ADELAIDE
Despite the week off with the bye, Jared Petrenko (shoulder injury  sustained against the Sydney Swans) will still need to pass a fitness test to play against Gold Coast. He trained away from the main group on Monday. Sam Shaw returned to SANFL level at the weekend after booting five goals in the reserves and managed 10 disposals, five marks in defence. Mitch Grigg was Norwood's most prolific with 27 possessions and two goals, rookie Kyle Hartigan was good with 24 disposals and a goal, Jarryd Lyons had 22 touches and kicked a goal. Richard Tambling found plenty of the ball with 33 touches and Sturt teammate Aidan Riley was also good in a losing side with 20 disposals and six clearances. - Harry Thring

BRISBANE LIONS
After their upset win over Geelong at the weekend, it's hard to see Michael Voss making any changes to the Lions team to play Hawthorn on Sunday in Launceston. They did field a strong reserves team last week though, and any one of Rohan Bewick, Andrew Raines, Patrick Karnezis or James Polkinghorne could come in to add some extra run against the Hawks. - Michael Whiting

CARLTON
The Blues could be bolstered by the return of two stars for their huge clash with the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Friday night. Chris Yarran is likely to return from exile after being dropped for showing poor body language in the round 11 loss to Essendon, while midfielder Andrew Carrazzo appears certain to finally play but is more likely to come back through the VFL after being sidelined with a calf injury since round five. Those who could be considered for promotion from the VFL include runners Tom Bell and Troy Menzel, ruckmen Shaun Hampson and Robert Warnock, key forward Luke Mitchell and defenders Simon White, Matthew Watson and Nick Duigan. - Ben Collins
 
COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies' VFL team played two weeks ago, with Andrew Krakouer (25 disposals and eight clearances) turning in a stellar performance. Clinton Young also made a successful comeback from a hamstring injury, as did key defender Lachlan Keeffe. Speedy half forward Caolan Mooney kicked three majors for the Pies VFL team, while star midfielder Dayne Beams (quad) looks finally set to return in the VFL in the next fortnight. - Ben Guthrie




Ex-Hawk Clinton Young is closing in on his first game for Collingwood. Picture: AFL Media

ESSENDON
Courtenay Dempsey and Dustin Fletcher could be in line to return to Essendon's defence for its important game against West Coast on Thursday night. Dempsey's chest injury is coming along after a sickening clash in round 10 against the Sydney Swans, while Fletcher missed the Bombers' round 12-win over Gold Coast with a groin injury. Michael Hurley is expected to face the Eagles despite another knock to his troublesome wrist against the Suns.  The Bombers are in an enviable position with the health of their list so competition for spots in the senior side is fierce. - Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE
The Dockers' selection focus will be on Michael Barlow this week following minor jaw surgery on Monday. The club has said he is still a chance to travel to Geelong but it would be highly unlikely if he suited up on Saturday night. David Mundy should return from a minor calf strain that kept him out of the North Melbourne clash. Viv Michie could be the bolter this week. He's had 30 plus possessions in four of his last six matches in the WAFL. Ross Lyon is pleased with his progress coming off stress fractures in his foot. Matthew Pavlich is likely to have to wait another week before being available. - Alex Malcolm

GEELONG
The Cats are hoping to regain big men Trent West (back) and Nathan Vardy (back) for Saturday night's crucial clash with Fremantle at Simonds Stadium. Midfielder Josh Caddy is also likely win a call-up after a best on ground performance for Geelong's VFL team last weekend. Mitch Brown and Jed Bews are others in the mix to play against the Dockers. - Adam McNicol

GOLD COAST
Coming off the bye, the Suns will be forced to make a couple of changes when they play Adelaide at Metricon Stadium on Saturday with the long-term injuries to Tom Lynch (knee) and Michael Rischitelli (elbow). Jared Brennan is likely to return after proving his fitness in the reserves following a knee injury, while Steven May looks a good fit to replace Lynch after overcoming a quad injury. Forgotten man Greg Broughton is also a possibility. Harley Bennell (hamstring), Karmichael Hunt (hamstring) and Charlie Dixon (ankle) are to play in the reserves to build on their match fitness after missing a number of weeks. - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
The mid-season break has given the Giants an opportunity to lick their wounds from a difficult opening half of the season and gear up for the back half of the year. There are still some high picks from last year's draft yet to debut in 2013, including No.2 selection Jono O'Rourke and No.12 Kristian Jaksch, and coach Kevin Sheedy is keen for both to taste senior football this season. Phil Davis is getting close to resuming after a back problem and his return will be a significant boost to the backline. Young ruckman Andrew Phillips has had a frustrating run with a hamstring injury and will also be hoping to help out Jonathan Giles over the second half of the year. At the other end of the scale, Bret Thornton has been performing well in the reserves and will want to add to his single GWS game to date. - James Dampney
 
HAWTHORN
Cyril Rioli is expected to be available after recovering from his hamstring injury, but may yet make his comeback in the VFL, having spent two months on the sidelines. Isaac Smith will be fit after missing last week with a corked calf, but Paul Puopolo, a late withdrawal from Friday night's win over West Coast with a quad issue, is likely to miss. Matt Spangher is the obvious replacement for Josh Gibson should the former Kangaroo not recover in time from his rolled ankle, and Kyle Cheney must be in strong contention if Grant Birchall can't overcome his sore knee. - Mark Macgugan

MELBOURNE
The Demons have been forced into one compulsory change for Saturday evening's MCG clash with the Western Bulldogs, following the three-match suspension to ruckman Jake Spencer. This opens the door for the return of Max Gawn, who had 32 hit outs in the VFL for Casey on the weekend. Given the Demons showed more endeavour last week against St Kilda, won a quarter and broke even in some important key indicators, it is unlikely that interim senior coach Neil Craig will make wholesale change to his side. The Demons are still depleted with co-skipper Jack Grimes a week away from resuming after his collarbone injury while defender James Frawley will be tested on an injured hamstring. - Ashley Browne

NORTH MELBOURNE
Co-vice-captain Jack Ziebell is set to return this Sunday after a three-game suspension and Scott McMahon (ankle) is also a good chance to play against Greater Western Sydney after missing the loss to Fremantle. But Ben Cunnington (family reasons) and Lindsay Thomas (hamstring) remain in doubt. Defender Cameron Delaney put his hand up for a senior recall with a best-on-ground performance for North Ballarat on Sunday, while elder brother Luke continued his strong form at full-back in the Roosters' 118-point win over Bendigo Gold. Robbie Tarrant made a successful comeback from injury with Werribee on Saturday, kicking three goals in his first match since round three. But Tarrant played reduced game time and might need at least one more VFL game before earning a senior recall. Jordan Gysberts (23 disposals) also continued his strong form for Werribee, but North was hoping for more impact from Majak Daw. - Nick Bowen




North's midfield should be bolstered by the addition of Jack Ziebell this weekend. Picture: AFL Media

RICHMOND
Troy Chaplin faces an uphill battle to prove his fitness after hurting his knee last week against the Bulldogs while David Astbury injured his hamstring and will also be monitored. There are reinforcements nearing availability with Jake Batchelor, Matt Dea and Ricky Petterd making returns from injury in the VFL last weekend. Shane Tuck is getting closer to returning from the shoulder injury he sustained in round seven. - Jennifer Phelan

PORT ADELAIDE
Skipper Travis Boak (finger) and key defender Jackson Trengove (foot) are two of six Power players who will undergo fitness tests at training this week. Boak is a "50/50" chance to play according to high performance manager Darren Burgess, while Trengove's return – either in SANFL or at senior level – will depend on how he handles the training workload. John Butcher and Paul Stewart are both expected to return after being late withdrawals at the weekend. Small forward Cameron Hitchcock is also back in the mix after missing last week with a rolled ankle. Daniel Stewart found form in the SANFL with five goals and seven inside-50s, Brett Ebert made a solid return to football with 19 disposals, Brent Renouf dominated his ruck battle with 41 hit-outs and Nathan Blee impressed with 28 possessions and a goal. - Harry Thring

ST KILDA
Lenny Hayes is closing in on a return from a calf injury but the veteran needs to pass a fitness test this week. Hayes has missed two lots of three matches, playing one game – against the Western Bulldogs in round nine – since round five. With defender Tom Simpkin facing a two-game suspension, half-back Nathan Wright appears set for a recall. Josh Saunders, Tom Ledger and Ahmed Saad were also among the club's best performers in the VFL at the weekend. - Nathan Schmook 

SYDNEY SWANS 
The Swans will be without Adam Goodes (knee) for at least a week. The veteran had been showing great form on the weekend and played every game this year to take his tally to 331 until his latest setback. Premiership players Lewis Jetta (shin) and Sam Reid (quad) are also on the sideline but both are expected to be close to selection to take on Carlton this week. Jetta's run in particular has been missed during his two-game absence, while Reid will be keen to get his partnership with Kurt Tippett in the Swans' forward line up and running. Lewis Roberts-Thomson (knee) and Rhyce Shaw (abdomen) are still at least four weeks away from a return. - James Dampney




Sam Reid could give the Swans a big boost if he returns for the clash against the Blues. Picture: AFL Media

WEST COAST
There could be at least three spots available in the Eagles' line-up this week with Shannon Hurn and Scott Selwood ruled out for extended periods. Andrew Embley will also miss a week for his assault on Ben Stratton. Will Schofield could be the replacement for Hurn after two matches in the WAFL returning from a compound dislocation of his finger in round eight. Mark Hutchings had 21 touches for West Perth and was mentioned by John Worsfold as a replacement for Selwood. Brad Sheppard had 16 disposals in the WAFL and was also flagged by the coach as a possible inclusion while Melbourne recruit Cale Morton could be another in the mix. The former Demon had 23 disposals for East Perth after a hamstring injury had hampered his progress to date. - Alex Macolm

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Tory Dickson has recovered from ankle surgery and is back in contention, after a four-goal haul in Williamstown's win over the Northern Blues. Mitch Wallis also had a strong game in the midfield, and is a chance for a recall. The Bulldogs escaped their loss to Richmond relatively unscathed, so the pair will have to wait and see if coach Brendan McCartney opts to make changes for Saturday night's clash against Melbourne. - Jacqui Reed