• Finals crystal ball: week one finals predictions
• Nine things we learned from round 21
• Around the state leagues: how your seconds performed
• The injury list: Your club's sidelined players
Small defender Luke Brown will have a fitness test this week after injuring his foot against the Brisbane Lions. Brown appeared in serious pain when he was helped from the field by trainers, but he played out the game and is tipped to face West Coast. Jake Lever is fresh and available for selection after a rest – he's likely to replace Sam Shaw. It looms the only change this week, although the pressure coming from those in the SANFL is intense. James Podsiadly is raring to go having booted nine goals over the weekend. David Mackay collected 29 disposals and kicked two goals, Matt Wright had another 33 possessions and Sam Kerridge managed 29 touches and nine clearances. - Harry Thring
Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger will come into consideration for a return against Hawthorn after missing the past three matches with a knee injury. Justin Leppitsch likes employing two ruckmen and has gone with the Stefan Martin-Trent West combination recently. However, West had just three disposals against the Crows at the weekend, which could give Leuenberger another look in if he passes a fitness test. - Michael Whiting
Skipper Marc Murphy will miss Saturday’s game against Greater Western Sydney - and the rest of the season - after he was subbed off during last Sunday’s victory over Melbourne with a shoulder injury. Brad Walsh, who picked up 27 disposals (16 contested) in the VFL last Saturday, looms as a possible replacement. Troy Menzel finished the game against the Demons with a shoulder injury, Michael Jamison was concussed and Matthew Kreuzer had a sore back and the Blues hope the trio will be right to face the Giants. Levi Casboult, a late withdrawal last Sunday with a knee injury, will also miss the rest of the season. Kristian Jaksch is unavailable after injuring his ankle against Melbourne. Although the Northern Blues were easily beaten in the VFL, Clem Smith (three goals) performed well to put himself in contention for senior selection. - Howard Kotton
Marc Murphy was subbed out of the game after dislocating his shoulder in the third term #AFLBluesDees http://t.co/RW7d5Tu5mx
— AFL (@AFL) August 23, 2015
Mason Cox is in line to become the second born and raised American to play AFL football in as many rounds after bagging five goals, including four in the last quarter, in the Pies' VFL side's 72-point win over Richmond at Victoria Park. The international rookie could headline several changes to the Collingwood line-up that was belted by the Tigers at the MCG on Saturday. Others to press their claims included runners Adam Oxley, Clinton Young, Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman and Sam Dwyer, and big men Jesse White and Jarrod Witts. - Ben Collins
Mason Cox leaps for a hit-out during the VFL clash against Richmond. Picture: Getty Images
Key defenders Ariel Steinberg and Tayte Pears are a chance to return to the senior team after playing well in the backline in Essendon’s VFL win over Footscray. Elliott Kavanagh is also a possible inclusion, after the fourth-year midfielder contributed strongly in the come-from-behind victory. The Bombers are unlikely to get anyone back from injury, given they won’t risk any further injury to susceptible players with only two games remaining in their season. But veteran Paul Chapman is a chance to come back into the senior line-up as he enters what is expected to be the final two weeks of his glittering career. - Callum Twomey
The Dockers' mix revolves around the fitness of Matthew Pavlich this week. He did not travel to Melbourne last week due to an Achilles problem and Ross Lyon said the skipper was no guarantee to return this week unless he got through training. A number of players made some awful skill errors against North Melbourne and that could open the door for others to get an opportunity. Lachie Weller and Ed Langdon remain firmly in the mix but Connor Blakely may not be available for selection after injuring his ankle in the WAFL on the weekend. Zac Clarke is also unavailable after he was suspended for one game in the WAFL. Paul Duffield played well for Peel with 21 touches and a goal and is still one of the best kicks on Fremantle's list. Clancee Pearce gathered 19 touches while Matt Taberner gathered 17 touches, took nine marks and kicked a goal for Peel, but probably needs to do more. - Alex Malcolm
Mystery surrounds the fitness of Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich. Picture: AFL Media
Daniel Menzel looks set to return for his first senior game since the 2011 Qualifying Final against the Magpies on Friday night. He was rested from the VFL at the weekend and could replace Cory Gregson, who has begun to tire. Shane Kersten kicked five goals against Sandringham and must enter calculations as the club's second tall forward. Dean Gore was also strong again and will push for selection while James Kelly and Mathew Stokes will be in the frame. Josh Caddy is in doubt with a knee injury and the Cats will be hopeful that Mitch Duncan will have recovered from his calf strain. His run has been sorely missed in recent weeks. – Peter Ryan
Powerhouse forward Charlie Dixon is a huge chance to return against Port Adelaide on Saturday night after missing the weekend's win over Essendon. Dixon's troublesome ankle is on the improve and he needs to only get through Thursday's main session to regain his position. The Suns are unlikely to make many changes after edging past Essendon, but Andrew Boston's 31 disposals in the NEAFL puts him at the head of the queue should coach Rodney Eade want to shuffle the cards. - Michael Whiting
With his team's finals chances dashed by last week's disappointing Sydney derby loss to the Swans, Giants coach Leon Cameron might give some youngsters a look at senior footy over the next fortnight. Midfielders Jake Barrett and Paul Ahern have been in great form in the NEAFL and a debut would be great reward for a very consistent year in the reserves. Versatile big man Adam Tomlinson had 23 possessions, took nine marks and kicked 3.4 in the NEAFL last week, with defender Adam Kennedy again very good. Ruckman Tom Downie should be in the mix, with senior ruckman Andrew Phillips struggling for form. Cameron will be keen to see the injury-plagued Jacob Townsend back in the AFL - he battled a foot problem early in the season and hasn't played a game in 2015. Tough defender Matt Buntine might be a chance to return but after his concussion issues, GWS might also choose to call time on his season as a precaution. - Adam Curley
Adam Tomlinson may have forced his way into the GWS line-up after a big NEAFL game. Picture: AFL Media
With Luke Hodge suspended, James Sicily and Will Langford picked a good week to produce stellar VFL performances and put their hands up for recalls against the Brisbane Lions. Sicily returned from a fractured hand and banged down the selection door with eight goals and 10 marks in Box Hill's 90-point thumping of the Northern Blues. Langford was strong around the contest – an area the Hawks struggled against Port Adelaide - in his second match back from a knee problem, while Jonathon O'Rourke had 17 kicks and was among the best. – Travis King
As much as coach Paul Roos would love to make wholesale changes to the team that lost to Carlton by 23 points, he simply does not have the cattle to do so. Just nine Melbourne-listed players ran out for VFL affiliate Casey at the weekend, due largely to the club's extensive injury list. Heritier Lumumba (ankle) is unlikely to get up for the trip to play Fremantle in Perth, meaning Roos will need to make at least one change. With Aaron Sandilands posing a formidable ruck presence, Jake Spencer (19 disposals and four goals in the VFL) or Mark Jamar (three goals) could be called upon to provide support for Max Gawn. Matt Jones (26) and Aidan Riley (22) also won plenty of the footy and might be considered. - Ben Guthrie
Lumumba has been subbed out of the game after appearing to roll his ankle in the second term #AFLBluesDees http://t.co/ZVi7LJg63M
— AFL (@AFL) August 23, 2015
Vice-captain Jack Ziebell will return from a one-week suspension against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, but fellow midfielder Daniel Wells still needs to build match fitness before he will be considered for a recall. Wells has played two consecutive VFL games since returning from an Achilles tendon injury, but while he showed glimpses of his best for Werribee's development team last Saturday he faces a race against time to return for North's likely finals campaign. Lindsay Thomas could come under pressure to retain his spot after managing just five possessions in North's win over Fremantle, with fellow small forward Kayne Turner (18 possessions and seven inside 50s) impressing with his work rate in Werribee's win over Williamstown last Saturday. North's other VFL affiliate North Ballarat had a bye last weekend, but midfielders Trent Dumont and Brad McKenzie won't be far from the selectors' minds. - Nick Bowen
The Power could take an unchanged line-up into this weekend's game against Gold Coast, after beating Hawthorn for the second time this year. Patrick Ryder is playing well as the solo ruckman, which makes it tricky for Mathew Lobbe to find his way back into the side – although his 34 hit-outs and five clearances in the SANFL was a solid performance. Andrew Moore hit form in the SANFL with 22 possessions and three goals, and Paul Stewart (15 touches) and Karl Amon (12) also each kicked three majors. Aaron Young was strong on the inside (eight clearances) while Sam Colquhoun was strong on the outside (25 possessions, nine uncontested marks). - Harry Thring
With finals locked in, it is time for the Tigers to look at what their best September team looks like. Defender Dylan Grimes is certainly a part of that and could return this week from a hamstring injury if he passes a fitness test. Reece Conca would also be in the club's September plans, but it is likely he'll need a match in the VFL after another hamstring injury. Liam McBean is in superb form at VFL level, kicking another five goals at the weekend, but he can't fit in at AFL level right now with a smaller forward line working well around tall pair Jack Riewoldt and Ty Vickery. Half-forward Chris Knights had 20 possessions and two goals in the VFL but will likely be waiting for an opening rather than forcing his way in on form. - Nathan Schmook
After making seven changes last week, the Saints have a few players they expect to be available to face the Swans. David Armitage and Sean Dempster were only expected to miss one week so will come into consideration while Blake Acres, Dylan Roberton, Jack Sinclair and ruckman Billy Longer face further testing, although it's hard to see the Saints dropping Jason Holmes after his impressive debut. Jack Lonie will ramp up his training this week after last playing against Fremantle in round 19. Daniel Markworth was an emergency on the weekend and it would be good to see the untried forward make his debut after some nice moments in the VFL on Sunday. In the same game, rookie Ahmed Saad kicked four goals and Paddy McCartin two, while Tom Simpkin impressed through the midfield. - Jennifer Phelan
It's been a bit like 'Groundhog Day' at the Swans over the past month and once again all eyes will be on the rehab group this week. Star forward Lance Franklin (rib cartilage/back) has stepped up his training and will hope to be back to face St Kilda on Sunday. Midfielders Tom Mitchell (eye), Gary Rohan (knee) and Ben McGlynn (hamstring) will also look to prove their fitness ahead of the side's clash with Saints, with Rohan and McGlynn in particular needing game time before the finals. Franklin has only played one of the Swans' past five games, Rohan one of the past seven, while McGlynn has only played seven matches all season. The trio is vital to coach John Longmire's forward structure but he would be hesitant about heading into a big final with so many players underdone. - Adam Curley
The Swans are sweating on the fitness of several stars, including midfielder Tom Mitchell. Picture: AFL Media
The Eagles are simply searching for fit players at the moment. Jeremy McGovern is set to return from his hamstring injury but Will Schofield might not be ready just yet. Tom Barrass may also come into calculations after Eagles coach Adam Simpson experimented with a smaller defence against the Western Bulldogs. The Eagles will need some bigger bodies against Adelaide. Scott Selwood (ankle) and Sam Butler (hamstring) will need to train well to be available for selection. Xavier Ellis was subbed out of Sunday's win and given his soft tissue history, he may need a break after playing 10 matches in a row. Chris Masten has another week to serve on his suspension. East Perth had a bye last weekend so the likes of Kane Lucas and Tom Lamb had a forced lay-off after some good form at WAFL level. - Alex Malcolm
The Bulldogs are likely to regain veteran playmakers Matthew Boyd and Liam Picken from general soreness for Saturday's crucial encounter against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Gun defender Dale Morris (achilles), forward Jarrad Grant (broken nose) and defender Michael Talia (ankle) all picked up injuries in the loss to West Coast and will be monitored throughout the week. Big men Fletcher Roberts, Jordan Roughead and Will Minson all look ready replacements after good games with Footscray. And midfielder Nathan Hrovat keeps putting his hand up for a senior recall after racking up 30 disposals in another classy state league performance. – Ryan Davidson
