ADELAIDE
Young gun Brad Crouch is available for selection this week after recovering from a hamstring strain that sidelined him earlier in the season. That leaves Sam Shaw, Lewis Johnston and Taylor Walker as the club's only injured players. The Crows got through their 135-point dismantling of Greater Western Sydney without issue and, although the SANFL had a week off, Crouch and other players not named against the Giants were put through a training session on Saturday morning to ensure they'd be fit if called upon. - Harry Thring

BRISBANE LIONS
Brent Staker has not played a senior match since late 2011, but is on the verge of a return against Essendon on Saturday. Staker ruptured his ACL in August 2011, and following a reconstruction and lengthy rehabilitation, has played three reserves matches and is almost ready to go. "Staker will be considered for this week. Every likelihood he'll play," coach Michael Voss said on Tuesday. Defender Matt Maguire will also come into consideration after recovering from a leg injury. - Michael Whiting

CARLTON
The Blues could be forced to make four changes for their clash with Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with the potential absentees including Michael Jamison (shoulder), Chris Yarran (hamstring), David Ellard (lower leg) and Eddie Betts (suspended). However, they will regain their best forward, Jarrad Waite, from suspension and are also likely to have the services of Andrew Carrazzo (calf) and Bryce Gibbs (hamstring). Carlton's VFL affiliate Northern Blues didn’t play on the weekend but boasts numerous candidates for promotion, including runners Tom Bell and Dylan Buckley, top draftee Troy Menzel, key forward options Levi Casboult, Luke Mitchell, Sam Rowe and the remodelled Jeremy Laidler, tagger Aaron Joseph, and defenders Matthew Watson and Nick Duigan. - Ben Collins




After a horror night against the Saints, Carlton may be able to call on Bryce Gibbs. Picture: AFL Media

COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies decided not to take Luke Ball to Perth last week, which means he is likely to come in against Geelong. In his past two games at VFL level, Ball has averaged 30 possessions and four tackles to signal his return is near. Alan Didak is also around the mark, having averaged 23 touches in his past five games in the VFL. Ben Sinclair, Jordan Russell, Jackson Paine and Marley Williams are the others in consideration, although none of them played on the weekend due to the VFL bye. - Ben Guthrie

ESSENDON
Alwyn Davey is likely to miss a couple of weeks with a minor hamstring strain, but the Bombers have a couple of replacements ready to go. Brent Stanton (groin) and Courtenay Dempsey (ankle) should play against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday at Etihad Stadium after missing last week's meeting with Geelong. Paddy Ryder is another likely inclusion having been overlooked for the Cats game despite serving his three-week suspension. Second-year players Jackson Merrett and Elliott Kavanagh could also come into the side to add some speed and youth to the midfield and forward line. - Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE
Nat Fyfe returns from suspension and Stephen Hill should have recovered from a quad strain that has sidelined him for two matches. They will be important inclusions against the reigning premiers. The question for Ross Lyon is what to do with the ruck department. Jack Hannath and Zac Dawson battled manfully last week after Jonathon Griffin went down with a serious knee injury. Zac Clarke is available but Lyon suggested he would not come straight in. The other option would be to pick Tanner Smith to give cover at both ends and play Hannath and Dawson as the ruck combination, which is a distinct possibility. - Alex Malcolm



Nat Fyfe will return from suspension this week in a timely boost for the injury-hit Dockers. Picture: AFL Media

GEELONG
The Cats have lost Taylor Hunt to a broken collarbone and will lose James Kelly to suspension unless he is able to overturn his two-match ban for rough conduct. Two-time premiership defender Josh Hunt is right in the mix to come in for Saturday night's big clash with Collingwood at the MCG, as is emerging midfielder Josh Caddy. Veteran on-baller Joel Corey is also likely to return after a week off with a knee problem. - Adam McNicol

GOLD COAST
Suns coach Guy McKenna might be in the unusual position of having to drop players from a winning team after Sunday's victory over Melbourne. Karmichael Hunt (hamstring) and Charlie Dixon (ankle) both missed the win, but are big chances to return against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. How they perform at training during the week will dictate their availability. - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
A 135-point defeat on Sunday, the second worst in its short history, means there are likely to be more changes this week at Greater Western Sydney. Very few Giants could hold their heads high after the loss to Adelaide and it will be some task for the coaching staff to rejuvenate the players for a trip to Launceston to take on Hawthorn. There is some good news, with Dom Tyson nearing a return to full training following knee surgery and Anthony Miles, Mark Whiley and Gerald Ugle showing some good form in the reserves. Setanta O'hAilpin (calf) is also in line for a recall. Rhys Palmer, Aidan Corr, Josh Bruce and Zac Williams are among the players facing a nervous wait for the team announcement this week. - James Dampney


HAWTHORN
Will the Hawks rest some stars against Greater Western Sydney, or will they favour team stability? First year midfielder Jed Anderson should be fit to return from his hamstring strain, and Brent Guerra will face a test after missing last week with knee soreness. A VFL bye on the weekend meant other contenders were denied a chance to press their claims, but Shane Savage, Kyle Cheney, Sam Grimley, Luke Lowden, Matt Spangher and Angus Litherland could be among those looked at if coach Alastair Clarkson decides to ring the changes. - Mark Macgugan

MELBOURNE
Melbourne couldn't be any nearer to rock bottom following a dismal 10-goal loss to Gold Coast. To make matters worse, one of their most talented players, Colin Sylvia, will be sitting on the sidelines for three weeks after accepting his suspension from the Match Review Panel. It might be time for Mark Neeld to reintroduce top draft pick Jimmy Toumpas, particularly after a best afield 26-possession effort a fortnight ago. Sam Blease may also be called upon, while the placement of Jack Grimes on the long-term injury list opens the door for rookie James Magner. - Ben Guthrie


NORTH MELBOURNE
Most interest centres on whether Andrew Swallow can overcome a right knee injury in time to take on the Eagles. North assistant coach Darren Crocker was hopeful on Tuesday morning that the Roos skipper would prove his fitness at the team's final training session on Thursday. But if he doesn't, Levi Greenwood and Ben Jacobs are among his possible replacements. Aaron Mullett (ankle) also faces a fitness test on Thursday, with Brad McKenzie and Kieran Harper likely to be considered if he doesn't come up. Key defender Nathan Grima is expected to return after missing the Western Bulldogs game with general soreness, while Taylor Hine, who was a late withdrawal with an ankle injury, could also step straight back in the Roos' team. Even if Grima returns, Lachlan Hansen could hold his spot in defence given the Eagles' army of tall forwards. - Nick Bowen

RICHMOND
Trent Cotchin (knee) and Tyrone Vickery (concussion) are expected to return to face the Demons after missing the Tigers' win over Port Adelaide. A decision on Ricky Petterd (calf) and Dylan Grimes (foot) will be made later in the week after both didn't play on the weekend. Chris Knights (knee) is out for the season after tearing his patella tendon against the Power while Shane Tuck (scapula) will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on Monday. Ivan Maric, who entered the game with a sore ankle, pulled up ok as did Nathan Foley. - Jennifer Phelan




Ready to roar - Trent Cotchin could return to the Tigers' line-up this weekend. Picture: AFL Media

PORT ADELAIDE
The Power could look to bolster its ruck division by recalling Matthew Lobbe or Brent Renouf, after Richmond reigned supreme in the midfield last week. Port will also watch Dom Cassisi (hamstring tightness) and Jasper Pittard (hip flexor) closely this week as the pair fight to return from injury. Either would be a significant inclusion. Experienced forward Paul Stewart would also come into calculations after being omitted for the loss to the Tigers.
- Harry Thring

ST KILDA
It will be a tough St Kilda line-up to break into after the team played its best football for the season against Carlton on Monday night. Difficult decisions loom if tall forward Beau Maister is available after missing three matches with a wrist injury. The dual ruck set-up of Ben McEvoy and Tom Hickey worked well against the Blues, so coach Scott Watters would be reluctant to change that. In the midfield, Farren Ray was a late inclusion for Clint Jones was a contributor. With Jones out of the team, Jarryn Geary was used in a run-with role and excelled against Marc Murphy keeping the Blues skipper to 17 possessions, so it is unlikely that role will change hands. Jimmy Webster made his debut and held his own in the frantic fourth quarter, winning nine disposals as the substitute. A spot may open up if Nathan Wright is ruled out with a head injury following scans this week. - Nathan Schmook

SYDNEY SWANS
The Swans put in a disappointing shift in their loss to Hawthorn, but there aren't too many quick solutions in sight. Rhyce Shaw will miss out for another week with his abdominal strain, while Shane Mumford is rated only a 50-50 prospect of returning immediately from a groin problem. Jesse White was quiet in his first game for the season, but may earn a second chance due to Mumford's injury and Fremantle's depleted ruck stocks. Andrejs Everitt played well in the reserves on the weekend, while Mitch Morton and Tommy Walsh are also around the mark if coach John Longmire wants to shake up the forward line. Youngsters Tim Membrey and Tom Mitchell are also progressing well as they push their claims for a senior debut. - James Dampney




Shane Mumford could give the Swans a boost ahead of the Fremantle clash. Picture: AFL Media

WEST COAST
The Eagles finally have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal after seven weeks of injury woe. Daniel Kerr, Chris Masten, Beau Waters, Sam Butler, Andrew Embley, and Mark Nicoski are all listed as possibilities. It is likely that Kerr, Masten, and Waters are automatic selections but it will be tough for John Worsfold to fit them all in after two straight wins. Bradd Dalziell, Brad Sheppard, Ash Smith, and Jacob Brennan may all be waiting nervously for the team to be announced. Butler and Nicoski will almost certainly go through the WAFL. Andrew Embley may also have to take that path. - Alex Malcolm

WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs welcomed back a host of senior players last week, and saw an improved performance against North Melbourne. Without a game in the VFL over the weekend, there was no real opportunity to jostle for selection. Brett Goodes is available to return after serving his two-match suspension, while Jake Stringer and Jackson Macrae remain tempting options, as the club tries to get games under their belts. - Jacqui Reed