Star midfielder Clayton Oliver has sent a scare through Melbourne’s camp after being pictured with a hand injury ahead of his side’s blockbuster against Port Adelaide.
Collingwood and Brisbane have made changes after poor starts to the season, while Geelong will be without a star veteran for their Easter Monday match against Hawthorn.
The Sporting News has all the latest AFL team selection news.
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Brisbane vs. Collingwood teams
Fresh off the bye, the Lions take on the Magpies with both sides desperate to open their accounts for the season.
In a massive boost for the home side, Lachie Neale is scheduled to return from a hamstring injury, while Jack Payne and Darcy Fort are inclusions.
Chris Fagan was hoping to call upon Tom Doedee for his first game for the club but the former Crow has suffered another ACL injury and will miss the rest of the season.
For the Magpies, veteran Steele Sidebottom (managed) has paid the price for the side’s poor start to the season, with running defender Oleg Markov omitted.
Markov is replaced by the like-for-like John Noble, with Will Hoskin-Elliott also coming in.
Darcy Cameron is in doubt due to illness but has been named in the selected side.
North Melbourne vs. Carlton teams
The Kangaroos have lost their first two matches of the season and may turn to a veteran to provide some much-needed experience with Liam Shiels impressing in the VFL last weekend.
Callum Coleman-Jones, who had just nine disposals last week, could be under pressure to hold his place after struggling to make any headway so far in 2024.
Tyler Sellers booted six goals in the reserves and could receive a call up after his eye-catching display.
Meanwhile, Miller Bergman was impressive at the opposite end of the field as he picked up 29 disposals.
For the Blues, who will be fresh off the bye, Jack Martin looks set to return to the fold after recovering from injury.
NORTH MELBOURNE
In: Nil
Out: Nil
CARLTON
In: C.Marchbank, J.Weitering, E.Hollands
Out: L.Young (omitted), B.Kemp (omitted), D.Cuningham (calf)
Fremantle vs. Adelaide teams
The Dockers will welcome the Crows to WA looking to keep their perfect record alive to start the year.
Liam Reidy was a chance to be added into the side last week but ultimately missed out. The ruckman will be in contention once again.
For the Crows, Rory Sloane is battling to be in contention for selection as he works his way back from an eye injury.
Luke Pedlar struggled last weekend and could be axed to the SANFL by coach Matthew Nicks.
FREMANTLE
In: Nil
Out: Nil
ADELAIDE
In: J.Borlase, L.Sholl
Out: S.Berry (omitted), J.Butts (ankle)
Essendon vs. St Kilda teams
Darcy Parish was a late scratching from the Bombers’ side last week due to a hamstring injury, although he could be back on deck against the Saints.
In more good news for Essendon, Mason Redman and defender Jake Kelly are set to return, while Jordan Ridley could also come back from a quad issue.
However, the Bombers will have to do without Peter Wright for the next month after he was suspended at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday.
St Kilda will be without spearhead Max King after he was also unsuccessful at the Tribunal.
Mason Wood is also out with concussion with Dan Butler the favourite to replace him after returning from an ankle injury via the VFL last week.
Livewire forward Liam Henry's absence will be a huge blow after suffering a hamstring injury that will see him miss at least six weeks.
Defender Arie Schoenmaker was impressive for Sandringham and could have worked his way into contention for a debut.
ESSENDON
In: M.Redman, D.Parish, J.Kelly
Out: E.Tsatas (omitted), P.Wright (suspension), A.Davey jnr (omitted)
ST KILDA
In: D.Butler, A.Caminiti, A.Hastie
Out: M.Wood (collarbone/concussion), L.Henry (hamstring), M.King (suspension)
Port Adelaide vs. Melbourne teams
Lachie Jones was subbed off early during his side’s win over Richmond although he is expected to be fine for the blockbuster against the Demons.
The outlook on star midfielder Jason Horne-Francis is less certain after he missed the win over the Tigers due to a hamstring injury.
Jed McEntee also remains in doubt with the forward to be assessed after copping a concussion in the opening round.
Ahead of the clash, Clayton Oliver was pictured nursing a hand injury in training which has put him in severe doubt.
All-Australian defenders Steven May and Jake Lever are also a close watch for Melbourne with the latter still considered a chance to play this weekend.
PORT ADELAIDE
In: J.McEntee
Out: D.Williams (omitted)
MELBOURNE
In: T.Woewodin
Out: S.May (ribs)
Western Bulldogs vs. West Coast teams
Jack Macrae did all he possibly could for a recall to Luke Beveridge’s side with a starring display for Footscray in the VFL which saw him amass 47 disposals in the win.
James Harmes has served his one-match ban and is expected to return to the side, while Nick Coffield will definitely be missing after being injured just minutes into last week’s game.
The Eagles, who are rooted to the bottom of the ladder, will have to do without their captain Oscar Allen after he was sidelined with bone bruising.
Andrew Gaff was omitted last week, and the veteran is unlikely to earn a recall in Adam Simpson’s team.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: T.Duryea, R.Garcia, R.Lobb, J.Macrae, J.O'Donnell
Out: N.Coffield (shoulder), E.Richards (concussion)
WEST COAST
In: A.Gaff, H.Johnston, J.Williams
Out: Nil
Richmond vs. Sydney teams
Maurice Rioli Jnr was a late scratching from the side last week after suffering a back injury in the warm-up. In positive news, he is expected to return against the Swans.
Sam Banks struggled against Port and may lose his spot in the side with midfielder Kane McAuliffe impressing in the VFL after amassing 31 disposals.
For Sydney, Harry Cunningham will be sidelined after copping a brutal bump from Wright during last week’s loss to the Bombers.
Peter Ladhams and Caleb Mitchell are pushing hard for selection after impressing in reserve grade.
RICHMOND
In: N.Broad, T.Sonsie, M.Rioli, S.Naismith, T.Young
Out: J.Trezise (ankle), J.Clarke (omitted)
SYDNEY
In: R.Fox, C.Mitchell, P.Ladhams, J.Konstanty, A.Francis
Out: H.Cunningham (concussion), S.Wicks (omitted)
Hawthorn vs. Geelong teams
The winless Hawks may make some changes with Sam Butler pressing his claims with a three-goal display in the VFL.
Henry Hustwaite is also in the same boat with the young midfielder grabbing 22 possessions and laying seven tackles for Box Hill.
Patrick Dangerfield is a big out for the Cats with the veteran star sidelined with a hamstring injury for the Easter Monday clash.
Mitch Duncan, who was a late out last week due to personal reasons, may return to the side this week as Geelong attempted to keep their unbeaten record intact.
