• The injury list: Every club, every niggle

The Crows could look to insert talented midfielder Brad Crouch into the side that tackles Fremantle on Saturday afternoon, with Crouch back into full training. Crouch hasn’t played since round two but will undergo a fitness test on Wednesday. Wayne Milera will also undergo a test, having made good progress in his return from a quad strain that saw him sit out last Friday night’s loss to Hawthorn. With Charlie Cameron back in the side, it seems likely Milera would have to return via the SANFL. Ricky Henderson is hitting form in the SANFL, collecting 31 possessions at the weekend, while Hugh Greenwood (22, three goals) was terrific. Dean Gore (27 possessions) and Andy Otten (25) also performed well. - Harry Thring

With Tom Cutler (elbow) certain to miss, and Allen Christensen (concussion) under a cloud, the Lions might need to make some changes to host the Sydney Swans on Sunday. Sam Mayes played well at NEAFL level after being dropped and seems a logical replacement for Cutler, while draftee Ben Keays continued to knock the door down with another strong showing. Dan McStay was the Lions' best in the twos and would also be in consideration.

- Michael Whiting

Dennis Armfield continued his fine form after returning from a hamstring injury, picking up 27 disposals and being prominent inside the contest to be the VFL team's best player. He is in line to replace the injured Dylan Buckley. Experienced key defender Michael Jamison, omitted after the heavy loss to Gold Coast in round three, was solid for the first three quarters but sat out the final term in the Northern Blues’ loss to Port Melbourne last Saturday. Jason Tutt was among the better players with 34 disposals and four inside 50s. Kristian Jaksch kicked another three goals to add to his bag of three against Geelong in the previous round. Andrejs Everitt returned after missing three games with a calf injury. In his VFL debut, father-son draftee Jack Silvagni, who had not played since injuring a hamstring earlier this month, kicked two goals. - Howard Kotton

Michael Jamison fights for the ball in the VFL against ex-Demon Lucas Cook. Picture: AFL Media



The Magpies will likely need to find a replacement for speedster Travis Varcoe (hamstring) for their twilight clash with West Coast at Domain Stadium on Sunday. Among the candidates are Tom Langdon, who missed the Anzac Day game with a knee problem, and Ben Sinclair, who could return after a bout of concussion. Others in the frame include youngsters Matthew Goodyear, Tim Broomhead and Rupert Wills and experienced duo Brent Macaffer and Tyson Goldsack. One Pie who is unlikely to be considered is out-of-sorts spearhead Travis Cloke, who kicked two first-quarter goals and managed just five touches in an opportunity-starved VFL appearance as the Pies' reserves went down by 85 points. - Ben Collins

Essendon's big loss to Collingwood and shorter turnaround for its game against Carlton might see it swing a handful of changes. The Bombers had a number of standout performers in its VFL win over the Magpies, with top-up players Ryan Crowley (four goals and 30 disposals), Jonathan Simpkin (32 disposals, two goals) dominating the contest. Jake Long and Jackson Merrett also performed well. Jason Ashby has played a couple of games in the VFL since returning from a knee injury and is building his game time, while first-year forward Mason Redman also showed exciting signs. He might not be quite ready for a debut just yet but will be blooded at some point this year. - Callum Twomey

The Dockers team has become a revolving door on the back of a spate of injuries and form issues. It appears that skipper David Mundy will be right to return to Adelaide. But Nat Fyfe (leg fracture) and Michael Johnson (hamstring tendon and medial ligament) are both out for extended periods. Hayden Ballantyne will also have a race against the clock on a six-day turnaround from a heavy cork. There were four names Ross Lyon mentioned post-match as possible inclusions: Connor Blakely had 29 touches and kicked a goal for Peel Thunder and looks certain to be promoted. Ethan Hughes had 23 touches off half-back and is the type of ball user Lyon is looking for. Lyon said Tendai Mzungu (22 disposals) and Matt de Boer (36 disposals) were excellent for Peel. Ed Langdon was curiously dropped last week but responded with 29 touches. Garrick Ibbotson was an emergency last week and seems the logical replacement for Johnson but Sam Collins is waiting for a chance. - Alex Malcolm

Ed Langdon could come straight back into the Dockers side this week. Picture: AFL Media

Lachie Henderson and Darcy Lang had a chance to recharge their batteries and will be available to play against Gold Coast. Jordan Murdoch picked up 17 disposals against North Ballarat and is always an option if the team needs to inject pace, while Jed Bews continues to keep his name in front of the selectors' minds. Nathan Vardy was quiet, while Billie Smedts successfully returned from a shoulder injury but will be given time. - Peter Ryan

Having overcome a gastro bug that recently swept the Suns, midfielder Dion Prestia will return for Saturday night's match against Geelong. Prestia missed the loss against North Melbourne, and with Gold Coast's midfield already down some key personnel, his return against Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood is timely. Young defender Henry Schade was solid in the NEAFL at the weekend, but the patchwork key defence of Sam Day, Clay Cameron and Trent McKenzie did a good job against the Kangaroos' tall timber and should retain their spots. - Michael Whiting

Defender Nick Haynes and midfielder Jacob Hopper couldn't have done much more in the reserves over the past month and were again amongst the Giants' best in the reserves last week, but spots in the senior side are tough to come by at the moment. Sam Reid was elevated from the rookie list last week and booted six goals in a best on ground performance in the NEAFL to celebrate, so he's done his chances no harm, and if picked, will be a remarkable comeback story. Rhys Palmer lost his spot for the Giants' clash with St Kilda but travelled as an emergency to Melbourne and will be hoping for a big week on the track to push his case for a recall. - Adam Curley

Rhys Palmer will be pushing for a quick return after being dropped last week. Picture: AFL Media

Young utility Daniel Howe (29 touches) and speedy backman Angus Litherland (23) went back to the VFL and impressed in Box Hill's tight win over Coburg to push right back into contention to take on Greater Western Sydney. Marking target Ryan Schoenmakers is still doubtful with his 'grumbly' groin, although athletic forward Dallas Willsmore might be a chance if Tim O'Brien's spot comes under scrutiny. Brad Hill (corked leg) is expected to be fine to face the Giants, while popular veteran Brendan Whitecross is champing at the bit if a spot opens up. - Travis King

Will Christian Petracca finally make his long-awaited debut against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday? His form certainly warrants it after the 20-year-old, who was an emergency for the Demons' 33-point win over Richmond on Sunday night, gathered another 26 disposals in his third VFL game for the Casey Scorpions. Petracca has met the club's requirement for game time and appears likely to force his way into the side. Now it will come down to who makes way for the talented forward/midfielder. Jack Trengove was best afield for the Scorpions with 30 touches and two goals, while rookie Viv Michie (28 disposals) and Alex Neal-Bullen turned in strong performances. The Demons' match committee also has a decision to make on whether to bring first-year midfielder Clayton Oliver straight back into the senior team after he was rested against the Tigers. - Ben Guthrie

Christian Petracca was an emergency last week but could finally get a senior debut. Picture: AFL Media



The Roos got through unscathed against Gold Coast and with Werribee having the VFL bye at the weekend, there's unlikely to be many changes to the settled line-up against the Western Bulldogs. Mason Wood is around the mark after being dropped for the Suns clash, while experienced defender Lachie Hansen, Farren Ray, Aaron Mullett, Majak Daw and Trent Dumont are all ready to go if an opening comes along. - Travis King

The Power will be without key defender Jackson Trengove on Saturday night against Richmond after he accepted a one-match ban for striking Geelong skipper Joel Selwood. That leaves the door wide open for Tom Clurey to join the club’s senior side. Superstar Chad Wingard will have to prove his fitness this week, having suffered a delayed concussion. Wingard played out the game against the Cats but displayed symptoms afterwards, which will mean he’ll be treated with caution this week. Jared Polec was solid for the Magpies in the SANFL with 28 possessions and seven clearances, as were Sam Colquhoun (25 disposals, 12 marks) and Brendon Ah Chee (22, seven tackles). - Harry Thring

Port speedster Jared Polec looked back in form after a week in the SANFL. Picture: AFL Media

Vice-captain Brett Deledio has been declared available to return from a quad injury for Saturday night's clash against Port Adelaide after he was a late withdrawal in round five. The Tigers are clearly refusing to take any risks, however, so another week on the sidelines can't be ruled out yet. Ben Lennon was an emergency last week and could earn a recall after an in-and-out start to the season if a head knock in the VFL doesn't sideline him. The Tigers will need defensive reinforcement after Nick Vlastuin's leg injury and Jason Castagna (23 possessions in the VFL) is an attacking and in-form option. Jack Riewoldt (ankle) needs to pass a fitness test this week and if he is unavailable tall forward Ben Griffiths is his likely replacement. Rookie midfielder Adam Marcon (32 possessions in the VFL) is pushing hard to debut. – Nathan Schmook

Saints coach Alan Richardson expressed his disappointment with the small forwards after the clash with GWS, and he has not been afraid to drop under-performing players. Darren Minchington and Jack Lonie are the two most likely to lose their spots. Jade Gresham collected 31 disposals and kicked a goal in the VFL, putting him in line to play his first senior game since round two. Key defender Hugh Goddard had 15 disposals and took nine marks while keeping Footscray's Jack Redpath to a couple of goals. His intercept marking was noteworthy in that match, giving Goddard a chance to play in a backline that struggled against the Giants. - Dinny Navaratnam

The Swans need to find a replacement for Ted Richards, and his brother Xavier could be an option, while Aliir Aliir could get a look in for his debut. Midfielder Brandon Jack and rookie-listed backman Nic Newman racked up 30 possessions apiece and shared 15 tackles last week in the NEAFL, with Dean Towers gathering 20 of his own and finishing with two goals. Defender Abe Davis was another to find plenty of the footy, with ruckman Toby Nankervis excellent in the Swans' 40-point win over Southport. Zak Jones was held over as cover for star onballer Josh Kennedy who was under an injury cloud, so he'll also be looked at should there be any other forced changes for John Longmire this week. - Adam Curley

Aliir Aliir could be ready to make his debut for the Swans when they face the Lions. Picture: AFL Media

The Eagles are relatively healthy but Adam Simpson said the form of some of his fringe players at East Perth was putting pressure on those in the side. Ruckman Scott Lycett should return after serving his one-week suspension. Tom Lamb kicked five goals for East Perth to continue his good form and put pressure on the Eagles' forwards after a disappointing day against the Swans, albeit in tough conditions. Patrick McGinnity had 19 disposals and kicked two goals. Mark Hutchings was stiff to miss out last week and gathered 23 touches for East Perth in response. Jackson Nelson was also unlucky last week and was steady down back for the Royals. If any changes were made on top of Lycett's inclusion it would likely be one of those four. But Kane Lucas did travel as the emergency last week and remains in the mix. - Alex Malcolm

With Matt Suckling joining fellow defensive playmakers Robert Murphy and Jason Johannisen on the sidelines, Luke Beveridge has ruled out second-year utility Lukas Webb as a replacement for the former Hawk. The 20-year-old has been told to continue to work on his game in the VFL. Key defenders Fletcher Roberts, Joel Hamling, Kieran Collins and Zayne Cordy will come into contention to combat North Melbourne's tall forward line. Midfielders Josh Dunkley and Mitch Honeychurch are other options after another strong performances for Footscray. Caleb Daniel (calf) will miss again after being a late withdrawal from the side that thrashed the Brisbane Lions on the weekend. - Ryan Davidson