Full-back Daniel Talia is expected to play against the Sydney Swans after being a late withdrawal last weekend with illness. Talia's presence will be a massive boost to the Crows' backline, making it much more capable of handling Lance Franklin (if the superstar Swan is fit to play). The club's SANFL 'bash brothers' Jarryd Lyons and Matt Crouch were both again dominant, combining for 68 possessions, 10 tackles, 23 clearances, 14 inside 50s and two goals. But with Scott Thompson and Patrick Dangerfield in stunning form, there's little room at AFL level for prolific inside ball-winners. Another bag of five goals made it 10 in two weeks for James Podsiadly, while Andy Otten was superb and Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Mitch Grigg and Harrison Wigg all found plenty of the ball. - Harry Thring
Two of the Lions' biggest names are strong chances to return against Geelong on Saturday, with Dayne Beams (shoulder) and Pearce Hanley (hamstring) both recovering well. The pair were late withdrawals from last weekend's loss against North Melbourne, but Hanley was a cautious omission and is almost certain to return. Beams is a bigger question mark still, having carried the injured shoulder for weeks, but is believed to be right in the frame to play the Cats. - Michael Whiting
After Carlton suffered its biggest defeat in its proud 119-season history, interim coach John Barker would be tempted to make mass changes to the team that capitulated so meekly to Hawthorn last Friday night. But his options are limited by the number of players available. It is also complicated by the club’s VFL team Northern Blues having a bye last week. Carlton hopes to regain veteran midfielder Andrew Carrazzo (foot) against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night but forward Troy Menzel, a late withdrawal with a tight adductor last Friday night, is unlikely to return. The Blues have to find a replacement for the suspended Nick Holman. Kristian Jaksch has been in good form in the VFL and may be given an opportunity. - Howard Kotton
The Pies will be boosted by the return of midfielder Taylor Adams from suspension, while swingman Ben Reid has emerged as a tantalising selection proposition for the must-win clash against lowly Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. Returning in the VFL from yet another calf problem, Reid played a full game at full-forward and had 14 possessions and slotted a game-high three goals in difficult conditions in a 23-point win over Casey at Victoria Park on Sunday. Coach Nathan Buckley wants the 26-year-old to string together a month of footy, but Reid says he will put his hand up for selection. Others to shine in the VFL included experienced runner Sam Dwyer, uncapped defender Jonathon Marsh, Paul Seedsman, and Clinton Young (two goals), who could improve the Pies' ball use – an area that has let them down of late. Another prospective debutant is Matt Scharenberg, while forward/midfielder Patrick Karnezis is also an option, given the Pies' lack of scoring power. - Ben Collins
Courtenay Dempsey is a chance to return to the senior team after kicking four goals in the VFL last week as he gets used in a new role up forward. Heath Hocking returned from injury, as did veteran Paul Chapman and recruit Adam Cooney. The experienced trio is among the most likely inclusions if the Bombers decide to make changes after losing to Port Adelaide at the weekend. Tayte Pears also played well and has been used at both ends of the ground in a key position as he continues his bid for a senior recall. Ruckman Jonathan Giles – a perennial member of this column this year – kicked a goal for the Bombers’ VFL team and continues to be talked about as an option for the club. - Callum Twomey
Clancee Pearce has a question mark surrounding him this week. He suffered a partial dislocation of his shoulder against Richmond but coach Ross Lyon thinks he could be OK to play after an eight-day break. If he is not available there is a long queue waiting to take his spot. The same names keep bobbing up in the best for Peel Thunder. Connor Blakely, Lachie Weller and Ed Langdon all remain in the mix for a debut. Brady Grey made a strong case with 33 disposals and a goal while Tendai Mzungu and Paul Duffield remain viable, experienced options. Zac Dawson has played two full games now and gives Lyon flexibility if Luke McPharlin needs a break. Zac Clarke continues to put pressure on Jon Griffin with 36 hit-outs, 13 touches and two goals for Peel. - Alex Malcolm
Mathew Stokes responded well to being dropped picking up 32 disposals in the VFL to keep his name in front of selectors. Nakia Cockatoo has been knocking on the door but the Cats might wait for him to smash it down before naming him, while Jed Bews is a long-term player who needs to find some touch. He remains a chance as does Jared Rivers, who has missed the past two weeks with a knee problem. Dawson Simpson performed well and the Cats may consider him to take on the Brisbane Lions' tall timber, although his cards appeared to be marked unless Geelong's ruckmen are injured. George Horlin-Smith is in good form but is biding his time for an opportunity to arise. - Peter Ryan
Although they've lost skipper Gary Ablett (knee) for the rest of the season, Gold Coast will welcome back the experienced Jarrod Harbrow when it hosts West Coast on Saturday. Harbrow missed the loss against Adelaide after his partner gave birth to their first child. Two more crucial cogs just need to get through training to return - ruckman Tom Nicholls (quad) and running defender Adam Saad (quad). Nicholls has had an excellent season and would relish a chance against Nic Naitanui, while Saad has missed three weeks with his injury and would provide a spark the Suns have missed. He will need to get through Thursday's main session to lock himself in against the Eagles. - Michael Whiting
Defender Matt Buntine was certainly missed in last week's loss to Geelong and he looks set for a recall after being ruled out of the clash with the Cats with concussion. Co-captain Phil Davis looks to be only a very slim chance of facing Fremantle in Perth but could be back within the next fortnight after missing the past five games with an ankle injury. Midfielders Jake Barrett and Paul Ahern continue to push hard for a debut after starring again in the NEAFL, while big forwards Jon Patton, James Stewart and Cam McCarthy kicked 12 goals and dragged in 23 marks between them. At least one of them should come in the tackle the Dockers, given the side's forward issues against the Cats. - Adam Curley
The Hawks' formidable side is about to get even stronger. James Frawley got through a half unscathed in his VFL comeback from a dislocated shoulder and looms as a handy replacement for Matt Spangher (hamstring). If Liam Shiels (corked quad) and Ben Stratton (ankle) are fit, the pair are likely to force their way back into the team which dished out a record 138-point belting to Carlton. Taylor Duryea (shoulder) could also come back into contention after a string of top performances before he was injured. Young ruckman Jon Ceglar was rested from the VFL after a tough campaign, but might soon find himself back in the senior side. Jed Anderson produced another starring effort for Box Hill to keep the pressure on with more than 30 disposals and 12 tackles, while young half-forward James Sicily was strong overhead in trying conditions. - Travis King
The Demons put in a terrible performance against St Kilda on Sunday, so you can expect changes to the side ahead of the club's clash with Collingwood on Saturday. First-year midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen responded to his demotion in the best possible way, racking up 37 disposals and six tackles. Rohan Bail (31 touches and 11 tackles) could also get a look in if the Melbourne match committee decides it needs more run and carry. Ben Newton (25) and Aidan Riley (23) also impressed through the midfield. Ruckman Mark Jamar continues to perform solidly for the Scorpions and could slot into the side if required. - Ben Guthrie
Key defender Lachlan Hansen is close to a return after playing three quarters for Werribee in the VFL on Sunday. Hansen showed some positive signs after missing the previous two rounds with hip soreness. He came off as a precaution after copping a kick to the calf, but is expected to be fit if required against Carlton on Saturday night. Round 17 emergency Kieran Harper also impressed for Werribee with two goals, while veteran defender Scott McMahon was a clear-cut best on ground. Small forward Robbie Nahas continues to press for a senior recall after kicking four goals in North Ballarat's thumping win over Frankston on Saturday. Aaron Black also took eight marks and kicked four goals for the Roosters, while Trent Dumont (23 disposals and seven tackles) and Brad McKenzie (26 and five clearances) impressed through the midfield. Defender Aaron Mullett could also return after missing last Saturday night's win over the Brisbane Lions with hamstring soreness. - Nick Bowen
Jasper Pittard will have a fitness test this week to determine whether he's done enough to return from an ankle injury. Leadership group member Tom Jonas made it through his SANFL outing over the weekend but his form might not be good enough to force his way back into a victorious Power unit. There's not much more Sam Gray can do to push for senior selection, collecting another 31 possessions and nine clearances for the Magpies. Kane Mitchell (22 disposals, one goal) was also a solid contributor in what was the Magpies' worst game of the season. - Harry Thring
Midfielder Reece Conca is almost ready to return after playing two VFL games in his comeback from a long-term hamstring injury. Conca played three quarters against Sandringham at the weekend, racking up 28 possessions. He hasn't played a senior game this year and could be rushed in to face Hawthorn on Friday night. Tall forward Ty Vickery will return from suspension, possibly replacing ruckman Shaun Hampson, who faces a fitness test after suffering an ankle injury in round 17. The wildcard is young midfielder Corey Ellis, who returned from a four-week hip injury to kick one goal in the VFL. His clean ball use could be an asset against the Hawks. - Nathan Schmook
Nick Riewoldt remains in some doubt for the Saints' trip to face Port Adelaide after suffering a corked left calf against Melbourne on Sunday. The captain is still hampered by the right calf strain he picked up two weeks ago, plus a laceration to the muscle that happened against Richmond in round 16. If he doesn't come up and Alan Richardson wants to bring in another forward option, Tim Membrey kicked three goals in the VFL on Saturday and provided impressive forward pressure. Blake Acres and Seb Ross also played well for Sandringham while Tom Lee was good in defence after a quiet game the week before, but the Saints' backline was terrific against the Demons and unforced changes look unlikely. - Jennifer Phelan
Superstar forward Lance Franklin should return after he was a late withdrawal ahead of last week's loss to West Coast with back issues. Experienced key defender Ted Richards will face the Crows after serving a one-week suspension, and hopefully for the Richards clan it won't cause his brother Xavier to lose his spot. Speedy midfielder Ben McGlynn should have enough NEAFL minutes under his belt now to get back into the side after a nightmare year of soft-tissue injuries. Gary Rohan looks to be another week or so away with a hamstring strain. The Swans' depth is a major concern at the moment, so they will welcome the return of some experience this week. - Adam Curley
The Eagles have almost been stretched to breaking point with key defenders but have coped magnificently all year. However they may need to go to the well again with Will Schofield in doubt due to a calf problem. They have a six-day break and a trip to the Gold Coast so he will be touch and go. The Eagles will need to get inventive if he misses. They could gamble with an undersized defender by picking either Sam Butler or Jackson Nelson, while Fraser McInnes has been trialled in defence in the WAFL this year. But he kicked four goals up forward for East Perth last week. Or they could change the midfield/forward mix with one of Murray Newman (emergency last week), Patrick McGinnity (23 disposals and three goals for East Perth), Brant Colledge (26 and a goal) or Tom Lamb (four goals) coming in and moving Elliot Yeo to defence. - Alex Malcolm
The Dogs escaped the win over Collingwood without any injury concerns and are strong chance to regain key defenders Fletcher Roberts (ankle) and Joel Hamling (back) and ruckman Jordan Roughead (foot) for Sunday's clash with Essendon. Midfielders Nathan Hrovat (23 possessions) and Mitch Honeychurch (25 possessions) both had good games for Footscray while first-year key defender Zaine Cordy could be a sneaky chance to debut after another impressive performance. Key defender Michael Talia, who struggled against the Magpies, looks a likely omission if Roberts and Hamling are fit to return. – Ryan Davidson
