Adelaide Crows

Get them in: Matt Crouch should return from a hip/abdominal injury to face Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night. Two veterans – ruckman Sam Jacobs (five goals, 28 hitouts in the SANFL) and midfielder Richard Douglas (31 disposals) - are back from long injury layoffs. Key defender Kyle Hartigan could be recalled to take on the Giants' tall timber.

Under the pump: Bryce Gibbs impressed in a tagging role last week, but could be squeezed out, as could ruckman Reilly O'Brien. Small forward Lachlan Murphy (four disposals, one goal and one tackle) was quiet against the Demons.

Medical room: Rory Sloane is a 50-50 chance of overcoming a grade one hamstring tear.

Verdict: Crouch in for Sloane, Jacobs for O'Brien and Douglas for Gibbs. – Lee Gaskin

INJURY WRAP All the bumps, bruises and breaks from round 11

Brisbane Lions

Get them in: Jacob Allison pushed his case again with another strong NEAFL performance against Sydney, while Josh Walker also played well after being dropped from the seniors.

Under the pump: After a slow start it was hard to find a player that didn't contribute against the Hawks. Archie Smith, Ben Keays and Nick Robertson all did what was asked of them after being called up.

Medical room: Ruckman Oscar McInerney should be available again after being managed last week, as should Ryan Lester who suffered a minor quad injury the week before.

Verdict: Might be a temptation to bring Walker back in against a taller Carlton forward line, but no need to change a winning team. - Michael Whiting

Carlton

Get them in: Mitch McGovern could be back after missing last week's loss to Essendon with an ankle injury, while veteran Kade Simpson, who was managed last week, is also expected to come back into the side to add some experience to the line-up. Dale Thomas put in a strong game after being banished to the VFL, but is one week there enough of a punishment for his drinking ill-discipline?

Under the pump: It's hard to see how Alex Fasolo retains his place in Carlton's side after managing just two kicks last week. Matthew Kennedy was also quiet in the midfield with only eight touches.

Medical room: Darcy Lang limped from the field in the first half against the Bombers but returned to the field after the corked leg. He didn't have an impact on the game, though, with only eight disposals.

Verdict: It will be interesting to see what changes interim coach David Teague makes in his first game in charge. Some experience will be back in the senior line-up, and after last week's shocking loss to Essendon you'd expect there'd be plenty of Blues on the selection tightrope. - Callum Twomey

It will be interesting to see David Teague's call on Dale Thomas. Picture: AFL Photos


Collingwood

Get them in: Big man Mason Cox could return from injury for the Queen's Birthday clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Monday, while midfielders Brayden Sier and Josh Daicos, and would-be debutant Isaac Quaynor, could also be in line for promotion.

Under the pump: Small forward Josh Thomas hasn't been as damaging as he was last season and even dropped a couple of regulation chest marks in a particularly quiet showing in the loss to Fremantle.

Medical room: Dayne Beams is the big one. He'll miss three months after surgery on his troublesome hip. Grundy (ankle) laboured against the Dockers but should be OK, while Cox (ankle) will be tested.

Verdict: Even if Cox proves his fitness, he'd likely resume in the VFL given he has missed five games and the key forward combination of Brody Mihocek and Ben Reid has enjoyed some success. Sier looks the most likely to replace Beams, while  Daicos could come in at the expense of Thomas– Ben Collins

FROM THE TWOS Dumped Blue stars, Don's stunning grab

Mason Cox may miss out even if fit due to team balance. Picture: AFL Photos


Essendon

Bye

Fremantle

Bye

Geelong Cats

Get them in: Gary Ablett is a walk-up start after his suspension. Scott Selwood is edging towards a return and was one of four players on managed game time in the VFL on Sunday alongside Jed BewsWylie Buzza and Lachie FogartyZach Guthrie was named best in the VFL and remains firmly in the frame. Charlie Constable appears a touch further down the pecking order. 

Under the pump: Midfielder James Parsons (15 disposals) hasn't done a lot wrong but is on the edge. Gryan Miers had his lowest possession count (11) since round three and could be in line for a rest with the six-day break, and Tom Atkins will also feel pressure with spots up for grabs. Zac Smith looked up to the level but is behind Rhys Stanley as the preferred option.

Medical room: Stanley missed his second game in three weeks with an adductor but is hopeful of a return.

Verdict: Ablett for Parsons, with more midfield minutes for Miers and Atkins. If fit, Stanley for Smith. - Mitch Cleary

Gary Ablett is a certain starter for the clash against Richmond. Picture: AFL Photos


Gold Coast Suns

Get them in: A heavy NEAFL loss but Will Brodie was again prolific in the midfield. Callum Ah Chee was impressive but might need another game to regain fitness after his quad injury, while Jack Leslie might come into consideration to help an undersized backline.

Under the pump: A few quiet against GWS would be concerned. Versatile Chris Burgess battled in defence, while Josh Schoenfeld didn't quite grasp his chance either.

Medical room: More bad news with Jack Bowes to miss an extended period with a quad injury. Vice-captain Touk Miller has missed three weeks with a heel problem but should finally be close to a recall. Jarrod Harbrow missed against the Giants with a groin complaint and is expected to be OK. 

Verdict: With no obvious matchup for towering Ben Brown, it would be a good time to bring in Leslie for his first game of the season, mostly likely at the expense of Burgess. Harbrow back in for Bowes, and if Miller is fit, he would come in for Schoenfeld. - Michael Whiting

GWS Giants

Get them in: Star defender Zac Williams will push hard for a recall after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury but could need another week off, while fellow backman Sam Taylor looks certain to play after missing last week with a corkie. Young draftee Jackson Hately and dumped forward Daniel Lloyd were both outstanding in the NEAFL.

Under the pump: Lachie Keeffe came in for Taylor last week and, while he was serviceable against Gold Coast, isn't likely to keep his place if the youngster is passed fit.

Medical room: Lachie Whitfield will miss up to six weeks with a broken collarbone, while Toby Greene also finished the win over Gold Coast on the bench with soreness behind his knee.

Verdict: Williams looks set to replace Whitfield, Taylor comes back in for Keeffe and if Greene isn't risked, he's replaced by Lloyd. – Adam Curley 

Hawthorn

Bye

Melbourne

Get them in: Boom recruit Steven May starred on return from a groin injury in the VFL, collecting 23 disposals and nine marks. While Jake Lever is over his ankle concern, he probably needs another week. Veteran Jordan Lewis was forced to sit out because of suspension.

Under the pump: May's form might make Oscar McDonald edgy, Charlie Spargo and Josh Wagner are on the cusp, and Jay Kennedy Harris is around that mark too, although he did enough in the tight loss to Adelaide.

Medical room: The Dees will be desperate to see Christian Salem overcome his illness. Impressive backman Marty Hore needs to overcome a sore calf. 

Verdict: How many tall defenders the Dees pick depends on how Collingwood lines up on Queen's Birthday and whether Mason Cox returns from his ankle issue. The tip is May, Salem and Hore in for McDonald, Spargo and Wagner, with Lewis in place of Wagner if Hore doesn't get up. - Dinny Navaratnam

The Dees' defensive stocks will get a big boost if Steven May comes in. Picture: AFL Photos


North Melbourne

Get them in: Paul Ahern was best afield with 33 disposals and seven tackles in the Roos' VFL win and must be getting close to senior selection. Taylor Garner, fresh from three goals, is another obvious candidate for a recall, while Sam Durdin is pushing for a defensive spot.

Under the pump: Tarryn Thomas is arguably the club's brightest prospect, but may be due for a rest or a VFL stint.

Medical room: All eyes are on Jamie Macmillan (calf) this week as he attempts to prove his fitness after sitting out all bar a quarter-and-a-half of his 150th match last week. Fellow experienced pair Sam Wright (ankle) and Dom Tyson (calf) may not return until after the round 14 bye. Second-year defender Tom Murphy (ankle) finally returned in the VFL on Saturday for his first game since April 13.

Verdict: Much depends on Macmillan's fitness, and Durdin may be his replacement. There's a decent chance at least one of Ahern or Garner earns a promotion. – Marc McGowan

Port Adelaide

Bye

Richmond

Get them in: Father-son selection Patrick Naish is banging down the door for a debut, named Richmond's best in the VFL after a 28-disposal, two-goal effort, although his defensive work still needs development. Jack Graham (24, 10 tackles) continues to peg away, while Category B rookie Derek Eggmolesse-Smith is stringing some strong games together in defence. Small forward Daniel Rioli had 12 touches and seven tackles after his omission.

Under the pump: Dan Butler was relatively quiet on his return to AFL (six touches) but bobbed up to kick two goals. Dylan Grimes had an extremely rare off night but is one of the first Tigers picked every week, while Shai Bolton (10 disposals, one tackle) struggled at times.

Medical room: Midfielder Kane Lambert is at least another week, if not two, off with Achilles tendonitis.

Verdict: After being beaten comprehensively around the ball, Graham is an attractive proposition to come in for one of the smalls, with Bolton's low tackle count possibly putting him in the frame for omission. - Sarah Black

If it's toughness the Tigers need, Jack Graham could be their man. Picture: AFL Photos

St Kilda

Bye

Sydney Swans

Get them in: James Rowbottom and James Rose maintained their good NEAFL form in the Swans' big loss to Brisbane, while Darcy Cameron, Justin McInerney and Ben Ronke also found some touch. Speedster Riley Stoddart played his best game of the season in another good sign for Sydney. 

Under the pump: Midfielder Robbie Fox continues to have little offensive impact at AFL level but laid eight tackles in a solid defensive effort.

Medical room: Co-captain Josh Kennedy (knee), Zak Jones (hamstring) and Kieren jack (hip) won't be any chance of a recall until after the bye.

Verdict: The Swans have performed admirably over the past fortnight against Collingwood and Geelong without managing a win, and with no standout players belting the selection door down, John Longmire will go into Sunday's clash with West Coast unchanged. – Adam Curley

DON'T JUDGE HIM Dane Rampe's 150 games have been getting interesting recently

West Coast Eagles

Get them in: Jackson Nelson or Josh Rotham will come under consideration for a defensive spot in the absence of skipper Shannon Hurn (hamstring). Veteran wingman Chris Masten (30 disposals) was also in decent form in the WAFL team's loss to Claremont.

Under the pump: Not many after a 10-goal win. Jack Petruccelle has kicked just three goals in five games but offers more than that with his pace and pressure and will probably hold his spot ahead of Jarrod Cameron

Medical room: Ruck recruit Tom Hickey has missed two weeks with an ankle and will find it tough to unseat Nathan Vardy. His comeback will probably be at Joondalup against West Perth on Sunday.

Verdict: Nelson or Rotham for Hurn. – Travis King

Western Bulldogs

Bye