Ian Callinan (knee) and Josh Jenkins (jarred wrist) will both need to prove their fitness in Wednesday's main session if they're to make the trip to Brisbane to face the Lions on Saturday. Jenkins trained away from the main group on Tuesday after jarring his wrist in round one, while Callinan is recovering from a knee strain. Luke Brown has been declared fit after suffering bruising on his foot in his side's first-up loss to Essendon, while Brodie Smith (collarbone) is still another week or so away from returning to the side. Brad Crouch (31 possessions, seven marks, four clearances) and Tom Lynch (30 possessions, 11 marks, 11 clearances) both starred in the SANFL over the weekend to thrust their names into selection contention.
Harry Thring
BRISBANE LIONS
Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger comes right into the frame for a return against Adelaide on Saturday after playing a full game in the reserves at the weekend. Leuenberger played just two half games during the pre-season on his return from an Achilles injury and it will come down to whether Michael Voss thinks he has enough match conditioning. After being smashed at the stoppages against the Bulldogs, hard-nut Andrew Raines could also come into consideration after a solid showing in the twos.
Michael Whiting
CARLTON
Cancer survivor Sam Rowe is in line to make an emotional AFL debut against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday. The 25-year-old could make his way into the Blues forward line with key pair Eddie Betts (broken jaw) and Shaun Hampson (appendix) already being ruled out of the blockbuster. Another big-man option is Robert Warnock as a ruck/forward partner for Matthew Kreuzer. Others who could be considered include hard-bodied midfielders Ed Curnow and Tom Bell, defender Jeremy Laidler, swingman Simon White and athletic youngster Frazer Dale.
Ben Collins
COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood won't rush players back all at once but it can expect Heath Shaw to be available after he was struck down with a bug on Sunday. Dayne Beams had a quad injury and the extent remains unclear. Nathan Buckley said post-game that Ben Reid would be available after being concussed but he is sure to be assessed during the week while Ben Johnson suffered a corked thigh. Dale Thomas played his first game in a VFL practice match on Thursday but is unlikely to be rushed back in. Andrew Krakouer is in the same boat after making an appearance for the VFL. Clinton Young should be available but again the Magpies are unlikely to risk players coming off an interrupted preparation without a match in the VFL at this stage of the season.
Peter Ryan
Heath Shaw could be ready to return for Collingwood's blockbuster against Carlton. Picture: AFL Media
ESSENDON
Prized father-son recruit Joe Daniher is in contention for a spot in the Bombers' forward line. The teenage beanpole and fellow key forward Scott Gumbleton looked dangerous at VFL level and continue to press their claims for a call-up. So too did tall defender Tayte Pears, whose VFL form on the weekend was impressive. One Bomber who won’t earn promotion yet is experienced runner Jason Winderlich, who kicked three goals in a half in the VFL but needs more match fitness.
Ben Collins
FREMANTLE
Freo is hoping to regain big man Zac Clarke for Saturday's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. Clarke missed the round one derby win over West Coast after suffering a foot injury at training. Garrick Ibbotson, Viv Michie, Hayden Crozier and Jesse Crichton have been among the club's best performers in the WAFL in recent weeks. Ibbotson picked up 20 possessions on the weekend, while Crozier kicked three goals for Peel Thunder.
Prized father-son recruit Joe Daniher is in contention for a spot in the Bombers' forward line. The teenage beanpole and fellow key forward Scott Gumbleton looked dangerous at VFL level and continue to press their claims for a call-up. So too did tall defender Tayte Pears, whose VFL form on the weekend was impressive. One Bomber who won’t earn promotion yet is experienced runner Jason Winderlich, who kicked three goals in a half in the VFL but needs more match fitness.
Ben Collins
FREMANTLE
Freo is hoping to regain big man Zac Clarke for Saturday's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. Clarke missed the round one derby win over West Coast after suffering a foot injury at training. Garrick Ibbotson, Viv Michie, Hayden Crozier and Jesse Crichton have been among the club's best performers in the WAFL in recent weeks. Ibbotson picked up 20 possessions on the weekend, while Crozier kicked three goals for Peel Thunder.
Adam McNicol
GEELONG
The Cats will welcome veteran midfielder James Kelly back into their team for Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Kelly missed round one due to suspension. Another veteran, Joel Corey, is in the mix for a call-up after playing in the club's VFL team on Sunday. Corey picked up 28 disposals, 9 marks and 8 tackles, while Mitch Brown also jumped up the pecking order by gathering 34 disposals and taking 11 marks.
Adam McNicol
GOLD COAST
For one of the rare occasions in their short existence, the Suns are likely to take an unchanged team into Saturday's match against the Sydney Swans. Fresh off a win over St Kilda and with no injuries to speak of, Gold Coast has little reason to tinker with its line-up. Danny Stanley (groin) and Kyal Horsley (cork) will come into calculations, but are likely to make their way back through the reserves.
Michael Whiting
GWS
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy is enjoying the extra depth at his disposal this season and the new found competition for positions in the team. The side selected for round one performed well, including early draft picks Lachie Whitfield and Lachie Plowman and many can expect to retain their spot. Sam Reid and Rhys Palmer are pushing for senior selection after being named among the best in the reserves' narrow loss to the Swans last weekend. Setanta O'hAilpin, Adam Tomlinson and Gerald Ugle all kicked two goals with Sheedy particularly keen to get the Irishman into his side when fitness allows, while young draftee Kristian Jaksch starred with a game-high four goals.
James Dampney
HAWTHORN
Hawks captain Luke Hodge made it through his comeback match with Box Hill on the weekend, but he's likely to need another run at VFL level. The large expanses of Patersons Stadium will count against him at the selection table. Full-back Brian Lake, a late withdrawal from Monday's loss to Geelong, will need to prove his fitness for the clash with West Coast. The former Western Bulldog hasn't played since round one of the NAB Cup due to a calf injury.
Mark Macgugan
MELBOURNE
Melbourne's insipid performance against Port Adelaide raised the ire of Demons' supporters and it is foreseeable that there could be wholesale changes made for this week's clash against Essendon. Dean Terlich and James Magner appear the most likely to force their way in to the senior side, after winning plenty of possessions in VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions' practice match against Box Hill on Saturday, although Magner needs to be promoted to the senior list first. Co-captain Jack Trengove, key defender Tom McDonald and ruckman Max Gawn (who played his first game of the year at the weekend) all seem short of match conditioning and may need another week in the VFL. Recruit Chris Dawes is a possibility to debut for the Demons if he is fit.
Ben Guthrie
NORTH MELBOURNE
North will almost certainly welcome Scott McMahon back this week after the defender sat out the round one loss to Collingwood through suspension. Roos coach Brad Scott says he faces an ongoing dilemma picking between ruckmen Todd Goldstein and Daniel Currie, but Goldstein defeated Magpie opponent Darren Jolly last Sunday and should hold his spot for round two. Former Gold Coast defender Taylor Hine continues to push for his North debut after starring in Werribee's 72-point win over reigning premier Port Melbourne in the VFL last Saturday. Majak Daw and Currie also impressed as a ruck tandem against Port. North's other VFL affiliate, North Ballarat, opens its season this Saturday.
Nick Bowen
PORT ADELAIDE
Defender Alipate Carlile (hamstring) is expected to return for the Power's Saturday night clash with GWS at AAMI Stadium. Carlile missed the club's 78-point win over Melbourne last Sunday because of a strained hamstring, but was training before the side flew to Melbourne last Saturday. The Power emerged from their big win unscathed and aren't expected to make many changes. Brett Ebert is still a week or two away from a return, but Sam Colquhoun did all he could to demand an AFL debut at the weekend with 25 possessions and 15 marks for Central District. Matt Thomas was sensational for Norwood (30 touches, eight marks, two goals), while John Butcher kicked two goals as he continues his comeback from a hand injury.
Harry Thring
RICHMOND
Coming off a win and with no injuries, the Tigers might not touch their line-up although they do have options. Dylan Grimes played three-quarters in the VFL on the weekend at half back and might come into calculations if they consider he's had enough game time following a hamstring injury. Orren Stephenson had 32 hit-outs, forward Aaron Edwards kicked five goals and first-year player Nick Vlastuin had 22 possessions. Matt Dea and Chris Knights were also prolific. Ricky Petterd said his groin injury "was just a couple of days off" when he missed out on the Carlton game so he might be considered if fit.
Jennifer Phelan
ST KILDA
With Richmond's tall forwards looming, the return of Sam Fisher (foot) would be timely. The tall defender needs to have proved his fitness at a closed training session on Tuesday morning, along with All Australian backman Sean Dempster (hamstring). Coach Scott Watters expects Dempster to be available while Leigh Montagna will come straight back in after serving a one game suspension. Adam Schneider is building game time and should be available, while key forward Justin Koschitzke will be considered after impressing with his defensive pressure in a practice match for Sandringham.
Nathan Schmook
WEST COAST
With key defender Eric Mackenzie unavailable because of a hamstring injury, Mitch Brown is poised to get his chance this week with a possible match-up on Hawthorn star Lance Franklin. Midfielder Daniel Kerr has put his hand up to face the Hawks on Sunday after recovering from knee surgery, but the veteran is expected to return through the WAFL after a limited pre-season. Half-backs Jacob Brennan and Sam Butler are applying pressure for spots in the back six, while Callum Sinclair and Jeremy McGovern are doing likewise for the second ruck spot.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
PORT ADELAIDE
Defender Alipate Carlile (hamstring) is expected to return for the Power's Saturday night clash with GWS at AAMI Stadium. Carlile missed the club's 78-point win over Melbourne last Sunday because of a strained hamstring, but was training before the side flew to Melbourne last Saturday. The Power emerged from their big win unscathed and aren't expected to make many changes. Brett Ebert is still a week or two away from a return, but Sam Colquhoun did all he could to demand an AFL debut at the weekend with 25 possessions and 15 marks for Central District. Matt Thomas was sensational for Norwood (30 touches, eight marks, two goals), while John Butcher kicked two goals as he continues his comeback from a hand injury.
Harry Thring
RICHMOND
Coming off a win and with no injuries, the Tigers might not touch their line-up although they do have options. Dylan Grimes played three-quarters in the VFL on the weekend at half back and might come into calculations if they consider he's had enough game time following a hamstring injury. Orren Stephenson had 32 hit-outs, forward Aaron Edwards kicked five goals and first-year player Nick Vlastuin had 22 possessions. Matt Dea and Chris Knights were also prolific. Ricky Petterd said his groin injury "was just a couple of days off" when he missed out on the Carlton game so he might be considered if fit.
Jennifer Phelan
ST KILDA
With Richmond's tall forwards looming, the return of Sam Fisher (foot) would be timely. The tall defender needs to have proved his fitness at a closed training session on Tuesday morning, along with All Australian backman Sean Dempster (hamstring). Coach Scott Watters expects Dempster to be available while Leigh Montagna will come straight back in after serving a one game suspension. Adam Schneider is building game time and should be available, while key forward Justin Koschitzke will be considered after impressing with his defensive pressure in a practice match for Sandringham.
Nathan Schmook
Leigh Montagna will boost the Saints when they take on Richmond. Picture: AFL Media
SYDNEY SWANS
Of the three members of the Swans' premiership side not featuring in round one, Alex Johnson (knee) is sidelined for the year, but the other two may not be too far away. Craig Bird and Mitch Morton had experienced limited pre-seasons so were selected in the reserves for round one and both got through well. Morton kicked three goals, while Bird survived the four quarters and improved as the match wore on. Jesse White also contributed, playing a lone hand in the ruck, although he remains some way behind Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke. Tim Membrey, a third-round draft pick last year, also kicked three goals in an encouraging start to life as a Swan. Andrejs Everitt is another who had a good pre-season and will try to force his way into the senior side in the coming weeks.
James Dampney
WEST COAST
With key defender Eric Mackenzie unavailable because of a hamstring injury, Mitch Brown is poised to get his chance this week with a possible match-up on Hawthorn star Lance Franklin. Midfielder Daniel Kerr has put his hand up to face the Hawks on Sunday after recovering from knee surgery, but the veteran is expected to return through the WAFL after a limited pre-season. Half-backs Jacob Brennan and Sam Butler are applying pressure for spots in the back six, while Callum Sinclair and Jeremy McGovern are doing likewise for the second ruck spot.
Nathan Schmook
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Coach Brendan McCartney will be reluctant to make changes after the Bulldogs' emphatic first round win over the Brisbane Lions, but with a possible hamstring injury to Koby Stevens, there could be a spot up for grabs. Jack Macrae has put his hand up, after an impressive performance against Geelong in the VFL. Michael Talia also produced a good game for Williamstown, and could be another option should the Dogs choose to load up with backmen against Fremantle's potent forward-line.
Jacqui Reed
