Collingwood v Hawthorn - PREVIEW
The Pies are seriously hurting from injuries and have limited options to choose from to replace Brent Macaffer (knee), Clinton Young (hamstring) and Dane Swan (hamstring). Jamie Elliott and Heritier Lumumba should be available to play this week while Caolan Mooney and Paul Seedsman will be in the mix to take that last spot in the side. And, is there any chance Quinten Lynch could play a farewell match too?
Jack Gunston (ankle) and Matt Suckling (knee) pulled up sore after last week’s big win over Geelong and may be rested this week, given it’s almost impossible for the Hawks to be knocked out of second on the ladder. Ryan Schoenmakers will be a chance to replace Gunston in attack while Billy Hartung or Taylor Duryea will be in with a chance of coming in for Suckling if Alastair Clarkson opts to rest the pair. The ruck remains an interesting question at Hawthorn, with Ben McEvoy seriously pushing Jon Ceglar and David Hale for a spot.
Carlton v Essendon - PREVIEW
The Blues have a lengthy injury list and looked to have hit the wall big time as they were thrashed byPort Adelaide last week. On that effort there could be any number of changes but that seems unlikely given the injuries. Marc Murphy should be right to go despite suffering a concussion last weekend, while Brock McLean may be in with a chance of returning from injury. It will be interesting to see whether Jeff Garlett is considered after being left out of the side after being charged for that fight on his birthday. Nick Holman and Ciaran Sheehan may drop out of the side.
Jake Carlisle (hamstring) will miss for Essendon, opening the door for Tom Bellchambers to come into the team. It will be interesting to see what Essendon do with Dyson Heppell. They’re pretty much guaranteed a spot in the finals so do they give him another week off with his broken hand. If Heppell or the dropped Jake Melksham return, Orazio Fantasia could be the one to go.
Fremantle v Port Adelaide - PREVIEW
Fremantle will be sweating on the fitness of skipper Matthew Pavlich for this top-four showdown against Port. The Pav was a late withdrawal last week with quad soreness but if he comes out, the door may be opened for Anthony Morabito to return to the seniors as a forward. It will be interesting to see whether the tough Clancee Pearce can force his way into the team, with Lee Spurr’s position potentially in the gun.
After beating Carlton by 103 points last weekend, it’s hard to see the Power making any changes this week.
Sydney v Richmond - PREVIEW
It’s tough to predict Sydney selection this week given they’ve sewn up the minor premiership already. It’s possible they rest Lance Franklin ahead of the qualifying final. Buddy’s been in exceptional form, kicking 15 goals in the last fortnight, but do they risk him against Alex Rance, especially when it was only a few weeks ago he was having some knee issues. The other option is resting Kurt Tippett, who was subbed out last week. Sam Reid has recovered from a hip injury and may be a chance to play if either Tippett or Buddy don’t. It will also be interesting to see whether Ryan O’Keefe is offered a farewell game for the Swans as well.
For the Tigers, Dustin Martin missed last week with a minor hamstring injury but will almost certainly play in this do-or-die encounter. Martin may replace youngster Ben Lennon. The big selection question for the Tigers, though, revolves around Ty Vickery, who has finished his four-match ban for whacking Dean Cox. Does Vickery take Ben Griffiths’ spot in the side is the big issue facing Richmond’s selection committee.
North Melbourne v Melbourne - PREVIEW
Daniel Wells returns from a one-match suspension, with Ben Brown, Aaron Mullett or Leigh Adams likely to make way. Lachlan Hansen was a late withdrawal last week as he continues to battle a hip injury. It will be interesting to see if he’s risked against the Dees, given that September is beckoning. Levi Greenwood will also come out of the team after suffering a calf injury at training on Wednesday, with Mason Wood to make his debut for the Roos.
The Dees have lost nine on the trot and Paul Roos will soon have to make some tough calls on his list. The question is whether this clash is a last chance for him to cast his eyes over the squad. As a result, changes may be limited despite another big loss to West Coast last week. Colin Garland may be in doubt with some bone bruising, opening the door for Mitch Clisby.
Geelong v Brisbane - PREVIEW
Shane Kersten will come out of the Cats' side after suffering a hamstring injury early in last week’s loss to Hawthorn. Lincoln McCarthy or Mitch Brown may be a chance to come in for him while George Horlin-Smith has recovered from a groin injury and could come in for Brad Hartman, who suffered a little groin niggle himself last week. It’s unlikely that Steve Johnson (foot) will be risked ahead of finals.
For Brisbane, Ash McGrath was given a farewell game last weekend before retirement. He should drop out of the side for either Ryan Lester or Marco Paparone. It will be interesting to see if Justin Leppitsch brings the fit-again Matthew Leuenberger back into the side to see how he goes teaming up with Stefan Martin.
Gold Coast v West Coast - PREVIEW
Trent McKenzie will probably drop out after suffering a hamstring injury late in last week’s loss to Essendon. Steven May (hamstring) may come in to replace him while Greg Broughton (elbow) will need to pass a fitness test to make the side.
Given their season is on the line, the Eagles probably won’t make too many changes for this one. Losing Mark Hutchings to a hamstring injury is a blow but he could be replaced by Xavier Ellis if the former Hawk has recovered from an AC Joint injury. Nic Naitanui is being tested as well after he was a late withdrawal last week with Achilles soreness. If Naitanui doesn’t play, the Eagles may just roll the dice with Scott Selwood or Elliott Yeo, who are on the cusp of returning from injury.
Adelaide v St Kilda - PREVIEW
Tough to assess what Adelaide will do given they haven’t been bad over the last few weeks, despite narrow losses to Richmond and North Melbourne. Rory Laird suffered a concussion against the Kangaroos and may miss out, but Adelaide have Matt Crouch, Sam Kerridge or Lewis Johnston available to come in. It will also be interesting to see what Brenton Sanderson does with James Podsiadly after a massive disciplinary error cost the Crows badly last week.
For St Kilda, Sam Gilbert will come out of the side after suffering an ankle injury against Richmond with Josh Saunders and Sam Dunell candidates to come in.
Western Bulldogs v GWS - PREVIEW
Tom Campbell suffered a poke in the eye last week and may drop out of the side. If he does, Tory Dickson or Jason Tutt would be handy replacements. With the season over for both sides, defence is probably a secondary concern in the season’s final home-and-away game, but key defender Fletcher Roberts has been in good form for the Dogs VFL side and may be a chance to return to the seniors.
For the Giants, Jonothon O’Rourke hurt his hamstring early in last week’s loss to Collingwood while Phil Davis (calf) is in doubt. But they could be replaced by Liam Sumner, Curtly Hampton, Jon Giles or Zac Williams.