ADELAIDE
A lengthy injury list will be reduced if Rory Laird (concussion), Kyle Cheney (hamstring), Sam Kerridge (corked thigh) and Jack Osborn (concussion) pass fitness tests ahead Sunday's Showdown. After the Crows' miserable performance against the Western Bulldogs, coach Phil Walsh could look to shake things up at selection. Laird will play if he can and Cheney would also be a likely inclusion. Mitch Grigg (24 disposals, six tackles, eight clearances) was again dominant in the SANFL until the lights went out and forced the game to be abandoned as a draw. – Harry Thring 

BRISBANE LIONS
After another disappointing loss against West Coast last week, you can expect some changes ahead of playing Gold Coast on Saturday. Zac O'Brien and Ryan Lester put their hand up with strong performances in the NEAFL, while Brent Staker took his demotion from the seniors well, kicking five goals for the reserves. - Michael Whiting

CARLTON
After breaking through for its first win of the season last Saturday, Carlton should be boosted by the return of champion midfielder Chris Judd and promising forward Troy Menzel for the Friday night encounter against Collingwood. Judd missed the game against St Kilda in Wellington with a back complaint and Menzel has missed the past two matches with a calf injury. Ruckman Robert Warnock staked his claim for a return to the senior team with another strong performance in the Northern Blues’ loss to Port Melbourne on Anzac Day. In his second VFL match back from a shoulder injury sustained during the NAB Challenge, Warnock was one of the Blues’ best, finishing with 19 disposals, 31 hit-outs and three score involvements. Nick Graham was busy again in the midfield with 26 disposals, Nick Holman did a terrific run-with job on Port’s James Magner and Matthew Watson provided a target in attack to finish with three goals in wet conditions. – Howard Kotton 

COLLINGWOOD
The Pies' top draftee Jordan De Goey continues to strengthen his case for a return to the senior side after being named the best player in a losing VFL side for second successive week in wet conditions. With Dane Swan in a moonboot with a sore ankle and in some doubt for Friday's clash with Carlton, young midfielder De Goey would appear primed for promotion after collecting 20 hard-won possessions in a 32-point loss to Essendon at Windy Hill on Sunday. Ruckman Jarrod Witts was again a strong presence in the VFL, while forward Patrick Karnezis was also one of the team's best performers. Fellow opportunist Alex Fasolo could also come under consideration. - Ben Collins

ESSENDON
Jackson Merrett put his hand up for a return to the senior team with 29 disposals and a goal in the VFL on Sunday, when the club's state league team overcame Collingwood by 32 points. Former Crow Shaun McKernan showed some promising signs in attack, while Jayden Laverde kicked two goals and had a big influence on the game. The first-year utility moved around the half-forward line with class, kicked well and with a couple more similar performances, he will be in line for a promotion. Nick O'Brien gathered 27 disposals, and James Gwilt also showed some composure across half-back and will be in contention if the Bombers' choose to restructure their group of talls in the AFL side. – Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE 
You can throw names in the Dockers' mix quite easily but actually breaking into the team seems virtually impossible at the moment. So much so that Ross Lyon was coy about Hayden Ballantyne's re-inclusion following a two-match suspension. Ballantyne will certainly come in but someone will be very unlucky to miss out. For others there will need to be some injury issues or resting of senior players to get a chance this week. Hayden Crozier missed out last week after playing in round three as the sub. He collected 27 disposals and kicked a goal in the WAFL. Tommy Sheridan played in round one and gathered 21 touches against Port Adelaide but missed the next two with a calf problem. He made a strong case to come back with 23 disposals and a goal for Peel Thunder. Max Duffy kicked three goals in the WAFL and Connor Blakely collected 24 touches. Alex Pearce and Brady Grey have also been very good in defence. – Alex Malcolm

GEELONG
Saturday's game against Richmond is high stakes for Geelong, as it searches for just its second win of the season. Key defender Tom Lonergan (concussion), who missed last weekend's loss to North Melbourne, is expected to return this week to bolster the Cats' backline. Veteran midfielder Mathew Stokes (Achilles) will be put through a fitness test to see if he can play, and early indications are he is a real chance. If coach Chris Scott decides to make a statement at the selection table, then youngsters Dean Gore, Billie Smedts and Jake Kolodjashnij (who were all emergencies for the game against the Roos) may receive an opportunity to take on the Tigers. – Ben Guthrie

GOLD COAST
The Suns will have to make a number of changes for Saturday's QClash against the Brisbane Lions after injury has further decimated their list. David Swallow (knee) and Nick Malceski (knee) will both miss, while coach Rodney Eade is likely to drop either Zac Smith or Tom Nicholls from the team that lost against GWS last week. Jarrod Harbrow is a chance to return from a shoulder injury, while fourth-year defender Henry Schade will play his first career game and Jesse Lonergan could return. Watch for either Keegan Brooksby or Josh Glenn to be elevated from the rookie list and play. - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Academy product Jack Steele continues to impress in the NEAFL and had 32 possessions in the Giants’ reserves last week. Livewire forward Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked four goals in his second game back from a shoulder injury, while big man Rory Lobb bagged five. Defender Matt Buntine was solid again but with the senior side in great form, don’t expect many changes from coach Leon Cameron. - Adam Curley

HAWTHORN
Brian Lake's medial strain could finally open the door for Ryan Schoenmakers to strut his stuff. The 195cm big man has been an emergency for every game so far and was pulled out of Box Hill's VFL match on Sunday after Lake went down against the Power. If selected against North Melbourne, it would be Schoenmakers' first AFL game since round 23 last year and his first at any level for three weeks. Although the Hawks' key defensive stocks are depleted – with Lake likely to join James Frawley, Matt Spangher and Kaiden Brand on the sidelines – they still have several other options. Angus Litherland or 193cm New Zealand project player Kurt Heatherley could be considered, while developing tall forward Tim O'Brien was swung down back in the VFL and showed some promise. Midfielders Alex Woodward, Jed Anderson and Jonathan Simpkin starred for Box Hill and are likely to be in the mix for round five, particularly if Paul Puopolo (hamstring) is unavailable. – Travis King

MELBOURNE
When it has come to team selection the Demons have made relatively few changes in 2015. But with injuries to Dean Kent (hamstring) and Neville Jetta (concussion), that is set to change for this Sunday's game against Fremantle. Former co-captain Jack Grimes looms as the obvious replacement for Jetta after gathering 18 disposals and laying nine tackles for Casey Scorpions in the VFL. Young midfielder Jimmy Toumpas (27 touches) was the Scorpions' top ball winner and may come into the mix. However, Melbourne is likely to alter its big man set-up as it tries to combat Aaron Sandilands' influence. One of Max Gawn, Jake Spencer or Cameron Pedersen should earn a recall to support Mark Jamar in the ruck. – Ben Guthrie

NORTH MELBOURNE
North has a number of key players who could return from injury this round, with Daniel Wells, Jamie Macmillan (both Achilles tendon) and Luke McDonald (leg soreness) all facing fitness tests. Lachlan Hansen could also be rushed back into North's defence after returning in the VFL last Saturday. The key defender played three quarters in Werribee's win over the Roos' other VFL affiliate North Ballarat and, while rusty, is such a key member of North's backline it would be no surprise if he's named for Saturday night's clash against Hawthorn. In trying conditions for forwards, Aaron Black worked tirelessly for the Roosters, finishing with 16 disposals and two goals on North teammate Ed Vickers-Willis. - Nick Bowen

RICHMOND
Expect wholesale changes at the Tigers after a round four performance Damien Hardwick labelled "insipid". Two changes will be forced, with Ben Griffiths (calf) and Nathan Drummond (knee) injured, but there will surely be more. The club is hopeful senior defenders Chris Newman and Troy Chaplin will return from back and calf injuries respectively. Reece Conca (hamstring) is ready to play after two weeks of training, but he could return via the VFL after missing the first four rounds. Dylan Grimes will also play at some level after recovering from a hamstring injury. Vice-captain Brett Deledio (calf) will resume running this week but is unlikely to play. In the VFL, Ty Vickery shapes as a straight swap for Griffiths in the forward line after kicking four goals. Nathan Foley (30 possessions and 16 clearances) staked a strong claim for his first senior game this season, while No.12 draft pick Corey Ellis (24 and 11) will be considered to make his debut. – Nathan Schmook

PORT ADELAIDE
Robbie Gray remains in doubt for Sunday's Showdown with  tightness from a corked calf, but will undergo a fitness test on Thursday. Andrew Moore has served the first of his three weeks for touching an SANFL umpire and Paul Stewart will also undergo a fitness test after being concussed in the Magpies' loss to Norwood. Sam Gray starred in the loss, collecting 30 disposals, amassing 13 clearances and kicking a goal. – Harry Thring

ST KILDA
Nick Riewoldt (calf) and Leigh Montagna (knee) are no guarantees to return this week for Sunday's clash with Essendon but Mav Weller (calf) was expected to miss just one week and should be available. Dylan Roberton hurt his leg late against Carlton in Wellington but should be fine. Blake Acres was good in the VFL on Sunday after being named as an emergency for Saturday's loss to the Blues while Jimmy Webster was solid in his second game back from a finger injury and could gain a call up to help give the Saints more drive off half-back. Sam Gilbert played in the VFL development league as scheduled at the weekend but will likely need another run before being considered for senior selection. Farren Ray and Seb Ross remain long-term prospects with their hamstring complaints. - Jennifer Phelan

SYDNEY SWANS
Adam Goodes was among the Swans’ best in the NEAFL for the second week running, and will again push for a senior recall this week. Midfielders Tom Mitchell and Daniel Robinson again won plenty of footy for the Swans in their big win over the Suns, while rookie big man Sam Naismith kicked five goals. - Adam Curley

WEST COAST
The Eagles' mix revolves around Luke Shuey's ankle. The midfielder was subbed out of the win over the Brisbane Lions but early indications are he should be right to face GWS. The Eagles have a six-day break coming off the trip to Brisbane so recovery issues may be a factor. Brant Colledge was tagged in the WAFL on the weekend but his stellar form in the past month will ensure he remains in contention. Mark Hutchings played his second game for the year after a horrible summer with groin issues. He gathered 19 touches and kicked a goal for East Perth. Callum Sinclair played a second week in defence and is ready to fill a role if required. Alec Waterman had a good day for East Perth gathering 24 touches and kicking two goals to press for a debut. Jamie Bennell and Patrick McGinnity travelled to Brisbane as emergencies and remain in the mix as well. – Alex Malcolm

WESTERN BULLDOGS
With the Bulldogs clearing Jake Stringer of hamstring injuries, it's hard to see Luke Beveridge making too many changes after the emphatic win over Adelaide, but if he does, there's no shortage of players putting their hand up in the VFL. Midfielder Lachie Hunter continued his impressive state league form, picking up 33 possessions in another best on ground performance in Footscray's win over Casey. Big men Tom Campbell and Jack Redpath showed they're ready for more senior opportunities with four goals each, and injury-prone Josh Prudden must be edging closer to long-awaited debut after the inside midfielder had another good game.  – Ryan Davidson