Kyle Cheney (back) is a chance to return to the senior line-up this week if he passes a fitness test. The Crows were dealt some brilliant news on the injury front at the weekend, with defender Andy Otten (16 disposals) successfully returning in the SANFL from a second knee reconstruction. Midfielder Sam Kerridge (23 disposals, eight clearances) also made it through his first outing since since he injured his ankle in round eight, but both will need more time in the lower level. Young midfielder Rory Atkins (29 possessions, one goal) was dominant alongside Otten and Kerridge, while draftee ruckman Riley O'Brien continued his great debut season with 48 hit-outs. - Harry Thring
Stefan Martin will return from a two-week suspension to play his former club Melbourne on Sunday. Martin sat on the sidelines for an off-the-ball incident against Adelaide in round 12. In his absence Matthew Leuenberger has done a terrific job with the No.1 ruck role, which will again give coach Justin Leppitsch headaches on how to best use the duo in tandem. With Darcy Gardiner's season-ending shoulder injury, the Lions may look to bring in a running defender, which would bring Tom Cutler and Mitch Golby back into the frame. - Michael Whiting
Stefan Martin will boost the Lions' big man division for their clash against the Dees. Picture: AFL Media
Carlton may have to make three compulsory changes for this Saturday night’s match against top team Fremantle at Domain Stadium. The Blues will have to find replacements for Bryce Gibbs and Dennis Armfield after they sustained serious injuries during their loss to Richmond last Friday night. Gibbs will miss the rest of the season after having surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle injured in a tackle against the Tigers. Armfield will miss up to six games after breaking his right arm against Richmond. Vice-captain Michael Jamison is in doubt after being subbed off with concussion as a result of a collision with Ty Vickery. On a more positive note, Irishman Ciaran Byrne made a promising return for the Northern Blues against Richmond in his first game in three months after injuring his hamstring, gathering 21 touches at half-back in limited game-time. Kristian Jaksch performed well and would be in contention for a senior spot. - Howard Kotton
The Magpies could have a readymade replacement for suspended midfielder Taylor Adams, with Ex-Kangaroo Levi Greenwood staking his claim to play his first AFL game for the club after making a strong return from a minor thigh issue in the VFL. Tough backman Marley Williams (family bereavement) was sorely missed in the Pies' loss to Port Adelaide but is expected to return for the all-important twilight clash with second-placed West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The versatile Tyson Goldsack could also return after battling knee tendinitis. Youngsters Matt Scharenberg and Ben Kennedy – travelling emergencies last week – will again be in the frame, as will Jonathon Marsh. In the VFL side's 68-point loss to Footscray at Whitten Oval, the best Pie was Patrick Karnezis, who bagged four first-half goals, while Ben Sinclair and Paul Seedsman also performed well. - Ben Collins
The time may finally have arrived for Levi Greenwood's senior debut for the Pies. Picture: AFL Media
The Bombers' VFL team had the bye last weekend, meaning some players who were pushing to return to the senior line-up didn't get a chance to impress. The club might lose Alex Browne after he was concussed last week, and there are a few players who could replace him, including Courtenay Dempsey and possibly Lauchlan Dalgleish for his first appearance of the year. Kyle Langford could come into contention if Essendon's coaches want to add more youth to the young team that overcame Melbourne last week. - Callum Twomey
The Dockers performed very poorly across the board against the Hawks, with their forward structure to be looked at again. Matt Taberner was withdrawn pre-game as a late change. Ross Lyon may look to include him again as he searches for the right formula up forward. A number of players put in big performances in the WAFL to push their case, including ruckman Jon Griffin, who had 31 hit-outs and kicked three goals. Ed Langdon (34 touches and a goal), Hayden Crozier (27 and one) and Connor Blakely (25 and one) performed well. Cam Sutcliffe had 30 touches and was one of Peel's best and Lachie Weller collected 22 touches. Zac Dawson might be available this week but will need to play in the WAFL before being considered for the Dockers. - Alex Malcolm
A disappointing performance from the seniors, and suspension to Joel Selwood, opens the door for several players pushing for selection. George Horlin-Smith, Dean Gore, Jarrad Jansen and Billie Smedts performed well enough at VFL level to be considered while defender Jake Kolodjashnij deserves another look. Shane Kersten is always a forward option and kicked the winning goal on Saturday, while Sam Blease could provide some pace around the stoppages. Jared Rivers looked to be battling his ongoing knee issue on Saturday night while James Kelly took another knock to the ankle but kept playing. Both must be in some doubt for this week. Mitch Duncan has resumed running but is still two to three weeks away from returning from a foot injury, while Mitch Clark will be on the sidelines for a couple of more weeks with a calf injury. - Peter Ryan
Harley Bennell's immediate future is still to be determined, but if the Suns decide two weeks on the sidelines is enough for him, he would come into calculations to play GWS at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. Running defender Adam Saad missed last week's loss against the Western Bulldogs with a groin niggle, but appears likely to return, while Keegan Brooksby seems a ready-made replacement for the injured Charlie Dixon (ankle). - Michael Whiting
Big Jon Patton might not be back in the AFL this week, but his return is at least on the horizon, after he made a comeback in the NEAFL last week. The power forward kicked a goal and got through almost a half of footy after missing 11 months after his second knee reconstruction. The Giants' reserves had another big win, with Josh Kelly again prolific with 30 touches and 10 tackles. Nathan Wilson and Jake Barrett also kept their names in the selection frame with 25 possessions each, while Jed Lamb kicked another three goals from 14 kicks and took nine marks. - Adam Curley
The Hawks machine is firing on all cylinders and few changes are expected for Saturday night's blockbuster against the Sydney Swans. James Frawley is a chance to resume just three weeks after dislocating his shoulder, although Hawthorn's track record is to err on the side of caution bringing players back from injury. Uncertainty clouds the availability of Jarryd Roughead after lip surgery, while Taylor Duryea (shoulder) will be monitored after being subbed off in Sunday's thumping win over Fremantle. Dumped ruckman Jonathon Ceglar starred for Box Hill, while Angus Litherland, Alex Woodward, Jonathan Simpkin and Daniel Howe also pushed their claims. - Travis King
The continued good form of a number of Melbourne-listed players at Casey gives Paul Roos plenty of options at the selection table. Viv Michie was again prolific through the midfield with 31 disposals as he chases his first senior berth since round 11. Jack Grimes, on return from a thumb injury, laid 13 tackles and Jimmy Toumpas laid 11 tackles, exemplifying the pair's determination to win their spots back in the senior side. Aidan Riley (26 disposals) and Mark Jamar (23) also played a part in the Scorpions' 49-point win. - Ben Guthrie
Former skipper Jack Grimes returned strongly in the VFL last weekend. Picture: AFL Media
North's major selection focus this week will be on replacing suspended key forward Drew Petrie. Aaron Black's improved recent form probably makes him the leading candidate ahead of Majak Daw and Mason Wood. Black was impressive in North Ballarat's narrow loss to Box Hill last Saturday, finishing with three goals and nine marks in wet conditions. After being dropped last round, Daw (eight possessions and four tackles) did not do not enough in Werribee's two-point loss to Geelong's VFL team to demand a recall, but Wood (13 disposals and seven marks) stood out with his work rate. Small forward Kayne Turner is expected to be fit to take on Essendon after recovering well from the head knock he copped against Geelong last Saturday night. Robbie Nahas should also be available after he was a late withdrawal against the Cats with hamstring soreness, while Lindsay Thomas could return after kicking 1.3 for North Ballarat, especially if the Roos decide to go with a smaller forward line. - Nick Bowen
Alipate Carlile remains sidelined with back and hip issues, while Tom Jonas is unlikely to return after being omitted last week. A quad complaint kept Jonas from playing at any level last weekend so he'll likely require a game in the SANFL before a senior call up. Kane Mitchell was a beast against Norwood at the weekend, finishing with 21 possessions, 12 tackles and 12 clearances in the one-point loss. Aaron Young was also hard at work with 24 disposals, 11 tackles and 11 clearances and Nathan Krakouer responded well to his AFL omission with a prominent display (15 possessions, five rebound 50s). - Harry Thring
Ruckman Ivan Maric returns this week from a one-match suspension, leaving the Tigers with a decision to make on Shaun Hampson, who impressed in his first game for the season against the Blues on Friday night. Hampson's fate will likely depend on Ben Griffith's availability, with the key forward facing a fitness test on his injured shoulder later this week. If Griffiths is unavailable, and with Ty Vickery suspended, Hampson could need to play as a tall forward, even though it is not his strength. After booting two goals in the VFL, young tall Liam McBean could also get a call-up to bolster the forward line, while defender David Astbury has been floated as an option in attack. If the Tigers opt for a running replacement for Shane Edwards (leg), then Ben Lennon and Matt McDonough have VFL form behind them. Corey Ellis (hip) and Reece Conca (hamstring) return from injuries this week, but could be required to work back through the VFL for at least one week. - Nathan Schmook
Nick Riewoldt will do everything he can this week to ensure he can play on Sunday against Richmond in Maddie's Match, a fundraiser for Maddie Riewoldt's Vision that honours his late sister's legacy. Riewoldt was icing his calf at the end of Sunday's loss to Greater Western Sydney and had scans on it on Monday. Paddy McCartin is his logical replacement but the No.1 draft pick didn't play at any level last week as he travelled to Sydney as an emergency. Brodie Murdoch and Eli Templeton played well at VFL level while Luke Delaney was steady in defence despite the torrential rain Sunday's Sandringham game was played in. - Jennifer Phelan
Experienced defender Ted Richards will return to face Hawthorn in Saturday night's blockbuster at ANZ Stadium, after he missed last week with concussion. Young star Isaac Heeney has 29 touches for the Swans' reserves in his first full game back rom a knee injury, so might be considered by coach John Longmire. Midfielders Craig Bird and Brandon Jack shared 50 possessions, three goals, 10 tackles and 15 clearances in the NEAFL to push their case for a recall, while dumped ruckman Toby Nankervis responded with 56 hit-outs and 21 touches against the Lions' twos. - Adam Curley
Vital Swans veteran Ted Richards should be fit to take on the Hawks. Picture: AFL Media
There is no room in the Eagles at the moment. They are flying and it is hard to see any changes being made. Youngster Liam Duggan played 12 matches in a row before being rested last week but might not get his spot back immediately. Sam Butler was withdrawn from the side last week with a hip problem and may struggle to be available this week. Brant Colledge put in another strong performance in the WAFL gathering 29 touches but there are no vacancies in the Eagles' midfield. Fraser McInnes had 18 disposals, 20 hit-outs and laid 10 tackles for East Perth on the weekend. Jackson Nelson and Tom Barrass worked hard in defence and remain viable options if required. - Alex Malcolm
The Dogs will have to make at least one chance for Saturday's clash against Geelong, with key defender Fletcher Roberts picking up an ankle injury in the win over Gold Coast. Koby Stevens is good chance to face the Cats after his bruised lung came up better than expected. Jordan Roughead and Joel Hamling have recovered from back complaints, with the latter looming as a replacement for Roberts. Tom Boyd could be the man to make way for Roughead after the 19-year-old went goalless and fellow key forward Jack Redpath impressed with three goals. Stewart Crameri (23 possessions and three goals) put his hand for a recall with a strong performance in the VFL while draftee Bailey Dale was best on ground with 26 possessions and four goals. - Ryan Davidson
