The Crows will regain the service of inside midfielder Scott Thompson this week, who was forced out of the side against St Kilda with general soreness. After such an emphatic win and even contribution against the Saints, Don Pyke has a difficult job on his hands dropping someone to fit in Thompson. Brad Crouch performed well in the SANFL with 29 disposals and eight clearances, as did Harrison Wigg (27 possessions), Andy Otten (20, seven rebound 50s) and Troy Menzel (three goals). David Mackay was also impressive in his return from a hamstring injury, collecting 25 disposals, six clearances and a goal. - Harry Thring
The Lions' defence should be bolstered to play fellow cellar-dwellers Fremantle at the Gabba on Saturday with Harris Andrews (foot) and Darcy Gardiner (finger) both back in the frame for selection. With Allen Christensen (collarbone) out for a month, the return of winger Rohan Bewick from a groin problem is timely. Draftee Eric Hipwood is also close to making a debut. - Michael Whiting
The Blues will keep a close watch on No. 1 ruckman Matthew Kreuzer after he missed the second half of last Saturday’s game against the Brisbane Lions. Kreuzer was ill after showing signs of concussion. If he can't come up Andrew Phillips looms as an ideal replacement after returning from a hamstring injury in the VFL last Sunday. Phillips got through unscathed against Frankston, gathering 25 hit-outs and eight touches in the wet conditions. Jack Silvagni provided a spark up forward, kicking three goals in the first quarter, with two coming from strong contested marks. Silvagni finished with four goals, 21 disposals, seven marks (four inside 50) and seven inside 50s in the Northern Blues' 40-point win. Mark Whiley collected a team-high 31 touches and kicked a goal. Speedster Jason Tutt found plenty of the ball with 26 possessions and one goal. Dylan Buckley is available again after serving his suspension. - Howard Kotton
Marley Williams appears primed to return to the Magpies' leaky defence for their Queen's Birthday clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Monday after a strong, four-quarter performance in the VFL. The tough left-footer, who hasn't played at AFL level since injuring his toe in round three, had 26 possessions (20 kicks) in a 29-point win over Werribee in wet conditions on Saturday. First-year midfielder Tom Phillips is closing in on an AFL debut after a best-on-ground effort, collecting 33 possessions (25 kicks), five clearances, six tackles and three goals. Ex-Lion James Aish, with a focus on the contested and defensive areas of his game, staked a claim for a recall with 25 possessions (14 contested), four clearances, seven tackles and a goal. Others in the frame include backmen Tyson Goldsack, Jonathon Marsh and Nathan Brown, ruckman Jarrod Witts and defensive runner Brent Macaffer. - Ben Collins
The Bombers had the bye in the VFL last week, so players pressing for a senior call-up weren't able to push their case any further. Mathew Stokes might be about ready to return to take on the Hawks at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, after missing five weeks with a hamstring strain. Nick Kommer is another player who might get a look-in after being out of the side since its round three loss to Port Adelaide. James Kelly is likely to return after being rested for the Fremantle trip - Callum Twomey
Mathew Stokes may be in line for a return after a hamstring injury. Picture: AFL Media
The only thing stopping the Dockers from an unchanged team for the first time this season is the deflating injury to young forward Michael Apeness. If they opt to replace him with another tall, the exposed options are ruckmen Zac Clarke (17 disposals and 37 hit-outs in the WAFL) and Jack Hannath (eight and two goals) or versatile big man Tanner Smith 16 and 10 marks). The other less likely option is Queensland rookie Matthew Uebergang, who has split his time in the WAFL forward and back and is yet to debut. If the Dockers go small and change their structure, Anthony Morabito has played two solid games across half-back at the lower level. Brady Grey (22 disposals and 11 tackles) is an in-form option if there are further changes. – Nathan Schmook
Cats coach Chris Scott is keen to get Rhys Stanley back into the team following his withdrawal last week due to a foot injury, but the length of his absence remains uncertain. If fit he would replace the suspended Tom Hawkins. If not, Nathan Vardy comes into calculations. Despite his form being average in the VFL, Vardy took steps forward on Sunday. Cory Gregson played well against Sandringham and is always on the cusp of selection, while Jed Bews continues to keep pressure on the selectors with good form in the VFL. Josh Cowan appears to have escaped serious injury to his knee and has the qualities to become a senior player if he can hit some form. - Peter Ryan
After getting five players back from injury last week, the Suns will continue to get closer to full strength with more returning to play Richmond at the MCG on Sunday. Defenders Rory Thompson and Trent McKenzie both played NEAFL last weekend and got through strongly after lengthy layoffs, while Sam Day has missed two weeks with a hip problem but is now OK. Jarrad Grant is also likely to put his name forward after missing the past few weeks with a hamstring strain. - Michael Whiting
Star midfielder Ryan Griffen could return to face the Sydney Swans on Sunday if he can prove his fitness at training this week. The 29-year-old has missed the past six games with a back injury, but has been on the track and moving well over the past fortnight. Upgraded rookie Sam Reid has been an emergency for the senior side over the last month and did his chances of a call-up no harm when he had 25 possessions and kicked four goals in the NEAFL last week, while midfielder Jake Barrett and defenders Harrison Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson are also playing consistent footy in the reserves. - Adam Curley
The main concern for Hawthorn after the slogging 18-point win over Melbourne on Saturday was a knock to the leg of Jack Gunston that forced the important forward to sit out the last few minutes of the game. The Hawks don't have a bunch of key forward reinforcements if Gunston doesn't come up for Friday night's Etihad Stadium clash with Essendon, with Ryan Schoenmakers, Jack Fitzpatrick and Matt Spangher all unavailable. Perhaps Blake Hardwick could become the fifth debutant of the year. Jon Ceglar's one-match suspension will likely pave the way for young ruckman Marc Pittonet to play his second game for the season. Midfielder Will Langford was rested on the weekend and will return, possibly at the expense of Kade Stewart, who impressed on debut. Kieran Lovell, Brendan Whitecross and Angus Litherland played well for Box Hill, but with just five days between the VFL and AFL, they seem unlikely to earn a recall. - Ashley Browne
Jon Ceglar's suspension paves the way for ruck ruckman Marc Pittonet. Picture: AFL Media
Melbourne will head into next Monday's Queen's Birthday clash against Collingwood as favourites for the first time in almost a decade. Former Magpie Ben Kennedy is highly likely to return to the team after gathering 30 disposals and kicking three goals for the Casey Scorpions at the weekend. Ben Newton (27 touches), Jack Grimes (24) and Alex Neal-Bullen (23) were also among the best players for the Scorpions. Viv Michie was clean with the ball in tough conditions, while rookie Mitch White (24) continues to impress in defence. If Colin Garland (cheekbone) is cleared to play he will also come into selection consideration. - Ben Guthrie
Gun ruckman Todd Goldstein was withdrawn before the belting of Richmond after struggling with a knee injury in previous matches, but if he gets through training this week he seems an almost certain starter for Saturday night's blockbuster clash with Geelong. Defender Sam Wright has a badly sprained ankle from Friday night, however it's the opposite ankle to the one that sidelined him for three games recently. If he doesn't get up, Aaron Mullett had 30 touches and eight marks in the VFL, while Lachie Hansen made a strong return from concussion with 14 touches and seven marks, although he might need more match fitness after three weeks out. Trent Dumont responded to being dropped with 32 disposals and 10 tackles in Werribee's loss to Collingwood. - Travis King
After the Power's stunning 67-point win over Collingwood it’s tough to see where coach Ken Hinkley would want to change the side ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Western Bulldogs. The Power flew home last weekend with its squad intact, so injury wont force anyone out of the side. Kane Mitchell (32 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances, one goal) continued his SANFL dominance at the weekend, Brendon Ah Chee (27 possessions, seven clearances, two goals) was superb, Jimmy Toumpas looked threatening with two goals before injuring his ankle and Jesse Palmer was solid with 17 touches and two goals. - Harry Thring
Changes will be made after the Tigers' 70-point loss to North Melbourne and Reece Conca will likely be the first cab off the rank after recovering from another hamstring injury. The forgotten Tiger has played three good games in the VFL and racked up 34 possessions to all but lock himself in for Sunday's clash against Gold Coast. The Tigers will likely make multiple changes and Jason Castagna and Connor Menadue are options to cover injured defender Steven Morris (knee). If tall forward Ben Griffiths (ankle) is not passed fit, Liam McBean could get his chance. The Tigers may, however, decide that rookies Mabior Chol or Callum Moore are more deserving of a chance. Hard-nosed recruit Jacob Townsend has not played since round five but is throwing himself into the contest at VFL level. First-year forward Oleg Markov is another option and could make his debut if the Tigers take an aggressive youth policy from this round on. – Nathan Schmook
Sean Dempster and Hugh Goddard join Sam Fisher on the sidelines, so Tom Lee will almost certainly come into the team, while Luke Delaney could line up for the first time in 2016. Paddy McCartin will also sit out the game against Carlton, with Lewis Pierce a possibility to make his long-awaited debut. Alternatively, they could play a smaller forward line, bringing Jack Lonie, Jack Sinclair and Eli Templeton into the mix. Blake Acres would also fancy his chances of a call-up, especially if skipper Nick Riewoldt isn't declared fit after more knee issues. Brodie Murdoch may be dropped after a poor game against the Crows, with Daniel McKenzie over his illness. – Dinny Navaratnam
Young defender Callum Mills was rested for last week's win over Gold Coast as the club manages his workload in his debut season, but is certain to play this week against Greater Western Sydney. Forward Sam Reid only managed to play a half in the NEAFL due to an issue with his Achilles so seems unlikely to face the Giants. Dean Towers had 34 touches and kicked two goals in the reserves, with Brandon Jack another fringe player knocking on the door with some great form. Regular defender Xavier Richards kicked six goals in the wet against the Suns to throw his hand up but there doesn't seem to be too many spots up for grabs in coach John Longmire's in-form side. - Adam Curley
The defence will be bolstered by the inclusion of Jeremy McGovern, who was sorely missed in the eight-point loss to the Western Bulldogs last Sunday. Despite impressing down back, Tom Cole will probably be the one to make way. Ruckman Nic Naitanui is in some doubt after walking into the club on crutches on Monday, opening the door for Jonathan Giles to possibly play his first game for the Eagles. Giles picked up 24 hit-outs and 12 disposals for East Perth. Fraser McInnes would be the other option, if West Coast wants to use Lycett as the primary ruckman, with McInnes the back-up. After 30 disposals in the WAFL, Patrick McGinnity is also in the conversation for senior selection. - Dinny Navaratnam
Jeremy McGovern was sorely missed against the Dogs. Picture: AFL Media
Luke Beveridge will need to make at least one change for Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide, with forward Toby McLean set to spend a prolonged period on the sidelines with a foot injury sustained in the win over Wes Coast. Utility Lukas Webb is a logical replacement after his impressive VFL season continued on the weekend with a 29-possession game through the midfield. With Easton Wood still recovering from a hamstring complaint, versatile defender Joel Hamling could come into contention to play his third senior game for the season. Veteran Jed Adcock (23 disposals) and wingman Bailey Dale (two goals) had good games for Footscray, while key forward Tom Boyd didn't set the world on fire in his return from a shoulder injury and is unlikely to be considered for senior selection. Midfielder Lin Jong is available after serving a two-match ban for a high bump on Giant Matt Buntine. - Ryan Davidson
