ADELAIDE
Despite his desperation to play, superstar Patrick Dangerfield is expected to miss another week as he recovers from straining his AC joint. Adelaide's short turnaround won't help Scott Thompson's battle with groin soreness either, particularly after he was subbed early at the weekend. Lewis Johnston's press for selection gathered momentum with a standout 17-disposal, three-goal, seven-mark SANFL display in wet and windy conditions. With the return from suspension of fellow key forward Shaun McKernan, coach Brenton Sanderson is faced with a tough choice. Sam Kerridge (30 disposals) and Matthew Jaensch (27) found a lot of the ball in Sturt's big loss, Cameron Ellis-Yolman (23, one goal) played his best game at SANFL level and Jared Petrenko (22 touches) also finished in the best players. Ian Callinan (20 disposals, two goals) was also impressive. - Harry Thring

BRISBANE LIONS
The troops are flooding back for the Lions, with co-captain Jonathan Brown (hip), midfielder Brent Moloney (calf) and defender Mitch Golby (quad) all expected to return for Sunday's match against Port Adelaide. All missed last weekend's win over Melbourne, and although coach Michael Voss was not 100 per cent certain on Brown's availability, he said the veteran was "tracking nicely" and would be given until late in the week to prove his fitness. Simon Black is struggling to overcome a groin injury that has already cost him three matches and is unlikely to play. - Michael Whiting

CARLTON
First-year draftee Nick Graham is another step closer to making his AFL debut after yet another accomplished performance in the VFL, amassing 33 possessions (14 contested), eight tackles and a goal in the Northern Blues' upset in the mud at Box Hill. Mitch Robinson is a strong chance for a recall after having 31 touches (25 contested) and 12 clearances. Other options for the Blues on the Gold Coast include Robert Warnock, who was impressive with 58 hitouts, defenders Simon White, Josh Bootsma, Jeremy Laidler and Aaron Joseph, and forwards Levi Casboult and Troy Menzel, who kicked two goals apiece in a low-scoring affair. - Ben Collins

COLLINGWOOD
Big week expected at selection with Nathan Brown and Jarryd Blair possible returns from injury. Whether or not Harry O'Brien will be available for selection remains uncertain, while Quinten Lynch and Alan Didak will come under consideration after returning via the VFL last week. The Magpies might also look to giving Brodie Grundy a chance at senior level against the Giants. The young ruckman is in good form and this week might be an opportunity for the Magpies to sneak a senior game into him before the season is out. Marty Clarke has dropped off the radar but would have been handy against the Suns last week, and could be called upon if there is a role for him to play. Ben Kennedy is always a chance and appears to have freshened up. - Peter Ryan

ESSENDON
The Bombers could welcome back a number of key players for Friday's big game with Hawthorn. David Zaharakis, Heath Hocking and Jason Winderlich could return after missing last week's win over Greater Western Sydney, while Ben Howlett and Tayte Pears will also press their claims. Joe Daniher and Scott Gumbleton continue to be on the fringe of selection if the club chooses to reorganise its forward line, as is Alwyn Davey.  - Callum Twomey
 
FREMANTLE
Ross Lyon has already flagged Aaron Sandilands and Nick Suban as likely inclusions for the match against Adelaide. Lyon suggested both were in Fremantle's best 22 and both should be fit to play. Fremantle isn't flush with options beyond that if it wishes to make changes given Luke McPharlin, Matthew Pavlich and Hayden Ballantyne are all unavailable. Jesse Chrichton and Matt Taberner were both travelling emergencies last week. Viv Michie had another strong showing in the WAFL and continues to press his claims. Josh Mellington had 25 possessions and kicked two goals for West Perth and could be a left-field option for Fremantle. - Alex Malcolm





Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands is likely to play against Adelaide on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media

GEELONG
The Cats will regain star midfielder Steve Johnson for Saturday night's clash with St Kilda at Simonds Stadium. Johnson has served his one-match suspension for kneeing Melbourne's Nathan Jones in round 16. Taylor Hunt, who was a late withdrawal from the team that lost to Adelaide on Sunday after suffering foot soreness, is also in the mix to return, with the club hopeful he'll be up to the task of shutting down Saints star Jack Steven. Speedy onballer Allen Christensen, who has been sidelined for a couple of weeks by hamstring soreness, is another player who faces a fitness test later in the week. Defender Jared Rivers and ruckman Nathan Vardy are strong contenders to take on St Kilda after some decent efforts in the VFL in recent weeks, while Mitch Brown, Jordan Schroder, George Horlin-Smith and Trent West were among the best players in Geelong's VFL victory over Collingwood last Friday night. - Adam McNicol

GOLD COAST
Hulking forward/ruck Charlie Dixon is a huge chance to return against Carlton on Saturday after playing in the reserves at the weekend. Dixon has played just once since round six – when he re-injured an ankle against North Melbourne in round 11 – and would be a timely return. Rory Thompson will be tested during the week after sustaining an ankle problem of his own against Collingwood, while David Swallow (knee) is another likely to return. - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 
The time is nigh for some fringe Giants to get a chance to strut their stuff in the big league. In the coming weeks, ruckman Tom Downie – a junior basketballer drafted in 2011 who has been learning his trade for only a handful of years – will get his chance following some strong performances in the reserves. Kristian Jaksch and James Stewart, picks 12 and 27 respectively in last year's draft, will also soon taste senior football as coach Kevin Sheedy fulfils his aim of viewing virtually all his young talent at AFL level before his coaching career ends. Tom Scully should also be close to a return after he was a late withdrawal from the impressive effort against Essendon still suffering the effects of concussion. - James Dampney
 
HAWTHORN
The Hawks should have two huge ins for the top-of-the-table clash with Essendon on Friday night. Sam Mitchell is a certainty to return after withdrawing late from Saturday's 19-point win over the Western Bulldogs with illness, while Lance Franklin is a good chance to be passed fit after missing two weeks with swelling behind the knee. Franklin completed a running session at the weekend while his teammates were in Tasmania, and now needs to get through training this week to clear a path for his selection on Thursday. - Mark Macgugan   



Hawthorn are hoping to welcome back Lance Franklin after two weeks out.   Picture: AFL Media

MELBOURNE
The major selection dilemma for the Demons is how they recast their side, given the likely absence of key defender Colin Garland who rolled his ankle in the game against the Brisbane Lions in Darwin last weekend. Garland would surely be figuring in the top three in the club's best and fairest and will be missed against North, a side with plenty of key forwards. Jordie McKenzie should return to the side and perhaps James Sellar will come in to add to the key position depth. Jimmy Toumpas had just two touches against the Lions and might be under pressure to stay in the side. - Ashley Browne


NORTH MELBOURNE
With its finals chances now all but gone, North might be tempted to blood some youngsters. Defenders Cameron Delaney and Ayden Kennedy put their hands up for senior berths with strong performances in the VFL last Sunday. Delaney had 26 possessions and took 11 marks in North Ballarat's win over Frankston, while Kennedy (16 disposals and a goal) impressed with his sure kicking in Werribee's loss to Coburg. Other Roos to impress for North Ballarat included Delaney's elder brother Luke in defence, Ben Jacobs (26 possessions) in the midfield and Taylor Garner, who could be in line to make his AFL debut after kicking the match-winning goal. For Werribee, Majak Daw and Daniel Currie formed an effective ruck combination, while Kieran Harper (two goals) showed glimpses of his best form. - Nick Bowen

PORT ADELAIDE
The Power are set to receive an injection of experience this week with the return of Kane Cornes from suspension and Dom Cassisi from a hamstring injury. But the side will lose defensive stalwart Tom Jonas to a three game ban for a high bump on Dylan Roberton. Campbell Heath (17 disposals) and Nathan Blee (21, one goal) both put their hands up for the vacant spot in the back line, while Ben Newton (22 disposals, seven tackles) enjoyed his best game at SANFL level for some time and Matt Thomas (33 touches) was superb again for Norwood. Youngster Mason Shaw booted three goals for South Adelaide. Key forward Daniel Stewart moved well on Monday and should return to the SANFL from injury. - Harry Thring




Port will be boosted for its crucial clash against the Lions by the return of Kane Cornes. Picture: AFL Media

RICHMOND
Aaron Edwards was replaced by Bachar Houli in round 17, but he could come back into the frame for Sunday clash against the Sydney Swans. Used across half-back against Gold Coast in round 16, he is now an option at both ends of the ground for the Tigers. Extensive changes are unlikely after an impressive win against Fremantle, but Robin Nahas (30 possessions) and Brad Helbig (26 and a goal) pressed strong claims in the VFL. Sam Lonergan, who had 24 possessions and 11 clearances, was also among Coburg's best. Shane Tuck is on the cusp of returning from a shoulder injury. - Nathan Schmook

ST KILDA
Adam Schneider made his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since round two at the weekend. He had 23 disposals in Sandringham's 75-point win over Bendigo but will likely need another VFL game before senior selection. Seb Ross was one of the side's best with 31 disposals while Tom Ledger had 29. As for omissions, Dylan Roberton will be monitored this week after being subbed out of the Saints' loss to Port Adelaide with concussion. - Jennifer Phelan

SYDNEY SWANS
Excitement is building for Swans fans as Gary Rohan nears a return to the senior team. John Longmire has taken great lengths to temper expectations during the young redhead's recovery from a broken leg, but even the coach was talking up his chances of a return to the AFL following his second strong performance in the reserves on the weekend. Rhyce Shaw also made a welcome return from his long layoff alongside Rohan. With Sam Reid, Adam Goodes, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Lewis Jetta still at least a month away, some other Swans getting back on the field is a welcome fillip for the club. The other encouraging aspect for the premiers is that so many youngsters, including Dane Rampe, Brandon Jack, Tom Mitchell and Jed Lamb, are getting the job done. - James Dampney




Gary Rohan kicks towards goal during a hit-out for the Swans reserves. Picture: AFL Media

WEST COAST
It seems there is always plenty to discuss with the Eagles mix each week as more injury concerns plague their year. Luke Shuey is out again for a couple of weeks while Beau Waters and Callum Sinclair have been ruled out for the season. Scott Selwood is on target to return from his thumb injury this week. Daniel Kerr was reported in the WAFL but had 31 touches for East Fremantle, but his report was withdrawn and he is free to play if selected. Matt Rosa had a back issue flare last week and was a late withdrawal last Sunday alongside Jacob Brennan with a calf problem. Both should be available. Sam Butler was outstanding for Perth in the WAFL and will come into contention. Ashton Hams had 35 disposals for South Fremantle. Speculation still surrounds Nic Naitanui and when he will get a much-needed rest. Sunday looms as a great opportunity should West Coast wish to take it and Scott Lycett would be the man to come in. - Alex Malcolm

WESTERN BULLDOGS
It was a pretty dismal day for Williamstown on the weekend, with the side managing just two goals in a big loss to Port Melbourne. Lukas Markovic was one of those goal-scorers, and continues to wait in the wings for a senior recall, while Mark Austin was named in the bests. The Dogs will make at least one change this week, with Brett Goodes suffering a broken arm against the Hawks, and Brendan McCartney is sure to consider Christian Howard or Daniel Pearce as his likely replacement. Daniel Cross was named as an emergency for the past two weeks and is a chance, while Tom Young and Tom Campbell are also options. - Jacqui Reed