



Coming off just their second win of the season, it's hard to see the Lions making any changes for their trip to play Port Adelaide on Saturday. If coach Chris Fagan wants a little more run in his team, he might look towards Claye Beams or Tom Bell, who were both strong in the NEAFL at the weekend. - Michael Whiting

Young key forward Harry McKay is making progress and inching closer to his much-anticipated AFL debut. McKay booted two goals in the Northern Blues' win over Coburg last Saturday, impressing with his work rate., Ciaran Byrne made a successful return in his first game back after a knee reconstruction. The Irishman gathered 13 possessions in his allotted three quarters of game time and will be given a few weeks in the reserves before being considered for senior selection. Ruckman Andrew Phillips stood out with 15 disposals and 44 hit-outs, providing plenty of opportunities for midfielders Nick Graham (33 disposals), Sam Kerridge (31) and Rhys Palmer (28). - Howard Kotton

With Tom Hawkins suspended, Rhys Stanley will line up for his fifth game for the year. Forward Wylie Buzza has been inching closer and closer to his AFL debut, but it isn't likely to be this week even with Hawkins out. Defender Jed Bews is available after missing the win over Adelaide with an ankle while George Horlin-Smith and Tom Ruggles were among the Cats' best players in their VFL loss to Williamstown on June 4. – Jennifer Phelan

Wylie Buzza is inching closer to a debut for Geelong. Picture: AFL Photos





The Suns have won two matches in succession and will be reluctant to make changes when they host Carlton on Saturday night. With no fresh injuries and Jarrod Harbrow suspended for another week, coach Rodney Eade has little reason to tinker. Callum Ah Chee might be considered after he was selected last week but forced to withdraw late with a recurring back niggle. - Michael Whiting

The Demons will finally bring back a recognised ruckman for next Sunday's game against the Western Bulldogs, but will decide whether that's Max Gawn or back-up Jake Spencer later in the week. Gawn will need to pass a fitness test this week to be cleared to play for the first time since round three due to a serious hamstring injury. The Demons have three six-day breaks coming up and that could possibly factor into the club's thinking when it comes to Gawn's availability for this weekend. Spencer is ready to play after a solid performance in the VFL following seven weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. Ben Kennedy (30 disposals), Josh Wagner (26) and Dean Kent (26) will also be considered. – Ben Guthrie

At long last, the Demons could regain Max Gawn. Picture: AFL Photos



North Melbourne had the bye after a disappointing performance against Richmond, offering coach Brad Scott plenty of time to plot his next move. The Roos are two games plus percentage outside the top eight, so there could be some selection surprises if that gap increases. Tagger Ben Jacobs (ankle) had a minor setback before the bye, but is a good chance to play against St Kilda in North's second and final Friday night match of the season. He may run with star Saint Jack Steven. Braydon Preuss is also placing significant pressure on out-of-sorts ruckman Todd Goldstein. Andrew Swallow remains in senior contention after a 36-disposal effort at VFL level for Werribee a fortnight ago, while Mitch Hibberd, Josh Williams, Declan Mountford and Jed Anderson are also pushing hard. Defender Sam Durdin and ruck/forward Majak Daw are the first key-position players that will be considered. - Marc McGowan

After last weekend's embarrassing 70-point loss to Essendon, the Power could be tempted to swing the selection axe for Saturday's clash with the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval. Utility Dougal Howard put his hand up booting eight goals to go with 11 marks and 24 possessions in Port Adelaide's 128-point belting of West Adelaide in the SANFL. Howard, 21, hasn't played in the AFL since round 13, 2016 when he tore his ACL against Fremantle. The 199cm Howard can play at either end of the ground and also pinch-hit in the ruck. Forward Aaron Young – dropped twice this year – couldn't do any more to return to the side with 36 touches, five goals and 13 Inside 50s. Inside midfielder Joe Atley, the 32nd overall pick of the 2016 NAB AFL Draft, is getting closer to his senior debut with 31 touches, while defender Dan Houston (24 touches) could be recalled after playing the first seven games of the season. Small forward Jake Neade was also impressive. - Lee Gaskin

Half-forward Ben Lennon has kicked 14 goals in his past five VFL games and deserves an opportunity in a forward line that has been dangerous but lacks marking power. The 21-year-old has been in the frame for a number of weeks and is a strong overhead mark for a medium-sized player. The Tigers' other option in attack is to recall Ivan Soldo who offers ruck support but has gone goalless in his two senior games. Nick Vlastuin is expected to be fit after four matches sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Tigers had a bye in the VFL, but Corey Ellis (30 possessions and a goal), Anthony Miles (34), Oleg Markov (26) were all strong performers in their most recent hit-outs at state-league level. – Nathan Schmook

Anthony Miles has been racking up disposals in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos



Six-time Trevor Barker Award winner Nick Riewoldt will face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, assuming he trains on Wednesday as expected. Knee bone bruising has kept the former skipper out since round nine. Jack Lonie (23 disposals and three goals) and Luke Dunstan (23 and two) were important in Sandringham's loss to Williamstown while Darren Minchington ended with 27 disposals and three goals. Daniel McKenzie travelled to South Australia as an emergency but didn't face the Crows. Billy Longer was soundly beaten in the ruck by Adelaide's Sam Jacobs last Friday but Tom Hickey might need to do a little more to win his spot back. One to put on the radar is Nathan Freeman, who backed up a 25-disposal effort in the VFL with 29 last Saturday. However, he's not in the selection frame yet. – Dinny Navaratnam





After a big win over the Western Bulldogs the Swans are unlikely to make many changes this week, but speedy forward Gary Rohan will come into selection calculations after being a late withdrawal from Thursday night's match with illness. Rohan kicked two goals from 18 possessions in a massive win over GWS in the NEAFL on Saturday, and should come back in to face Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. Axed big man Kurt Tippett responded well to his demotion to the reserves with 21 disposals, nine marks and three goals, but there doesn't appear to be a spot for him in the senior team after Sam Naismith and Callum Sinclair combined well against the Dogs. Youngsters Jordan Dawson (four goals, 27 touches and 12 tackles) and Oliver Florent (28 possessions, nine tackles and two goals) starred against the Giants, while defender Jeremy Laidler had a game-high 31 disposals in defence. Aliir Aliir was solid with 23 possessions and seven marks, while young midfielder Jordan Foote enjoyed the wet conditions and finished with eight tackles, 22 possessions and a goal. - Adam Curley

The Eagles' match committee has had the bye week to mull over a third-straight loss and has plenty to consider. Spearhead Josh Kennedy was sorely missed against Gold Coast and is pushing to return from a calf strain but needs a "miracle" to prove his fitness, while ruckman Scott Lycett is available if required after getting through his comeback game for East Perth eight days ago. Defender Sharrod Wellingham will be available after missing the past two matches due to an ankle issue. Coach Adam Simpson has come under pressure for rotating the same players in and out after losses, and it remains to be seen if he tries some new faces. Jack Redden was the standout for East Perth before the bye, but fellow inside midfielder Luke Partington could make his debut after a strong season and three goals for the Royals last start. Tall backman Tom Barrass might also be back in the mix, while Malcolm Karpany, Kurt Mutimer, Chris Masten, Fraser McInnes and Tom Cole are other contenders. - Travis King





Who knows what the unpredictable Luke Beveridge will do after his side's poor showing against Sydney last week, but expect changes to the team to face Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The premiership coach will need to replace key defender Marcus Adams, with the West Australian to miss up to two months with a footy injury. In better news premiership stars Tom Boyd (back), Dale Morris (ankle) and Clay Smith (calf) could return from injuries. Travis Cloke could find himself in the VFL again after another quiet outing. First-year ruckman Tim English has a bright future at the Dogs, but he is likely to be sent back to Footscray to continue his development. Premiership defender Zaine Cordy looms as a replacement for Adams, while youngsters Lukas Webb (23 disposals), Mitch Honeychurch (19 touches) and Bailey Williams (18 possessions) could also be inclusions after solid outings in the VFL on the weekend. Tom Liberatore's third state league appearance on the trot reaped just 21 touches but could see him recalled. – Ryan Davidson