James Sicily is back after serving his three-game suspension for a dangerous tackle. James Blanck is out after entering concussion protocols. Luke Breust could return this weekend after missing the trip to face Greater Western Sydney due to a badly bruised throat. Sam Mitchell has some youth pushing to play. Ned Long collected 31 touches and six clearances for Box Hill on Saturday, while Henry Hustwaite is pushing for a debut after gathering 26 disposals and seven clearances against GWS' reserves. Lloyd Meek went back to the VFL and finished with 31 hitouts, 18 disposals and a goal against Matt Flynn. Cam Mackenzie was solid while mid-season pick Brandon Ryan produced his best game yet for Box Hill by slotting 4.0 after kicking 0.6 last week. – Josh Gabelich
R17 sub: Harry Morrison (replaced Jarman Impey)
With Harrison Petty (ribs) cleared to play, the Demons have no fresh injury concerns and could go in unchanged for their crunch match against Brisbane on Friday night. Coach Simon Goodwin flagged that out-of-form livewire Kysaiah Pickett might spend more time in the midfield in an attempt to regain some of his explosive form, while Christian Petracca might have found himself a part-time home up forward after his four-goal outing. The Demons finally found their groove in attack against the Saints, but Josh Schache (four goals, eight marks) or Jacob van Rooyen (one goal) could come into consideration for a recall should the Demons still want to tinker with their forward line mix. James Harmes (27 disposals, six clearances), Adam Tomlinson (27 disposals, nine marks) and Kade Chandler (19, five clearances) could also be considered after performing strongly in the VFL. – Alison O'Connor
R17 sub: Joel Smith (replaced Harrison Petty)
The Kangaroos have suffered another bitter blow, with key defender Griffin Logue (knee) to miss the next 10-12 months after he ruptured his ACL last weekend. Jy Simpkin has entered the AFL's concussion protocols for the second time in six weeks. He will definitely miss Sunday's clash with the Hawks, and perhaps longer with the club to take a cautious approach to his return. George Wardlaw (illness) and Liam Shiels (calf) are both likely to feature this week, but Tom Powell (knee) is still around a fortnight away. Will Phillips (30 disposals, eight tackles) and Ben Cunnington (26 disposals, six marks) were standouts at VFL level playing through the midfield. Last week's sub Jack Ziebell, as well as Josh Goater (23 disposals, eight marks) and Kallan Dawson (19 disposals, seven marks), could put their hands up for selection in the backline. Mid-season recruit Robert Hansen jnr (nine disposals, four goals) had his best game since arriving at reserves level.
R17 sub: Jack Ziebell (replaced Griffin Logue)
A couple of key-position players could come under consideration for Port this week as they prepare for a trip to Marvel Stadium to play in-form Carlton. After missing wins over Essendon and Gold Coast in the past fortnight, ruckman Scott Lycett (knee) is a chance to regain his spot to strengthen Ken Hinkley's midfield. Captain Tom Jonas is also in line to play his first AFL game since round 10 as cover for injured Trent McKenzie. Wingman Xavier Duursma has also impressed in two SANFL games after overcoming a knee injury. – Michael Whiting
R17 sub: Quinton Narkle (replaced Trent McKenzie)
Ivan Soldo is set for just his second AFL game this year after missing most of the season with a plantar fasciitis issue, replacing the suspended Toby Nankervis in the ruck. Rhyan Mansell is available for selection after his own three-match ban, while there's a spot forward on offer after Jacob Bauer's hamstring injury. Jack Ross played so well on the wing after coming on as sub, there's a chance the Tigers will persist with Marlion Pickett in attack, or bring in Mansell or Noah Cumberland. The other asterisk is on whether the Tigers will rest Jack Riewoldt (with Samson Ryan in the wings) or Trent Cotchin for the trip to Perth to face West Coast. – Sarah Black
R17 sub: Jack Ross (replaced Jacob Bauer)
St Kilda copped three more injuries on the weekend, losing Max King, Seb Ross and Zaine Cordy on Saturday night. Bradley Hill is a chance to return after hurting his knee against West Coast, along with Josh Battle who will need to exit concussion protocols this week to be available. Hunter Clark has missed the past couple of months but made a successful return for Sandringham, finishing with 26 disposals to put his hand up for a senior recall. Jack Hayes got through his first game since tearing his ACL in round six last year and looms as a senior option in the closing months of the season. Jack Bytel continued his strong season in the VFL with 30 disposals and 10 tackles against Casey. – Josh Gabelich
R17 sub: Ryan Byrnes (replaced Max King)
The selection squeeze is on at the Swans, who lose Jake Lloyd (concussion) from the loss to Richmond, while gun midfielder Chad Warner (calf) will miss at least another week. Joel Amartey is available again after being managed last week, Sam Wicks roared back into contention with four goals and 24 possessions in the VFL and Matt Roberts made a successful return from injury in the twos. Ryan Clarke and Dylan Stephens both topped 30 disposals in the VFL, but that might not be enough to win their spots back. - Martin Smith
R17 sub: Aaron Francis (replaced Jake Lloyd)
With the return of more senior players and a handful of others coming off the injury list, there will finally be decisions for the Eagles to make at selection this week. Captain Luke Shuey and veteran defender Shannon Hurn are both expected to face Richmond after being managed for the trip to Brisbane. Premiership defender Tom Cole is also in the mix for elevation after being eased back from a serious ankle injury as the substitute. Up to six AFL players are expected to feature in the Eagles' WAFL team this week, bringing relief after weeks of low availability. – Nathan Schmook
R17 sub: Tom Cole (replaced Jeremy McGovern)
Ryan Gardner is pushing to be available after spraining his ankle against Collingwood last Friday night. Sam Darcy is in the hunt to return for the first time since round two after two strong performances in the VFL. The 2021 No.2 pick starred for Footscray last Friday, finishing with four goals from 21 disposals, 15 hitouts and 11 marks. Buku Khamis was in the 26-man squad against the Magpies and finished with 2.5 in the VFL. Jordon Sweet dominated in the ruck again, while Riley Garcia gathered 26 disposals and seven clearances at Avalon Airport Oval. Luke Clear and Oskar Baker both made an impact in the VFL side's 20-point win. – Josh Gabelich
R17 sub: Tony Scott (replaced James O’Donnell)
