Adelaide
Graham Johncock and Richard Douglas are available for selection after missing the win over North Melbourne through illness, while skipper Simon Goodwin (knee) has declared himself a 50-50 starter on Saturday. First-year players Shaun McKernan, Phil Davis and Rory Sloane impressed in the SANFL on the weekend and Tony Armstrong continued his fine season with North Adelaide. Rob Shirley and Jared Petrenko also played well for Woodville-West Torrens.

Brisbane Lions
The expected return of Daniel Merrett (ankle) and Joel Patfull (jaw) after four-week absences would be a massive boost, enhanced by the prospect of Josh Drummond (calf) joining them. Jack Redden will push for selection from the emergency bench, with midfielder Travis Johnstone (back) uncertain and Troy Selwood (shoulder) sidelined. Midfielder Bradd Dalziell was among the Lions Reserves’ best at the weekend, returning from a round five knee injury. Forwards Tom Rockliff and Aaron Cornelius are also in the wings.

Carlton
Defender Bret Thornton could return if he passes a test on his hamstring. The Northern Bullants had the weekend off, but Brad Fisher responded to his senior omission with six goals in a losing side the week before. Adam Hartlett, David Ellard (10 tackles) and Richard Hadley (11 tackles, 17 clearances) played well too, while Mitch Robinson started well and Chris Johnson got through his third game back from a thigh injury.

Collingwood
The Pies will need to make at least one change, with midfielder Scott Pendlebury (knee) certain to go out of the side. Regulars Nathan Brown (knee) and Paul Medhurst (ankle) are likely to be the most prominent names discussed at selection, while Ben Johnson is also a chance to return following a long lay-off with a broken leg. Collingwood’s VFL team had a week off, so Dayne Beams and Tyson Goldsack would add freshness should they earn a call up.

Essendon
Henry Slattery will return to the side after a two-week hamstring, but the Bombers will lose Mark McVeigh to a one-week suspension. Nathan Lovett-Murray will be considered after a strong month on the training track, while Adam McPhee (calf) and Brent Prismall (ribs) will be tested. Bachar Houli looks likely to miss after being ill, but Darcy Daniher could emerge as a surprise inclusion to take on Brendan Fevola again.

Fremantle
Brett Peake has served his time for drinking the night before a training session and should return to the side this week. Des Headland appears ready to resume after a quad injury while Hayden Ballantyne is over the back complaint that delayed his AFL introduction. He should debut this week. Tim Ruffles, an emergency against Geelong, is also in contention, but may find himself in the WAFL if both Headland and Ballantyne play.

Geelong
Two trips to Perth in three weeks may have left some Cats leg weary, so a few changes could happen. Skipper Tom Harley has come off the injury list so will be straight back in, while Mathew Stokes got 38 touches and kicked a couple of goals in a losing VFL side, so he’ll be hard to ignore. Tom Lonergan could replace Tom Hawkins if the match committee decides to rest the young tall.

Hawthorn
Stephen Gilham and Rick Ladson were withdrawals from the Box Hill team that defeated Sandringham last week. This was most likely done as an attempt to preserve them for this week’s clash with West Coast. Josh Kennedy was among the best in the VFL and is a chance to earn a recall.

Melbourne
After missing through illness last round, midfielder Nathan Jones and key defender Matthew Warnock should come straight back into the side. Ruckman Mark Jamar, who missed last round with a quad injury, may be a chance to return. Skipper James McDonald (knee) is still another week away. Lynden Dunn, Addam Maric and Ricky Petterd will be in contention for a recall. Paul Wheatley will also be getting closer, after missing much of the year with a calf injury.

North Melbourne
Few know the course interim coach Darren Crocker will take but mark 'certainty' on captain Brent Harvey's return from an elbow injury. Another player who impressed in Crocker's first training session last Thursday was Liam Anthony, who is very likely to become North's seventh debutant of the season. David Hale will push for a recall, Daniel Wells (groin) also needs to overcome a virus while Lindsay Thomas (hamstring) is fit to hold his place.

Port Adelaide
There could be a few changes at the selection table following the embarrassing 93-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in the first week of the split round. Daniel Motlop (ankle) will be sidelined for two months, leaving the door open for Nathan Krakouer, Nick Lower or Jason Davenport to make a return. Hamish Hartlett has recovered from a hamstring injury and could be rushed back into the side Matthew Broadbent will be considered for his debut.

Richmond
Despite several senior players being dropped back to the VFL, nobody playing for Coburg did enough to demand a spot in the senior team. With debutant Tyrone Vickery playing well against the Eagles, the Tigers selection committee has a winning team that needs no changes. After a week’s break, all should be fresh and raring to go. Young defender Will Thursfield was quiet, but it was only his third game since coming back into the side.

St Kilda
David Armitage has been named as an emergency several times in recent weeks but he is out of action for at least two weeks after injuring his shoulder in the VFL. Matt Maguire continued to press his claims with another gallant performance for Sandringham. Ditto Raphael Clarke, while last year’s first-round draft pick Tom Lynch was best on ground with three goals.

Sydney Swans
Co-captain Craig Bolton is a chance to return after missing the round 12 clash against Collingwood with a knee strain while Amon Buchanan (knee) will also be tested. Patrick Veszpremi looked a chance to play his first senior game of the year after booting four goals in the reserves’ loss to Belconnen but he rolled an ankle and is in doubt. Fellow youngsters Nick Smith and Kristin Thornton are likely to retain their places after reasonable efforts against the Pies.

West Coast
Mark Seaby’s chances of playing his fourth game for the season rest on the fitness of Dean Cox, who is battling a groin injury. Adam Hunter will let the club know if his shoulder will allow him to return, while Andrew Embley (ankle) will need to pass a fitness test. If he can’t, Tim Houlihan, who has hit a rich vein of form, and Sam Butler continue to impress in the WAFL and are ready for a call up.

Western Bulldogs
Lindsay Gilbee will have his troublesome ankle tested again this week but utility Stephen Tiller will be unavailable owing to a hip flexor strain. Tom Williams' availability is in doubt after he suffered back tightness in his comeback from a foot injury in the VFL last weekend, while Tim Callan suffered another concussion and will be monitored. Sam Reid performed well for Williamstown on Saturday and Guy O'Keefe kicked two goals.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.