- Your club's full injury list: round eight
Adelaide will be forced to make at least one change to its midfield for Friday night's clash with Geelong at the Adelaide Oval. Veteran David Mackay is unlikely to play after sustaining a hamstring injury in last weekend's loss to the Western Bulldogs. Jarryd Lyons was an unlucky omission from the trip to Etihad Stadium, and is set to replace Mackay despite having a quiet game in the SANFL with 15 touches last week. Mitch Grigg had 24 disposals, six inside 50s and four clearances to put himself in the running for a senior recall, while Harrison Wigg (25 touches) and Cam Ellis-Yolmen (24) also found plenty of the footy. Midfielder Riley Knight (ankle) and defender Rory Laird (toe) are still a week away from returning. - Lee Gaskin
Full-back Daniel Merrett will add some much needed experienced to the backline to take on Collingwood at the Gabba on Saturday night as he returns from a bout of gastro. Merrett was a late scratching against Port Adelaide and his size and leadership was missed. Small forward Josh Green is a chance to return from a chest injury, while the expected absence of skipper Tom Rockliff (hamstring) could pave the way for either Nick Robertson or a Rhys Mathieson debut. - Michael Whiting
The Lions may look to boost their scoring power with goalsneak Josh Green. Picture: AFL Media
Nick Graham stood out last Sunday to put himself in contention for a return to the seniors. In an otherwise disappointing display from the Northern Blues, Graham led the way with 32 disposals, nine marks and 14 tackles as almost a lone hand in the middle. Defender Matthew Dick was prolific with 27 disposals again. Dylan Buckley and Jason Tutt were also named among the Blues' best players. Young defender Jacob Weitering (shoulder) will not be back for Sunday's game against Port Adelaide. Ruckman Andrew Phillips (hamstring) is unlikely and utility Simon White, a late withdrawal last Saturday with a shin injury, will be assessed during the week. - Howard Kotton
The Magpies could welcome back as many as four runners for their Gabba clash with the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, with the outside possibility that Travis Varcoe, Taylor Adams, Ben Sinclair and Marley Williams could all be passed fit. However, the Pies will face a dilemma ifBen Reid's shoulder prevents him from playing, with the key defensive options including Nathan Brown (who was dropped last week and hurt his hamstring in the VFL) and Jonathon Marsh (who returned to the VFL after overcoming his own hamstring problems), or they could choose to swing Jesse White to defence, where he has spent most of the season. Others in the selection frame include youngsters Matthew Goodyear, Tom Phillips and Rupert Wills, and the experienced Brent Macaffer – none of whom were named among the best players in the Pies' 67-point VFL loss to Sandringham at the Holden Centre on Saturday. Travis Cloke is unlikely to be elevated after withdrawing from the VFL clash with a back issue.
- Ben Collins
Taylor Adams had been the Magpies best player this year prior to his injury. Picture: AFL Media
The Bombers rested young midfielders Darcy Parish and Kyle Langford for last week's clash with the Sydney Swans, so both would be expected to return on Saturday against North Melbourne. A number of other players will be in contention to come into the club's senior side after strong performances at VFL level. Jackson Merrett gathered 30 disposals and kicked three goals in the VFL Bombers' win over Geelong and could come in to replace the injured Jonathan Simpkin, while Shaun Edwards (17 disposals, two goals) and Conor McKenna (16 disposals, one goal) also put their hands up for a return to the senior Essendon line-up. Martin Gleeson was unlucky to be dropped but responded with 25 disposals in the back half at VFL level. - Callum Twomey
Ross Lyon said winning was not the immediate focus after the loss to the Giants and that he would be keen to put some more youngsters under the microscope against Hawthorn. Ed Langdon had 30 disposals for Peel Thunder in the WAFL to push his case for a recall. Darcy Tucker was asked to find some touch and he gathered 21 disposals for Peel. Brady Grey had 19 disposals but the quality of his ball use is a question mark for Lyon so he would need to improve that area before a recall. His endeavour is always there. Lyon was unhappy with some of his defenders' positioning against the Giants. Sam Collins remains an option but Lyon said last week that he needed to keep developing. Clancee Pearce had 35 touches for Peel but if he came in it would likely be at the expense of a senior player rather than a youngster. Zac Clarke had 33 hit-outs to go with 11 touches for Peel if they need the second ruckman. - Alex Malcolm
Quick forwards Lincoln McCarthy (ankle) and Nakia Cockatoo (calf) will undergo fitness tests ahead of the Friday night clash against Adelaide. Cory Gregson is the obvious replacement if either player fails to come up while Billie Smedts is showing enough form in the VFL to be considered for senior selection soon. George Horlin-Smith is likely to be on this list every week until there is an injury to a Cats' midfielder while Jed Bews could be considered for a lock-down role deep in defence in a team that is difficult to break into. - Peter Ryan
With wingmen Alex Sexton (broken arm) and Matt Rosa (hamstring) adding to the Suns' lengthening injury list, they'll need to find some replacements for Saturday's trip south to play Greater Western Sydney. Small forward Callum Ah Chee played well in the NEAFL at the weekend, while coach Rodney Eade hinted that defender Jack Leslie could also come in for his first game of the season after strong form in the reserves. - Michael Whiting
The loss of co-captain Phil Davis (hamstring) opens up a spot in the Giants' side but it remains to be seen if coach Leon Cameron goes with a tall defender as his replacement. The GWS reserves had the bye last week but key forward Adam Tomlinson has been in brilliant form in the NEAFL and could be picked to play back, like he did when blanketing St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt in round 15 last year. Tim Mohr has been good after working his way back from a second knee reconstruction in two years so he too could be an option if Cameron thinks he's got enough games under his belt. If Cameron decides to use Joel Patfull and Nick Haynes as key defenders against Gold Coast then academy draftee Jacob Hopper is right in the mix, with his form outstanding this season despite missing the Giants' last game before the reserves bye. - Adam Curley
Granted, the Tigers were as poor as they have been in a long time, but there was a bit to like about Hawthorn's 46-point win on Friday night. Jordan Lewis and Liam Shiels played their best games of the season, while the outside run and the elite kicking game (apart from 15 minutes in the third quarter) seemed to be back. Sam Mitchell (corked calf) and James Frawley (concussion) should be back for Saturday's clash with Fremantle in Launceston. An interesting theory among some Hawthorn supporters is that Alastair Clarkson actually withdrew Mitchell from the Richmond game in order to force a lift in effort from the rest of the midfield. If he did, it worked a treat! Ryan Schoenmakers (groin) was nearly OK for Friday night, but may need a week in the VFL to regain some touch. Box Hill had the bye on the weekend. - Ashley Browne
Melbourne will have a tough time fitting players into the side that defeated Gold Coast by 73 points on Saturday, but the Demons certainly have options after some excellent performances at VFL level in the Casey Scorpions' 107-point win over the Northern Blues. Ben Newton, in his fourth game back from a serious ankle injury in pre-season, racked up 38 disposals and two goals in a best afield display. Alex Neal-Bullen (30), Lynden Dunn (26), Jack Grimes (24) and Jack Trengove (23) all won plenty of the ball, while young forward Sam Weideman bagged four goals. Christian Salem and Heritier Lumumba should also be ready to return after missing the game against the Suns with concussion. Young midfielder Angus Brayshaw should also be available after being knocked out last week but it's likely he will need a couple of games in the VFL before returning to the side. - Ben Guthrie
After completing a one-match suspension, Lindsay Thomas should be back in the frame to take on Essendon, while defender Sam Wright might be a chance after he was a late withdrawal from the win over St Kilda due to an ankle problem. In the VFL, Aaron Black and Majak Daw both snared four goals in Werribee's thumping loss, although the Roos' forward line is working nicely and it's hard to see either big man forcing his way in unless injury strikes. - Travis King
Lindsay Thomas is set to resume for the Roos after a week's suspension. Picture: AFL Media
Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray will have tests on his injured hamstring this week ahead of Sunday's game with Carlton at Etihad Stadium. The club's best and fairest for 2014 and 2015 has missed the past two games and would be a welcome addition to the Power's engine room. Defender Alipate Carlile will also have his wrist injury assessed after being sidelined since the round two loss to the Crows. Mature-aged rookie Kane Mitchell continued to press his claims for a senior call-up with 32 touches for Port in their 27-point win against West Adelaide in the SANFL. Forward Jesse Palmer kicked three goals and had 23 touches, while Karl Amon had an impact on the game with 20 disposals. - Lee Gaskin
The cavalry is arriving for Richmond, with All Australian defender Alex Rance returning from suspension and captain Trent Cotchin sure to be back from a fractured cheekbone. Cotchin visited his surgeon on Monday but appears determined to return after missing one match and has declared himself fit. Defender Dylan Grimes is also available after missing five matches with a hamstring injury. He has been training at a high intensity for two weeks and should play at some level this weekend. The big question will be around ruckman Ivan Maric, who was dropped to the VFL in round seven and struggled around the ground. He hasn't demanded a recall. Taylor Hunt (25 possessions) was among the Tigers' best in the VFL, while defender David Astbury also battled away in the reserves for the first time this season and is available. - Nathan Schmook
The Tigers can call on some firepower this week in Alex Rance and Trent Cotchin. Picture: AFL Media
Jack Sinclair missed the seven-point loss to North Melbourne with a corked calf. If he is fit for Sunday's game against West Coast, his replacement Jack Lonie, and also Darren Minchington, will be nervous about keeping their spots. Run will be important on the wide expanses of Domain Stadium though, so Alan Richardson may want to retain his smalls. Defender Dylan Roberton has missed four consecutive games with a knee injury and might need to come in through the VFL, especially with the Saints in good form. Two goals in the reserves from Paddy McCartin won't be enough for him to earn as recall. - Dinny Navaratnam
Veteran defender Ted Richards (fractured eye socket) should be right to play Richmond after missing the past two matches, and is likely to play in a helmet if picked. Midfielder Daniel Robinson will miss with a shoulder injury so Richards should be the man to come in. If Richards doesn't come up Aliir Aliir might get another crack after being held over as an emergency last week. Brandon Jack, Dean Towers and James Rose continued their consistent form in the NEAFL, while Gary Rohan made it through another match unscathed, although he's still at least a fortnight away as he regains some touch after returning from the long-term injury list. - Adam Curley
The Eagles have only really made forced changes this season but following the loss to the Cats that may change this week. East Perth had the bye in the WAFL so fringe players will be fresh. Veteran defenders Sam Butler and Xavier Ellis are both available after overcoming injuries. Butler missed last week with a groin issue but Ellis has only played one game in the WAFL since returning from an Achilles injury. Youngsters Tom Cole and Jackson Nelson were travelling emergencies last week and Adam Simpson is not afraid to play youth. Tom Barrass is another young defender who has been in good form in the WAFL. Patrick McGinnity has also been playing well for the Royals and can play a variety of roles including run-with jobs in the midfield or as a defensive small forward. - Alex Malcolm
The defenders curse at Whitten Oval has struck again with first-year key defender Marcus Adams unlikely to face Melbourne on Sunday at the MCG due to a minor finger fracture. Tom Boyd is some chance to return from a shoulder complaint but the key forward is likely to return through the VFL. In better news, in-form midfielder Koby Stevens is a chance to return from an abdominal strain that saw him miss the win over Adelaide. Footscray had several players put their hands up for senior recall in the 105-point win over North Ballarat. Classy midfielder Lukas Webb was best on ground with 30 possessions and two goals while Mitch Honeychurch was also prominent with 29 touches and a goal. Draftee Josh Dunkley (20 touches and a goal) also impressive through the midfield. Versatile defenders Zaine Cordy and Joel Hamling loom as replacements for Adams. - Ryan Davidson
Tom Boyd will likely need a week in the VFL before he's back for the Bulldogs. Picture: AFL Media
