Curtly Hampton's ankle injury may open the door for one of a number of players putting their hand up for selection. Riley Knight (glute) should be fit after missing consecutive matches, while demoted forward Josh Jenkins could get an immediate recall after four goals in the SANFL. Adelaide had two debutants last week and may blood another – midfielder Harrison Wigg racked up 38 disposals and nine inside 50s at the weekend. Veteran Scott Thompson also continues to knock on the door, adding 30 more possessions. Defender Kyle Cheney (hamstring) played his first game of the season, but will likely spend time in the state league regaining match fitness. - Marc McGowan

Despite another heavy loss at the weekend, it's hard to see too many changes for Sunday's game at the MCG against Collingwood. Vice-captain Tom Rockliff will be given another week – with the bye to follow – to overcome his dislocated shoulder. Rebounding defender Tom Cutler (hamstring) could come into consideration, while draftee Cedric Cox was impressive in the NEAFL. If Chris Fagan wants another tall forward, he might look to Jono Freeman, who kicked four goals at the lower level and was among his team's best players. - Michael Whiting



With key defender Sam Rowe on the sidelines after injuring his right knee against Fremantle last Sunday, the Blues are likely to turn to Liam Jones, who has been starring in his role as a key defender and part-time ruckman with the Northern Blues. Last Saturday Jones restricted dumped St Kilda forward Josh Bruce to only one goal while collecting 26 disposals and taking 15 marks. Jones has managed only 17 games in his first two seasons at Carlton and has not played in the seniors this year. Rhys Palmer put himself in contention for a return to the seniors by gathering 30 possessions and kicking a goal. Youngster Cameron Polson continues to impress with 24 disposals and a goal, and Andrew Phillips performed strongly in the ruck. -Howard Kotton



Liam Jones may get yet another chance to lock down a senior spot. Picture: AFL Photos





The Pies will be forced to make at least one change for their MCG clash with the Brisbane Lions after midfielder James Aish suffered a fractured cheekbone, and there's no shortage of replacement options. Among them are defender Matt Scharenberg, who had 41 disposals in the VFL and has averaged 36 touches in his past three outings. Forward/midfielder Tim Broomhead (37 disposals, seven tackles) regained touch, as did backman Jackson Ramsay (38 disposals and one goal), while father-son gun Callum Brown (29 possessions and five tackles) strengthened his case for an AFL debut. Returning defender Tom Langdon (34 disposals) was again a strong performer but will likely need to sustain his form for a few more weeks before being considered. Josh Thomas continues to play well but will have to bide his time to break into a strong midfield. The forward options include big man Mason Cox, ex-Docker Chris Mayne and young Ben Crocker. - Ben Collins





The Bombers went into last week's game against West Coast unchanged and have a reasonably settled side after two strong wins. Tom Bellchambers pressed his claims for a return to the senior side with a six-goal haul at VFL level on the weekend in a dominant display that saw him have 23 possessions. Kyle Langford also showed he could be in contention for a recall to the Bombers' after finding a game-high 35 disposals and kicking two goals in a midfield role. Craig Bird, Ben Howlett, Kobe Mutch and Mason Redman continue to put in good showings, while first-year forward Josh Begley kicked four majors but will find it hard to break into Essendon's in-form forward line at this stage. - Callum Twomey

The Dockers have maintained a settled line-up throughout their run of six wins from seven games and are unlikely to make many changes, although mature-age draftee Luke Ryan (30 disposals, one goal in the WAFL) continues to show promise and has now put four games together at Peel after an injury-interrupted start to his Freo career. Nick Suban pumped the ball inside 50 five times from 26 touches for the Thunder after being an emergency against Carlton, while Darcy Tucker will be back in the mix after being held over for the Blues game. Key defender Sam Collins was amongst the Thunder's best again with eight marks and 19 disposals. Brennan Cox impressed at centre half-back taking 17 grabs. – Travis King

Cam Guthrie should return after a virus forced him to be a late withdrawal against the Western Bulldogs, while Rhys Stanley might come into calculations after missing with a knee injury. Young midfielder Darcy Lang performed with energy in the VFL with 25 touches and small defender Tom Ruggles has shown good form with 33 disposals and eight marks against Footscray. Jackson Thurlow was good before he copped a knock but he will benefit from every minute he gets to build form out of spotlight. He is in the best 22 when right. The Cats know what they will get with George Horlin-Smith, who is a whole-hearted performer. - Peter Ryan

The cavalry is coming for the Suns, with some key players expected to return against Melbourne on Saturday, and a few more to come back through the NEAFL. David Swallow (knee) missed the game in China against Port Adelaide before the bye, but should take his place against the Demons in Alice Springs, as should wingman Matt Rosa, who missed the Port game with concussion. Rory Thompson was a late withdrawal from that game with a quad niggle and could also come into consideration, although is less likely. Pearce Hanley has overcome a heel problem and will play in the reserves, as will midfielder Jesse Lonergan (shoulder). - Michael Whiting



David Swallow will be right to resume an often-interupted career. Picture: AFL Photos





With big man Rory Lobb (groin) under an injury cloud, coach Leon Cameron might need to make another forced change for the trip to Perth to take on West Coast, but his options are scarce. Academy products Matthew Kennedy (37 possessions) and Harry Himmelberg (25 possessions and eight tackles) were very good in the club's narrow loss to the Brisbane Lions in the NEAFL last week, and the pair are Cameron's only real options should Lobb not be fit to make the trip back to his home state. Dawson Simpson has dominated in the ruck at the lower level but doesn't have the mobility to play as a ruck/forward in tandem with Shane Mumford, while key defender Tim Mohr, who destroyed Lions youngster Josh Schache in his one-on-one duel in the reserves, can't break into the side with Phil Davis, Adam Tomlinson and Aidan Corr all in form. Youngsters Matt Flynn and Isaac Cumming were the only other senior-listed players in the NEAFL last week, and both look to be a fair way off playing in the AFL, showing just how serious the Giants' injury troubles are getting. - Adam Curley

None of James Frawley, Grant Birchall, Cyril Rioli and Ben Stratton will be back from injury any time soon and Jaeger O'Meara's training block continues, so the playing stocks remain a bit thin for the Hawks heading into Friday night's SCG clash with Sydney. Key defender Kaiden Brand withdrew from the Collingwood clash because of Illness and should return, while improved key forward Tim O'Brien should be back after a minor hip injury. Rioli has been placed on the long-term injury list leaving the Hawks with the opportunity to upgrade a rookie. The case for inside midfielder James Cousins to receive that upgrade continues to grow, following 29 disposals, seven inside 50s and 15 tackles for unbeaten Box Hill on the weekend, while Dallas Willsmore had 25 and must be close to his AFL debut. - Ashley Browne

Melbourne accepted Christian Salem's one-week suspension for striking, meaning there will be at least one change to the team that was beaten by North Melbourne on Sunday. Jake Melksham looks the most likely and obvious replacement after starring in the VFL at the weekend. Returning from a week's suspension handed down by the VFL tribunal, Melksham collected 33 disposals and kicked two goals in a dominant display in Casey's 43-point win over Port Melbourne. Round nine emergency James Harmes will also be in contention for the game against Gold Coast, given his ability to play down back and midfield. Usual candidates Alex Neal-Bullen (35 disposals) and Billy Stretch (21 disposals) will also come into the thinking of the match committee. Mature-age forward Tim Smith, who has recovered from broken ribs and a punctured lung, is also a sneaky chance to come straight back into the team. – Ben Guthrie





Inside midfielder Trent Dumont is a certain inclusion if he has recovered from his lingering concussion symptoms. He may be the Roos' sole change this week, but Ben Jacobs made a strong case with a 43-disposal effort for Werribee on Saturday in his second match back from a long foot-related lay-off. The plan is for him to spend extended time in the VFL to build fitness, but he may force a change of plans with more of the same form. Declan Mountford didn't play at any level for the second straight week as the first senior emergency, but is fit and remains in contention. Braydon Preuss, Sam Durdin, Majak Daw and Mitch Hibberd did their chances no harm. Exciting first-year player Josh Williams may be a wildcard after gathering an equal season-high 22 disposals in state league action. - Marc McGowan



Majak Daw is playing well should the Roos want another tall. Picture: AFL Photos





The Power reported a clean bill of health from their trip to China, but it will be interesting to see how they have pulled up following the international trip and if any changes need to be made following their bye last week. Angus Monfries put up his hand to be considered for Port Adelaide's clash with Geelong on Thursday night with 28 disposals and a goal at SANFL level. The former Bomber is yet to break into Port's senior side after an injury-interrupted pre-season, but could replace Chad Wingard who is out with a calf complaint. Aaron Young was also busy in the Port Adelaide Magpies' loss to Woodville-West Torrens on the weekend. Aidyn Johnson is another Power player who could be a chance to come into the side. - Callum Twomey

The Tigers are confident midfielder Josh Caddy will be fit to take on Essendon on Saturday night after being withdrawn late against GWS because of groin soreness. Small forward Dan Butler also pulled up from round eight with groin soreness and was not named against the Giants, but he should return, meaning at least two changes for the Tigers. The match committee then needs to make a decision on its support ruckman, with Ivan Soldo and Todd Elton both struggling to impact games when given their chance. Soldo could be omitted to give Elton (three goals in the VFL) another chance, or the Tigers could take a new, smaller approach in the ruck, like the Western Bulldogs have. They are growing desperate, however, for an in-form tall target in attack. Ben Lennon booted two goals in the VFL and is a likely option if the Tigers make a structural change. - Nathan Schmook



Drew Petrie could be welcomed back to the senior team for his second Eagles game. Picture: AFL Photos







Coach Alan Richardson was disappointed with his side's kicking skills in the 50-point loss to Sydney last Saturday and could make changes to remedy that problem. Shane Savage has been racking up touches in the VFL, and picked up 28 disposals and two goals last weekend in a loss to the Northern Blues. Another good game from Bailey Rice (18 disposals and a goal) means the defender is closing in on his debut. Rookie Nick O'Kearney has impressed for Sandringham recently and was excellent with 32 disposals, seven tackles and a goal. Leadership group member Josh Bruce kicked just one goal in that game but Richardson wasn't happy with how his forwards performed against the Swans so could be in the mix. Jack Lonie finished with 21 disposals and a goal, while Darren Minchington was an emergency and didn't line up for Lindsay Gilbee's team. - Dinny Navaratnam

With the senior team back in form with three wins on the trot, and the NEAFL team fresh off a big win over premiership favourites Sydney University, coach John Longmire has plenty of options to replace the injured Harry Cunningham (foot). Sam Naismith (knee) and Kieren Jack (hip) are a chance to be fit for the Swans' Friday night clash with Hawthorn at the SCG if they can get through training on Wednesday, but Jarrad McVeigh (hamstring) looks at least another week away. Naismith missed last week's win over St Kilda but ran laps on Monday, while Jack, who hasn't played since round five, completed a skills session with the reserves players. Oliver Florent (31 possessions) was a dominant midfielder in the reserves, while ruckman Darcy Cameron had 55 hit-outs and 10 tackles in his best game for the club this year. Young forward Jordan Dawson was the travelling emergency last week and has been in brilliant form, while defenders Harry Marsh, Aliir Aliir and Jeremy Laidler all kept their names in the selection frame. - Adam Curley

The axe is set to fall after the hiding from Essendon and Drew Petrie seems all-but certain to return against GWS. The veteran got through his WAFL comeback from a broken hand with no issues, picking up 15 touches and competing in the ruck, while tough young backman Jackson Nelson was a standout with his grunt and run, collecting 15 disposals, with five inside 50s and a long-range major. Mark Hutchings (27 disposals) kicked a clutch goal late in East Perth's one-point win and will be under strong consideration given his hardness at the contest. Lewis Jetta was handy with 10 inside 50s for East Perth although it's debatable if his form warrants a recall just yet. Travelling emergency Josh Hill might win an immediate reprieve having not been tarnished by missing the Bombers game, while reliable backman Will Schofield (18 disposals, one goal) continues to perform at WAFL level. If Adam Simpson really wants to shake things up, perhaps top draftee Daniel Venables, who has speed and aggression, comes into the mix. - Travis King



Drew Petrie could be welcomed back to the senior team for his second Eagles game. Picture: AFL Photos





The Bulldogs could welcome back forward Jake Stringer from a knee injury for Saturday's clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. The 23-year-old returned to full training this week, after missing the past fortnight with a medial strain. Star playmaker Tom Liberatore responded with 21 disposals in the VFL after being dropped for not meeting fitness standards. Premiership stars Shane Biggs (27 possessions) and Toby McLean (25 disposals) also performed well after being demoted to play with Footscray in recent weeks. Tough midfielder Mitch Honeychurch (20 possessions) continues to dominate at state league level, but has been unable to crack a spot in the seniors this season. Dumped premiership defenders Fletcher Roberts and Zaine Cordy were serviceable in Footscray's loss to Geelong. - Ryan Davidson