Adelaide
Simon Goodwin remains in doubt with a knee injury, but Brent Reilly (hamstring) is available. A knee injury to ruckman Brad Moran has opened the door for two more inexperienced Crows to play their first games of the season. James Sellar and draftee Shaun McKernan have both been in impressive form in the SANFL and will be vying for Moran’s spot. Rory Sloane, Tony Armstrong and Myke Cook also performed well on the weekend and remain on the fringe of selection.

Brisbane Lions
Josh Drummond (calf) will undergo a test while Travis Johnstone is in the mix after returning from a back injury via the Lions’ Reserves, picking up 26 disposals. Fellow midfielders Tom Rockliff and Jack Redden held their form of recent weeks. The reserves’ 92-point win over Broadbeach saw key position player Matthew Tyler boot seven goals, while ruckman Joel Tippett also impressed. Bradd Dalziell finished with a game-high 40 touches, while Tom Collier and Tim Notting also shone.

Carlton
Defender Bret Thornton is the only certain inclusion for the Blues with Brett Ratten keeping his selection cards close to his chest. Brendan Fevola will be tested later in the week after finger surgery, but Paul Bower will miss with a knee. David Ellard, Jordan Russell and Cameron Cloke all performed well in the VFL on the weekend and will give Ratten a few options when it comes to shaking up his out-of-form side. 

Collingwood
Collingwood didn’t suffer any injuries against Fremantle, so it will be a matter of who can squeeze into the 22. Leon Davis (illness) and Scott Pendlebury (knee) are both possible inclusions, with Davis more likely to return. It’s unknown if the Pies will risk Pendlebury after missing just one week with a medial ligament strain. The Magpies’ VFL team copped a heavy defeat last week, although Ryan Cook was impressive. Youngsters Tristan Francis and Jarryd Blair have shown good form as well.

Essendon
Adam McPhee's calf will be tested while Tom Bellchambers could be considered after returning from a knee injury in the VFL on the weekend. Mark McVeigh will miss again after an in-house suspension while Jobe Watson has gone down with an ankle and will miss two. Michael Hurley is in the mix, while Jarrod Atkinson and David Zaharakis also put their hands up. Knights also drew attention to David Myers, Leroy Jetta, Jay Nash and Tyson Slattery.

Fremantle
With Mathew Pavlich ruled out for at least two weeks, and a host of first-year players already in the side, Fremantle will likely turn to one of Kepler Bradley, Daniel Gilmore or Adam Campbell for this week’s clash with Carlton. Gilmore, who had 33 possessions and 13 marks in the WAFL, would be favoured to come in. Steven Dodd (concussion) and Antoni Grover (corked leg) have both been cleared to play, while Michael Johnson (ankle) can’t be considered for at least another week.

Geelong
Geelong will be forced to make one change with David Johnson out injured. There’s a plethora of choices, though, for his replacement – speedy defender David Wojcinski appeals as a straight swap, but young Nathan Djerrkura was best-on-ground in the VFL side and Mathew Stokes, Ryan Gamble and Simon Hogan all performed well.

Hawthorn
Max Bailey is off the injured list but will have to spend a bit of time in the VFL before he is considered for the senior side. The untried Jordan Lisle booted four goals for Box Hill on the weekend and Beau Dowler had 27 disposals. Both players are likely to be in the discussions as the Hawks search for Mark Williams’ replacement.

Melbourne
Skipper James McDonald (knee) and ruckman Mark Jamar face fitness tests. Matthew Bate, a late withdrawal last week due to illness and Nathan Jones, who was also ill in round 11 and was an emergency last round, are likely to push up. Kyle Cheney, Lynden Dunn and Addam Maric will again be around the mark, while Daniel Bell, Shane Valenti, Paul Wheatley and Clint Bartram were among the better players for Casey last round and will be in contention.

North Melbourne
One change will be forced by Ben Warren's broken leg, with Daniel Wells (groin), Lindsay Thomas (illness) and Aaron Edwards (VFL) queuing to take his place. Edwards and prospective debutant Michael Wundke kicked three goals each for North Ballarat, putting pressure on David Hale. Ed Lower had a solid VFL return on the weekend while Leigh Adams edges closer to his first AFL game of the season. Ruckman Todd Goldstein continues to impress for Werribee.

Port Adelaide
The Power reported no serious casualties from its loss to Geelong, but the perpetually injured Robbie Gray (groin) will again be given until Friday to prove his fitness. Jason Davenport performed well after earning a call-up and will retain his spot in the side. Matt Thomas (knee) is the only injured player in contention to return, while Matthew Broadbent, who travelled as an emergency last week, is still waiting for his opportunity.

Richmond
Despite Richmond going scoreless in the second and third terms on Sunday against the Saints, it’s unlikely that there will be a lot of changes to the side. Matt White is ready to return, which you would think spells trouble for Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, and Nathan Brown is right to go, but that could well be through the VFL.

St Kilda
Max Hudghton’s ankle injury could keep him out of this week’s clash with Geelong, in which case Matt Maguire would seem the logical replacement. Maguire has played well for Sandringham’s VFL team but could face competition from fellow defenders Raphael Clarke and Luke Miles, who have both been named as emergencies in recent weeks.

Sydney Swans
Nick Malceski and Jarred Moore pushed their cases for a senior recall as the Swans’ reserves lost to Eastlake by 59 points last weekend. First-year midfielder Dan Hannebery, who is completing his Year 12 studies in Victoria, racked up 35 touches to show his worth. Tim Schmidt was also among the best in his first game back from a knee reconstruction. Meanwhile, Jarrad McVeigh (shoulder) and Craig Bolton (knee) face fitness tests before Sunday’s game against North Melbourne.

West Coast
Dean Cox (groin) is the most anticipated return at West Coast, and coach John Worsfold is confident his star ruckman will prove his fitness this week. Cox trained lightly on Tuesday, but was kicking and running for periods. With Worsfold backing his young players, it’s hard to see who would make way for the in-form Chad Fletcher, who had 38 possessions, 11 marks and two goals in the WAFL at the weekend.

Western Bulldogs
Daniel Giansiracusa will miss the next six weeks after hurting his knee on Sunday but Stephen Tiller (hip) will be tested. Tom Williams has been playing VFL but remains a few weeks away, while Brennan Stack kicked three goals for Williamstown on Saturday. Also among the best in that game were Tim Callan, Dylan Addison, Sam Reid and Andrejs Everitt.

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