Adelaide
The Crows should welcome back Nathan van Berlo and Rob Shirley, who were both bedridden with the flu last week, but will be without hamstrung onballers Tyson Edwards and David Mackay. Promising draftee Phil Davis starred in the SANFL on Saturday, but there doesn’t appear to be a spot for him in Adelaide’s stable back six. Tony Armstrong and Rory Sloane were also impressive for North Adelaide.

Brisbane Lions
The Lions reserves had the week off from the AFL Queensland state league, but Travis Johnstone and Scott Harding were last round’s top performers. Bradd Dalziell should hold his senior spot after promotion from the emergency list to finish among the Lions’ best against Fremantle. Michael Voss says Lachlan Henderson will most likely fill in for Daniel Bradshaw (hamstring) up forward, while Tim Notting will come in as a back-up ruckman if Jared Brennan fails a fitness test (ankle).

Carlton
Michael Jamison (groin), Setanta O'hAilpin (soreness) and Simon Wiggins (hamstring) will be tested this week, while Robert Warnock (foot) could play his first game for the year but is likely to do it in the VFL. For the Bullants last week, Cameron Cloke kicked five goals and Jeff Garlett two, while Richard Hadley, David Ellard and Jordan Bannister were among the best. Nick Stevens also played for the Bullants, but a recall remains unlikely.

Collingwood
All eyes will be on Josh Fraser this week with the Pies desperate for him to return. If he’s right to go, he’s certain to come in for the clash with Carlton. Others to come into calculations include Marty Clarke and Steele Sidebottom after decent displays in the VFL, although the twos lost convincingly. Ryan Cook, however, could be most prominent when it comes to selection. He was Collingwood’s best in the VFL and has been in good form in recent weeks.

Essendon
The Bombers again say they are unlikely to make many changes to their side, but have confirmed Angus Monfries is a good chance to return from a hamstring strain. Coach Matthew Knights has named Nathan Lovett-Murray, Hayden Skipworth, Bachar Houli, Jay Neagle, Leroy Jetta and Tom Bellchambers as players who have recently acquitted themselves well in the VFL, and could be in line for a recall to the senior side.

Fremantle
Captain Matthew Pavlich is likely to return this week after shaking a calf injury and Aaron Sandilands is a near certainty after missing two matches with a hamstring strain. Byron Schammer (calf) and Chris Tarrant (knee) face fitness tests with Tarrant likely to play and Schammer unlikely, while Des Headland (hamstring) is still a week away. With Andrew Foster (ankle) ruled out, the door is open for Clayton Hinkley and Michael Walters, who had 20 possessions and two goals for Swan Districts.

Geelong
Some good news for the Geelong match committee this week - Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly look certain to return to the side that has beaten just Melbourne in its last three matches. Superstar forward Steve Johnson has missed all three of those matches with a hip injury, but coach Mark Thompson rates the 26-year-old a 70 per cent chance of returning for the grand final rematch with Hawthorn.

Hawthorn
Beau Muston was among the best for Box Hill in the VFL and will be pressing his claims for a senior return. Travis Tuck also did his chances no harm with a superb effort in the VFL. Robbie Campbell could be back from a knee injury, while Stuart Dew suffered a setback with his troublesome hamstring.

Melbourne
Ruckman Paul Johnson looks set to return with Mark Jamar to miss the next two to three weeks with a quadriceps injury. Jack Grimes also faces a fitness test, due to a back injury. Key forward Brad Miller, an emergency last round, impressed for Casey last Saturday and will be in contention. Rookies Jordie McKenzie, who has yet to debut, and Shane Valenti were also among Casey's best, as was tall forward Michael Newton with four goals.

North Melbourne
The Roos’ forward line should receive a much-needed injection, with Aaron Edwards and Matt Campbell likely to resume. Edwards, an emergency last week, was used further up the ground by VFL affiliate North Ballarat, collecting 25 possessions and kicking two goals. Campbell also kicked two and appears over his hamstring injuries. Defender Gavin Urquhart (groin) will be considered after a week on the sidelines, along with midfielder Ben Ross (27 possessions, two goals) following his handy performance for Werribee.

Port Adelaide
Despite winning comfortably, Port Adelaide could still ring the changes this week. Shaun Burgoyne, who has not played since round three, will need to prove he’s recovered from severe knee bruising and Matt Thomas (knee) and Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) will also face fitness tests. Josh Carr was solid in the SANFL on Saturday and will be looking to celebrate his 200th AFL game in the Showdown, but Peter Burgoyne looks resigned to another week with the Port Adelaide Magpies.

Richmond
Despite the Tigers tossing away a seven goal lead to finish with a draw against North Melbourne on Sunday, don’t expect to see too many changes from Punt Rd for the rivalry round clash with the Bombers. Ben Cousins and Trent Cotchin were late withdrawals last week and are in significant doubt for this weekend, while Nathan Foley will miss another with his calf injury, leaving the Tigers significantly short on quality midfielders.

St Kilda
Michael Gardiner is a chance to return to the side from injury and could play as a tall forward with Justin Koschitzke out suspended. Zac Dawson will also miss through suspension and Matt Maguire could be his logical replacement in defence. Max Hudghton could also be in line for a recall if he recovers in time from his ankle injury. The out of favour Luke Ball may also be considered for a recall.

Sydney Swans
The question the Swans selectors will be asking this week will be, ‘just who were the real standouts in the reserves 120-point win?’ Plenty put their hand up, from veterans such as Jared Crouch to mid-range players such as Amon Buchanan and Jarred Moore. Youngster Matt O’Dwyer was the pick of the bunch and could earn a call-up for just his third game, although Leo Barry (three goals) is still some time off.

West Coast
With Dean Cox and Daniel Kerr all but ruled out, Chad Fletcher is in contention with a 41-possession game for Subiaco. Ryan Davis put in a solid defensive display in the WAFL and could be called on to counter Fremantle goal sneak Hayden Ballantyne, while first-year players Ash Smith and Jordan Jones both impressed in the WAFL and are distant chances. Tom Swift put his hand up for a recall with 23 possessions for Claremont.

Western Bulldogs
The Dogs have one of the shortest injury lists in the AFL with Daniel Giansiracusa the only regular senior player missing with a knee. He'll be back in about a month, although Stephen Tiller (groin) won't play this week. Wayde Skipper again impressed in the VFL with a commanding 50 hit-out display, Andrejs Everitt and Guy O'Keefe were in the side's best, and Dylan Addison and Tim Callan have been consistently good. 

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