There's no reason for Adelaide to change a winning formula heading into Sunday's clash with Melbourne at the MCG. Half-back flanker Paul Seedsman will miss up to two games with the hamstring injury that forced him to be a late scratching from last week's terrific win against North Melbourne. Brad Crouch made the most of his opportunity in the senior side and will retain his spot. Cam Ellis-Yeomen (37 disposals and eight clearances), Mitch Grigg (31 and seven marks) and Ricky Henderson (28 and eight marks) were the best in a disappointing 55-point Crows loss to Central District in the SANFL. Defender Andy Otten (23 disposals) is also getting closer to a senior recall, but will have to be patient as stability is the greatest weapon the Crows have in their charge towards the top four. - Lee Gaskin

The Blues were overrun by a slick Greater Western Sydney last Saturday and they will be searching for more run against Collingwood on Saturday night. Half-back Matthew Dick put himself in contention with a 33-possession effort for the Northern Blues against Sandringham last Saturday. Speedster Dylan Buckley impressed with 20 disposals and two goals. Carlton may be tempted to promote Dillon Viojo-Rainbow for his AFL debut after he had 23 touches and booted three goals in the third quarter. Viojo-Rainbow, 20, was taken at No. 28 as a second-round selection in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft. Father-son draftee Jack Silvagni is also in contention for a senior debut, having kicked two goals. Earlier on Saturday Harry McKay emerged unscathed from his return to football after a back complaint, collecting five disposals and taking three marks in the opening half for the Northern Blues' development league team. - Howard Kotton 

There will be more selection intrigue at the Holden Centre this week with young key forward Darcy Moore likely to return and Alex Fasolo an outside chance for the clash with old foe Carlton at the MCG on Saturday night. If Moore is passed fit, the unlucky Pie to make way will probably be either Travis Cloke or Jesse White. It would surprise if Collingwood made many more changes, although versatile veteran Tyson Goldsack performed strongly in the VFL against Richmond on Saturday and was rested in the last quarter – perhaps a sign he will be promoted. Fellow premiership players Brent Macaffer and Alan Toovey were also prominent, as were midfielders Rupert Wills (33 possessions) and Matthew Goodyear (34 touches – 19 contested – including 30 to three-quarter-time), defender Adam Oxley (27 possessions, including 26 in the first three quarters) and ruckman Jarrod Witts (19 touches and 49 hit-outs). - Ben Collins

The Pie could bring Darcy Moore back and return Travis Cloke to the VFL. Picture: AFL Media

The Bombers had the bye at AFL and VFL level last week, meaning the club's squad will all be refreshed heading into Thursday night's meeting with West Coast. John Worsfold and the coaching group may look to change their forward structure by including Shaun McKernan, who kicked three goals in the VFL last game from 13 disposals. Kyle Langford might also be in for a senior recall after 24 disposals, while James Polkinghorne (24 disposals) and Conor McKenna (23) were also impressive. First-year duo Mason Redman and Aaron Francis continue to show promising signs, while Jayden Laverde was again exciting in moments as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury. The Bombers have a reasonably fit list to choose from as they enter the last nine weeks of a trying season. - Callum Twomey 

The Suns should welcome back some highly-skilled personnel to play St Kilda at Metricon Stadium on Saturday with Kade Kolodjashnij, Callum Ah Chee and Jack Martin all expected to return. Kolodjashnij received a concussion against Richmond two weeks ago and still has to pass some tests but looks promising, while Ah Chee has missed two matches with a calf problem but should play. Martin was a late scratching against Hawthorn at the weekend with a back complaint, but is also expected to line up against the Saints. - Michael Whiting

Kade Kolodjashnij looks ready to return after a serious bout of concussion. Picture: AFL Media

Coming off its bye, Melbourne has another tough assignment against Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday. The Demons had a hefty loss to the Swans in round 13 and they are bound to make a few changes. James Harmes (27 disposals and three goals) received big plaudits from Casey Scorpions coach Justin Plapp for the role he played in the VFL side's' 91-point win over North Ballarat a fortnight ago. Matt Jones (38 disposals), who has recovered from a rib injury, will also come into consideration. The Demons lacked a game-breaker against the Swans, so lively small forward Jeff Garlett may also return after two games in the VFL. Ruckman Jake Spencer (52 hit-outs and four goals) and Liam Hulett (four goals) were others to press their claims. – Ben Guthrie 

Port Adelaide is set to welcome back defender Jack Hombsch for Friday night's vital encounter with Richmond at the Adelaide Oval, but key forward Jay Schulz is likely to spend another week in the SANFL. Schulz, 31, hasn't played in the AFL since the season opener against St Kilda after having back surgery. The 188-gamer has led the Power's goalkicking four times, but how he fits in the forward line alongside Gold Coast recruit Charlie Dixon remains to be seen. Hombsch will come straight back after missing a couple games with a hamstring injury. Schulz kicked two goals and took seven marks in his return in the SANFL on June 18, but Port Adelaide's bye last weekend denied him the chance to build on his match fitness. The Power will need to make at least one forced change after the season-ending knee injury to young tall Dougal Howard. Midfielder Kane Mitchell and Brendon Ah Chee continue to knock down the door for senior recalls. Schulz or John Butcher could be options to come in for Howard unless Ken Hinkley decides to go small. - Lee Gaskin

Ruckman Ivan Maric is waiting in the wings if big man Shaun Hampson doesn't recover from a knee injury this week. The Tigers say Hampson is a 50/50 proposition to face the Power after he stirred up a medial ligament injury. Maric was pulled out of the VFL on Sunday to keep him available for Friday night's clash against Port Adelaide and would be playing his first game since round six if selected. Key forward Ben Griffiths (illness) and defender Jake Batchelor (hamstring soreness) are both expected to be available this week after being withdrawn late against the Brisbane Lions. Rookie Adam Marcon has been banging the door down in the VFL and racked up another 27 possessions and two goals at the weekend. The Tigers have room to elevate the midfielder, but a five-day break after the VFL clash against Collingwood will conspire against Marcon. - Nathan Schmook

Adam Marcon has been pushing hard for a Richmond debut. Picture: AFL Media

Nathan Wright will struggle to face Gold Coast after a shoulder injury meant he was forced him into a sling following the win against Geelong. If the Saints want to bring in another running player, Jack Lonie was an emergency for the Cats game and had been in decent VFL form, while Eli Templeton picked up 37 disposals for Sandringham and Brodie Murdoch had 30 disposals and two goals. If Jack Billings has recovered from his ankle injury, he will likely come back through the reserves. Tom Lee may come in to solidify the defence if he is over his knee concern, since the Suns have a three-pronged forward line with Tom Lynch, Peter Wright and Sam Day. - Dinny Navaratnam

Coach John Longmire has some big decisions to make for this week’s clash with the Western Bulldogs, with a host of players available for selection after the club's mid-season bye. Veteran Ted Richards (concussion) and small forward Tom Papley (shin) both returned in the NEAFL ahead of the bye and will come into contention for a recall to face the Dogs, but Richards (three games) and Papley (five) have missed plenty of footy so might need more games under the belt before they're picked again. Defender Jeremy Laidler (knee) is also right to play after being a late withdrawal from the Swans’ win over Melbourne in round 13, and there are plenty of form players in the NEAFL. Midfielder Harry Cunningham responded well after he was dropped for the Demons game, while Brandon Jack couldn't do any more than he has this season to earn his first game of the year.  - Adam Curley 

The Eagles have a healthy squad to choose from following the bye, with the exception of injured ruckman Nic Naitanui. Scott Lycett is set to return after he was dropped for disciplinary reasons following the loss to Adelaide. He was outstanding in the WAFL with 26 disposals, 27 hit-outs and a goal and should come straight back into the side. Xavier Ellis was outstanding with 29 touches for East Perth and would put some pressure on the incumbents. Eric Mackenzie played in the WAFL before the bye and would be in consideration this week although the Bombers' forward line is not overly tall. Patrick McGinnity and Tom Cole remain in contention for the Eagles as they look to find their best combination in the second half of the season. - Alex Malcolm

After being dropped for disciplinary reasons, Scott Lycett is likely to be brought back. Picture: AFL Media

The Bulldogs look set to welcome back important cogs for Saturday's clash with the Swans at the SCG. All Australian defender Easton Wood (hamstring) and rugged midfielder Koby Stevens (abdominal) would be welcome additions while key forward Tom Boyd could play his first game since round four after impressing in the VFL in his return from a shoulder injury. Defensive playmaker Jason Johannisen could play for Footscray this weekend after missing the past two months with a hamstring tendon injury. Youngsters Mitch Honeychurch and Josh Dunkley could be the players who make way for the returning stars after having minimal impact in the Dogs' thrashing at the hands of Geelong in round 13. - Ryan Davidson