As finals draw closer it's selection chaos at Carlton with several stars teetering on the edge of selection ahead of the blockbuster against Collingwood at MCG on Friday night.
Gold Coast face a tough decision on horribly out-of-form forward Ben King, while Geelong might look for a new mix after the loss to Brisbane.
The Sporting News has all the latest selection news.
Collingwood (1st) vs Carlton (9th) teams
The two old foes - Collingwood and Carlton - meet in a Friday night blockbuster in front of a likely full-house at the MCG.
In a scary sign for the competition, the Magpies almost have a clean bill health heading into the latter weeks of the season, with only fringe players Charlie Dean and Finlay Macrae on the sidelines.
Will Hoskin-Elliott will be available for selection after recovering from a hand break, but might struggle to get back in the team with forced changes unlikely.
Jack Ginnivan and Ash Johnson both kicked goals in the VFL but might need to keep maintaining that form first before being considered for selection.
It's the opposite situation at Carlton with Sam Walsh (hamstring) added to an already-extensive injury list and the midfield gun likely to miss two-three weeks.
The Blues will be praying Patrick Cripps (cork) and Adam Cerra (hamstring) pass fitness tests, while forward five Jack Silvagni, Jesse Motlop, Jack Martin, Matthew Owies and Corey Durdin also have to prove their availability.
While Carlton have definitely lost Jordan Boyd (suspension), both Marc Pittonet and Zac Fisher will be available after injury lay-offs, while Josh Honey, Lachlan Cowan and Lewis Young are on the chopping block.
If reinforcements from the VFL are needed, Jaxon Binns (34 touches, 1.1) and Caleb Marchbank (29 disposals, 10 marks) were among their best in the reserves.
- Kieran Francis
Geelong (8th) vs Fremantle (15th) teams
It's a must-win game for Geelong, who fell flat against Brisbane last week and now sit in 8th spot on the ladder.
Cats midfielder Tom Atkins struggled to win the ball with 14 touches and was poor with 43% disposal efficiency. Youngster Tanner Bruhn was substituted from the game, as Brisbane's midfield class proved too much.
Brandon Parfitt has spent most of the season in the VFL and will put his hand up after an impressive 25 touches and goal against the Brisbane reserves.
Fremantle midfielder Michael Johnson collected six disposals before being substituted in the fourth. Returning midfielder-forward Bailey Banfield is a likely replacement, with youngster Ethan Stanley a chance to get his first AFL start.
Forward Matt Taberner is available for the Dockers and could push Josh Corbett out of the side, who was held goalless last week.
- Bryn Wakefield
Western Bulldogs (5th) vs GWS (7th) teams
In an unlikely blockbuster in Ballarat, both the Bulldogs and GWS need to win to strengthen their finals credentials.
Jason Johannisen is fit after a lengthy hamstring layoff, while James O'Donnell has exited concussion protocols.
Last week's substitute Bailey Williams could be squeezed out for Johannisen, while Josh Bruce could make way in defence for O'Donnell.
Rory Lobb kicked five goals in the VFL and could come in to play his former club in the place of Buku Khamis.
It's one week too early for the Giants to welcome back Tom Green (hamstring) and Jesse Hogan (quad).
GWS have won six games in a row so unlikely to be many changes but Aaron Cadman is struggling to find his feet at senior level.
- Kieran Francis
Gold Coast Suns (14th) vs Brisbane (3rd) teams
Gold Coast was badly beaten by GWS and again key forward Ben King had little impact on the game.
Four weeks, no goals for King. In contrast, Mabior Chol has kicked 12 majors in his last four VFL appearances.
Dynamic small Hewago Oea kicked an excellent roving goal last week, but was subbed out after finding just two touches. Sun Nick Holman (nine disposals) is another facing the axe before a huge Q Clash on the Gold Coast.
Brisbane will need to replace young gun Will Ashcroft, who suffered a shock ACL tear on the weekend.
Veteran Jarryd Lyons is a good backup, and responded with 32 disposals and a goal in the VFL after being dropped last week.
- Bryn Wakefield
Essendon (11th) vs Sydney (12th) teams
It's another crucial battle in the finals landscape as the Bombers and Swans clash at Marvel.
Essendon have suffered a huge blow with Jordan Ridley (quad) likely out for the rest of the home and away season.
Potential replacement James Stewart (foot) will return through the VFL this week, however.
Sam Draper (hip) and Dylan Shiel (foot) have been ruled out for the match.
Among the strugglers against the Bulldogs included Will Snelling and Archie Perkins.
Sydney aren't likely to alter a winning mix significantly, with Lance Franklin (knee) and Callum Mills (soreness) expected to pass tests.
Peter Ladhams has been playing in the VFL but is still having issues with his ankle.
Most Swans made a contribution but small forward Sam Wicks struggled to get involved.
- Kieran Francis
Adelaide (13th) vs Port Adelaide (2nd) teams
A massive Showdown awaits, and Adelaide will be keen to hand the Power its third-straight loss while it climbs back into finals contention.
The Crows lost defender Nick Murray (ACL) for the season, with Izak Rankine also set to miss with a hamstring injury.
Jordan Butts, who was substituted against Melbourne, can fill Murray's spot, while Jake Soligo performed well at SANFL level and should also come in.
Port Adelaide will be without suspended Willie Rioli, who should be replaced by the returning Darcy Byrne-Jones.
Half back Kane Farrell made a series of costly mistakes against Collingwood, and could face the axe with Dylan Williams waiting to take his spot.
- Bryn Wakefield
Hawthorn (17th) vs St Kilda (6th) teams
In a must-win game for the Saints, it has been confirmed they will lose Brad Hill (lung).
But key position trio Tim Membrey (knee), Jack Hayes (hamstring) and Zaine Cordy (concussion) could all be available.
If Ross Lyon is looking for a different mix, Jade Gresham (two kicks), Jack Billings (12 touches) and Jack Bytel (zero tackles) will likely be first on the outer.
After spending most of the year on the sideline, Nick Coffield has 29 disposals in the VFL, while Oli Hotton also impressed.
A suspension to Ned Reeves could open the door for Max Ramsden to play his second game for the Hawks.
Hawthorn could also welcome back Fergus Greene (knee) into their forward line.
Denver Grainger-Barass didn't get a single statistic for 44 per cent time on ground, while Finn Maginness also struggled to find the ball.
- Kieran Francis
Richmond (10th) vs Melbourne (4th) teams
Mid-season draftee Matthew Coulthard was a pleasant surprise for Richmond, coming on in the last quarter and having an instant impact in an exciting comeback.
The small forward's classy contribution could earn him a spot over Marlion Pickett (7 disposals) who had a quiet game by comparison. Tiger Ryan Mansell was similarly quiet in the forward line and could make way.
Richmond defender Tylar Young could also come out in favour of the smaller Jayden Short, who should return from injury this week.
Melbourne will need to weigh up whether defender Harrison Petty (ribs) should come in for Adam Tomlinson.
Despite playing just six games this season, Tomlinson held Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty to one goal, and could solidify a spot in the back six before finals.
Youngster James Jordon (11 disposals) could make way for one of James Harmes or Charlie Spargo, who have responded pleasingly to omission in the VFL.
- Bryn Wakefield
West Coast (18th) vs North Melbourne (17th) teams
West Coast captain Luke Shuey injured his hamstring, and will miss, while Tom Barrass still seems a week from return.
Midfielder-forward Sam Petrevski-Seton will also miss after receiving a two-match suspension.
It was another poor performance against Carlton, but the Eagles don't have the luxury of list depth, especially with more injuries piling up. Jeremy McGovern should pass concussion protocol, while Elliot Yeo (hip) could potentially replace Shuey.
North Melbourne's Cooper Harvey found just five touches last week, and should make way for co-captain Jy Simpkin.
Forward Jaiden Stephenson, now goalless in two games, could come under fire. Medium-forward Tom Powell could replace the former-Magpie, should he prove fitness this week.
- Bryn Wakefield
