Currently going through the most difficult week in the club's history, it's impossible to tell how Adelaide players will fare as the game against West Coast approaches. Defender Kyle Cheney will miss another week with a back complaint, while Sam Kerridge could return from an ankle injury – although he'll almost certainly come back via the SANFL. Like Port Adelaide, the Crows' SANFL side didn't play over the weekend out of respect for fallen coach Phil Walsh, although the form of Jarryd Lyons could see him help fill the vacancies left by injured duo Rory Sloane (cheekbone) and Brad Crouch (foot). In positive injury news, Andy Otten could make his SANFL return from a knee reconstruction this weekend. - Harry Thring 

Captain Tom Rockliff will make his return from broken ribs against the Sydney Swans on Sunday after six weeks on the sidelines. Rockliff has broken the ribs twice this season but has taken an extra cautious approach to his rehabilitation this time around. Pearce Hanley (hamstring) is also a strong chance to play his 100^th game after missing out against Fremantle last week, but still needs to get through some fitness tests. - Michael Whiting

'The answer is yes': Tom Rockliff has already told fans he'll return against the Swans. Picture: AFL Media

Carlton is likely to have several big decisions to make at the selection table this week. The Blues hope young midfielder Patrick Cripps and forward Andrejs Everitt will be fit to play in the Friday night clash against Richmond at the MCG. Cripps finished last Saturday night's game against the Western Bulldogs on the bench after rolling his ankle in the final quarter, but he has escaped serious injury and should be right to face the Tigers. Everitt was subbed off in the third quarter with a knee injury, having booted a goal and taken a mark of the round contender. Veteran midfielder Andrew Carrazzo (toe) and forward Troy Menzel (knee), who both missed the Bulldogs game, should be available. Midfielder Bryce Gibbs has served his two-game suspension and key defender Sam Rowe, a late withdrawal from last Saturday night's game with a stiff back, should be right to return. - Howard Kotton

The Magpies could regain ruckman Brodie Grundy and perhaps also blood another youngster in Thursday night's clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. After being sidelined for a month with a neck injury, Grundy played three quarters in the Pies' 10-point win over Sandringham in the VFL at Victoria Park on Saturday. Matthew Scharenberg continues edge closer to his much-awaited AFL debut after producing another quality VFL performance, and fellow defender Jonathon Marsh has also been in the frame to play his first game for several weeks. Anzac Day medallist Paul Seedsman, omitted for last week's clash with Hawthorn, could be recalled if more run-and-carry is required, as could midfielder Ben Kennedy, who was again in the best in the VFL. Experienced runner Clinton Young was also prominent but will likely need several strong performances in the VFL to be considered for a senior game. Ex-Kangaroos onballer Levi Greenwood was withdrawn from the game with a thigh problem but will be in the selection frame when deemed fully fit.  - Ben Collins

Promising youngster Matthew Scharenberg is closing in on a senior debut. Picture: AFL Media

It is easy to see the Bombers making many changes for this week’s clash with Melbourne after their chocking 110-point loss to St Kilda. In the VFL, Patrick Ambrose put together a consistent game, while midfielder Heath Hocking and small forward Nick Kommer got through full games unscathed. Tayte Pears has been going OK up forward as he continues his recovery from injury, while Alex Browne continues to push up for his first game in a couple of seasons. He’s worth giving a go. First-year players Kyle Langford and Jayden Laverde should be considered, while Jason Ashby is also worth considering off half-back. The Bombers need to refresh their team, and youth is the way to go. - Callum Twomey 

The mix gets more interesting as the weeks go by for Fremantle. There are no injury concerns from the weekend but the make-up of the side remains intriguing. There are plenty of players desperate to cement their place in the team. Cam Sutcliffe did not get a chance to play in the WAFL as he was held over last Sunday as an emergency but remains in the mix. Hayden Crozier bounced back strongly from his omission last week with 24 disposals for Peel. Connor Blakely gathered 23 touche, Tendai Mzungu had a quiet day by his standards with 17 touches but he remains in the frame. Jon Griffin put his hand up for an opportunity with 35 hit-outs, 11 touches and two goals. – Alex Malcolm  

Jimmy Bartel will be a certain starter against North Melbourne after an impressive return in the VFL. Jarrad Jansen is also likely after being in the squad for the cancelled game against Adelaide. He played well in the VFL and is the inside midfielder the Cats need. Dawson Simpson will also return after playing in the VFL. The Cats need his presence at the stoppages. James Kelly and Billie Smedts will be in contention. Smedts played in the VFL while Kelly was given an extra week off to recover from the high ankle strain. Mitch Clark's return date remains unclear as his calf troubles continue. - Peter Ryan

Coming off its second win for the season, Gold Coast has some more good news on the way with the return of Jarrod Harbrow from an ankle injury. Harbrow missed the 55-point win over North Melbourne, but is back in time to return to his hometown of Cairns to play his former club the Western Bulldogs on Saturday. David Swallow (knee) and Adam Saad (groin) are expected to play, but Harley Bennell is likely to miss at least another week - Michael Whiting

The good news keeps coming for the Suns, with Jarrod Harbrow set to return. Picture: AFL Media

Midfielder Jake Barrett put his name up for an AFL debut with 43 touches and 15 clearances in the Giants' 183-point win over the Sydney Swans in the NEAFL. Former Swan Jed Lamb bagged eight goals against his former side, while midfielder Josh Kelly bounced back from being dropped for the second time this season with 42 possessions. Big man Adam Tomlinson made his return after a long-term toe injury, and could return to the senior fold in the next fortnight, to ease at least one of coach Leon Cameron's injury headaches. Utility Nathan Wilson had 35 touches and continues his quality form in the reserves after again being dropped last week. - Adam Curley

If Ben McEvoy hasn't banged down the selection door by now then he must be wondering what else he can do to win back his spot. The premiership ruckman produced his fourth-straight starring performance in the VFL last weekend, turning up the heat on Jon Ceglar and David Hale, although either incumbent could consider himself unlucky to be dropped. The Hawks escaped injury in Friday night's win over Collingwood, making it difficult for in-form Jonathan Simpkin, Jonathan O'Rourke, Alex Woodward or young guns James Sicily and Billy Hartung to squeeze in for Sunday's blockbuster against Freo in Launceston. - Travis King 

Youngster Angus Brayshaw will be closely monitored this week after sustaining a neck injury against West Coast in Darwin last Saturday night. Brayshaw has been cleared of serious damage but was taken to hospital as a precaution after the game and returned to Melbourne on Sunday morning in a neck brace. Heritier Lumumba will come back into the side after overcoming a foot complaint that kept him out of the match against the Eagles, while the Demons are still deciding whether to bring rookie sensation Aaron vandenBerg straight back into the senior team. Veteran ruckman Mark Jamar was named the Casey Scorpions' best player in their match against Geelong. Viv Michie (29 disposals), Jack Fitzpatrick (18 touches and eight marks) and Ben Newton (15 disposals and two goals) are the other Demons in selection contention. ­- Ben Guthrie

North is almost certain to wield the axe in the wake of its dismal loss to Gold Coast last Saturday. Key forward Majak Daw could be one of the players in the selectors' crosshairs after he was substituted out of the Suns clash in the third quarter, especially after fellow tall Ben Brown put up his hand for a recall with four goals in Werribee's win over Coburg on Sunday. Luke McDonald and Mason Wood were also among Werribee's better performers, while Ryan Bastinac starred for North Ballarat with 34 touches in Sunday's loss to Richmond's VFL team. - Nick Bowen

Opinion: Is North Melbourne the great pretender?

Key defender Jackson Trengove will return to the side to take on Collingwood at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night, after missing last week's game against the Sydney Swans with flu-like symptoms. Jay Schulz was cleared to play by the AFL Match Review Panel, but his spot in the side is far from assured after coach Ken Hinkley threatened to drop out-of-form players after the loss to the Swans. The Magpies didn't play in the SANFL in the wake of Phil Walsh's death, but Karl Amon, Sam Gray and Tom Clurey have all been in good form and small forward Jake Neade is slowly finding the consistency that's kept him out of the senior line-up. - Harry Thring 

Ruckman Shaun Hampson is poised to step in to replace suspended big man Ivan Maric and play his first senior game since round 14 last season. Hampson was a late withdrawal in the VFL last Sunday when it became apparent he might be required this Friday night to cover Maric, who was on report. The Tigers are also likely to call on young key forward Liam McBean (four goals in the VFL) to replace Ben Griffiths, who suffered a shoulder injury in round 14. Others pushing for selection in the VFL are Ben Lennon, Matt Dea and Matt McDonough, who were among the Tigers best players in their win against North Ballarat at the weekend. - Nathan Schmook 

The Saints got through the weekend without any fresh injuries, meaning they still have one of the shortest casualty lists in the competition, but they won't get Jack Billings back for at least a month with a "stress response" in his shin set to sideline him for between 4-6 weeks. Sam Fisher is expected to play against Greater Western Sydney after being subbed out for management purposes during Sunday's 110-point win over Essendon. Paddy McCartin continues to put himself in selection contention with two goals and eight marks in the VFL, while Luke Delaney responded to his omission from the senior side with a strong performance in defence.  - Jennifer Phelan

The Swans have lost speedster Gary Rohan for at least a month after he strained a hamstring against Port last week, but coach John Longmire isn't hard-up for forward line replacements. Star duo Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett have served one-match suspensions and will tackle the Brisbane Lions this week. Brandon Jack was good again for the Swans in the NEAFL but didn't have much help. The midfielder had 23 disposals and laid eight tackles in a side that kicked just two goals and lost by 183 points. Youngster Isaac Heeney had nine touches and got through a half in his first game back from a knee injury. The Swans will be happy to have him back on the park and he should play a full game this week. Experienced pair Ben McGlynn (hamstring) and Craig Bird (shoulder) are a chance to resume in the NEAFL should they get through training this week. - Adam Curley 

A couple of handy inclusions - Buddy and Tippett will return for the Swans. Picture: AFL Media

Competition is fierce for spots at the Eagles. Matt Rosa was left out last week and responded with a dominant display for East Perth in the WAFL. He gathered 32 touches, 10 inside 50s and kicked a goal while Brant Colledge put in another strong performance in the midfield with 28 disposals. Kane Lucas collected 23 touches and kicked two. Tom Barrass, Jackson Nelson and Jamie Bennell did their jobs in defence but they will probably need an injury in the senior side to get a chance. - Alex Malcolm

The Dogs received some good news ahead of Saturday's clash against Gold Coast in Cairns with Dale Morris (fractured jaw) and Jordan Roughead (back) every chance to play. But impressive draftee Toby McLean (AC joint) is set to spend at least six weeks on the sidelines while midfielder Mitch Honeychurch (back) won't play either. The Dogs aren't short on replacements with key forward Tom Boyd expected to return from a knee injury and Lachie Hunter (25 possessions and three goals), Shane Biggs (28 possessions) and Lukas Webb (21 possessions and a goal) all impressing in Footscray's 103-point thrashing of the Northern Blues. Inside midfielder Josh Prudden must be close to a long-awaited debut after he continued his good state league form. Forward Stewart Crameri (two goals) could fill the void left by Mclean, while Tom Campbell may play his first senior game for 2015 if Roughead doesn't recover from his back injury. - Ryan Davidson