Port Adelaide v Carlton: PREVIEW
Power quartet Angus Monfries (hip), Jackson Trengove (ankle), Matt White (groin) and Aaron Young (foot) should all be available for Friday night's danger game. Cam O'Shea and Kane Mitchell are fighting to keep their places in the team.
Dale Thomas (ankle) was not at the airport on Thursday and looks set to miss. Troy Menzel (knee/shoulder) was on the plane but remains a 50/50 prospect while Brock McLean has been ruled out of the Power clash and David Ellard (ankle) is out for the season. Dennis Armfield, a late inclusion last week, Matthew Watson and Patrick Cripps have strong selection claims, while ruckman Matthew Kreuzer could return via the VFL this weekend.
Troy Menzel has travelled to Adelaide but will need to train strongly this afternoon to prove his fitness. Photo: Getty
North Melbourne v Adelaide: PREVIEW
Jack Ziebell (knee) will face a fitness test, but Lindsay Thomas (knee) and Lachlan Hansen (hip) are expected to be fit for the match in Hobart. But the Roos will need to find replacements for suspended veterans Brent Harvey and Daniel Wells. There are plenty of players on the fringe. Aaron Mullett leads the pack, Mason Wood and Jamie Macmillan will also be considered.
Adelaide's David Mackay will be assessed after he was subbed from the game with concussion. Scott Thompson (hamstring) will also face a fitness test. Rory Laird , Matt Crouch and Sam Kerridge were the best players for the SANFL Crows last week.
Essendon v Gold Coast: PREVIEW
The Bombers will be without ball magnet Dyson Heppell (broken hand) but will regain Jake Carlisle after a back spasm kept him out last week. Orazio Fantasia, Cory Dell'Olio and Elliott Kavanagh are all chances to find a spot in the senior line-up.
Charlie Dixon's quad injury adds to Gold Coast's growing injury list. Steven May is still in doubt to return from a hamstring injury and that could open the door for youngster Clay Cameron to step up. Jack Martin appeared to be struggling big time after taking a heavy knock to his shoulder against Port Adelaide and could also come out of the side.
Greater Western Sydney v Collingwood: PREVIEW
GWS veterans Josh Hunt, Dylan Addison and Stephen Gilham were solid in the NEAFL and could earn themselves another senior game. Of course, the Giants lost star players Callan Ward (calf), Phil Davis (concussion calf) and Jon Patton (knee) last week, so there are plenty of spots open for experienced players.
For the battered Pies, skipper Scott Pendlebury (quad) faces a fitness test but Travis Cloke (ankle), Ben Reid (hamstring) and Dayne Beams (knee) are done for the year. Jamie Elliott (hamstring tightness) heads a list of players hoping to win a senior spot. Others in the queue are Jesse White, Paul Seedsman, Josh Thomas, Kyle Martin, Tom Langdon and Patrick Karnezis.
Hawthorn v Geelong: PREVIEW
The Cats will regain Jimmy Bartel for Saturday night's blockbuster. Steve Johnson (foot) will be touch and go for this week but after his 34-disposal and three goal effort against the Hawks in round five, the Cats will be hopeful of his return. Jackson Thurlow and Jordan Murdoch are under selection pressure.
Geelong will likely be without Steve Johnson against Hawthorn. Photo: Getty
Hawthorn will regain Jarryd Roughead, which means Tim O'Brien will be dropped. Matt Spangher (calf tightness) could come back into contention, but Matt Suckling (ankle) is in doubt. Defenders Angus Litherland, Billy Hartung and Kyle Cheney are knocking on the door.
West Coast v Melbourne: PREVIEW
Sam Butler is in doubt following a poke in the eye last week that saw him subbed out of the loss to Essendon. Adam Carter is the obvious like for like replacement and he helped his own cause by gathering 29 disposals for East Perth. Mark LeCras is also a possibility to return after missing two games with calf soreness.
For the Dees, Cam Pedersen looks likely to return as a forward option. Jordie McKenzie could add some toughness around the ball and had 29 disposals in the VFL, and Jay Kennedy-Harris's pace would be handy at Patersons Stadium. Jack Grimes is out with a hamstring strain.
Brisbane Lions v Fremantle: PREVIEW
Lions swingman Daniel Merrett (ankle) will be named, but needs to get through training to prove his fitness, but Jackson Paine kicked five goals in the NEAFL to put his hand up should the veteran not be passed fit. Ash McGrath looks likely to be given a farewell match at home before he retires, the last of the class of 2003 to hang up the boots.
For the Dockers, Hayden Ballantyne's return offsets the significant losses of Michael Barlow (thumb) and Nathan Fyfe (suspended). We're tipping Nick Suban and Matt de Boer to also come into the Fremantle squad, with Ballantyne to take Hayden Crozier's spot.
Western Bulldogs v Sydney: PREVIEW
Dogs boss Brendan McCartney said there would be changes to the side that lost to North Melbourne on Sunday. He hinted Jack Macrae and Nathan Hrovat were firmly in the mix. Jake Stringer's missus is due to have a baby this weekend so don't be surprised if he does not play.
There is also speculation Will Minson has a hamstring strain that will keep him sidelined.
Another @westernbulldogs pup arriving at the kennel... @JStringer9 and Abbey prepare for parenthood. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/GYzQ9PhZKh
— tony jones (@TJch9) August 20, 2014Significant doubt surrounds Swans champion Josh Kennedy (hamstring). The Swans say there is no muscle strain and he is a chance to play. But we don't think he will be risked so close to the finals.
Richmond v St Kilda: PREVIEW
Ben Lennon is in selection strife at Tigerland after being subbed off during last week's win against Adelaide. Reece Conca is due back from suspension and Daniel Jackson is vying for promotion for the VFL.
The Saints are down to the bare bones. So you would think the much-hyped Spencer White deserves a run in the seniors. But the young beanpole has been stone cold in the VFL and Darren Minchington and Tom Simpkin - even Trent Dennis-Lane - deserve a game before White.