ADELAIDE
Tom Lynch will likely make his AFL comeback this weekend against Greater Western Sydney after a successful return to the SANFL from a shoulder injury. The important forward was a standout in his side's loss to Sturt, collecting 31 possessions and a kicking a goal. Brodie Martin might have to make way for the versatile 23-year-old in what looms the only change for the Crows who finally broke their duck for season 2014 against St Kilda on Sunday. Cam Ellis-Yolmen continued his consistent SANFL form with another 28 possessions, Jarryd Lyons also gathered 28 touches and 11 clearances, while Lewis Johnston managed 21 disposals and a goal. - Harry Thring


BRISBANE LIONS
Matthew Leuenberger (knee) and Pearce Hanley (hamstring) have added to the injury woes of coach Justin Leppitsch ahead of Thursday night's game against Richmond at the Gabba. Midfielder Ryan Lester is certain to return after being dropped last week, while Luke McGuane is likely to make his Lions debut against his old club after knee injuries have kept him on the sidelines so far this season. Fellow former Tiger Andrew Raines must also be a chance to come back in to mind Trent Cotchin after the success Magpies tagger Brent Macaffer had on the Richmond star last week. - Michael Whiting

CARLTON
More spots appear to be up for grabs as the Blues seek to turn around their worst start to a season in 25 years. They could rush champion midfielder Chris Judd back into the team, with the champ close to resuming after Achilles surgery in the pre-season. Ex-Lion Sam Docherty performed well in his second game in the VFL and is in line for promotion. Jarrad Waite, Brock McLean and Tom Bell are also in contention after solid displays in the VFL, while Matthew Watson or Andrew McInnes would be in line to replace Michael Jamison if the experienced key defender does not recover in time from a leg injury. - Howard Kotton

COLLINGWOOD
At 2-2, the Magpies are back on track but face a tough proposition against a confident North Melbourne team. Nathan Brown (shoulder) and Sam Dwyer (knee) will face fitness tests as they try to prove their fitness for the clash at the MCG on Saturday. Brown put in a desperate bid to play last week, but the Magpies decided to treat his return cautiously. Taylor Adams has served his one-week suspension and is available for selection, as well. Ben Reid (calf) is still two weeks away. Collingwood's 38-point win over Richmond is not likely to yield many changes, unless the club decides Brown is right to go. - Ben Guthrie


ESSENDON
There's plenty of action likely at the selection table for the Bombers after the defeat to Fremantle. Late withdrawals Paul Chapman, David Myers and Dustin Fletcher are all expected to return, as is ruckman Paddy Ryder, who has missed two matches with a sore ankle. The Dons are also hopeful on Brendon Goddard, who tweaked a groin in the warm-up at Patersons Stadium and saw little action. It's unlikely that anyone who played in the VFL win over North Ballarat will get a call-up, given the experienced returnees, but stick-thin small forward Orazio Fantasia put up his hand with four goals. - Gary Walsh





Suddenly a key member of the Essendon line-up, Paul Chapman may return on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media

FREMANTLE
The Dockers will get at least one and possibly two key players back ahead of their clash with the Sydney Swans on Saturday. Nat Fyfe will return from his two-match suspension, meaning someone will have to make way. Ross Lyon also suggested Chris Mayne was likely to recover from his ankle injury in time to face the Swans. Others from the WAFL may come into consideration but it would appear unlikely that they will play. Tom Sheridan had 22 disposals for Peel Thunder to make a case for an immediate recall. Anthony Morabito is building some excellent form coming back from his knee injuries. He had 23 disposals and kicked two goals. Jack Hannath had 22 touches, 11 marks, and 25 hit-outs as he tries to reclaim his spot from Zac Clarke. The bolter to watch is first-round draft pick Michael Apeness, who took seven contested marks and kicked 2.2 for Peel. It is highly unlikely he will play this week but he could play sooner rather than later. - Alex Malcolm 

GEELONG
The Cats' main concern in the lead-up to their blockbuster clash with Hawthorn on Easter Monday is the fitness of dashing defender Andrew Mackie, who has a hamstring problem. If Mackie is ruled out, inexperienced players Jordan Schroder and Jackson Sheringham look best placed to replace him after impressive performances in Geelong's VFL win over Casey on Sunday. Key forward Josh Walker is also pushing hard to win a place in the team that takes on the Hawks. Walker kicked three goals against the Scorpions, making it seven in two weeks. Young defender Jackson Thurlow wasn't named in the best against Casey, but he is a similar type of player to Mackie, so he is also very much in the mix. - Adam McNicol

GOLD COAST
The Suns will welcome back Brandon Matera from suspension for Sunday's game against Melbourne at the MCG. On the flipside they will lose defender Clay Cameron to a shoulder injury, which might open the door for rarely used running defender Jeremy Taylor. Taylor was best on ground in the NEAFL at the weekend and would seem a perfect swap for Cameron. Timmy Sumner again impressed in the forward line and must be a chance to return.  - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Despite being overrun by the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, there is plenty to like about Greater Western Sydney's improvement this year. Still, coach Leon Cameron is likely to do some minor tinkering ahead of this week's clash with the Crows in Adelaide. With Shane Mumford sidelined following minor knee surgery, Andrew Phillips could be in line for his first game since 2012 after starring in the reserves' win over Belconnen in the NEAFL. No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd also excelled in that game, kicking three goals and also spending time in the ruck as he nears his anticipated AFL debut. Defenders Matt Buntine, Stephen Gilham and Aidan Corr are also putting pressure on from the seconds. Lachie Whitfield (foot) and Dylan Shiel (quad) are nearing full fitness, with Will Hoskin-Elliott to be assessed after he picked up a leg injury against the Dogs. - James Dampney






No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd is edging closer to his AFL debut for the Giants. Picture: AFL Media

HAWTHORN
It's a scary thought for opponents that the undefeated reigning premiers should only get stronger in the coming weeks. Matt Spangher (ankle) was the sole injury worry from the 99-point win over Gold Coast, but the Hawks have key defenders Ben Stratton, Brian Lake and Ryan Schoenmakers pushing hard for AFL recalls. Stratton and Lake were in the best for Box Hill at the weekend, with the former most likely to come into contention to play Geelong. Ben McEvoy (calf) should be right to return, putting pressure on Jonathan Ceglar's spot in the ruck. Mitch Hallahan impressed for Box Hill, booting three goals, although it's highly unlikely the Hawks will make too many selection-based changes this week. - Travis King

MELBOURNE
After its first win for the season, Melbourne is likely to keep its line-up settled. Dean Terlich had slight groin tightness against Carlton but should be available for selection. Jimmy Toumpas played well in defence for Casey in the VFL but his apprenticeship is likely to continue. Colin Garland played in the VFL development game as he makes his way back towards senior football. He performed well but is likely to be given time. Jack Trengove and Mark Jamar both played but did not bust the door down and Sam Blease was concussed early in the game. - Peter Ryan

NORTH MELBOURNE
Jack Ziebell is likely to return from a shoulder injury this Saturday, but is yet to resume contact work at training and will have to pass a fitness test later this week. Daniel Currie is also a good chance to renew his ruck partnership with Todd Goldstein against the Pies. Currie was a late withdrawal from the Roos' impressive win over the Sydney Swans, but his omission was primarily because of the inclement conditions at the SCG last Sunday. In the VFL last weekend, Liam Anthony (22 possessions, 13 contested) and Sam Wright (31 possessions) put their hands up for senior recalls, while Mason Wood (three goals) continued his push for an AFL debut. - Nick Bowen




Jack Ziebell may strengthen North's already strong inside midfield brigade on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media

PORT ADELAIDE
Chad Wingard is expected to return to the Port line-up to take on West Coast next Saturday, having overcome an ankle injury – but given the way the Power demolished the Brisbane Lions on Saturday it'll be difficult for coach Ken Hinkley to change a wining side. Last week's debutant Sam Gray could be the unlucky man forced out for the side for the club's reigning best and fairest despite his three goals, although sub Aaron Young could also be squeezed out. In the SANFL, forward John Butcher managed five goals for the Magpies in their 152-point win, while midfielder Ben Newton was best on ground. - Harry Thring

RICHMOND
The Tigers lacked pace against Collingwood in round four and Nathan Foley could address that shortcoming after an impressive performance for Richmond's VFL team at the weekend. The midfielder racked up 20 possessions and eight clearances and used the ball well going inside 50. Vice-captain Brett Deledio is another who would spark the Tigers, but he remains a week-to-week proposition as he battles Achilles soreness. He appears certain to miss Thursday night's clash against the Brisbane Lions and, with an undefined recovery timeline, could be sidelined for more than a month. Prized draftee Ben Lennon (17 possessions in the VFL) is gaining form and getting closer to an anticipated debut. - Nathan Schmook  







Nathan Foley may be brought in to some pace to a Richmond side lacking spark. Picture: AFL Media

ST KILDA
The Saints will make at least one forced change this week with Nathan Wright to go out of the side with a broken right fibula that will sideline him for 10-12 weeks. David Armitage is rated a 50-50 chance to play against Essendon after receiving a nasty laceration to his knee against Adelaide that needed stitching. Meanwhile, Adam Schneider picked up 24 touches in the VFL in his return game from a bruised back. Sam Dunell took 10 marks while Seb Ross and Tom Lee kicked three goals each. Jack Billings continued his promising form while Terry Milera kicked two goals – the second of which created a draw for Sandringham. Sam Fisher is a chance to play in the VFL this week after a hamstring injury. Ruckman Tom Hickey missed on the weekend with a corked calf but will come straight back into the seniors. - Jennifer Phelan

SYDNEY SWANS
Crunch time has arrived for the Swans at the selection table. If they lose to Fremantle this week, they will be 1-4 and quickly slipping from finals contention. Do John Longmire and his match committee stick with a misfiring team for one more week, or start to swing the axe? Kurt Tippett will be the man followed most closely. Longmire said he could have had a run in the reserves on Sunday and if he has another good week on the track, he could be thrown into the fray for his first game of the year. Craig Bird, a surprise emergency in the wet on Sunday, is a probable inclusion, while Dean Towers is inching closer to his AFL debut. Longmire will likely give most of his established players another chance, but Ryan O'Keefe is surely under immense pressure and Tom Derickx could also make way. - James Dampney

WEST COAST
The Eagles have a number of players returning this week that will help them rebound from a horror loss to Geelong. Darren Glass (hip), Matt Rosa (illness), and Luke Shuey (suspension) are all certainties to return. Chris Masten is making a strong case to come back quicker than expected from his hamstring strain. Callum Sinclair was rested from the WAFL after not playing in the seniors at the weekend but Adam Simpson said he was a touch sore and could potentially come back depending on the fitness of Nic Naitanui. Mark Hutchings continues to impress in the WAFL with 22 possessions and a goal in an East Perth side that lost to West Perth by 100 points. Simon Tunbridge kicked three goals out of East Perth's seven in the same game. - Alex Malcolm 

WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs will need to dig deep into their key defensive stocks with Dale Morris (suspension) joining Jordan Roughead (shoulder) on the sidelines for Sunday's clash with the Blues.  Michael Talia and Fletcher Roberts loom as likely replacements for Morris, after the pair's strong performances in the VFL on the weekend. The other big decision facing the match committee is whether they continue to overlook the exciting VFL form of No.4 draft pick, Marcus Bontempelli. Named the Bulldogs' best in the loss to Williamstown, the 18-year-old playmaker impressed with his reading of the play and sure ball use. Fellow 2013 draftee Mitch Honeychurch also a standout.  Luke Dahlhaus is a chance to return from a calf complaint. - Ryan Davidson