Adelaide is set to welcome back ruckman Sam Jacobs for Saturday night's Showdown with cross-town rivals Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Jacobs has missed the past two games with a minor ankle injury. He will have a fitness test this week, but is expected to return. If he is fit, Jacobs will come into the Crows side for Reilly O'Brien. Winger Paul Seedsman will also have a fitness test after sitting out last weekend's big win over Fremantle with a corked buttock. However, Seedsman could have to come back through the SANFL with intense competition for spots. Ricky Henderson stated his case for a senior recall with 20 possessions and three goals in Adelaide's 42-point win against Norwood in the SANFL. Harrison Wigg (27 possessions, seven clearances), Mitch Grigg (26 possessions, seven tackles, seven clearances) and Riley Knight (21 possessions, eight tackles, seven inside 50s) also impressed. Midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen was a travelling emergency for the trip to Perth last weekend. - Lee Gaskin

Coming off just the Lions' third win of the season, coach Justin Leppitsch has the rare luxury of not needing to make changes ahead of Sunday's game against Geelong at the Gabba. However, the quicker-than-expected recovery of Tom Bell from knee surgery gives him food for thought if the powerhouse midfielder can prove his fitness this week. - Michael Whiting

Carlton's VFL team had a bye last weekend, denying several players who have been impressive with the Northern Blues the opportunity to push their cases for senior selection. After young midfielder David Cuningham became the fourth of Carlton’s five draftees from last year to make his AFL debut against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday, key forward Harry McKay remains the only one yet to be given a taste of senior football. While the teenager's debut season has been interrupted by a lower back injury, McKay was starting to find form in the VFL recently and the Blues are keen to blood him against either the Demons this Sunday or the Bombers in the final round. - Howard Kotton

Travis Cloke's starring role in the VFL has put him back in the frame for a return to the Pies' line-up for the clash with Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. The veteran forward bagged five of Collingwood's 12 goals in an 11th successive VFL win for the club. The Magpies will need to replace key defender Ben Reid (knee) and midfielder Taylor Adams (ankle), while big man Mason Cox (shoulder) and medium-sized forward Ben Crocker (concussion) could return if passed fit. Also in contention are full-back Jack Frost,small backman Marley Williams, youngster Matthew Goodyear and veterans Brent Macaffer and Alan Toovey. - Ben Collins

The Bombers aren't sure yet if Brendon Goddard will return to face the Western Bulldogs on Sunday after missing last week's win over Gold Coast with a groin strain. But they will recall first-year midfielder Darcy Parish, who was rested last weekend but has already become a key member of their on-ball unit. The club's VFL side had some standout performers in its win over Williamstown, with roaming forward Shaun McKernan booting four goals and taking 11 marks (six of which were contested). Ryan Crowley seems likely to come into Essendon's senior team for at least one more game and had 24 touches and kicked a goal in the VFL, while Will Hams and Jason Ashby were also good contributors. - Callum Twomey

Darcy Parish will return for the Bombers. Picture: AFL Photos







The Dockers have some decisions to make this week. Matthew Pavlich will be rested to ensure he is available for his farewell match in round 23. There will be doubts over Aaron Sandilands after he suffered a gluteal strain against the Crows. Hayden Crozier missed last week with a calf issue and if he is available he should play. Peel Thunder had the bye last week. Matt Taberner collected 23 touches, eight marks and two goals the previous week and is set to come in for Pavlich. Michael Apeness can ruck with Zac Clarke, which will make it tough for Jon Griffin to come back in. Anthony Morabito is desperate for another crack at AFL level after 26 disposals in his last WAFL outing but appears unlikely. Veterans Nick Suban, Matt de Boer, Tendai Mzungu and Clancee Pearce are in the mix on a weekly basis. Cam Sutcliffe would also love to find a way back into the line-up. - Alex Malcolm

Geelong has selection dilemmas with Daniel Menzel (groin) and Nakia Cockatoo (knee) expected to return after missing the game against Richmond with minor injuries. Andrew Mackie should also play against the Brisbane Lions after being managed for a week. Jed Bews was concussed in the VFL, so his battle for a defensive spot with Tom Ruggles might go on hold for a week. - Peter Ryan

The Suns are running out of troops to pick from, but might have one or two additions for Saturday's match against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium. Although coach Rodney Eade seemed hesitant to pick draftee Brayden Fiorini a few weeks ago after a long injury layoff in his first season, the slightly-built midfielder continues to shine at NEAFL level and is making a strong case. Veteran defender Nick Malceski will have to overcome a knee niggle to regain his place in the team. - Michael Whiting

With small defender Adam Kennedy (concussion) in doubt for this week's clash with Fremantle, Nathan Wilson and Matt Buntine loom as potential replacements after both starred in the NEAFL last week. Buntine had 33 possessions, while Wilson had 29 touches in the Giants' 150-point thumping of Redland after his shock omission from the seniors. Midfielders Jack Steele, Rhys Palmer and Jacob Hopper dominated again and shared 120 possessions, 16 tackles and five goals, while forward Sam Reid responded to being dropped with four goals and 25 disposals. Key defender Aidan Corr was also impressive with 25 possessions and nine marks in his second game back from a long lay-off with an ankle injury. - Adam Curley

The Hawks travel to Perth for the first time this year and are likely to make just one compulsory change for the huge Friday night clash with West Coast, with James Sicily back from suspension. Ryan Burton made an impressive debut on the weekend but appears the most likely omission. Billy Hartung (ankle) and Taylor Duryea (leg) suffered knocks against North on Saturday but played game out. With only a six-day break, their recovery will be critical, but the fact that the Hawks didn't leave any likely replacements out of the VFL suggests they should be right to go. Jonathan O'Rourke, Tim O'Brien and Kurt Heatherley rebounded well in the VFL on Sunday after being dropped from the AFL side, but it is doubtful they will be considered for promotion off a five-day break. Key forward Ryan Schoenmakers also played his first match in four months, but was managed. If he can get through a full VFL game on Saturday he shapes as a wildcard selection for Hawthorn in the finals. - Ashley Browne

Melbourne has found a winning formula, having rattled off three consecutive wins for the first time since 2010. But should Paul Roos decide a change is necessary there are numerous options to choose from. Young forward Sam Weideman is likely to be available after missing the clash against Port Adelaide with a corked quad. Weideman could come back into the side to play alongside Jesse Hogan for the first time. Christian Salem has bounced back from illness and is also in the frame to return against the Blues after kicking two goals from 21 touches with Casey. Alex Neal-Bullen (37 disposals and two goals) continues to press his claims, while Jack Grimes (41 dispoals), Viv Michie (35) and Jack Trengove (30) all found plenty of the football. - Ben Guthrie

Yet to secure a finals berth, the Roos will be sweating on the availability of key forward Ben Brown (knee) and Scott Thompson (adductor) for the crunch clash with the Sydney Swans in Hobart after the pair missed the loss to Hawthorn. And at long last, there are best-22 reinforcements on the horizon returning from the long-term injury list. Shaun Higgins (knee) was on the borderline last round and might be a player that North takes a punt on bringing straight back in given his class, despite not playing since round seven. Meanwhile, tagger Ben Jacobs (foot) and important defender Sam Wright (ankle) both made their comebacks in the VFL on Sunday. In his first game since round eight, Jacobs spent time on Casey and Melbourne midfielder Jack Trengove, and also played up forward, gradually discovering his touch as the game wore on. Wright had seven rebound 50s in a smashing from the Scorpions but, like Jacobs, it remains to be seen if his match fitness is suitable for a senior call-up this week. - Travis King

With a finals berth on the line, the Roos will be sweating on Ben Brown's availability. Picture: AFL Photos





Port Adelaide could field its 36th player this season with Riley Bonner on the verge of making his AFL debut in Saturday night's Showdown with Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Bonner – the 37th selection in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft – has impressed in the SANFL and deserves his crack in the final two games of the season. The Power will be forced to make at least one change with Chad Wingard out with a hamstring injury. Charlie Dixon (ankle) is also in doubt. Experienced forwards Jay Schulz and John Butcher will come into consideration for a senior recall. Brendon Ah Chee will be the favourite to come in for Wingard, while Kane Mitchell and Jimmy Toumpas are also on the cusp. - Lee Gaskin

While blooding kids has been the mantra at Punt Road recently, the time may have come to put some of the club's most impressive youngsters on ice. If the decision is made to manage players such as Oleg Markov and Daniel Rioli, there are form players in the VFL waiting for an opportunity. Kane Lambert has produced two outstanding performances, racking up 37 and 35 possessions in the past two weeks. Adam Marcon also responded well to being sent back to the VFL, finishing with 29 possessions, two goals and 11 tackles at the weekend. Reece Conca had 27 disposals but came off late in the final term with a corked thigh. Key forward Ben Griffiths will need to prove his fitness after missing last week with a groin injury. - Nathan Schmook

If defender Jarryn Geary can prove his fitness after a seized up back forced him out of last week's clash against the Sydney Swans, he will be straight back in. If he needs more time on the sidelines, Jimmy Webster was fantastic in the VFL. Tom Hickey is in doubt to face Richmond on Saturday afternoon at the MCG after hurting his left ankle, so Jason Holmes could be a chance to play his first match of the season. A four-goal haul to Cameron Shenton brought his tally to 10 in his last two weeks for Sandringham, but he will find it tough to work his way into a side with plenty of goalkicking options. - Dinny Navaratnam

Star ruckman Kurt Tippett should make his long-awaited return when the Swans take on North Melbourne in Tasmania, in what will be his first match since he damaged his hamstring tendon in June. The big man has run strongly over the past fortnight, but if he gets through training this week he should be cleared to face the Roos. The Swans' reserves suffered a tough loss in Darwin, with veteran Ben McGlynn, defender Jeremy Laidler and skillful forward James Rose amongst the best. Midfielder Brandon Jack had 24 touches, while defender Harrison Marsh had 25 in a good sign for the Swans' depth. Retiring defender Ted Richardswill return in the NEAFL from his one-game suspension, in what will be the reserves' final regular-season game of the year, before next week's pre-finals bye. - Adam Curley

Kurt Tippett is expected back for the Swans. Picture: AFL Photos





The Eagles have another six-day break to contend with ahead of a clash with Hawthorn at Domain Stadium on Friday night. Simon Tunbridge has accepted a three-match suspension for two separate incidents. How the Eagles replace his hybrid role will be intriguing. Patrick McGinnity gathered 23 disposals, eight inside 50s and kicked a goal for East Perth last week to put his hand up. Tom Lamb has been pressing for sometime but he was inaccurate in front of goal with 0.4 on the weekend. Lewis Jetta collected 24 disposals in an impressive display to put himself back in the frame. Eric Mackenzie remains ready for a chance to come back, but he probably needs an injury to one of the incumbents to come in. Youngster Jackson Nelson was the travelling emergency last week after he was squeezed out. Liam Duggan should be available after missing the last two with a calf issue but might come back via the WAFL. - Alex Malcolm

Luke Beveridge is every chance to take an unchanged line up into Sunday's twilight clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium. Veteran defender Dale Morris is unlikely to play as he continues to battle a back-related hamstring concern. Footscray had a bye in the VFL last weekend, but the Dogs could still call upon midfielders Koby Stevens and Bailey Dale if they are looking for more run. Defenders Roarke Smith and Jed Adcock could also come into consideration after their strong state league form. Ruckman Tom Campbell (foot) and midfielders Bailey Williams (knee) and Mitch Honeychurch (hamstring) will all resume through with Fooscray this weekend if they prove their fitness at training. - Ryan Davidson