Get them in: Key defender Daniel Talia is in doubt for Saturday night's clash with Brisbane at the Gabba with a fractured shin, while forward Mitch McGovern (ankle) is a chance for his first game since round eight. If McGovern can't get up, then Darcy Fogarty will likely be recalled, in place of suspended skipper Taylor Walker.

Under the pump: There's no need to make unforced changes after last Thursday night's 15-point win against Geelong. Alex Keath or Kyle Hartigan will make way for Talia if he returns.

Medical room: Talia appears unlikely with a small crack in his fibula, while McGovern is a good chance. Richard Douglas (ankle) is another week away.

Verdict: Just the one change – McGovern for Walker. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: Some good form in the NEAFL with a win over Sydney Uni, led by young midfielder Ben Keays and veteran Ryan Bastinac. Might be hard to force a spot in the seniors though.

Under the pump: After a brilliant team performance against the Hawks the only man who might be sweating is Cedric Cox, who was a late inclusion for Luke Hodge.

Medical room: Hodge will have his calf tested but is expected to be fine. More testing for concussed vice-captain Harris Andrews this week, but the club won't rush his return.

Verdict: If it isn't broken, don't fix it, right? Well, not quite. Expect Hodge to come back in if he overcomes his niggle at the expense of Cox, but otherwise, no changes. - Michael Whiting

Luke Hodge is set to return to a winning Brisbane outfit. Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: Nick Graham could return to the senior fold after winning 33 disposals and kicking two goals in the VFL. Jacob Weitering and Matthew Wright should be selected if they can prove their fitness, while Ciaran Byrne could get another chance at AFL level.

Under the pump: Cameron Polson has averaged fewer than six disposals per game since returning to the senior side and may struggle to keep his place in the team.

Medical room: Matthew Kreuzer will see a cardiologist after leaving Friday night's game with a raised heartbeat. Weitering is battling a calf injury, while Darcy Lang has an ankle problem. Wright should be fit after missing last week with soreness.

Verdict: Graham has pressed his case for a senior recall, while Levi Casboult and Matthew Lobbe will be on standby should Kreuzer not be deemed fit to play. Weitering and Wright will be on the cusp of a return, while Byrne seems a natural replacement for the suspended Jed Lamb. - Riley Beveridge

Get them in: Big man Mason Cox was sorely missed against West Coast and would be a welcome inclusion for the big clash with North Melbourne. Last round's emergencies Sam Murray, Adam Oxley and Callum Brown remain in contention, as does second-year tall Sam McLarty.

Under the pump: Forward Ben Crocker gained a late reprieve when Cox withdrew, but will again come under pressure after another quiet outing.

Medical room: Cox appears likely to overcome a tight hamstring, while Brayden Sier (corked thigh), Tom Langdon (knee) and Darcy Moore (finger) are also expected to be available.

Verdict: If fit, Cox would vastly improve the Pies' forward structure and provide ruckman Brodie Grundy with the odd break. - Ben Collins

Mason Cox was sorely missed against West Coast. Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: Jayden Laverde did some good things in the VFL last week after a hamstring injury ruled him out in recent weeks, while James Stewart kicked three goals to put himself back in the frame for a senior spot.

Under the pump: Ben McNiece was quiet last week with just seven disposals, while half-forwards Jake Long and Travis Colyer also had little impact on the game.

Medical room: Orazio Fantasia was a late withdrawal again last week with an adductor strain. He could return to face the Dockers.

Verdict: If Fantasia is fit he will come in, most likely for Long. Other than that, don't expect too many other changes as the Bombers continue their better run of form. - Callum Twomey

Get them in: The will he, won't he debate about Harley Bennell's long-awaited comeback is set to ramp up after he was Peel's best player with 19 disposals and a goal. Surely he must be close.

Under the pump: Ryan Nyhuis will be suspended for a dangerous tackle on Robbie Gray, which could open the door for Taylin Duman in defence.

Medical room: All eyes will be on young ruckman Sean Darcy this week after he limped off late against Port Adelaide with a groin concern. It might be a week too soon for Aaron Sandilands to return from his calf strain.

Verdict: Bennell, Duman, Mitch Crowden, rested Darcy Tucker and possible debutant Lloyd Meek should all be in the mix for a trip to face Essendon. – Travis King

Get them in: Lachie Henderson is ready, while travelling emergencies Jordan Cunico and Ryan Abbott will be in the frame as Jordan Murdoch bounced back from concussion. Stewart Crameri has kicked seven goals in two weeks, George Horlin-Smith continues to collect big numbers, and could Zac Smith (43 hit-outs) be back to face Max Gawn?

Under the pump: Wylie Buzza took just one mark from plenty of opportunities against the Crows, while Sam Simpson and Jamaine Jones were quiet. After six touches, Daniel Menzel will be better for the run.

Medical room: Harry Taylor remains a watch after missing last week with foot soreness.

Verdict: Cunico or Murdoch for Simpson and Henderson for Buzza. This would allow Jack Henry to move forward or Jake Kolodjashnij onto a wing as Henderson slots into defence. The Gawn factor will be weighing on Chris Scott's mind. - Mitch Cleary

Lachie Henderson is set to return, but Harry Taylor is under a cloud. Picture: AFL Photos







Get them in: A second good showing at NEAFL level from Kade Kolodjashnij has him right in the frame. Michael Barlow is an outside chance after 44 disposals but might need another week's fitness to be considered.

Under the pump: Third-year utility Josh Schoenfeld has struggled for a few weeks. Teenager Wil Powell had a quiet game against the Bombers.

Medical room: Co-captain Steven May aggravated a hip problem at the weekend but should be fine, while Ben Ainsworth (leg) is expected to return, along with Jack Bowes (quad).

Verdict: Kolodjashnij looks a good replacement for Shoenfeld, while Ainsworth could replace Powell. Another good showing in the NEAFL would see Pearce Hanley, Brayden Fiorini and Barlow come into consideration the following week. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: Veteran Brett Deledio made a successful return from another calf injury with 32 possessions and five tackles in the NEAFL last week and will be a valuable addition to the senior side against Port Adelaide.

Under the pump: Draftee Brent Daniels has shown some promising signs in his two games so far, but as a small forward he's only laid two tackles and hasn't kicked a goal.

Medical room: It was rare for the Giants to come through a game unscathed last week and the comeback of star Toby Greene (foot) and Deledio was more good news for the club.

Verdict: Deledio to come in against the Power for Daniels. - Adam Curley

Get them in: Midfielder James Worpel (35 possessions and a goal) and veteran key forward Ryan Schoenmakers (21 possessions and a goal) impressed at Box Hill on the weekend. David Mirra played well in defence. First year midfielder Dylan Moore also showed a bit.

Under the pump: Where to start after a listless display against the Brisbane Lions? Tim O’Brien, Ricky Henderson, Teia Miles, Brendan Whitecross, Paul Puopolo and Taylor Duryea were all quiet and will be shifting uncomfortably in their seats ahead of team selection.

Medical room: Only one injury out of Saturday, but what a disaster. A broken wrist for star defender James Sicily and we might not see him again in 2018.

Verdict: Schoenmakers and Worpel in for Miles and O’Brien. Will Langford has his detractors, but he can hunt the football, so he might be back if he is over his finger injury. Kaiden Brand or Mirra to replace Sicily. - Ashley Browne

Forgotten big man Ryan Schoenmakers is likely to return this week. Picture: AFL Photos



Get them in: Sam Weideman booted four goals for Casey and continues to throw his name forward. Dom Tyson (25 disposals) continues to find the footy, while Cam Pedersen (25) and Aaron vandenBerg (20) again performed strongly.

Under the pump: Mitch Hannan was a late inclusion for co-captain Jack Viney and was relatively quiet against the Dogs. Veteran defender Bernie Vince is also not a certain selection.

Medical room: Viney is out for at least a month after a flare-up of his troublesome foot, with Billy Stretch (toe) expected to the miss the rest of the season.

Verdict: Tyson to replace Hannan. - Ben Guthrie

Get them in: Ben McKay and Nick Larkey seem to be jostling for one spot, albeit at opposite ends of the ground, depending on how the Roos use Majak Daw. McKay impressed with his marking again in the VFL, while Larkey was a match-day emergency. Will Walker is getting closer to making his AFL debut and Braydon Preuss' form surge continued at the weekend.

Under the pump: The heat is on Ryan Clarke and Nathan Hrovat, although defensive forward Kayne Turner's concussion might be a factor in Hrovat's selection fate.

Medical room: Emerging defender Sam Durdin's (broken right tibia) season is over, while stopper Ben Jacobs and defensive forward Turner (both concussion) are in doubt for this weekend. Jacobs suffered a setback after playing a fortnight ago, then being a late withdrawal for the third time in a month against Sydney.

Verdict: Jacobs will play if he's cleared and McKay's time might have arrived down back, too. Clarke and one of Hrovat or Turner will probably make way. Don't rule out Walker playing, either. – Marc McGowan

Get them in: Running defender Jasper Pittard had a solid game in the SANFL (22 disposals) in his first game back from hamstring tightness, while key backman Jarrod Lienert (22) continues to push his claims. Has ruckman Billy Frampton done enough to be Paddy Ryder's replacement?

Under the pump: Defender Riley Bonner, veteran forward Lindsay Thomas and winger Karl Amon are the most at risk.

Medical room: Ruckman Paddy Ryder will be sidelined with a hip flexor injury and star small forward Robbie Gray will have to pass concussion tests this week. Forward Todd Marshall was stretchered off with an ankle injury in the SANFL.

Verdict: Marshall's injury means the Power can't afford to take Charlie Dixon out of the forward line. The Giants are without key forwards Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton. Power defender Dougal Howard can go into the ruck, giving a debut to Lienert. Pittard will return, most likely for Amon. Frampton isn't ready for senior football. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: A six-goal haul, along with 24 disposals, from rookie Tyson Stengle in the VFL against North Melbourne should have him in the frame. Sam Lloyd (37 disposals, one goal), Connor Menadue (25) and Jacob Townsend (23, six tackles, two goals) didn't do their chances any harm.

Under the pump: Small forward Shai Bolton didn't have much impact in the loss to Greater Western Sydney, while Corey Ellis was a touch shaky.

Medical room: The Tigers escaped unscathed against the Giants.

Verdict: Stengle for Bolton and Menadue for Ellis. - Dinny Navaratnam

Get them in: Blake Acres had 24 disposals and nine tackles in his second game back from a groin issue for Sandringham. Nathan Freeman has played five successive VFL games, and collected 23 disposals against Geelong. Meanwhile, draftee Ben Paton put in another impressive performance, with 20 disposals, 14 tackles and two goals.

Under the pump: Hunter Clark and Jack Lonie were relatively quiet against Carlton.

Medical room: Defender Jimmy Webster could miss with a right groin injury, but at the other end of the ground Josh Battle is fit after suffering a fractured right eye socket. Seb Ross will return from gastro.

Verdict: Acres, Ross and Battle in for Clark, Webster and Lonie. - Dinny Navaratnam

Blake Acres was impressive in his second game back in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: Key defender Heath Grundy was managed last week so he'll come in to face Gold Coast at the SCG. Forward Gary Rohan was the team's travelling emergency last week, so he'll be fresh if selected, while ruck/forward Darcy Cameron starred again in the NEAFL with 28 disposals, 10 marks and three goals.

Under the pump: Defender Harry Marsh played his role but didn't have a massive impact against North Melbourne.

Medical room: Skipper Josh Kennedy looks likely to miss Saturday's clash with Gold Coast after he missed most of the win over the Kangaroos with a back problem.

Verdict: Kennedy will struggle to get up for the Suns given the Swans have a six-day break, so Rohan to come in for the captain, while Grundy replaces Marsh. - Adam Curley

Get them in: If the Eagles continue to play two ruckmen then Nathan Vardy is ready to replace Nic Naitanui after dominating for East Perth on Saturday, while Dom Sheed racked up 37 touches and booted a goal and Brendon Ah Chee (18, two goals) performed strongly. Liam Ryan booted three goals and laid seven tackles in his return after his car crash two weeks ago.

Under the pump: There won't be many changes after a stirring win over Collingwood at the MCG, although Will Schofield will know key defender Tom Barrass is gunning for a recall.

Medical room: The Eagles' list is nearly fully fit apart from season-ending injuries to Naitanui and Eric Mackenzie.

Verdict: Vardy will probably come in for Naitanui, assuming the Eagles want to persevere with two ruckmen, while Sheed, Ah Chee, and possibly Ryan, will be in the frame - Travis King

Nathan Vardy is the likely replacement for Nic Naitanui if the Eagles opt for two ruckmen. Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: Tom Boyd (back) and Hayden Crozier (hamstring) are likely inclusions after missing the loss to Melbourne. Crafty forward Fergus Greene is banging down the selection door and is a strong chance to make his debut after a four-goal haul in the VFL on the weekend. Ruckman Tim English should also be in the mix after 41 hit-outs for Footscray.

Under the pump: Premiership ruckman Jordan Roughead was absolutely dominated by Brownlow fancy Max Gawn after returning to the seniors following several weeks in the VFL.

Medical room: Boyd and Crozier should recover from their complaints and make the trip to Perth to face West Coast on Sunday.

Verdict: Boyd, Crozier and Greene for Roughead, Mitch Honeychurch and Patrick Lipinski. - Ryan Davidson