A significant hole opened up in the Crows' midfield this week, with Rory Sloane to miss up to six weeks with a fractured cheekbone. Sam Kerridge appears perfectly placed to snatch the opportunity, after a second standout performance (22 disposals, one goal, 10 clearances) in the SANFL. Brodie Martin was also on song (19 disposals, eight tackles) but Kyle Hartigan has been suspended for one game and so is unavailable for AFL selection. Brad Crouch remains at least a few weeks away from a return with his foot injury. - Harry Thring

It's hard to see Justin Leppitsch making any changes for Sunday's home match against Port Adelaide, following the Lions' maiden triumph in 2015 against Carlton. Defender Daniel Merrett is still a week or two away with his hamstring injury, and the Lions' NEAFL team had a bye at the weekend, so no-one was able to press their claims. If the Lions want some more dash to match the Power runners, Ryan Harwood could come into contention. - Michael Whiting

With confidence in short supply at Ikon Park, the Blues’ spirits should be buoyed by the return of vice-captain Michael Jamison and lively forward Troy Menzel for Saturday’s twilight game against Greater Western Sydney. Jamison has missed the past two games with a calf injury and Menzel has played the past two matches in the VFL after also being sidelined with a calf problem. Menzel was lively in attack in the Northern Blues’ win over Frankston last Sunday, booting two goals. Hard-running defender Chris Yarran is available after serving a three-game suspension and veterans Andrew Carrazzo (knee) and Kade Simpson (hamstring tightness) may be over their injuries and ready to return. Even better news for Carlton in that game was ruckman Matthew Kreuzer’s successful return in his first competitive game since August last year. Kreuzer has not played a senior game since round one, 2014, having battled foot injuries. – Howard Kotton 

Smarting from their poor showing against Geelong, the Magpies could be strengthened by the return of as many as three players from injury for their clash with Richmond at the MCG on Sunday. Anzac medallist Paul Seedsman appears to have overcome a glute problem, while Steele Sidebottom (broken thumb) and Jackson Ramsay (shin) remain outside chances to be passed fit. The Pies also have the option of selecting in-form youngster Jordan De Goey and Alex Fasolo (three goals, including the sealer after taking a strong mark), who were influential in the club's VFL win over Geelong in slippery conditions under lights at Bendigo on Saturday night. Ben Kennedy and Corey Gault also slotted two goals apiece, while the athletic Jonathon Marsh continues to build towards an AFL debut. - Ben Collins

The Bombers should have three of their senior brigade available for selection for Friday night's meeting with North Melbourne. Dustin Fletcher (groin), Adam Cooney (hamstring) and Paul Chapman (groin) all missed last week's loss to Fremantle but are expected to be under consideration for the Roos clash. Jason Ashby and Shaun McKernan were both pulled from the club's VFL match in the third term on Sunday so they have enough time to recover in case they are required in the seniors. Kyle Langford is a chance to be back after being omitted following his debut in round five, while Nick O'Brien and Shaun Edwards had good games at state level. – Callum Twomey 

It remains a difficult task to break into the Dockers side and they have an eight-day break this week. Luke McPharlin did not play last week due to calf tightness but he is likely to return. Alex Pearce could be the unlucky one to miss out after a terrific debut. Zac Dawson is likely to play his first game of the season this week but it will be in the WAFL. Peel suffered a heavy defeat on Saturday but there were solid performances from some Dockers. Tendai Mzungu gathered 28 touches, Lachie Weller 27, Tommy Sheridan 22, Hayden Crozier 18 and Max Duffy 14 and three behinds. Jack Hannath had 41 hit-outs in the ruck. Jon Griffin and Connor Blakely were both held over as emergencies for the Dockers. - Alex Malcolm

With scans not showing a break in Joel Selwood's hand, the skipper has declared himself a certain starter against the Sydney Swans. Harry Taylor also had a minor corkie but after his match day report was thrown out he should play. The Cats will need to make one change to replace Josh Cowan, who once again strained his hamstring in his comeback match. Andrew Mackie may be available after missing the past five games with a quad injury but he still has some boxes to tick while Mathew Stokes is in the same boat, pushing for selection after missing with an Achilles problem. Youngsters Jake Kolodjashnij and Dean Gore remain on the fringes of selection while George Horlin-Smith was reasonable in the VFL after being dropped. Josh Walker has been consistent kicking two goals in the VFL on Saturday night and is waiting in the wings for another chance. - Peter Ryan

The Suns will welcome back suspended trio Harley Bennell, Trent McKenzie and Brandon Matera to play West Coast at Domain Stadium on Saturday. And it's just as well, after the club sunk into a deeper injury crisis during the week. Rory Thompson (hip) and Adam Saad (hamstring) will miss, while key forward Tom Lynch (calf) is in grave doubt. The cupboard is almost bare for key position players, but Jack Leslie will come into the frame for Thompson while Josh Hall and draftee Peter Wright could potentially slot into the forward line. - Michael Whiting

The Giants' massive upset of Hawthorn means it's unlikely there'll be any changes for this week's clash with Carlton, barring injury. Josh Kelly responded to his axing with 39 possessions, 11 clearances and 12 tackles in the NEAFL, while Curtly Hampton provided plenty of run from defence. Unfortunately for GWS, tall defender Tim Mohr suffered another torn ACL and will miss the rest of 2015. – Adam Curley 

A showdown between James Frawley and his former club Melbourne is on the cards, with the key defender pushing to return from a pectoral tear. Frawley has been sidelined since round two and would bolster an undersized backline that conceded 100 points for the first time this year against Greater Western Sydney. Full-back Brian Lake has made good progress from a medial strain but appears only a slim chance of making an early comeback this weekend. Ex-Giant Jonathan O'Rourke was outstanding in Box Hill's VFL defeat, with the onballer's skills particularly impressive, and he appears next in line should Alastair Clarkson swing the axe at the selection table. – Travis King

Demons coach Paul Roos has been loathe to make too many changes to his side early this season. However, Roos said he would continue to introduce fresh faces as he searches for his preferred line-up. Ruckman Mark Jamar may come straight back against the Hawks after being left out of the side that went down to the Sydney Swans by 38 points. Jack Grimes (29 disposals) and Viv Michie (29) both made their cases for an instant recall in impressive performances for the Casey Scorpions, while big man Max Gawn looks to be inching closer to senior selection after a string of strong performances at the lower level. Important defender Neville Jetta is also a chance to come back into the side after missing the past two games with concussion. – Ben Guthrie 

Doubt clouds Jamie Macmillan and Daniel Wells' availability due to Achilles injuries, but Trent Dumont is pushing to return against Essendon on Friday night. Dumont collected 22 disposals in North Ballarat's VFL loss to Richmond last weekend and improved as the match wore on after a scratchy start, while key defender Joel Tippett kept himself in senior contention with a solid performance on Tigers big man Ty Vickery. Aaron Mullett was outstanding with 14 disposals in a half of football upon his return from a long-term shoulder injury, but is likely to spend more time in the state league to build his match fitness. Macmillan was a late withdrawal from the AFL win over Richmond in Hobart and, with only one game under his belt in the past five weeks, he might return via the VFL. – Travis King 

The club insists both Jay Schulz (corked back) and Brad Ebert (corked thigh) will line up against the Brisbane Lions but while Ollie Wines (wrist) will undergo a fitness test, he's expected to miss another week. Karl Amon could have been considered unlucky to again miss out on an AFL debut last weekend, but went back and collected 20 disposals in the SANFL. Sam Colquhoun keeps pushing for his senior return (25 possessions, 12 marks), while Jake Neade (17, two goals) and Sam Gray (18, seven clearances, one goal) also performed. Paul Stewart was again tough with six tackles and five inside 50s. - Harry Thring

Damien Hardwick declared it was time for the Tigers to blood more young players after another disappointing loss, potentially opening the door for third-year forward Liam McBean. The 20-year-old, who is yet to debut, kicked five goals in the Tigers' VFL win and must be in the selection frame this week as a replacement for Ben Griffiths, who could be unavailable due to concussion. Ty Vickery (three goals) is another option if the Tigers go down the same path. The Tigers could also opt to elevate rookie midfielder Matt Arnot (24 possessions and five clearances) or half-back Jason Castagna, who pushed forward to kick two goals in the VFL. The intriguing question is, who won't make the cut if the Tigers swing the axe and look to the future? – Nathan Schmook

Shane Savage will be monitored this week after being subbed out of the Saints' come-from-behind win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday with concussion. Sam Gilbert returned in the VFL and played his first full match since round 22 last year, and could press for a call-up while Tom Lee and Hugh Goddard continued to show good form in defence in Sandringham's 34-point win over the Casey Scorpions. Tom Curren (33 disposals) and Blake Acres (23 disposals and two goals) also performed well in that game. Farren Ray and Seb Ross are on the verge of VFL returns following hamstring surgery in the pre-season. - Jennifer Phelan

A knee injury to young star Isaac Heeney means there'll be at least one change for the Swans, with utility Harry Cunningham a big chance to earn a senior recall. Dropped last week, Cunningham had 24 touches in the Swans' reserves, with Dean Towers, Brandon Jack and Zak Jones other names likely to come into the frame for round seven. – Adam Curley 

The Eagles had an outstanding win last week and came out reasonably unscathed ahead of a six-day break. Josh Kennedy dislocated a finger but given he played with his elbow problem it will take something more substantial to keep him out. Jeremy McGovern has a corked calf but should be fine. Matt Rosa has missed the past two weeks with a back issue but is almost a certainty to return. Xavier Ellis should return this week from his lengthy lay-off with a hamstring injury but will probably play in the WAFL. Scott Lycett had a big day in the WAFL for East Perth last week with 20 touches, seven marks, 34 hit-outs and three goals. However Callum Sinclair has played well since pinching his spot. Patrick McGinnity had 24 touches and kicked a goal while youngster Alec Waterman collected 28 possessions for East Perth. Brant Colledge was the travelling emergency in Adelaide. - Alex Malcolm

The Dogs are likely to welcome back three important players for Sunday's clash against Fremantle, with Mitch Wallis (back), Ling Jong (hand) and Matthew Boyd (hamstring soreness) all expected to pass fitness tests. Sadly, Clay Smith will have a third reconstruction in two years on his right knee and Koby Stevens could join him on the sidelines after sustaining a back injury in the disappointing loss to St Kilda. Brett Goodes and Lachie Hunter loom as omissions after quiet afternoons against the Saints. – Ryan Davidson