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ADELAIDE

Veteran midfielder Scott Thompson excelled in his first three quarters for the year, playing against West Adelaide in a trial last Saturday. He had 23 possessions and six clearances, while Matt Crouch – who played a full game – collected 34 possessions, seven marks and a goal. James Podsiadly was a rock in defence, which is where coach Phil Walsh sees his role in 2015. However, Walsh added that after such an emphatic AFL win it would be harsh for any player to fall out of last Sunday's 22 before the clash against Collingwood on Saturday. Luke Brown could be the exception if he can't overcome a corked thigh. - Harry Thring

BRISBANE LIONS

The door is open for another midfielder to come in for Sunday's game against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium with the absence of injured skipper Tom Rockliff (ribs). Zac O'Brien's elevation to the senior list suggests he's a good chance after a strong pre-season. Young forward Michael Close was left out of the loss to Collingwood, but with drier, faster conditions expected against the Kangaroos, he could also come into the frame. Young defender Darcy Gardiner appears to have overcome a shoulder injury. - Michael Whiting

CARLTON

The Blues will be forced to make at least two changes to the team that was outclassed by the Tigers at the MCG in last Thursday night's season opener. Dale Thomas was subbed off after injuring his shoulder early in the game and is expected to be sidelined for at least six games. Kristian Jaksch played out the game but it was later revealed that he had two broken ribs and will miss the next two games. Recruits Mark Whiley and Jason Tutt staked their claims for a spot against West Coast on Friday night with solid hit-outs in a VFL practice match. In his first game since recovering from an Achilles problem Whiley racked up 10 disposals in the second term and finished the match with 20 disposals, four marks and two tackles. Tutt collected 21 touches and booted a goal in the fourth quarter. Nick Graham (21 disposals, six marks, two tackles) used the ball well and provided plenty of run, an area that the Blues need to improve on this week.Andrew Walker (knee) and Matthew Kreuzer (foot) remain on the sidelines. – Howard Kotton

COLLINGWOOD

The Magpies will be forced to make at least one change for their big twilight clash with the Crows at the MCG on Saturday, with star midfielder Steele Sidebottom to be sidelined for six to eight weeks after sustaining a broken thumb in the last quarter of their season-opening win over the Brisbane Lions. Left-footer Ben Kennedy, an emergency last week, will come under strong consideration for promotion, as will Nathan Freeman, Tim Broomhead, Paul Seedsman and Sam Dwyer – the latter three performing strongly in Collingwood’s VFL practice match against Casey. – Ben Collins

Nathan Freeman is a chance to come in for injured Pie Steele Sidebottom. Picture: AFL Media



ESSENDON

The Bombers will need to replace David Myers after the midfielder suffered a shoulder injury in the opening minutes of last Saturday's game against the Swans. The club might also look to bring in some fresh legs after the slog in wet conditions at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. There are a few candidates, notably Jason Ashby and Kyle Langford, who were emergencies for last week's clash but had encouraging pre-season campaigns. Jackson Merrett and Shaun Edwards also offer some pace for the forward line, while James Gwilt can be called upon if James Hird feels his team needs any reinforcement in defence. - Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE

The Dockers have plenty of players in the mix but it is a tough side to break into. Tendai Mzungu was left out last week purely due to his lack of game time in the pre-season. He responded with 25 disposals for Peel. Ross Lyon has said he would prefer Matt Taberner in the Dockers side for structural reasons. Taberner missed two NAB Challenge matches and was required to come back via the WAFL where he gathered 14 touches, seven marks and kicked four goals for Peel. Youngster Lachie Weller put his hand up for an opportunity with an electric performance, gathering 22 touches and kicking three goals. Hayden Crozier was also unlucky to be squeezed out of the Dockers side and his 17 touches and two goals for Peel will keep him in the mix. - Alex Malcolm

GEELONG

George Horlin-Smith and Jordan Murdoch are likely to come into contention as the Cats look to add some experience after Monday's loss to Hawthorn. Rhys Stanley played in the VFL on Saturday and will be considered to play in the ruck against Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands. Hamish McIntosh is also a chance having shown good early season form in the VFL. Andrew Mackie was a late withdrawal on Easter Monday with quad tightness, so he will be touch and go for Sunday's game, while Jimmy Bartel's concussion will be monitored. He has suffered head knocks in the past and the club is always conservative in their assessment of such injuries. Sam Blease played well in the VFL and his ability to break the lines could be handy against Fremantle, particularly as a sub, while Dean Gore needs to string some games together before he is introduced. Jake Kolodjashnij impressed in defence in the VFL and will come under consideration. – Peter Ryan

Big-name recruit Rhys Stanley could be ready to play his first game for the Cats. Picture: AFL Media



GOLD COAST

The Suns will welcome back spearhead Tom Lynch from suspension for Saturday night's home clash against St Kilda. Lynch missed the loss against Melbourne after being suspended during the NAB Challenge, and will be rushed back into the team. Matt Shaw will miss with suspension, but it's hard to see coach Rodney Eade making wholesale changes after just one match. Tom Nicholls is a chance in the ruck, while Brandon Matera kicked two goals in the reserves at the weekend to also put his name up there. - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

GWS coach Leon Cameron said 28 players were in the mix to play St Kilda in round one, and it seems the club’s depth is in good shape. The Giants' reserves enjoyed a tough win over the Sydney Swans in a practice match, with defender Nathan Wilson in good touch. Former Bulldog Dylan Addison thrived in the wet conditions, while Adam Kennedy and Zac Williams were also solid. In some more good news for the Giants, key defender Tim Mohr played the entire match in his first game since tearing his ACL round 18 last year. - Adam Curley

HAWTHORN

With a six-day turnaround before facing Essendon, midfielder Liam Shiels (hamstring) could be facing an uphill battle to prove his fitness. The tough nut was the sole injury concern stemming from the Hawks' demolition of Geelong and was substituted out of the game early in the third term – mainly as a precaution. A host of teammates are ready to step in, including Grant Birchall, ex-Giant Jonathan O'Rourke, Billy Hartung or Alex Woodward. The Hawks held their reserves out of Box Hill's VFL practice match on Good Friday but trained them hard at the weekend. – Travis King

MELBOURNE

Bernie Vince and Chris Dawes are "certainly" in Melbourne's best 22, according to coach Paul Roos, meaning both are likely to return for the Demons' round two clash with Greater Western Sydney. However, finding the players to make way for the established stars looms as a real selection problem for the coach. Although they did not do anything wrong in the Demons' 26-point win over Gold Coast, youngsters Jimmy Toumpas, Angus Brayshaw and Jay Kennedy-Harris appear the most likely to be dropped as the Demons look to continue their winning form. – Ben Guthrie

Chris Dawes is likely to come straight back in for the Demons, but who do they drop? Picture: AFL Media



NORTH MELBOURNE

The Roos' match committee will likely wield the axe in the wake of their extremely disappointing round-one loss to Adelaide. Mason Wood and Robbie Tarrant were unlucky to miss selection against the Crows and did their round two chances no harm with strong performances for Werribee against an AFL Academy team on Sunday. Wood could be recalled to bolster North's forward line after the Roos took in just two talls, Drew Petrie and Jarrad Waite, against Adelaide, as could round-one emergency Ben Brown. Last round, the Roos' defence was again exposed by an elite power forward, Taylor Walker, and Tarrant could get his chance in the backline. The club's other VFL affiliate North Ballarat did not play last weekend meaning the likes of Aaron Black, Robbie Nahas and Trent Dumont could not advance their selection claims. However, all three could be considered for call-ups against the Brisbane Lions. Lachlan Hansen (hips) has yet to return via the VFL so is highly unlikely to be risked at senior level this Sunday. - Nick Bowen

RICHMOND

There could be two changes for the Tigers this week, with tall defender David Astbury ready to return after being stung by a stingray and Brett Deledio facing a one-week suspension. Rather than a straight swap, it is likely Astbury, who played a VFL practice match at the weekend, would replace one of Dylan Grimes or Jake Batchelor. Putting their hands up for Deledio's position in the VFL were Ricky Petterd (24 possessions and two goals), Matt McDonough (25), Kane Lambert (25) and Chris Knights (28 and nine inside 50s). Midfielder Reece Conca (hamstring) is likely to spend one more week on the sidelines while Nathan Foley (foot) could be eased back in through the VFL. – Nathan Schmook

PORT ADELAIDE

The Power will hope to regain the services of ruckman Matthew Lobbe in their Saturday night encounter against the Sydney Swans after he was a late withdrawal on Easter Sunday with quad tightness. His inclusion would finally offer Port fans the chance to see him team up with star recruit Patrick Ryder, in which case John Butcher would be the obvious omission. Coach Ken Hinkley has a smorgasbord of players with AFL experience to bring in if he so chooses, with Kane Mitchell, Aaron Young and Andrew Moore available. Hinkley has also said that rookie Nathan Krakouer isn't far away from becoming a possible inclusion across half-back. - Harry Thring

ST KILDA

After a strong performance in a VFL practice match, ruckman Tom Hickey (three goals) is set to return against Gold Coast. It appears likely the Saints will select a two-pronged ruck division, with Hickey and Longer rotating between the ruck and forward line. Classy youngster Jack Billings is also pushing for a recall after racking up 32 possessions with Sandringham. Tom Curren, who was named as an emergency in round one, is another possible inclusion to add an extra run-with option against the Suns' playmakers. – Nathan Schmook

SYDNEY SWANS After somehow pulling off an amazing comeback win against Essendon in round one, Swans coach John Longmire will hope to have co-captain Jarrad McVeigh available for this week’s tough game against Port Adelaide on the road. The Swans have taken a cautious approach with the veteran, who missed the season opener with a calf problem. Ben McGlynn is another pushing for a recall after overcoming a high hamstring strain. Midfielder Tom Mitchell was unlucky to miss out in round one and with the Swans midfield starting slowly against the Bombers, his name might come up at the selection table this week. - Adam Curley

WEST COAST

Adam Simpson suggested the Eagles could make two or three changes this week. They will have one forced with Mitch Brown needing another knee reconstruction, with Will Schofield almost certain to come in. Xavier Ellis is also due to return from a hamstring strain. There are few other defensive options. Irish rookie Paddy Brophy had 20 touches in defence in the WAFL but it would be a big leap to upgrade him and play him this week, while Jamie Bennell had 25 touches and kicked a goal playing off half-back. Simpson was disappointed with the performance of his midfielders against the Western Bulldogs and changes could be made. Brant Colledge dominated for East Perth on Good Friday collecting 36 possessions and three goals. Murray Newman gathered 17 touches and kicked four. Simon Tunbridge and Josh Hill also kicked two goals apiece, but it would be unlikely either would come into contention. - Alex Malcolm

Will Schofield will become a vital defender for the injury-depleted Eagles. Picture: AFL Media



WESTERN BULLDOGS

It's hard to see the Bulldogs making too many changes from the team that defeated West Coast, but if Luke Beveridge did want to mix things up, there was no shortage of players in the VFL putting their hands up. Ruckmen Ayce Cordy and Tom Campbell were two of the best in Footscray's 45-point practice match win over Geelong. Draftees Bailey Dale (five goals), Toby McLean (two goals) and Lukas Webb also impressed. – Ryan Davidson