Don Pyke will find it tough to make many changes to the side that romped to a 58-point thumping of Port Adelaide in the Showdown, however there are plenty of Crows putting their hands up in the SANFL. Jarryd Lyons (26 disposals, 10 clearances) starred in Adelaide's five-goal 'reserves Showdown' victory, setting up the victory in midfield alongside Cam Ellis-Yolmen (25 disposals, five clearances) , Mitch Grigg (29 disposals, four clearances) and dumped former skipper Nathan van Berlo (24 disposals, six inside 50s). Promising half-forward Riley Knight slotted four goals to be one of the best afield, while Troy Menzel booted one major from 16 touches. - Travis King

Around the state leagues: Who fired for your club?

The Lions have quite a few injury clouds hanging over them heading into Sunday's match against Geelong at Simonds Stadium. Captain Tom Rockliff (calf) and vice-captain Daniel Rich (hamstring) are the major headaches after picking up niggles against North Melbourne. Rugged midfielder Mitch Robinson (calf) is a chance to return – but no certainty – while Queensland draftee Ben Keays is in line for a debut call-up after his 39 disposals in the NEAFL at the weekend. Keays shone like a beacon in a team beaten by more than 100 points, while small forward Jaden McGrath also did enough to put his name right in the frame should Rockliff and Rich fall short. - Michael Whiting

The Lions could hand gun draftee Ben Keays a call-up for this week's QClash. Picture: AFL Media

Despite the Northern Blues' heavy loss to Port Melbourne in their VFL practice match last Saturday, there was encouraging news with defender Lachie Plowman making a successful return from injury. Plowman took six marks and gathered 11 disposals, using the ball well by foot and playing with assurance in defence. The former Giant, who was traded to the Blues at the end of last season, had an interrupted pre-season after having hip surgery in December. He may need another game or two under his belt before he is ready for senior selection and the Blues are keen for the No. 3 pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft to help strengthen their defence. Matthew Dick and Mark Whiley were among the best players for the Northern Blues last Saturday, picking up 24 disposals each. David Cuningham had 22 disposals and Liam Jones and Clem Smith kicked two goals apiece. - Howard Kotton

Ex-Demon Jeremy Howe is in the frame to play his first game for the Pies against St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday, a week out from a clash with his former club. Howe could potentially replace young key forward Corey Gault, who kicked eight goals in three NAB Challenge games but in the opening two rounds has been held scoreless and tallied just 11 touches and two marks. Ruckman Jarrod Witts is expected to be available after suffering split webbing in a hand in round one, but is unlikely to regain his spot at the expense of last-gasp hero Brodie Grundy. Defenders Alan Toovey and Jonathon Marsh remain in contention. - Ben Collins

Jeremy Howe is ready to leap into the Pies' line-up to face St Kilda. Picture: AFL Media



The Bombers seem unlikely to make too many changes to the side that surprised the competition and beat Melbourne last week. Shaun McKernan kicked six goals in a VFL practice match win over Richmond, but ended the game with an ankle injury that is being assessed. Sam Grimley kicked four goals and first-year forward Mason Redman booted three, while top-10 draft pick Aaron Francis was among Essendon's best. Rookies Will Hams and Jake Long again impressed for the Bombers and continue to push their cases for senior elevation. - Callum Twomey

Ross Lyon made four changes following the round one loss to the Western Bulldogs and said it would be tough to make that many again following the loss to Gold Coast. Matthew Pavlich had some hip soreness following the Suns game but should be right for the derby. If not, Matt Taberner made a case to reclaim his place with 25 disposals, 10 marks and 2.3 for Peel Thunder in WAFL. Ruckman Jon Griffin had 36 hit-outs and 12 touches, but Lyon indicated he liked the Aaron Sandilands-Alex Pearce ruck combination that was trialled against the Suns. Youngster Darcy Tucker impressed in the WAFL with 21 disposals and two goals to push his case for a debut. Tendai Mzungu had 25 disposals and kicked a goal and will always be ready to slot in. Matt de Boer was held over as the emergency last week. If the Dockers need another key defender Sam Collins continues to impress for Peel. - Alex Malcolm

More changes are likely for the Dockers and Matt de Boer is every chance to return. Picture: AFL Media

Geelong should welcome back Nakia Cockatoo after the youngster served a two-game suspension for a dangerous tackle. Mitch Duncan's condition is likely to be monitored after he took the full force of a Shane Mumford tackle. Daniel Menzel played in a VFL practice match on Saturday and worked through the game well. He could also be in contention, particularly after the Cats' poor showing on Sunday against Greater Western Sydney. Tom Ruggles and Jed Bews were also among Geelong best in the VFL practice match if they decide more speed is needed behind the ball. - Peter Ryan

Coming off the best win in the club's history against Fremantle last weekend, it would be hard for the Suns to make changes ahead of Saturday night's match against Carlton – but that's just what they might have to do. Winger Matt Rosa (corked calf) and half-forward Touk Miller (ankle) were excellent in round one against Essendon but late scratchings to play the Dockers. With both likely to be fit to take on the Blues, there's going to be a couple of unlucky players miss out. - Michael Whiting

The loss of tall defender Caleb Marchbank (ankle) for up to eight weeks opens the door for veteran Joel Patfull to return to the senior side for Saturday's derby against the Swans. The dual Brisbane Lions club champion had an interrupted pre-season with a broken collarbone and foot issues, but has been in solid form in the NEAFL. Athletic big man Adam Tomlinson was dropped for round two but responded in stunning fashion with 35 possessions, 18 marks and three goals in the reserves, and will be looked at to replace Marchbank or provide another marking forward option. Exciting tall defender Nick Haynes could be a shock call-up after just two NEAFL appearances following off-season groin surgery, while academy draftee Jacob Hopper and Zac Williams found plenty of the footy in the Giants' 20-point win over Sydney University, but will need to continue that form to try and crack a spot in the senior team. - Adam Curley

The dark cloud over the Ricoh Centre disappeared after the slashing 46-point win over West Coast and for the first time all year, the Hawks got through a game without injury. Midfielder Liam Shiels (wrist) couldn't get up in time to face the Eagles but is considered a good chance to return for another big game – Sunday at Etihad against the red-hot Western Bulldogs. Whoever makes way for him will be awfully stiff. Tim O'Brien and Marc Pittonet did well for Box Hill in a VFL loss to Casey Scorpions on Saturday, while first-round draft pick Ryan Burton missed the second half with a knee injury. - Ashley Browne

The Hawks line-up gets scarier with Liam Shiels a chance to return from injury. Picture: AFL Media

Paul Roos admitted he erred when selecting an underdone Angus Brayshaw at the weekend, while he also noted a number of players looked tired in the 13-point loss to Essendon. Veteran defender Lynden Dunn has been made to earn his opportunity, but should return to the team to help combat North Melbourne's tall forward line. Alex Neal-Bullen racked up 36 touches for the Casey Scorpions in Saturday's practice match and also looks a likely inclusion for the Demons. Although they are still a few weeks away from being available for selection, Jack Trengove (22 disposals and two goals) and Christian Petracca (20) impressed for the Scorpions. Promising youngster Sam Weideman also booted three goals in the win over Box Hill. - Ben Guthrie

Defender Scott Thompson (soreness) is set to return this round after he was a late withdrawal from the team that defeated the Brisbane Lions last Saturday, while Kayne Turner (hamstring) should also be available for selection. North is unlikely to make many changes after its solid win over the Lions, but small forward Robin Nahas kept his name in the selectors' minds with a six-goal haul in Werribee's loss to Footscray last Sunday. Mason Wood also performed solidly for Werribee with 17 possessions and two goals. - Nick Bowen

Robin Nahas continues to provide depth for the Roos as they look to go 3-0. Picture: AFL Media

Forward Jay Schulz is dealing with a back injury but will come into the team if he passes a fitness test. Young forward/ruck Dougal Howard would probably make way if Schulz gets up. Vice-captain Hamish Hartlett, who missed the Showdown with hamstring tightness, appears set to miss another week with the club taking no risks. Midfielder Brendon Ah Chee is young and inexperienced, and sometimes focuses too much on the ball at stoppages and forgets about his opponent. He may be dropped. Rookie Kane Mitchell isn't a like-for-like option, but with Matt White placed on the long-term injury list, Mitchell is a chance to be upgraded and brought into the team, particularly after his 37-disposal effort in the SANFL. Jared Polec had just five disposals against the Crows and will be nervous about keeping his spot. - Dinny Navaratnam

The Tigers will be bolstered by important half-forward Shane Edwards this week after he recovered from minor hand surgery. Ruckman Ivan Maric (back) should also return for his first game this season if he can get through training this week without any setbacks. Richmond's backline depth will further be tested by the absence of Dylan Grimes (hamstring), but experienced defenders Troy Chaplin and Jake Batchelor are both waiting in the wings after finding themselves on the outer this season. Key defender Chaplin has been an emergency in the first two rounds and could get his chance, as has hard-bodied on-baller Andrew Moore, who would be an in-form option if Damien Hardwick swings the axe in the midfield. - Nathan Schmook

Jack Lonie and Jade Gresham were disappointing against the Western Bulldogs and could be dropped, while Paddy McCartin was similarly quiet, although in fairness, the ball didn't spend a lot of time in St Kilda's forward line. Nevertheless, Blake Acres responded to omission in style, collecting 27 disposals and kicking a goal in Sandringham's VFL practice match against Williamstown. Tim Membrey took several strong contested grabs and could replace McCartin, but coach Alan Richardson will likely persevere with the 2014 No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick after he played his first game for the season. Darren Minchington has kicked eight goals from two games in the reserves, while Eli Templeton is another option to come in as a small forward. - Dinny Navaratnam

Former Swan Tim Membrey could get the call to boost the Saints' forward line. Picture: AFL Media

Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh (knee) will be eager to put his hand up if he can get through training this week, but remains only an outside chance to face GWS in this week's Sydney derby. McVeigh is yet to take the field in 2016, but veteran Ben McGlynn (hamstring) got through another game in the reserves and finished with 21 touches, nine tackles and a goal, and NEAFL coach Rhyce Shaw said he was impressed with the midfielder's second game back. Small forward James Rose kicked three goals for the second week running to keep the pressure on the senior team, while draftee Jordan Dawson continued his good form with three of his own. After featuring in the NAB Challenge, Harry Marsh and rookie Nic Newman were others to feature among the Swans' best from the weekend. - Adam Curley

The Eagles had a horror day against Hawthorn. Adam Simpson must decide whether to give some poor performers another opportunity or make some changes. The six-day break may also see others get a chance. Chris Masten collected 28 disposals in the WAFL in his first game back from an ankle injury and looks certain to play this week. Youngster Tom Lamb was a shining light in East Perth's loss with 23 disposals, six marks and four goals. He would certainly come into contention for a half-forward role. Kane Lucas had 22 touches and Mark Hutchings only 18 as he stakes his claim to get back into the side. Fraser McInnes and Matthew Allen kicked two goals each but they would be unlikely to get a game unless there was an injury concern with either Josh Kennedy or Jack Darling. - Alex Malcolm

Could this be the week that Kane Lucas finally makes a debut for the Eagles? Picture: AFL Media



Versatile playmakers Bailey Dale and Lukas Webb are the two most likely to force themselves into Luke Beveridge's undefeated side for Sunday's clash with reigning premier Hawthorn after starring performances in the VFL. Dale had a day out, kicking seven goals and picking up 25 possessions while Webb had a game-high 28 touches. Tom Campbell (four goals), Mitch Honeychurch (25 possessions and a goal), Declan Hamilton (24 possessions and a goal), Lin Jong (23 possessions) and Jack Redpath (four goals) were also prominent in the 131-point practice match flogging of an undermanned Werribee. If anyone is to make way, first-year midfielder Josh Dunkley had limited impact against St Kilda. - Ryan Davidson