Get them in: Paul Seedsman should return from a fractured finger for Friday night's clash with Sydney. Kyle Hartigan or Andy Otten will replace the injured Tom Doedee. Tyson Stengle impressed with his tackling pressure in a SANFL trial last week, while Jordan Gallucci also pushed his claims.

Under the pump: Small forward Lachlan Murphy could face competition from Stengle and Gallucci.

Medical room: Doedee will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, Richard Douglas has an ankle injury and first-year forward Shane McAdam suffered a calf injury in a SANFL trial. Hugh Greenwood likely needs another run in the SANFL before he's considered for senior selection after an injury-interrupted pre-season.

Verdict: Seedsman and Hartigan, for Doedee and Douglas. Hartigan (194cm) gets the nod over Otten (192cm) with Sydney having three forwards 195cm or taller – Lance Franklin, Sam Reid and Nick Blakey. – Lee Gaskin

WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor

Get them in: No rush to get anyone in after a 44-point win over the reigning premier, but Lewy Taylor and Allen Christensen both impressed in a NEAFL practice match to keep pressure on the 22.

Under the pump: No one is under any pressure. Ryan Bastinac justified his inclusion with 14 disposals, nine marks and a goal.

Medical room: No problems on this front either with both AFL and NEAFL teams getting through unscathed. Marcus Adams is nearing a return, most likely through the NEAFL.

Verdict: No need to change a winning formula. – Michael Whiting

Get them in: The Blues will be waiting on fitness tests for Matthew Kreuzer and Matthew Kennedy. No one particularly stood out from a VFL practice match last Thursday.

Under the pump: In a new role, Jarrod Garlett was quiet across half-back against Richmond. But with Lochie O'Brien out of favour at the moment, he should keep his place.

Medical room: Carlton is awaiting fitness test results for Kreuzer (knee) and Kennedy (shoulder). Young forward Tom De Koning impressed in a VFL practice match, but will spend some time on the sidelines after also hurting his knee.

Verdict: Expect an unchanged team, with Kreuzer a chance to return via a VFL practice match against North Melbourne on Saturday. - Riley Beveridge

Get them in: Young inside midfielders Brayden Sier and Tyler Brown, along with defender Flynn Appleby, pressed their cases in a VFL practice match on Friday, while the hardened Levi Greenwood could also be included for the big clash with Richmond on Thursday night.

Under the pump: Callum Brown slotted a nice goal but had just nine touches in the forward half.

Medical room: The Pies enjoyed a rare clean bill of health, and over the next few weeks should regain Taylor Adams and Will Hoskin-Elliott.

Verdict: If a change is to be made, Greenwood could be promoted to tag Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, possibly at the expense of Brown. – Ben Collins

Levi Greenwood could be a handy inclusion to quell Dustin Martin. Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: It would be a shock not to see No.5 draft pick Darcy Parish included to face the Saints after his five-goal effort in a VFL practice match last week, particularly after the senior side's result. Defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is a chance to make his AFL debut after being an emergency, while forward Jayden Laverde could also be consider.

Under the pump: There shouldn't be many Bombers who feel comfortable after the loss to the Giants. Mark Baguley, Matt Guelfi and Patrick Ambrose are among those who could face pressure to hold their spots.

Medical room: Essendon will be hoping Martin Gleeson can return soon, and he made his long-awaited comeback from a serious ankle injury in the VFL on the weekend. He is not quite ready for senior selection, though.

Verdict: A couple of changes seem likely for the Bombers. Parish should play against the Saints, and as a midfield option. Zerk-Thatcher could come in for Ambrose. – Callum Twomey

Darcy Parish is likely to come in after five goals in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: There won't be many unforced changes to a winning side but Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) needs to be replaced, meaning Brandon Matera should slot back in after a one-match suspension.

Under the pump: If Jesse Hogan is available after missing round one to deal with his anxiety issue, the Dockers are going to face some tough selection calls. Could tall forward Matt Taberner miss out, despite taking a game-high nine marks against North Melbourne? Or might Hogan be unleashed in midfield?

Medical room: Griffin Logue should be thereabouts after overcoming his hamstring strain but finding a spot for him in Freo's defence is easier said than done.

Verdict: There is no clarity around Hogan's availability, but Matera looks like being handed a reprieve due to Ballantyne's injury. - Travis King

FULL INJURY LIST Who's ruled out and who's a test?

Get them in: AFL emergencies Quinton Narkle (28 disposals) and Jordan Cunico (31 disposals) impressed in the VFL practice match, while James Parsons was the carryover. Ryan Abbott (AFL emergency) and Darcy Fort (three goals) could be considered if two rucks are needed against Max Gawn. Lachie Henderson also blanketed Pie Tyson Goldsack in the same practice match.

Under the pump: Debutants Gryan Miers (11 touches) and Tom Atkins (nine touches) will feel heat from Narkle's performance. Jake Kolodjashnij (nine touches) and Jack Henry (five touches) offered little offensively but were solid in defence. Esava Ratugolea (five touches) was quiet in his AFL return but will be better for the run.

Medical room: Cameron Guthrie was ruled out late in the week with a calf complaint he'll need to prove he's over this week. Zach Tuohy will be pushing for selection but is more unlikely that likely.

Verdict: Pick two of Atkins, Guthrie, Miers, Narkle – in that order. – Mitch Cleary

Is Cameron Guthrie over his calf complaint? Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: Nick Holman played all 22 games last year and after a pre-season riddled with back problems is available again. Richmond recruit Corey Ellis has overcome groin surgery and inside midfielder Will Brodie should come under consideration.

Under the pump: One round in and a credible performance against the Saints, poor form isn't an issue for anyone at this stage.

Medical room: Ben Ainsworth (knee) will miss four to six weeks while co-captain David Swallow (knee) and key defender Sam Collins (concussion) will have to pass fitness tests.

Verdict: Holman should come in for Ainsworth and Brodie should be Swallow's replacement if the skipper doesn't overcome his knee problem. – Michael Whiting

Get them in: Star midfielder Josh Kelly wasn't risked against Essendon last week but trained solidly on Sunday and could be ready to return. Draftee Jackson Hately and backman Isaac Cumming impressed in the reserves, while defender Nick Haynes played three quarters of the NEAFL scratch match after recovering from a back issue.

Under the pump: Leon Cameron might have some tough calls to make if he has some stars fit to play West Coast, and Jeremy Finlayson and Daniel Lloyd would be incredibly stiff to miss out.

Medical room: Kelly will need to train well all week to prove he's ready to go, while Harry Perryman (ribs/back) and Lachie Keeffe (knee) will be monitored closely after being injured on Sunday. Haynes will likely need another match under his belt to be considered.

Verdict: With an extra week of work Kelly returns for Perryman, who was extremely sore after round one, and Hately comes in to debut and add to the midfield/forward mix, with Keeffe also out with injury. – Adam Curley

Get them in: Chad Wingard has been eyeing off a round two return from a calf injury and could be in line to make his debut for the club. Outside of the high-profile recruit, don't expect Alastair Clarkson to make too many changes to his winning line-up. The only other inclusion could be Daniel Howe, who played half a VFL practice match on the weekend. He tagged Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli last time the two sides met and limited his impact greatly, but this is unlikely.

Under the pump: It was an extremely balanced team performance against the Crows and it's unlikely anyone will be dropped for a poor performance. Any changes that are made are more through team balance. Conor Nash could be the one to make way for Wingard.

Medical room: Defender Tim Mohr suffered a horrific injury in Box Hill's VFL practice match. The game was stopped for 45 minutes and he was taken to hospital with a knee dislocation. Recruit Tom Scully is about a fortnight away from a return to football but could make his way back through the VFL, while veteran Grant Birchall is still a way off after a setback with a calf.

Verdict: Doubt there will be many changes, except to make way for Wingard. – Nat Edwards

Will recruit Chad Wingard make his long-awaited debut for Hawthorn? Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: Star defender Steven May will come straight in for his first match in the red and blue after missing round one through suspension. Former Suns teammate Kade Kolodjashnij is also a likely inclusion after performing strongly in a VFL practice match on return from a groin injury. Billy Stretch and Josh Wagner were others to impress.

Under the pump: With May to come back in, Sam Frost will come under pressure to maintain his spot. Tom Sparrow was a late inclusion for Jordan Lewis and performed solidly, but could be an unlucky omission. Fellow debutants Corey Wagner and Marty Hore could also be looked at by the match committee.

Medical room: Veteran Jordan Lewis will be sidelined for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury, after being a late withdrawal ahead of the loss to the Power. Jack Viney looked well underdone after an interrupted pre-season, but he's likely to keep playing to get more game time under his belt.

Verdict: May for Frost and Kolodjashnij for Wagner. – Ben Guthrie

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Get them in: Defender Scott Thompson is certain to return from suspension, while Paul Ahern was a surprise round one omission and is a strong contender to play after North's Perth horror show. Top-10 draftee Tarryn Thomas and Tom Murphy – an excellent kick – are others with selection claims after impressive VFL performances. Nick Larkey and Nathan Hrovat are the obvious other options. Is Taylor Garner ready to go?

Under the pump: The whole team, bar NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Bailey Scott and recruit Jared Polec? Jy Simpkin, Luke McDonald and Mason Wood are among the Roos who seem most under pressure.

Medical room: Hard-luck backman Ed Vickers-Willis' season is almost certainly over due to rupturing the ACL in his left knee against Fremantle. Ben Jacobs (sinusitis) remains without a timetable to return, while fellow senior regulars Jed Anderson (hamstring) and Sam Wright (quad) are two, maybe three, weeks off.

Verdict: North tends to back its players in rather than make selection statements. Thompson comes in for Vickers-Willis, while Ahern, Thomas and Murphy will go close to breaking in, but it's unlikely all three will play. – Marc McGowan

Get them in: Ollie Wines (shoulder) and Hamish Hartlett (knee) are outside chances to return for Saturday's encounter with Carlton. Key defender Dougal Howard was solid in last week's SANFL trial against Adelaide.

Under the pump: The Power are unlikely to make unforced changes after their upset win against Melbourne.

Medical room: Wines is probably at least another week away from returning from shoulder surgery. Hartlett was impressive in a SANFL trial last week – his first game since a torn ACL on April 26 last year. Todd Marshall (concussion) should be available to face the Blues, while Matthew Broadbent missed the SANFL trial with a hamstring injury.

Verdict: The Power will go in unchanged. Wines and Hartlett will return in round three. – Lee Gaskin

Get them in: Brandon Ellis was a standout in his new midfield role, picking up a casual 40 disposals against Northern Blues in a VFL practice match, while draftee Jack Ross also impressed. Back flanker Oleg Markov was in hot form over pre-season and again played strongly in the VFL.

Under the pump: There weren't many passengers in Richmond's win over Carlton. Debutant Noah Balta had only five touches but will hold his spot, potentially moving down back to cover for Alex Rance.

Medical room: Rance had a right knee reconstruction on Tuesday and is expected to miss the year. His expected replacement Ryan Garthwaite played managed minutes in the VFL after returning from an Achilles complaint, and will most likely play VFL again. Jason Castagna (ankle) and Jacob Townsend (thigh) are in a similar situation.

Verdict: With Garthwaite still not quite ready for an AFL return, Markov looks the most likely to come in for Rance. Despite 40 touches, Ellis is unlikely to force his way into the midfield. – Sarah Black

Forty touches in the VFL may not be enough to get Brandon Ellis in this week. Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: Defender Nathan Brown has served his suspension. Big man Rowan Marshall is in form, Hunter Clark looked good for Sandringham and Robbie Young booted four goals. Blake Acres has played two straight games after a back injury. The Saints were conservative coming out of the backline against Gold Coast, a problem Nick Hind could help fix.

Under the pump: Backman Darragh Joyce stood up late but conceding six free kicks is too many. Ruckman Lewis Pierce was soundly beaten, while Shane Savage was quiet by his standards.

Medical room: Billy Longer could return from a hamstring injury but will likely have to make his way through the VFL.

Verdict: Brown for Joyce. - Dinny Navaratnam

Veteran Nathan Brown will add muscle to the Saints' backline. Picture: AFL Photos





Get them in: Kieren Jack (knee) and Tom McCartin (concussion) both played in a NEAFL scratch match last week and came through unscathed, so could be ready to face Adelaide, while Ben Ronke (knee) might also be available.

Under the pump: Despite the loss John Longmire is unlikely to make too many unforced changes, unless he decides to use Allir Aliir in defence and leave veteran defender Heath Grundy out.

Medical room: Jack had a limited pre-season so he's likely to need another game or two in the reserves, while Ronke will need to train well on Wednesday to show he's over his minor knee issue.

Verdict: The Swans laid just five tackles inside 50 last week, which is Ronke's specialty. He comes in for Grundy. – Adam Curley

FREE AGENTS LIST Who is in this year's pool?

Get them in: The Eagles are reasonably confident spearhead Josh Kennedy will overcome foot soreness to play in his 200th club game against the Giants, injecting class and experience into a youthful attack.

Under the pump: Expect Jarrod Brander to make way for Kennedy, while former Saint Tom Hickey will be nervous after 20 hit-outs but just two disposals on club debut as the second ruckman in the loss to Brisbane.

Medical room: Livewire forward Willie Rioli was missed against the Lions but the severity of his foot injury remains a mystery. The Eagles would be desperate to get him back, especially with Jamie Cripps (toe) expected to be at least another week away.

Verdict: Kennedy in for Brander and Hickey to be given another shot alongside Nathan Vardy. - Travis King

Get them in: Several Bulldogs made a strong case for selection in a 54-point VFL practice match win over Werribee on Saturday afternoon. Patrick Lipinski played 17 games at AFL level in 2018 and racked up 36 disposals on the weekend, while Will Hayes, the final pick in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, had 28 touches of his own and looked comfortable back in the Footscray guernsey.

Under the pump: A winning start to the season will ease the pressure valve. Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said the decision to select emerging ruckman Tim English ahead of the more experienced Jackson Trengove for round one was difficult and the latter did his best to increase the headache with 28 possessions, 29 hitouts and three goals in a standout VFL performance. Sydney ruckman Callum Sinclair took the points against English, but the 21-year-old was far from disgraced.

Medical room: Matt Suckling's ankle injury at Marvel Stadium certainly generated plenty of discussion. The veteran defender limped from the field early but was able to play out the match and have an influence with 22 disposals. The club has confirmed Suckling damaged ligaments and will be monitored.

Verdict: Suckling is the potential out and Lipinski and Trengove are hard to ignore. Do the Dogs play two rucks? Probably not yet, so expect English to get the nod. If Suckling is unavailable, Lewis Young or Fletcher Roberts would be the defensive options, although Lipinski and a reshuffle is more plausible given his form. If Suckling is fit, changes are unlikely. - Paul Bastin

Patrick Lipinski put his hand up for selection with 36 touches in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos



