The bye rounds are upon us, with six clubs earning a break after an eventful opening 11 rounds of the season.
St Kilda, GWS, Richmond, Essendon, Carlton and Port Adelaide will all have the week off, with the remaining 12 clubs looking to secure more premiership points prior to their own byes.
The week ahead is sure to see sides mix and move magnets before earning a week's break, while injuries and suspension have continued to toll clubs through the midriff of the season.
Here's all the latest selection news ahead of Round 12...
For all listed injuries, visit our INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS page.
Dockers forced to make pair of squad changes
Fremantle pair Neil Erasmus (health and safety protocols) and Nathan Wilson (illness) have been removed from the Dockers' emergencies list ahead of Sunday's clash with Brisbane.
The club confirmed on Saturday that the duo will be replaced by Josh Treacy and Sam Sturt as part of Justin Longmuir's 26-man squad.
On Friday evening the Dockers locked in three changes for the match, with Ethan Hughes, Lloyd Meek Bailey Banfield named as inclusions.
Michael Walters (hamstring tightness), Matt Taberner (back) and Heath Chapman (hamstring) were all ruled out of the match.
The Dockers will finalise their side and name their medical substitute at 4:20pm (AEST) tomorrow.
Fremantle will host Brisbane at Optus Stadium at 5:20pm (AEST) on Sunday.
Friday, June 3...
Cats forced into late change
Geelong defender Jake Kolodjahnij will miss Friday night's clash with the Bulldogs due to AFL health and safety protocols.
The Cats confirmed just hours outside of the opening bounce that the versatile backman will be required to isolate, however are yet to confirm his direct replacement.
Uncapped ruckman Toby Conway has been added to Chris Scott's emergency selections, joining Quinton Narkle, Mitch Knevitt, Luke Dahlhaus and Shannon Neale.
The Cats will confirm their side and medical sub at 6:50pm AEST on Friday.
Suns make swap following ex-Cat's illness
The Gold Coast Suns have been forced into a late change to their 26-man squad for Saturday's clash with North Melbourne.
Former Cat Charlie Constable has been ruled out of the match with illness, having been listed as an emergency for the game at TIO Stadium.
The Suns have brought in Darcy Macpherson as his replacement, with the pressure3 forward joining James Tsitas, Chris Burgess and Jeremy Sharp on standby as a potential medical sub option.
We’ve made a change to our emergencies for Round 12 v North Melbourne. Darcy Macpherson will replace Charlie Constable (illness).#AFLSunsNorth
— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) June 3, 2022
Stuart Dew made two changes ahead of the Round 12 encounter, bringing in Jy Farrar and Sam Day in place of Jeremy Sharp (omitted) and Levi Casboult (injured).
Thursday, June 2...
Smith to return for Cats clash, but Ugle-Hagan likely to miss despite VFL form
Luke Beveridge has confirmed that Bailey Smith will return for Round 12 after missing last week's 101-point demolition of the Eagles due to illness.
The 21-year-old was forced out with a serious case of the flu, but the Bulldogs coach has confirmed the young star has made a full recovery and will be right to face Geelong on Friday night.
"'Baz' will come back in, obviously. Definitely one change to the team, anything outside of that will be really considered. He has bounced back, trained yesterday and got through in flying colours," Beveridge told media on Thursday.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is unlikely to feature in the senior side, despite a six goal effort in the VFL over the weekend, with Beveridge conceding that the competition for spots in the Bulldogs lineup is fierce.
"He has had a couple of good weeks, but it's going to be difficult to change the team too much after the performance last week," Beveridge said.
Wednesday, June 1 ...
Crows confirm debutant, set to swing changes for West Coast clash
The Crows will blood Patrick Parnell against the Eagles this weekend, with the young defender named to make his debut in Round 12.
Parnell joined Adelaide as the fourth overall selection at last year's Mid-Season Draft, walking into Matthew Nicks' side after averaging 17.9 touches, 4.4 marks and 3.3 rebound 50s per game in the SANFL.
Adelaide will remain without young forward Josh Rachele for a second straight week as the teenager continues to battle with a corked thigh.
Crows assistant James Rahilly confirmed on Wednesday that the Shepparton product is not quite b"cherry ripe" and will use this week and the club's Round 13 bye to get back into full fitness.
Adelaide are set to make at least one change, with veteran forward Taylor Walker returning from health and safety protocols, while tall defender Jordon Butts will miss this weekend's matchup with the Eagles due to concussion.
Nicks' backline will also be waiting on tests for Tom Doedee and Nick Murray, who will need to prove their fitness later this week.
Rahilly has also flagged that young ruck/forward Riley Thilthorpe will play against the Eagles, with the club relying on two rucks for this weekend.
Young forward Darcy Fogarty is anticipated to hold his spot after impressing against Geelong, with the Crows to name a taller attacking third compared to last week.
Injury riddled forward, ruckman likely to return for Geelong
Gary Rohan is set to make his return from injury, again, after missing Round 11 with a hamstring concern.
The 30-year-old has only managed one game so far this season after ongoing injury issues, but coach Chris Scott is confident he will be right to go for Friday night's clash against the Western Bulldogs.
"I think Gary Rohan will play, I think there's a bit more certainty around that," Scott said to media on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, ruckman Rhys Stanley is also likely to return after being sidelined for two games with an ankle injury.
"Those two (Rohan and Stanley) are likely but really the bulk of the guys missing at the moment will be a post-bye proposition," Scott said.
Hawks hopeful of welcoming back talls
After going into Round 11 without a specialist ruckman, the Hawks are hopeful two key talls could return for Sunday's clash against Collingwood.
Max Lynch missed Hawthorn's 67-point loss to the Gold Coast and will need to pass concussion protocols, but Sam Mitchell is optimistic the 23-year-old will be available soon.
"I don’t think he’s too far away. I’m not sure if he’ll be available, but he’s a chance for this week too I think," the Hawks coach said to media.
Ned Reeves could also be in with a shot to feature at senior level once more. Mitchell remained optimistic that the 23-year-old could make his return from an ongoing shoulder injury, having missed since Round 5.
"We’re hopeful. If he gets through training this week, he’ll be available," Mitchell said.
In more good news for the Hawks, star mid Jaeger O'Meara is set to return after missing Round 11 due to hamstring tightness.
Demons to welcome back versatile tall
Adam Tomlinson will play his first match for Melbourne since Round 4 as a replacement for Steven May who will miss through concussion.
The versatile tall has put together a consistent run of footy at VFL level, earning him a call up to plug the hole in defence as the Dees face the Swans on Saturday night at the MCG.
"(Tomlinson has produced) six weeks of outstanding VFL footy," coach Simon Goodwin said on Wednesday.
"He's back winning one-on-one contests and he's playing our defensive system to a really high level.
"Obviously with May, (Harrison) Petty and (Jake) Lever it's been really hard to get him back into the team, but the opportunity has arisen and he deserves his spot."
The Demons are set to make several changes ahead of Saturday night's clash, eager to get back to their winning ways after a 17-game winning streak came to an end in Round 11.
Tuesday, May 31 ...
Gun Dog ready for Cats encounter
Western Bulldogs ball-magnet Bailey Smith is set to make his return from a bout of flu in Friday's matchup with Geelong.
Smith was ruled out of his side's win over West Coast on the weekend, having missed due to the illness.
The midfielder is now set to return to Luke Beveridge's side for their highly-anticipated clash with the Cats at Marvel Stadium
“I’m fine. I just had the flu during the week, it was so bad, it knocked me for six,” the dazzling Dog told Fox Sports.
“I did a session this morning so will be perfect for Friday.
“Geelong will be a big one, so (it was) annoying I missed on the weekend.
“I’m very keen to get back out there.”
The Dogs recorded no injuries in their 101-point win over the Eagles, and could welcome back senior duo Mitch Wallis (foot) and Jason Johannisen (calf) from injury.
Swans shines as Saint, young Pup boot bags in VFL
Dylan Stephens should be close to a call-up for Sydney after a dominant display in the reserves saw him tally 37 touches, 11 marks and eight clearances. Lewis Taylor also starred with 38 disposals, six clearances and a goal.
Tigers draftee Tyler Sonsie was impressive as he finished the game with 25 disposals and a major. He's surely not far off his debut at the top flight given that on talent alone he stacks up with the best of the 2021 draft class.
Dogs' former top pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan booted six majors to put selection pressure on senior coach Luke Beveridge. Whereas veteran Mitch Wallis had a respectable 24 touches and a goal in Footscray's blowout win over Williamstown.
Brayden Fiorini dominated in the Suns' win against Box Hill as he picked up 40 possessions, 10 clearances and two majors in what will surely be a performance that sees him immediately recalled to the senior side. Conversely, former pick 10 Jack Bowes amassed 30 touches and 14 clearances in what was an almighty display for the returning Sun who hasn't played a senior game in 2022 due to shoulder surgery.
Luke Dahlhaus looked the goods as he managed to rack up 25 disposals, 11 clearances and two goals, but with the Cats travelling nicely, they won't be in a hurry to recall the small forward.
Adam Tomlinson starred for Casey with 28 disposals and eight marks, proving that he's ready to slot into the senior side in the absence of Steven May.
Small forward Dan Butler made sure to steal the show with a five-goal haul for Sandringham, while ruckman Tom Cambell dominated with an astounding 50 hit-outs. Brett Ratten will definitely feel the pressure to slot these two into the best 22 if they keep up performances like this.
Key Dees quartet set to return for Swans clash
Melbourne will look to make several changes to their side after their surprise loss to Fremantle on Saturday. Coach Simon Goodwin has confirmed four players have been named as available and are all on the cards to return to action against the Swans.
Tom McDonald, James Harmes and Ed Langdon will all return this week after missing the Freo clash due to injuries.
Star defender Christian Salem will also make his long-awaited return after sustaining a knee injury in Round 1.
“We’ll get four guys back this week, which will be great,” Goodwin told SEN.
“Tommy McDonald, Christian Salem, James Harmes and Ed Langdon will all come back.”
Steven May will be forced to miss the Swans clash after sustaining a concussion. The key defender collided with teammate Jake Lever on Saturday and was substituted shortly after.
Trio concussed, bye set to aid Giants veteran
Adelaide defender Jordon Butts will miss the Crow's Round 12 clash with West Coast after sustaining a concussion in the third quarter against Geelong on Saturday.
The Crows were forced to rule their defensive tall at three-quarter time after Buts sustained a knock to the head from teammate Nick Murray's knee.
Hawthorn’s Jack Scrimshaw also suffered a concussion, with the defender set to miss the Hawk’s Round 12 clash with Collingwood.
In Saturday night's loss to the Suns, Scrimshaw was subbed out of the Darwin match in the third quarter and was replaced by Finn Maginness.
GWS’ Callum Ward was the fourth player to go down with a concussion in Round 11. The 32-year-old was substituted late in the first quarter after taking a knee to the head from Eric Hipwood in a marking contest.
Despite the incident, Ward can rest easy with the Giants having a bye this week and could potentially make a return in Round 13 against the Roos.
