The Crows' forward line will have a different look to it with Mitch McGovern ruled out of Saturday night's clash with Essendon at Adelaide Oval. McGovern sustained a serious hamstring injury in last weekend's 17-point Showdown win against Port Adelaide. Fellow forward Josh Jenkins will need to pass a fitness test on his rib injury. Midfielder Brad Crouch has put his hand up to come into the side after having 40 disposals in his club's two-point win in the SANFL against reigning premiers Sturt last weekend. It was Crouch's first game this year after picking up a hamstring injury in January. Medium forward Troy Menzel also impressed, booting two goals to go with 16 disposals. Rookie-listed midfielder Hugh Greenwood continues to knock the door down for an upgrade to the senior list, finishing with 27 disposals, 10 clearances, nine tackles and two goals. - Lee Gaskin

After two straight fourth-quarter fadeouts, Chris Fagan might be looking to mix things up ahead of Sunday's clash with Richmond at the Gabba. Darcy Gardiner is racing the clock to overcome his heavily corked quad, with Claye Beams, while not as defensive minded as Gardinerm is in good NEAFL form and a chance to play. Ryan Bastinac took his demotion to the lower level the right way, named best on ground in the Lions' win over the NT Thunder. - Michael Whiting

Ruckman Andrew Phillips made a successful return from injury in last Saturday's VFL season opener for the Northern Blues. Phillips, who missed the JLT Community Series after suffering a stress reaction in his left foot in January, played in the ruck and in attack during his allotted three quarters of game-time. He finished with 10 disposals, five marks and 20 hit-outs. Youngsters Cameron Polson (28 disposals) and Zac Fisher (16 disposals, two goals) were impressive against Port Melbourne, while Nick Graham was prolific again with 37 disposals, 11 inside 50s, 10 marks and eight clearances. - Howard Kotton

Jamie Elliott appears a huge chance of finally playing his first game since 2015 in the Magpies' big clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The brilliant small forward, who missed last season with a back injury, has overcome an ankle problem and proved his fitness by bagging five goals in a VFL practice match at the weekend. Former Kangaroo veteran Daniel Wells also seems certain be passed fit to make his first appearance in the black and white after getting over a calf issue, but is more likely to make his way back through the VFL. Others who could come into the selection frame include big man Mason Cox, small men Jarryd Blair and Josh Daicos, medium-sized forward Ben Crocker and midfielder Josh Thomas. - Ben Collins

Sunday's tough loss to Carlton was played in dreadful conditions with plenty of collisions, so it will be interesting to see how the Bombers pull up ahead of their clash with Adelaide. Josh Green appears likely to return to the side after missing the past two weeks with a hamstring strain, and there were plenty of good performances in the club's VFL win over Richmond last week. James Stewart kicked five goals as did Jackson Merrett, while Aaron Francis continues to do some exciting things in an attacking role. He could be considered for his first game of the season. Craig Bird also continues to collect plenty of the ball in the VFL – he gathered 37 touches on the weekend – as he tries to break into Essendon's strengthened midfield. - Callum Twomey

After a stunning upset of the Western Bulldogs, it's difficult to see many changes to Ross Lyon's 22 to face Melbourne at the MCG. But youth is now the flavour of the month and Darcy Tucker – who was one of six players dropped last round – has put his hand up for a recall. The 20-year-old had 30 disposals – 24 of them kicks - for Peel Thunder at the weekend, and used the ball with class off half-back. Key defender Sam Collins (14 disposals, five marks) was solid again to keep his name in front of the match committee, while Cam Sutcliffe (28) impressed after being sent back to the WAFL. Matt Taberner took 10 marks and booted 4.2 to continue his strong form for Peel, however the Dockers benefited from a smaller and more agile forward line against the Dogs and might stick with that mix. - Travis King

George Horlin-Smith is a chance to return from the fractured thumb he sustained moments before kicking the match-winning goal against North Melbourne in round two. Rhys Stanley and Darcy Lang could be considered after being omitted from the team that beat Melbourne, as both were emergencies for that match along with Jed Bews, who could also come into contention despite there being no VFL hit-out on the weekend. Nakia Cockatoo (hand) trained with a brace on his hand last week and is inching closer to a return while Josh Cowan should be available after being managed on the weekend, but Scott Selwood won't be considered for at least another fortnight as he aims for a VFL return in round five. - Jennifer Phelan

After the thumping win over Hawthorn it's unlikely Rodney Eade will make any changes to play Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Ben Ainsworth was a late scratching against the Hawks with a corked quad, but Brandon Matera took his chance by kicking six goals against the Hawks. Mitch Hallahan and Jesse Lonergan continue to put pressure on with excellent NEAFL performances, but they'll have to wait a little longer for a senior recall. - Michael Whiting

With Ryan Griffen (ankle) unavailable and his possible replacement Will Setterfield (ankle) going down with the same injury last week, Leon Cameron could turn to another Academy graduate to come in against Port Adelaide. Draftee Harry Perryman is a big chance debut after starting the NEAFL season in outstanding form, with the midfielder gathering 30 possessions to go with 11 tackles last week. After being dropped after the Giants' bad loss to Adelaide in round one, Matthew Kennedy has also dominated at reserves level and picked up 37 touches last week, while defender Harry Himmelberg was also brilliant playing as an onballer, finishing with 30 disposals and 11 tackles. Power forward Jonathon Patton got through the Giants' NEAFL loss to Sydney University after missing the previous week with a hip injury, and kicked 2.3 from 14 disposals and six marks. - Adam Curley

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has enough options in Billy Hartung, James Sicily, Taylor Duryea and Ryan Schoenmakers to make a statement at the selection table. Sicily is developing as a backman this year after emerging in attack in 2016 to kick five bags of three or more goals at AFL level. He amassed 28 possessions and slotted three majors in another strong VFL performance at the weekend. Hartung travelled to the Gold Coast as an emergency, and Duryea and Schoenmakers will be eyeing off spots at opposite ends of the ground. They are the obvious contenders if wholesale changes follow the Suns debacle. Utility Daniel Howe is another in good form and showed he could handle the step up in double-digit matches last season, while Kade Stewart may return, too. Jono O'Rourke (hamstring) will resume in the VFL this week and is unlikely to be there for long. - Marc McGowan

Working out how best to replace Max Gawn will be the first priority for Melbourne this week. The Demons are dependent on the All Australian big man's influence in the ruck, so it's likely to take a few weeks for the midfield group to adjust. With a meeting against Fremantle and Aaron Sandilands, the Demons will almost certainly call-up Jake Spencer to shoulder the ruck duties. Spencer had 30 hit-outs, 12 disposals and kicked a goal for Casey in a VFL practice match at the weekend. Cam Pedersen was senior emergency against Geelong, but may get a look in to add more experience to the club's forward line, as well as providing a chop-out in the ruck. Angus Brayshaw (24 disposals) responded positively to his omission to the VFL. Jay Kennedy-Harris, Sam Frost and Tom Bugg are others who will push for senior selection in the coming weeks. - Ben Guthrie

Veteran defender Scott Thompson is available after suspension and should instantly regain his spot in the back six. It may be as a direct swap for Sam Durdin, who played his first game on Saturday as a replacement for Thompson. Late withdrawal Majak Daw (concussion) may find it hard to recover in time for the Good Friday clash with the reigning premiers, but 2016 first-round draft pick Jy Simpkin (corked thigh) is more likely to return. Ryan Clarke earned a recall because of Daw's latest unfortunate setback, and had 13 disposals and kicked a goal. Midfielder Jed Anderson is four VFL games back from a shoulder injury and might be on the verge of selection, while Nick Larkey kicked three more goals and is another tall forward option in the absence of Jarrad Waite. - Marc McGowan

Ruckman Matthew Lobbe is set to be recalled for the Power's clash with Greater Western Sydney at UNSW Canberra Oval on Saturday. Lobbe would be expected to come into the side to replace Patrick Ryder, who was handed a one-game suspension for striking Adelaide forward Riley Knight in last weekend's Showdown. Lobbe, 28, played eight games last season as he struggled to recapture his best form. Uncapped ruck/forward Billy Frampton is another option for coach Ken Hinkley. Defender Jasper Pittard returned from a hamstring injury for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL last weekend, picking up 16 possessions. Midfielder Brendon Ah Chee did his claims for a senior recall no harm with 30 disposals and three goals for the Magpies in their 17-point loss to Glenelg. Draftee Joe Atley also performed well, finishing with 23 possessions and 12 tackles. - Lee Gaskin

After one match sidelined with concussion, Ben Griffiths is likely to return against the Brisbane Lions and replace Todd Elton, who had nine possessions and three marks against West Coast in round three. If Griffiths does not pass a final test, the Tigers also have the option of selecting tall forward Mabior Chol. An opening might finally have presented for in-form midfielder Anthony Miles, who has been in strong VFL form (21 possessions, 13 contested, at the weekend). Midfielder Nick Vlastuin suffered a broken nose and concussion against the Eagles and Miles will be an ideal replacement if Vlastuin is not cleared to play this week. Connor Menadue, Oleg Markov and Nathan Drummond are available in the VFL but have not done enough to force their way in, while Steven Morris played his second game back from a knee reconstruction at the weekend and was very good. - Nathan Schmook

The likely returns of Jack Steven and David Armitage would seriously bolster the midfield ahead of a crunch clash with Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Steven punctured a lung against West Coast while Armitage has been dealing with a groin injury. Former West Coast and Western Bulldogs midfielder Koby Stevens won plenty of the ball in tough conditions for Sandringham last Sunday to put himself in contention for a senior spot. Jack Sinclair played the second half of that game after being the emergency on hand for the clash with the Brisbane Lions and is among those in line to come into Alan Richardson's team. - Dinny Navaratnam

Ruckman Kurt Tippett (ankle) is a chance to face West Coast after missing last week's loss to Collingwood if he can get through training on Tuesday. Young ruckman Darcy Cameron was overlooked as Tippett's replacement in favour of Callum Sinclair, but the mature-age draftee finished with 20 possessions and six marks in the NEAFL to keep his name in front of the selectors. Speedy midfielder Shaun Edwards had 23 possessions and eight tackles in the reserves and could add some pace to the Swans' struggling forward line at ground level, while midfielder Brandon Jack gather another 34 disposals. Experienced defender Jeremy Laidler, and onballers Harry Cunningham and Dean Towers were also good in the NEAFL, while small forward James Rose kicked three goals from 22 touches and nine marks. - Adam Curley

Classy midfielder Dom Sheed bounced back from being axed by racking up a game-high 37 disposals and booting an excellent long-range goal in East Perth's fourth-straight loss to start the season. Sheed accumulated around stoppages, used the ball precisely (seven inside 50s) with his left foot and keep toiling away despite copping a heavy hit in the final term to push for a spot in an Eagles midfield that was out-toughed by Richmond. Category B rookie Francis Watson started up forward in a change of role from half-back and booted the game's opening major with a clever snap. He finished with 24 touches after shuffling into midfield and defence. The 21-year-old is blessed with blistering pace, is clean with his hands and makes things happen – despite the odd mistake – and would seem a strong chance of a debut soon if his form continues. Eric Mackenzie was sound down back with 21 touches and 11 marks, but might struggle to unseat Tom Barrass. - Travis King