathered 27 possessions and kicked two goals as well. There are plenty of options for the Dockers. - Alex Malcolm



It's been a long wait but Colin Sylvia may finally debut for Fremantle this weekend. Picture: AFL Media

Geelong
A host of young Cats - some with plenty of games under their belts and some who are yet to debut - are in the mix for the club's match against St Kilda at Simonds Stadium on Sunday. Taylor Hunt, Jake Kolodjashnij and Jackson Thurlow were all impressive contributors in the VFL team's three-point win over Port Melbourne on Saturday. Draftees Darcy Lang, Jarrad Jansen and Brad Hartman also continued their push for an AFL debut with classy efforts. Midfielder Allen Christensen, who was playing his first game for the year after pre-season back surgery, was named as Geelong's best player in the VFL win, but he is expected to spend another couple of weeks at that level before being recalled. - Adam McNicol

Gold Coast
Despite losing to the Sydney Swans at the weekend, it's hard to see too many changes for the long trip to Perth to take on West Coast. The wide expanses of Patersons Stadium might bring the power running of third tall defender Jeremy Taylor into the frame to play his first game of the season. First year player Sean Lemmens also impressed in the twos at the weekend and is under consideration to return to the top team. - Michael Whiting

Greater Western Sydney
Probably the most heart-warming moment of round 12 was the sight of GWS co-captain Phil Davis running around in the reserves, less than three months after badly injuring his kidney. Davis played well, although he may require one more run in the seconds to get his fitness back. Josh Kelly was also brilliant in his return from injury, to the tune of 43 touches, 11 marks and four goals, and should waltz straight back into the team to face the Brisbane Lions. Tom Bugg, Mark Whiley and Jono O'Rourke also played well in the 104-point demolition of NT Thunder, while Tom Boyd kicked four goals in another promising outing. But he may need to bide his time a little longer following the impressive debut of 206cm forward/ruckman Rory Lobb against Essendon. - James Dampney

Hawthorn
The Hawks are likely to regain a wealth of experience against Carlton in a sign that the worst of their horror injury run could be over. Key defenders Brian Lake (calf) and Ben Stratton (adductor) should come into contention, putting pressure on Matt Spangher and Angus Litherland's spots. Ruckmen Jonathon Ceglar and debutant Luke Lowden might find themselves back at Box Hill if Ben McEvoy and David Hale recover from their corked legs. Young speedster Billy Hartung suffered an elbow injury against West Coast, but Will Langford, Alex Woodward and Jonathan Simpkin are all waiting in the wings. – Travis King




Injury-depleted Hawthorn may soon be able to call on Brian Lake. Picture: AFL Media

Melbourne
The Demons escaped from the Queen's Birthday game injury-free but changes are expected. Paul Roos admitted a couple of his young players looked mentally tired on Monday so Christian Salem and Jay Kennedy-Harris are likely to come under discussion at selection. Aidan Riley, Jordie McKenzie and Jimmy Toumpas might be in contention and the spotlight will also fall on Mark Jamar – who was subbed off on Monday at three-quarter time – and Max Gawn, who struggled to have an impact on the ground. Roos also bemoaned the lack of crumbing forwards so Dean Kent would also be in the mix. - Peter Ryan

North Melbourne
Forward Lindsay Thomas is a strong chance to return from the hamstring injury that saw him miss last Sunday's win over Richmond. But key defender Nathan Grima (foot) has now missed four games and, even if he proves his fitness at training this week, might have to return via the VFL. Majak Daw could be dropped after another quiet performance against Richmond, but is unlikely to be replaced by fellow key forward Robbie Tarrant. Tarrant (tibia stress reaction) played his first game for 2014 in the VFL last weekend, but is likely to need more game time before returning to the senior team. Midfielder Ben Jacobs can't be far away from a senior recall after another best-on-ground performance for North Ballarat last Saturday. Jacobs had 39 disposals (25 contested) and 16 clearances in the Roosters' win over Box Hill, and is averaging 37 possessions a game in the VFL this year. – Nick Bowen

Port Adelaide
Key trio Travis Boak (ankle), Matt White (foot) and Angus Monfries (ankle) are all tipped to return to the side for the weekend's clash against the Sydney Swans but will need to pass fitness tests this week along with Jared Polec (ankle) and Aaron Young (AC joint). Encouragingly, Polec's ankle injury was deemed far less severe than Boak's and the club remains hopeful he'll be available for selection. Tom Logan (31 disposals, nine marks, six tackles) was best afield in Port's SANFL win at the weekend, while Cam O'Shea (26 possessions, six marks, one goal) also starred. - Harry Thring




Port hopes to have Travis Boak back for its mouth-watering clash against the Swans. Picture: AFL Media

Richmond
There will be at least two changes with Ty Vickery accepting a two-match ban for striking and Matt Thomas suspended for a week for rough conduct. Shaun Hampson was omitted last week and will likely replace Vickery while Dan Jackson (hip flexor), Shaun Grigg (hamstring), Dylan Grimes (toe) and Reece Conca (groin) didn't come up for Sunday night's loss to North Melbourne and could be OK. They all trained in some capacity, with the exception of Grigg, late last week, indicating their complaints might not be too severe. The VFL team had a bye at the weekend. Chris Newman is on track to return from a calf injury but it could be in the VFL.  – Jennifer Phelan

St Kilda
Senior midfielder David Armitage is poised to play his first senior game since round four after recovering from a knee laceration. The 25-year-old played his second return match for Sandringham at the weekend and was among the best players, finishing with 19 possessions. Defenders Jimmy Webster and James Gwilt also enjoyed strong games and should figure prominently in match committee discussions this week. After being dropped and missing his first game this season, tall forward Rhys Stanley kicked one goal with the Zebras. Half-back Dylan Roberton, who played 20 games in 2013, is also available if required. - Nathan Schmook   

Sydney Swans
The biggest query for the Swans this week remains the fitness of Kurt Tippett, with results of scans on the big forward's knee to be released later on Tuesday. The club will err on the side of caution with one of its prized assets, who has formed a lethal partnership with Lance Franklin this season. Franklin will at least be in the line-up to face Port Adelaide after he was cleared of a high bump by the Match Review Panel. Mike Pyke made it through his return match in the seconds and could push Tom Derickx out of the side, although the latter has been excellent in the ruck this year. Ben McGlynn is also expected to shake off a bout of concussion and take his place at the SCG. Brandon Jack and Gary Rohan keep pushing for a senior recall, while Tom Mitchell sustained another ankle injury in the reserves on Sunday. - James Dampney



The Swans may call on ruckman MikePyke for the huge clash against Port. Picture: AFL Media

West Coast
The Eagles have no injury concerns from the loss to Hawthorn but form may warrant changes. Adam Simpson said he would give a couple of players a second chance after the loss to North Melbourne so the axe could fall this week. Josh Kennedy is a chance to return from his fractured cheekbone. Brad Sheppard was a regular before a corked buttock kept him out last week. He could come straight back in. Callum Sinclair kicked six goals for East Perth but unfortunately for Sinclair the Eagles aren't struggling for quality talls. Ashley Smith has been in the wilderness all year but he delivered a 21 possession, three-goal game in the WAFL to make his case for a return to AFL football. Dom Sheed gathered 25 touches for East Perth after 22 the week before. - Alex Malcolm  

Western Bulldogs
Crying out for a marking presence up forward, Brendan McCartney will have been heartened by the performances of big men Ayce Cordy, Liam Jones, Tom Campbell and rookie Jack Redpath in the VFL on the weekend. In wet conditions, all four marked strongly, with Cordy and Redpath kicking three goals apiece. At 194cm and 100kg, McCartney says Redpath isn't far away from being elevated to the senior list.  Lachy Hunter and Jake Stringer did their chances of recall no harm either, with both looking a class above at state league level. Draftee Mitch Honeychurch continues to edge closer to a debut after the tough on-baller was named match day emergency for the Bulldog's disappointing lose to the Brisbane Lions. Midfielder Matthew Boyd is a strong chance to return from a hamstring complaint. - Ryan Davidson