There is finally some joy for Essendon fans on the injury front, while Collingwood, Brisbane and Fremantle all have important players on the road back.
All the latest...
Swans ruck a test
All-Australian contender Brodie Grundy is a test to return this week, having recovered from his concussion without issues.
Sydney play on Saturday against the Eagles, 14 days after he suffered his head knock.
Suns update on important trio
Gold Coast midfielder Bailey Humphrey will miss Friday night's clash with Port Adelaide, but is a chance of returning from his knee injury in the rescheduled match against Essendon on Wednesday.
Dan Rioli and Will Graham are also progressing well in their recovery from a leg and hamstring injury, respectively, and are pushing to be available for the Essendon match.
David Swallow, meanwhile, is likely to be available for selection this weekend.
Skipper fit for milestone match
Essendon talisman Zach Merrett has been cleared to line up in his 250th game on Friday night against Carlton.
After successful surgery on a metacarpal fracture, he has been given the all clear in a boost for the Bombers as they attempt to return to the winners' list.
Forward Liam McMahon will also be good to go after having his hand stepped on late in the Bombers' clash with St Kilda.
After being subbed off, Jayden Laverde is also set to be available, having trained fully this week.
Jordan Ridley and Archer May both remain in contention to return for Essendon's last home and away match against Gold Coast as they recover from hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively.
Premiership defender a chance to return
Important Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe is a chance to return for the Pies' top-four shaping clash against Melbourne on Friday night.
Howe was knocked out minutes into his return match from a groin injury and is progressing well through the concussion protocols.
Demon out for Pies bout
First-year Melbourne player Xavier Lindsay's season has come to an end with Melbourne confirming he will miss the clash with Collingwood.
Lindsay played 18 games in his debut season at the level.
Young Eagles a chance to return
Second year player Jack Hutchinson has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury but is a chance to return for West Coast's last match of the year.
So too is first year player Tom Gross who was ruled out of the loss to the Western Bulldogs with a calf injury.
Mixed news for reigning premiers
Forward Eric Hipwood has been ruled out of the Lions' Round 24 clash with Hawthorn due to a calf injury, which is set to sideline him for up to four weeks.
Jarrod Berry will be assessed after dislocating his shoulder against Fremantle, while Kai Lohmann will be available to play, having overcome a calf strain.
Rachele update
Adelaide small forward Josh Rachele returned to running this week but remains two to three weeks away from returning from his knee injury.
“Josh Rachele got some pleasing news from the surgeon yesterday,” Crows General Manager High Performance Darren Burgess said.
“He's able to run on the AlterG (and) he'll run on-field later this week.
“We're anticipating a 2-3 week recovery process before he's able to play.”
Meanwhile, Max Michalanney and Luke Pedlar are both one week away.
Concussed Dogs to be tested
Western Bulldogs forwards Laitham Vandermeer and Josh Dolan are both progressing well through the concussion protocol and a chance put their hands up for AFL selection.
Meanwhile, the Dogs will have a selection decision to make on Adam Treloar, who had 40 disposals in the VFL in his first match back from injury.
Fremantle pair a test
Fremantle's Hayden Young and Matthew Johnson are both a chance of returning from groin and ankle injuries, respectively.
“They (Young and Johnson) completed a game simulation session on the weekend,” the Dockers' High Performance Manager, Phil Merriman, said.
“Both are looking really good and need to get through training on Wednesday to be available for selection this weekend.”
Fringe utility James Aish, meanwhile, was a late withdrawal from Peel's WAFL match and has entered concussion protocols.
Carlton duo to miss Round 24
Carlton pair Cooper Lord and Lachie Fogarty are set to miss the Blues' Round 24 clash against Essendon.
Lord has entered concussion protocols, while Fogarty sustained a rolled ankle.
Important Giants to face fitness tests
Defender Jack Buckley and forward Brent Daniels are both a chance of returning against St Kilda this weekend.
Buckley missed last week with a minor ankle injury, while Daniels hasn't been seen at AFL level since Round 14 due to an adductor injury.
Meanwhile, first-round draftee Ollie Hannaford looks set to be a VFL inclusion after a frustrating ankle injury has plagued him for several months, after also sustaining a wrist injury earlier in the year.
Morrison a chance to return
Reliable 26-year-old Hawk Harry Morrison is a chance to return for Hawthorn's Round 24 clash with Brisbane on Sunday.
He's been sidelined with a quad injury for the past fortnight.
"Harry's made some progress over the weekend and at the end of last week," High Performance Manager Peter Burge said.
"He has progressed to running faster and started some kicking on Monday.
"We'll be progressing that over the week, there are two more training sessions left in the week.
"We'll make an assessment as to his availability over the weekend."
A return date for Josh Weddle is still to be confirmed.
Update on Power pair
Josh Sinn has been ruled out of Port Adelaide's clash with Gold Coast on Friday night after being subbed out with lower leg soreness in Round 23.
Meanwhile, Aliir Aliir will be tested later in the week after sustaining a sprained ankle against Carlton.
Richmond quartet available
Luke Trainor, Samson Ryan, Campbell Gray and Jacob Blight will all be available for selection after making it through main training.
Trainor was substituted out with hamstring soreness on the weekend, but will be available after scans revealed no issue.
Ryan is set to return from a foot injury, while Gray has had consecutive knee injuries and Blight just missed last weekend with a rolled ankle.
