Captain Tom Rockliff is expected to return against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night after two weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury. Rockliff will have to pass a fitness test later in the week to nail down his spot, though. Ruckman Stefan Martin is still undergoing concussion tests following his big hit from Steven May and is expected to play, but if he fails the test, watch for Josh Walker to push into the ruck and Jono Freeman to take his forward line spot. - Michael Whiting

After scoring only 34 goals in their first four games, Carlton's inability to convert opportunities is proving costly. The Blues may be tempted to promote Liam Jones and Kristian Jaksch after their performances in the Northern Blues; 14-point win against Geelong last Friday night. Jones kicked three goals during a second-quarter onslaught and finished the game with a bag of five. Jaksch, who managed only six senior games last year in his first season at Ikon Park, booted three goals. In his first game since breaking his arm in July last year Dennis Armfield made a successful return, gathering 14 disposals and a team-high six inside 50s, and Simon White impressed with 22 disposals. Andrejs Everitt’s possible return after missing the past two games with a calf injury could provide another much-needed forward option. - Howard Kotton

American forward/ruckman Mason Cox is closing in on an AFL debut as the Pies' face plenty of injury and form issues ahead of their ANZAC Day clash with Essendon. With spearhead Travis Cloke (elbow), Ben Reid (knee) and Ben Sinclair (concussion) in doubt for Monday's traditional clash, Collingwood is also likely to promote the versatile Tyson Goldsack, who was a late withdrawal last week because of illness and will be expected to provide some much-needed leadership and hardness. Also in the mix are Brent Macaffer and Matthew Goodyear, who were emergencies with Cox last week. VFL players hoping to receive call-ups include midfielder/forward Tim Broomhead (30 disposals, 10 clearances, six tackles and a goal in a 56-point loss to Casey Scorpions), key backman Jack Frost and uncapped midfielder Rupert Wills (34 touches, nine clearances, nine tackles and a goal). - Ben Collins

The Bombers have a few options as they head into next Monday's Anzac Day clash with Collingwood. Courtenay Dempsey returned to the VFL on the weekend and picked up 20 touches and a goal, while former Docker Ryan Crowley gathered 24 disposals having been omitted from Essendon's senior line-up. Having struggled to find a target inside 50 against the Cats with Joe Daniher shut out of the game, the Bombers could look to Shaun McKernan, who booted three goals in the VFL. Shaun Edwards or Jackson Merrett may also be in contention to replace Jayden Laverde, who is set to miss two months with a shoulder injury. - Callum Twomey

The Dockers' WAFL-affiliate club Peel Thunder had the bye last weekend so there is no immediate form to go by but a fourth consecutive defeat would suggest that more changes are likely to be made. It appears unlikely that skipper David Mundy will be right to return to face the Blues on Sunday with his calf still giving him trouble. Darcy Tucker's chances of making a debut improve with every mounting loss. He has been in the emergencies the last two weeks and appears close to playing. Connor Blakely is another youngster who could get an opportunity but he has been out for a couple of weeks with a broken toe and may need a run in the WAFL before being picked for the Dockers. Brady Grey and key defender Sam Collins have both in good form in the WAFL and are on the cusp of senior selection. - Alex Malcolm

Geelong should include Corey Enright after resting him against Essendon. The veteran picked up three Brownlow votes against Port Adelaide last season so he's been primed for a first-up run. Shane Kersten was a late withdrawal from Saturday's game and his form was good before he missed, while Lincoln McCarthy is likely to be selected, with competition for small forwards being hot. Midfielder George Horlin-Smith is keeping is name in front of selectors' minds as he waits for an opportunity with 28 disposals against the Northern Blues, while Jed Bews played well on Friday night. Nathan Vardy also played VFL as he returns from a foot injury but the Cats would be unlikely to risk him. - Peter Ryan

The Suns have some reshuffling to do with the expected suspension of fullback Steven May. May's absence, along with Rory Thompson (ankle) leaves Gold Coast thin at the key defensive posts to take on North Melbourne's tall forward line. Rookie defender Tom Keough is a chance to be elevated (in place of injured Mitch Hallahan) to fill one spot, while Trent McKenzie will have to pass a test later in the week as he recovers from a broken nose. Don't be surprised if either Jarrad Grant, who kicked seven goals in the NEAFL, or Peter Wright come into the forward line and the Suns shuffle reliable Sam Day to defence. - Michael Whiting

Star forward Jeremy Cameron is available after serving a four-match ban and should come into the side, unless coach Leon Cameron decides he needs a week in the NEAFL. Athletic defender Nick Haynes is another senior regular who should come in to face the Saints after he was amongst the best players in the reserves, his fourth match back after pre-season groin surgery. Jacob Hopper starred again in the reserves with 38 touches and two goals last week and continues to beat down the selectors' door, while ruckman Tom Downie was also good in the NEAFL in a great sign for the Giants' big man depth. - Adam Curley

Josh Gibson missed Saturday's narrow win over St Kilda in Launceston because of hamstring tightness and will be back to reinforce the Hawthorn defence for Friday night's MCG clash with Adelaide. And he'll be needed given the Crows are the second-highest scoring team of the year to date. Ryan Schoenmakers also missed because of groin soreness but the Hawks have been less definitive about his return. Bradley Hill (wrist) is edging closer to playing but it is unlikely to be this week. Among those to impress in Box Hill's 15-point win over Williamstown on Sunday were midfielder Kieran Lovell who kicked five goals from 15 touches, Dallas Willsmore (28 disposals, one goal), Jonathan O’Rourke (24 disposals, one goal) and Brendan Whitecross (21 disposals, one goal). But with just five days between the VFL and AFL games, it is unlikely the Hawks would roll the dice and give a game to the aforementioned quartet. - Ashley Browne

Melbourne will have to find two unlucky players to leave out of the side after its 35-point win over Collingwood, with Bernie Vince to return from suspension and Jeff Garlett likely to come back into the side after overcoming a high ankle sprain. Christian Petracca is banging the door down to be selected after another 34 disposals for Casey at VFL level, but his debut may have to wait another week as the Demons might not be able to find a spot for him against the Tigers. Dean Terlich (41 touches), Viv Michie (40) and Jack Grimes (34) were the major ball winners for the Scorpions. Youngster Sam Weideman continues to impress and booted three goals to again demonstrate that he is Melbourne's long-term forward prospect to play alongside Jesse Hogan. - Ben Guthrie

The undefeated Roos are unlikely to make many changes ahead of their away clash against Gold Coast, although versatile tall defender Lachie Hansen could be a handy addition to combat the Suns' marking forwards. Hansen took 14 marks and had 25 touches in Werribee's 38-point win over Frankston, while Trent Dumont (21 touches, one goal) and Aaron Mullett (23 touches, five tackles) and Kayne Turner (18 touches, one goal) pushed their cases. The Roos' tall back-up options are in good form, with Majak Daw (40 hit-outs) dominating the ruck, youngster Sam Durdin booting four goals and Aaron Black chipping in with three majors. - Travis King

Hamish Hartlett, Robbie Gray and Charlie Dixon were all cleared by the Match Review Panel and will be free to take their places in Port’s crucial encounter against Geelong on Saturday night. The trio will need to be at their best if the Power is any chance at all, after a miserable showing against Greater Western Sydney last weekend. The Magpies had an SANFL bye and so Power coach Ken Hinkley will have to rely on previous form if he’s to make any senior changes, although Kane Mitchell has been killing it in the SANFL and forward Dougal Howard competed well after being sent back to the state league. - Harry Thring

Ruckman Ivan Maric is set to return after two VFL hit-outs, just in time to take over from injured big man Shaun Hampson (corked quadricep). Midfielder Anthony Miles responded well to being surprisingly dropped, racking up 30 possessions in the VFL to earn a likely recall. The Tigers could add a third tall forward to their line-up this week after Liam McBean booted five goals in the VFL. Also under consideration would be defender Jake Batchelor, who was among the VFL team's best players and could replace injured teammate David Astbury (ankle), who needs to pass a fitness test this week. Midfield recruit Jacob Townsend (20 possessions and six tackles in the VFL) is waiting in the wings if coach Damien Hardwick wants to add hardness to the midfield. - Nathan Schmook 

The Saints are coming off a gallant three-point loss to Hawthorn and Sandringham had a bye in the VFL last week, so the senior team should remain relatively similar. Jarryn Gearywill be tested for concussion, so if he is not fit for the clash against GWS next Sunday at Etihad Stadium, Hugh Goddard may play his first game this season. Goddard for Geary wouldn't be a like-for-like swap, with Cam Shenton perhaps a more appropriate option. However, the Giants have Jeremy Cameron returning, and if they play Jonathon Patton and Rory Lobb beside him, Saints coach Alan Richardson may opt for Goddard to provide extra defensive reinforcement. - Dinny Navaratnam

After being dropped for last week's clash with Adelaide, Zak Jones and George Hewett responded well in the NEAFL for the undefeated Swans' reserves, with Jones gathering 26 touches and Hewett 28 to go with 14 tackles. Academy graduate Jack Hiscox kicked five goals and the speedy midfielder continues to develop well after featuring in this year's NAB Challenge, while Harry Marsh and Aliir Aliir are in top form in defence. Midfielder Brandon Jack is another of the Swans' fringe players putting pressure on the senior side. - Adam Curley

The Eagles look set to have at least two changes for Saturday's blockbuster against the Swans. Matt Priddis looks set to return after missing last week with a groin strain, while ruckman Scott Lycett has been suspended for a week. Recruit Jonathan Giles had 24 hit-outs and kicked three goals for East Perth last weekend to make a strong case. He also performed well against Adelaide in the NAB Challenge. Fraser McInnes is a known quantity and Adam Simpson will be confident he could do a job as a secondary ruckman and key forward. Jeremy McGovern is another option that would give the Eagles flexibility elsewhere. If McGovern is used in that role then Tom Barrass could certainly play as a key defender. Sharrod Wellingham had 17 disposals in the WAFL on limited minutes last week. He is a chance to play but he may also need another run in the reserves level before being ready for the Eagles after a lengthy rehab for a knee problem. Tom Lamb is also in good form as a mobile high half-forward and could come into contention as well. - Alex Malcolm 

With Jason Johannisen's serious hamstring injury expected to keep him on the sides for a prolonged period, Luke Beveridge could look to second-year utility Lukas Webb to help fill the massive void across half-back. Draftee Bailey Williams could also come into contention to fill that role after impressing at VFL level. Johannisen's absence will be off-set by the return of All Australian defender Easton Wood after the vice-captain missed the last two weeks with a hamstring complaint. Goalsneak Tory Dickson could be an inclusion after getting through Footscray's loss to Richmond in his return from quad and adductor injuries. It was the 28-year-old's first game since week one of the NAB Challenge. Mitch Honeychurch continued his strong state league form with a best on ground performance for the Dogs, while key forward Jack Redpath and ruckman Tom Campbell will come into consideration if Tom Boyd's shoulder doesn't come up. - Ryan Davidson