ADELAIDE
Kurt Tippett (hamstring) and Ben Rutten (flu) should return to bolster the club's spine, but unlucky wingman David Mackay will miss another 1-2 games with a knee complaint. Reigning best and fairest winner Richard Douglas could be recalled after starring in his comeback from injury with Glenelg, but Ian Callinan is likely to spend another week in the SANFL after suffering a corked leg, which hindered his performance, in his first game back from a hamstring strain. Brodie Martin and Richard Tambling displayed solid form for Sturt.
-Katrina Gill

BRISBANE LIONS
After six weeks on the sidelines with a stress reaction in his foot, Daniel Rich will return against Collingwood this week. Rich dominated in the reserves last weekend and coach Michael Voss has indicated he will play and bolster the Lions' midfield. Rich last played against Fremantle in round 14 before discovering the 'hot spot'.
-Michael Whiting

CARLTON
Michael Jamison is nearing a return from a knee meniscus injury that has seen him miss seven games with Brett Ratten yet to decide whether to play the full-back against the Hawks this Friday night or in the VFL the weekend after. Jarrad Waite (hip) will not play anywhere this weekend after pulling up sore from a training session early in the week. Jordan Russell, Brock McLean, Kane Lucas and Matthew Watson were named in the Bullants' best players and will come into selection considerations. Bret Thornton has been cleared of any serious damage after receiving a knock to the face in the win against Fremantle.
-Jason Phelan

COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies have lost Nick Maxwell to a fractured thumb and will be without the skipper for at least three for four weeks while Chris Dawes and Alan Toovey are moving closer to a return from their own hand injuries. Chris Tarrant is available after the match review panel threw out his rough conduct charge that was lodged against Justin Koschitzke on Friday night while Sharrod Wellingham was concerned about a sore hip late in the game but coach Mick Malthouse said he thought it was just a knock and expected him to play this week. Lachlan Keeffe played well in the VFL on the weekend and could be seen as a replacement for Maxwell while Cameron Wood and Tom Young were also among the best.
-Jennifer Witham

ESSENDON
Essendon travels to Perth to play West Coast on Saturday, and might do so without several key players. Michael Hurley is still a wait-and-see prospect with his foot injury and Dustin Fletcher has pulled up sore from the Bombers' 49-point win over the Western Bulldogs last week. Tayte Pears (leg) and David Myers, a late withdrawal with a calf injury, are also in doubt. Nathan Lovett-Murray, Tom Bellchambers, Michael Ross, Alex Browne, Henry Slattery, Scott Gumbleton and Cale Hooker could all come into contention after playing in the VFL last week.
-Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE
Star midfielder David Mundy has been declared a certain inclusion this week, more than two months after suffering a high ankle injury against Essendon in round 12. Fremantle will also welcome back Adam McPhee, who has served a one-match suspension, with Kepler Bradley (groin) and Rhys Palmer (ankle) facing fitness tests. Mark Harvey bemoaned a lack of pace against Carlton, but a quick fix is not likely to come from the WAFL, with Jon Griffin, Dylan Roberton, Ben Bucovaz and Byron Schammer the only players involved at league level for the injury-hit club.
-Nathan Schmook

GOLD COAST
Rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt is under consideration to play Adelaide on Saturday. After missing round 20 against Geelong with illness, Hunt returned strongly through the reserves last weekend. Tall defender Rory Thompson missed last week's loss against the Lions with illness but is also available to return.
-Michael Whiting

HAWTHORN
The Hawks' injury list continues to shorten, with Brent Renouf and Rick Ladson both now fit and no fresh concerns. (Brad Sewell is fine despite being subbed off against Port Adelaide after receiving a knee to the back.) Shane Savage made his return from a shoulder problem in the VFL on Sunday, but he was overshadowed by Kyle Cheney, who was outstanding in Box Hill's win over Sandringham.
-Mark Macgugan

MELBOURNE
Brad Green should come straight back into the team after 'general soreness' forced his last-minute withdrawal last week. Matthew Bate was once again one of the best and could earn a recall this week but unfortunately for the Demons, there is little else in terms of depth. Tom McDonald may be considered for his debut after he was an emergency last week.
-Luke Holmesby

NORTH MELBOURNE
Veteran defender Daniel Pratt and midfielder Liam Anthony put their names up for senior recalls with outstanding performances for North Ballarat in the VFL last Saturday. Pratt had 30 disposals and Anthony 34 in the Roosters' 87-point win over Frankston, while both kicked two goals. Rookie Aaron Mullett continued to push his case for a senior elevation with a classy 28-possession performance, while Shaun Atley, who was not rested during North's bye, will be hoping his 20-disposal game is enough for him to keep his place in the Kangaroos' team. Werribee also had a bye last weekend, but Ben Ross, Nathan Grima and Jamie Macmillan were among the Tigers' best performers the previous round and should come into selection calculations. North may also be tempted to bring ruckman Hamish McIntosh in for his first game of the year, to help Todd Goldstein take on Fremantle star Aaron Sandilands.
-Nick Bowen

PORT ADELAIDE
Star midfielder Travis Boak was substituted out of the game against Hawthorn last weekend with a back/hip complaint, but is expected to be fit to take on the Western Bulldogs. Ruckman Dean Brogan (calf) and tough onballer Tom Logan (foot) could also return to add much-needed grunt to the struggling team. Forward Daniel Stewart kicked eight goals in the SANFL and might be recalled if coach Matt Primus decides to shuffle more chairs on the Titanic.
-Katrina Gill

RICHMOND
Jake Batchelor is likely to miss Sunday's clash with the Demons due to a shoulder injury, so that will open the door for players like ruckman Andrew Browne, small forward Robbie Hicks and Irish defender Jamie O'Reilly. Browne was best on ground for Coburg on the VFL last weekend, while Hicks booted five goals. O'Reilly, who is yet to play a senior game with year, was also named among Coburg's best players.
-Adam McNicol


ST KILDA
Michael Gardiner gets a mention in this section each week and there is little else to add other than he has got through another VFL game and is available for selection. Nick Heyne and Tom Lynch performed well and could be considered to bolster St Kilda's mid-sized forward stocks. Rhys Stanley and Jamie Cripps are making their way back after long layoffs with injury but both would be hard-pressed to land a senior game at this late stage of the year.
-Luke Holmesby

SYDNEY SWANS
The Sydney Swans have reached a critical point in their season and coach John Longmire needs to get the mix right against St Kilda this week or risk their finals hopes slipping away. In terms of changes, Gary Rohan is one of the players Longmire would most like back in his side. After a couple of weeks in the reserves following a long injury layoff, Rohan's pace and skills would be a welcome addition and the coaching staff need to decide if he's ready this week. Nick Malceski and Trent Dennis-Lane could also be recalled to face the Saints, while a number of Swans will be sweating over their position following the disappointing loss to Richmond last week.
-James Dampney

WEST COAST
Captain Darren Glass is poised to return after one week on the sidelines with general soreness and he is likely be joined by vice-captain Beau Waters, who has missed two matches with an elbow complaint. Selection is less clear cut if the match committee decides to make a third change, with midfielders Koby Stevens (28 possessions), Chris Masten (28) and Tom Swift (33) all worthy of a recall based on WAFL form. Jordan Jones has been used in the midfield with Peel Thunder and could earn his first senior game this season against Essendon.
-Nathan Schmook

WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Dogs' injury crisis continued on Saturday night with defender Dale Morris joining fellow backmen Brian Lake and Tom Williams out for the season after he broke his leg against Essendon. They also lost Ryan Hargrave at half-time against the Bombers with a back injury, which leaves him in doubt to face Port Adelaide on Sunday at AAMI Stadium, and Adam Cooney is being assessed week to week regarding his knee but hasn't played since round 18. After being overlooked for senior selection against the Bombers' big men, Ayce Cordy is a better chance to debut against the Power after again being named in Williamstown's best on the weekend. Jarrad Grant kicked four goals and Patrick Veszpremi three while Will Minson had 50 hit-outs in the ruck in the Seagulls' five-point loss to Port Melbourne on Saturday.
-Jennifer Witham