In the mix, R6 (L-R): Conor McKenna, Josh Thomas, Ivan Soldo. Pictures: AFL Photos
 

WHO IS a chance to play in round six?

In this week's In the Mix, brought to you by the Toyota WorkHorse Range, we find the players who are giving their selectors plenty of food for thought.

Who's going out, who's sore, who is under the pump? Our reporters attempt to pick all the R6 ins. Check it out.

THE FULL INJURY LIST Who is racing the clock?

Adelaide Crows

The Crows will have a revamped set-up in attack with Darcy Fogarty (shoulder) ruled out again and former captain Taylor Walker (knee) to miss 1-2 weeks. Tyson Stengle has served his four-game disciplinary suspension and performed well in last week's scratch match, so will be in contention for a call-up. Andrew McPherson is another chance in defence, while Riley Knight continues to build up his match conditioning. Elliott Himmelberg and Fischer McAsey, both dropped last week, remain in the mix.

Verdict: Stengle to come straight in for Lachlan Murphy, who has been suspended from last week. Himmelberg could come back to replace Walker. - Callum Twomey

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Brisbane Lions

Captain Dayne Zorko has recovered quicker than expected and will only need to pass training to prove he's over a calf strain. He would appear the likely replacement for Cam Ellis-Yolmen. If Zorko doesn't get up, Ely Smith could be considered for a debut. Given the five-day break, there will be several sore bodies, but Fagan has proven he's willing to back in a winning line-up. Callum Ah Chee was quiet but should be retained, while Ryan Lester and Tom Berry did enough. Alex Witherden continues to push for a recall and Mitch Hinge, Allen Christensen, Keidean Coleman and Rhys Mathieson aren't far away.

Verdict: Zorko in for Ellis-Yolmen. - Mitch Cleary

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Carlton

The Blues will finally regain Zac Fisher, who was set to return from a syndesmosis injury last week before being ruled out at the last minute due to a bout of gastro. Jack Silvagni should also recover from a fractured rib. Sam Philp looks set to make way, having only been a late inclusion for last week's loss to the Saints, while Jack Newnes is another who could see his spot come under the microscope after a quiet couple of weeks. Could the Blues even consider resting Eddie Betts, as they manage the veteran through the season?

Verdict: Expect Fisher and Silvagni to return from respective injury setbacks for the clash with the Dogs, with Philp and either Newnes or Betts to make way. - Riley Beveridge

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Collingwood

The Pies will have to restructure their forward line, with Jordan De Goey set to miss Friday night's clash with the Hawks having broken the AFL's quarantine protocols while being investigated for an indecent assault charge. They could either go tall, and opt for Darcy Cameron, or small, with Josh Thomas set to put his hat in the ring for a recall. Mason Cox was quiet last week, held to just two disposals, but looks set to be given more time having only just been recalled to the senior team. Tyler Brown was also well held, with Brayden Sier in contention for his first appearance of the season should Nathan Buckley look to beef up his midfield.

Verdict: Thomas to replace De Goey, with Sier on standby for Tyler Brown. - Riley Beveridge

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Essendon

Zach Merrett is an automatic inclusion after serving his one-week suspension, but will the Bombers make more unforced changes after last week's win over Collingwood? Conor McKenna performed well in his first game back in last week's scrimmage with the Pies, and his inclusion as a half-forward would release Orazio Fantasia back to the forward line. Aaron Francis could also return after missing last week with back spasms. Matt Guelfi, Ned Cahill and Dylan Clarke are others in with a shot. Tom Bellchambers was managed last week but his ruck replacement Andrew Phillips should hold his spot, however the Bombers will need to cover for the injured Jake Stringer (ankle) in attack.

Verdict: Merrett, McKenna and Francis to come in with Stringer to miss and Jayden Laverde and David Zaharakis, who found only two disposals last week, left out. - Callum Twomey

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Fremantle

The Dockers will make at least three changes for Saturday's clash with St Kilda after Reece Conca (hamstring), Jesse Hogan (calf) and Griffin Logue (toe) all suffered injuries in their first win of the season against Adelaide. Travis Colyer was a late out with a migraine and was replaced by Taylin Duman, but will be available for selection, as will Brennan Cox (hip) and superstar skipper Nat Fyfe, who has made a quick recovery from his hamstring injury. Blake Acres impressed on the wing in Sunday's reserves clash with the Crows and will put his hand up for a Freo debut. 

Verdict: If passed fit, Fyfe, Acres, Cox and Colyer in for Conca, Hogan, Logue and Duman. Liam Henry to build minutes in Friday's reserves scratch match with Gold Coast. - Chris Correia

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Geelong Cats

The Cats have admitted they should've been more proactive in resting Gary Ablett last year. So, off a five-day break following game 350, will this be the week? Lachie Fogarty is a like-for-like, while Sam Simpson, James Parsons and Brad Close are in the frame given Tom Atkins will miss again. Harry Taylor returned last week after being managed and, while he may not be a lock anymore, will be needed to contend with Lions talls Oscar McInerney, Eric Hipwood and Dan McStay. The Cats are desperate to get Lachie Henderson into the side but who he replaces will be a tough call as long as Jed Bews (ankle) proves his fitness. Jordan Clark continues to bang down the door, but spots are at a premium. With a number of players sore, Jack Steven might be a consideration for a rest after a limited preparation.

Verdict: Fogarty in for Ablett. - Mitch Cleary

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Gold Coast Suns

The Suns will need to replace first-year sensation Matt Rowell as he deals with his shoulder injury from last week's loss to Geelong, but it's hard to see too many more changes given they performed solidly against the Cats on the road. Brayden Fiorini could come back in the side as Rowell's replacement, while youngsters Sam Flanders and Izak Rankine continue to press claims for a debut. If Gold Coast is keen to change its forward mix, Peter Wright and Josh Corbett will be a chance from outside last week's 22.

Verdict: Fiorini in for Rowell. - Callum Twomey

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GWS Giants

Callan Ward could come back into the Giants' midfield after being a late out last week due to soreness. But there will also be others on the club's mind despite a strong win over Hawthorn on Sunday. Jy Caldwell dominated in the Giants' practice game with four goals from the midfield, with Zac Langdon, Bobby Hill and Sam Jacobs among the other strong performers.

Verdict: Tom Sheridan seems likely to make way for Ward if the former co-captain is ready for a return to action. Brent Daniels could also be under some pressure after only six disposals and one tackle last week. - Callum Twomey

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Hawthorn

Injured pair Mitch Lewis and Jack Scrimshaw are certain outs, meaning at least two spots will be up for grabs. We can safely assume Jon Patton will replace Lewis in attack but it's not as clear which direction the Hawks will go to cover Scrimshaw. They could opt for defender Harry Morrison or look to bolster another position, given they already have enough backline options. That could bring demoted forward Ollie Hanrahan back into the frame, or midfielders such as James Cousins and Finn Maginness might be considered.

Verdict: Patton and Morrison for Lewis and Scrimshaw. - Marc McGowan

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Melbourne

The Demons went unchanged into the Richmond game but were dogged by the same problem of poor kicking inside 50. Harley Bennell won 30-plus possessions and laid six tackles in the reserves scratch match and seems certain to be recalled. Sam Weideman was prominent in attack and would provide Melbourne's senior side with a second tall option, alongside Tom McDonald. Neville Jetta and Oscar McDonald are also pushing hard but Nathan Jones (soreness) sat out the practice game. Alex Neal-Bullen put his case forward as well. Joel Smith, Jayden Hunt, Jay Lockhart, Jake Melksham and rookie Trent Rivers could be vulnerable. It would be a bold call to drop Jack Viney, even after his eight turnovers against the Tigers.

Verdict: Bennell, Jetta, McDonald and Weideman for Hunt, Lockhart, Smith and Rivers. - Marc McGowan

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North Melbourne

So much depends on injuries. The Roos have decisions to make on gun onballers Ben Cunnington (back), Shaun Higgins (knee) and Jack Ziebell (hamstring). Ziebell should return but Cunnington, in particular, seems in doubt. Tarryn Thomas (concussion) will have a full week to recover. Majak Daw is the wildcard and his return might be as a forward instead of down back, to support Ben Brown, at Tristan Xerri's expense. Bailey Scott was a strong performer again and must be getting close to a recall. Jamie Macmillan and Aaron Hall are under pressure. Sam Durdin might be a defensive option. 

Verdict: Hard to know, based on who is fit but: Ziebell, Daw and Scott for Cunnington, Xerri and Macmillan. - Marc McGowan

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The Power might have fallen to their first defeat of the season on Saturday night, but don't expect Ken Hinkley to change what had proved to be a winning formula. Ryan Burton was close to a return from a sprained knee last week and should play against the Giants on Sunday. Kane Farrell had been his replacement a fortnight ago and now might find himself on the outer again after a quiet couple of weeks. An undersized defence was exposed against the Lions, which could put the 195cm Jarrod Lienert back in the frame. Don't expect to see Xavier Duursma return from a hamstring injury this week.

Verdict: One change, with Burton returning for Farrell. - Riley Beveridge

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Richmond

Expect the Tigers to make at least five changes for Sunday's clash against Sydney at the Gabba. Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards decided against going into hub life, while Trent Cotchin (hamstring), Dion Prestia (ankle) and Toby Nankervis (ankle) all picked up injuries on the weekend. Tom Lynch is hopeful of playing despite having surgery on a broken hand, but appears doubtful. Ivan Soldo is the logical replacement for Nankervis, while Jack Graham, Marlion Pickett, Jack Ross, Shai Bolton and Sydney Stack will all be in the mix. Don't discount Pat Naish for a spot on half-back, while Thomson Dow will be considered for his debut.

Verdict: Soldo, Graham, Stack, Pickett, Ross and Bolton for Nankervis, Cotchin, Houli, Edwards, Prestia and Lynch. - Ben Sutton

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St Kilda

After two impressive weeks, the Saints will be keen not to tinker with a winning formula off an eight-day break. Dan Hannebery will miss at least three weeks with his hamstring setback, but that  opens the door for Zak Jones' return after his own hamstring tightness. Paddy Ryder was overlooked on balance last week, while Jack Sinclair, Nick Hind, Matt Parker and potential debutant Ryan Byrnes are impressing at scratch match level. Josh Battle has done little wrong and is playing the back-up ruck role, while fringe forwards Jonathon Marsh and Dean Kent performed well against the Blues.

Verdict: Jones in for Hannebery. - Mitch Cleary

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Sydney Swans

The Swans have already announced top-five selection Dylan Stephens and fellow 2019 draftee Chad Warner will make their AFL debut this weekend. Kaiden Brand also seems likely to come in for fellow defender Lewis Melican, who has a groin problem. Ben Ronke (back) is another enforced out, while Sam Gray and Colin O'Riordan could again be feeling the pressure to retain their spots. Callum Sinclair (knee) is likely to miss again but Lewis Taylor and Robbie Fox – dropped last week – could force their way back in. 

Verdict: Warner, Stephens and Brand for Ronke, O'Riordan and Melican. - Marc McGowan

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West Coast Eagles

Two spots are open with hamstring injuries to skipper Luke Shuey and forward Jamaine Jones. If the Eagles are looking for a pure midfielder to replace Shuey, and Jarrod Brander doesn't overcome a hip injury, Brayden Ainsworth could come into the frame. If they re-shuffle a defender into the midfield mix, Lewis Jetta may be considered to return after being dropped. Jack Petruccelle is the obvious replacement for Jones, however Jarrod Cameron is working to full fitness and will be in the mix. Last week's inclusions Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman impressed and it will be hard to see either falling out.

Verdict: Ainsworth and Petruccelle in for Shuey and Jones. - Mitch Cleary

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Western Bulldogs

Lin Jong (ankle syndesmosis), Bailey Smith (concussion) and Laitham Vandermeer (concussion) all look like forced changes for the Dogs. Lachie Hunter is available to return after his suspension and the Bulldogs have brought their full list to Queensland so they'll have plenty of other options to look at. Roarke Smith, Will Hayes, Matt Suckling and Cody Weightman would have to be in contention.

Verdict: Suckling, Hunter and R. Smith replace Jong, Vandermeer and B. Smith - Jourdan Canil 

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