Adelaide Crows

Get them in: Key defender Kyle Hartigan could return for Friday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs after missing the past three games with a hamstring injury. Youngster Darcy Fogarty could return for the injured Mitch McGovern, while forward Riley Knight (hamstring) will be assessed.

Under the pump: Midfielder Myles Poholke had just seven disposals in the Crows' loss to Port Adelaide. Andy Otten could make way if Hartigan is cleared. Otten could also play forward to cover for McGovern.

Medical room: Forward Mitch McGovern is out for two months with a high ankle sprain. Skipper Taylor Walker (glute) faces a fitness test on Wednesday, while ruckman Sam Jacobs (back spasm) is a good chance to play.

Verdict: Depends on how the injured players train at their main session. - Lee Gaskin

Brisbane Lions

Get them in: After a couple of weeks playing reserves, Sam Mayes has excelled and is close to a recall. Claye Beams and Ryan Lester are also doing all they can.

Under the pump: After a strong start to the year, Allen Christensen was poor against the Bulldogs. Matt Eagles made some blunders but has probably done enough to keep his spot against a taller Hawks forward line.

Medical room: Along with Richmond, it's the healthiest list in the competition – nothing to see here.

Verdict: Dropping Christensen would be a big call – he's in the leadership group – but coach Chris Fagan demands more of his senior players. Mayes or Beams look a good replacement. - Michael Whiting

BROWNLOW PREDICTOR Who's leading the race after R8?

Carlton

Get them in: Jacob Weitering should return against the Demons after another solid VFL performance. Jack Silvagni was a shining light in a losing team, collecting 21 disposals and kicking three goals as a midfielder/forward. Matthew Kennedy (30 disposals, one goal) was also solid.  

Under the pump: Jarrod Garlett picked up only six disposals last Saturday. Defender Lachie Plowman is also low on confidence.

Medical room: The Blues hope to regain the services of skipper Marc Murphy (foot) and defender Caleb Marchbank (ankle).

Verdict: Maybe 2-3 changes if Murphy and Marchbank are available. - Howard Kotton

Jacob Weitering's good VFL form may be rewarded with a recall. Picture: AFL Photos

Collingwood

Get them in: Skipper Scott Pendlebury appears set to return and Brayden Maynard could join him. Darcy Moore's absence might open the door for Sam McLarty to make his debut, while young midfielder Brayden Sier might also play his first game. Alex Fasolo also remains in line for promotion.

Under the pump: Taylor Adams' campaign has been hindered by an early hamstring injury but this is his third week back and he will be expected to have more impact in his half-back/midfield role.

Medical room: Pendlebury (ankle) and Maynard (ankle) face fitness tests, Tom Phillips (concussion) will also be monitored and Jeremy Howe had hamstring scans. Moore (hamstring) and Jamie Elliott (hamstring) won't be considered.

Verdict: Pendlebury and Maynard to return if fit, and Fasolo's goal sense would be handy. - Ben Collins

Essendon

Get them in: Dylan Clarke will be in strong contention for his debut after picking up 36 disposals in the VFL last week to continue his run of form. Defenders Mitch Brown, Michael Hartley and Jordan Ridley will also come into consideration, like Kyle Langford.

Under the pump: There's a few Bombers who could be in danger of losing their spots this week. Jayden Laverde, Kobe Mutch and Darcy Parish were quiet last week, while Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti remains out of form.

Medical room: The Bombers could recall Andrew McGrath, but he will be touch and go with his calf injury and could miss another week.

Verdict: It's time for Essendon to make some changes. Sticking with the status quo and only bringing players in to replace injured ones isn't working. - Callum Twomey

Fremantle

Get them in: The Dockers have some prime movers on the sidelines, and will want damaging half-backs Nathan Wilson (back soreness) and Stephen Hill (quad) to return for a tough trip to face Sydney. 

Under the pump: Maligned veteran Danyle Pearce and late inclusion Ryan Nyhuis were solid contributors against St Kilda but will most likely be the first to make way.

Medical room: Star forward Michael Walters wants to return after two games out recovering from a knee issue.

Verdict: Hill failed a fitness test before the Saints victory but would seem a chance to return, while it is wait and see on Wilson and Walters. - Travis King

Geelong Cats

Get them in: Tom Hawkins will return from suspension, while Scott Selwood needs to prove his fitness after jarring his back and missing last week. Lachie Fogarty was managed, emergency Wylie Buzza pushed his case in the VFL and Zach Guthrie was held over.  

Under the pump: Jordan Murdoch finished with nine touches and with extra midfield depth, Jordan Cunico will be on the edge. On the last in first out theory, inside midfielder George Horlin-Smith (15 disposals) will be restless. James Parsons has already been dropped twice this season and fellow forward Cory Gregson has had three lean weeks.

Medical room: Daniel Menzel's groin is causing concerns, Brandan Parfitt's will be tested and Jed Bews' corkie will be looked at off a six-day break.  

Verdict: Hawkins and Fogarty to return for two of Parsons, Murdoch, Gregson or Cunico. If Selwood is passed fit, Horlin-Smith falls out. With Menzel still sidelined, Stewart Crameri holds on. - Mitch Cleary

Tom Hawkins will be back from his suspension for umpire contact to face Essendon. Picture: AFL Photos

Gold Coast Suns

Get them in: Stuart Dew was adamant Peter Wright needed more than his two NEAFL matches to prove his fitness, but following Sam Day's suspension, his hand has been forced. Will Brodie has been a NEAFL shining light.

Under the pump: There were plenty of players down against the Demons, but Alex Sexton has been struggling for a while.

Medical room: David Swallow hurt his knee against the Demons and must be in some doubt to play Port. He'll be given every chance, though.

Verdict: The Suns were belted last week, but so was their NEAFL team. Aside from Wright coming in for Day, it's hard to see too many changes. - Michael Whiting

GWS Giants

Get them in: Defender Harry Perryman had 26 possessions and five tackles, while highly-rated draftee Aiden Bonar was also good in the NEAFL last week. Tim Mohr took eight marks and gathered 31 touches in defence.

Under the pump: Daniel Lloyd and Sam Reid haven't had much offensive impact so could be in trouble this week, with multiple changes likely.

Medical room: Matt de Boer (hamstring) is already gone and Phil Davis (concussion) could be in doubt for the North Melbourne game in Tasmania, but Brett Deledio (hamstring) could be a chance to return. Josh Kelly (groin) will likely miss at least another game unless he can train fully on Wednesday.

Verdict: Davis took a huge hit and might miss this week, so Mohr could get a rare chance at senior level. Deledio's chances hinge on the main training session. Perryman must come in and Bonar should get a long-overdue debut, possibly in place of Lloyd and Reid. - Adam Curley

Hawthorn

Get them in: Small forward Paul Puopolo should make a welcome return to the side for the trip to the Gabba after missing four weeks with a hamstring tear. His forward pressure and ability to jag a goal has been missed. Midfielder James Cousins took his unlucky demotion to the VFL well and played well on Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney on Sunday. Key forward Mitchell Lewis continues to play well at Box Hill.

Under the pump:  Tim O'Orien and James Frawley were poor against the Swans. Is it time for Ryan Schoenmakers and Kaiden Brand to be recalled?

Medical room: The Hawks came out of the Swans game with no injuries.

Verdict:  Schoenmakers for O'Brien and Puopolo for Will Langford. - Ashley Browne

Small forward Paul Puopolo is like to make a welcome return. Picture: AFL Photos

Melbourne

Get them in: Co-captain Jack Viney got through his first game back in the VFL after a long-term foot injury and will put up his hand to play against the Blues. Tim Smith continues to perform strongly at VFL level, while Jeff Garlett wouldn't be far away from breaking back into the side.

Under the pump: It's difficult to make a change to a team that just won by 69 points. However, if right to go, Viney will come back in for either Sam Weideman, Alex Neal-Bullen, Charlie Spargo or Dom Tyson.

Medical room: Corey Maynard (hip) remains on the sidelines, but with Viney and Tom McDonald back playing there are not too many other players on the injured list pushing into senior contention.

Verdict: Viney will return but at whose expense is tough to gauge. If a player isn't rested, Spargo or Tyson could be the unlucky ones. - Ben Guthrie

North Melbourne

Get them in: Paul Ahern and Nathan Hrovat appear to be the next cabs off the rank. Hrovat was the match-day emergency on Sunday, while Ahern racked up 22 disposals in state league ranks. The Roos' VFL coach David Loader also delivered rich praise for tall defender Sam Durdin's past month of football in his post-match review.

Under the pump: Kayne Turner is a favourite internally for his defensive jobs as a forward, but he's kicked just one goal and is averaging 10.1 disposals and 3.5 tackles in eight matches. His six touches against Richmond was his fourth single-digit possession tally in 2018. Todd Goldstein's form is a concern, although Braydon Preuss isn't mounting a strong case in the VFL.

Medical room: Ed Vickers-Willis (PCL in right knee) will have surgery this week and miss the rest of the season. First-year midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke (ankle) sat out the second half of the Roos' VFL match last weekend, but Taylor Garner (hamstring) made a successful VFL return after coming onto the field in the second term.

Verdict: Much depends on the result of Jack Ziebell's appeal against his one-match ban for kneeing Tiger Reece Conca. If Ziebell misses, one of Hrovat or untried Ahern is likely to receive a call-up. - Marc McGowan

Port Adelaide

Get them in: The Power took 26 players to China for Saturday's clash with Gold Coast when they flew out of Adelaide on Monday night. Trent McKenzie joins Karl Amon, Dom Barry and Jack Trengove alongside the 22 that beat the Crows in the Showdown.

Under the pump: It would be unlikely the Power will make any unforced changes after their great Showdown win. However, they could make a defensive change if the Suns go with a smaller forward line.

Medical room: The Power reported a clean bill of health after the Showdown win.

Verdict: The Power should have the same side. - Lee Gaskin

Richmond

Get them in: Shaun Grigg should be available after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. Brandon Ellis will be considered after a solid VFL game, particularly if Nathan Broad doesn't recover from a corked glute. Daniel Rioli is set to play his first game since the Grand Final, but at VFL level.

Under the pump: Another even performance from the premiers means injuries and management are more likely to prompt changes. Jack Higgins was quiet but forced omissions might save him.  

Medical room: Dion Prestia will likely miss again as the Tigers go conservative with his calf injury while Jason Castagna and Broad have to prove their fitness after copping knocks in Sunday's win. Grigg should be right to go while Ryan Garthwaite is also expected to be available after stretching a shoulder in the VFL.

Verdict: Grigg returns, Castagna and Broad in doubt, Ellis well and truly in the mix, and maybe Ivan Soldo is considered if playing load is catching up with Toby Nankervis. Small forward Tyson Stengle has kicked 11 goals in five games and could be discussed. - Jennifer Phelan

St Kilda

Get them in: Midfielder Nathan Freeman has put together an impressive couple of weeks at Sandringham but needs more match fitness, while backmen Bailey RiceBrandon White and Logan Austin looked good for the Zebras at the weekend. Wingman Jack Sinclair went to Perth as a travelling emergency.

Under the pump: Form is an issue for Jack Billings and Jack Newnes. While having some good moments up forward against Fremantle, David Armitage had only eight disposals.

Medical room: Defenders Jake Carlisle (concussion) and Sam Gilbert (right ankle) are in doubt. At the other end of the ground, Paddy McCartin could return from concussion but the club will take every precaution with him.

Verdict: White in for Gilbert and if Carlisle isn't declared fit, Austin to replace him, although it could be Rice if Collingwood play only one tall forward. – Dinny Navaratnam

Sydney Swans

Get them in: Key defender Aliir Aliir kept GWS forward Jon Patton goalless last week, while ruckman Darcy Cameron was good again, and Nic Newman, Harry Marsh and Colin O'Riordan were outstanding.

Under the pump: After such an important win over Hawthorn there are unlikely to be any unforced changes.

Medical room: Superstar forward Lance Franklin (bruised heel) has already been ruled out but midfielder Dan Hannebery (groin) could return if he can get through the week.

Verdict: If Hannebery passes his fitness test the Swans have a tough decision to make, with either last week's debutant Tom McCartin or Dean Towers the unlucky ones to possibly drop out. - Adam Curley

West Coast Eagles

Get them in: It was highly contentious but star ruckman Nic Naitanui might benefit in the long run from his week's suspension.

Under the pump: Debutant Brayden Ainsworth, workhorse Fraser McInnes and experienced defender Will Schofield came in and played their roles against the Giants, but will probably be back at East Perth if big names return from injury and suspension.

Medical room: Jeremy McGovern (calf), Dom Sheed (foot) and Lewis Jetta (calf) could all be in contention after missing the Giants win.

Verdict: There could be multiple changes, depending whether McGovern, Sheed and Jetta are ready to return alongside Naitanui. - Travis King

Nic Naitanui's one-match suspension may have been a blessing in disguise. Picture: AFL Photos

Western Bulldogs

Get them in: Despite not playing a game this season, key defenders Dale Morris (knee) and Marcus Adams (ankle) are a chance to face Adelaide on Friday night. Skipper Easton Wood (hamstring) must also pass a fitness test. Premiership defender Fletcher Roberts should also be considered with Aaron Naughton injured. 

Under the pump: Midfielder Lukas Webb only had nine disposals against Brisbane and could be dropped for the third time this season.

Medical room: Impressive draftee Naughton will miss 2-3 weeks with an ankle injury sustained in the win over the Lions.

Verdict: Roberts for Naughton. - Ryan Davidson