Byes are right around the corner, and clubs will be looking to use the incoming week's break to refresh their list and pounce into good form for the back-end of the season.
With Round 11 in our sights, here's who could be in the mix for selection for the weekend.
For all listed injuries, visit ourย INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONSย page.
Jones inching closer to AFL returnย
Harrison Jones is expected to make his AFL return this weekend after being named in Essendon's side to face Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
The young forward is yet to play a game in 2022 after suffering from ongoing ankle injuries but has trained strongly over the last month, with Essendon coach Ben Rutten confirming the 21-year-old is likely to return should he get through training.
"We need to get him back on the track, build him up making sure we want to get him back for the rest of the season," Rutten said
"This week it's probably likely he will come back in, but we have to get through training.
"He's done everything he needs to over the past month."
Demons forward to miss Freo clashย
Tom McDonald is set to miss Melbourne's Saturday afternoon clash against Fremantle with an ankle complaint, though is expected to return in Round 12.
Alan Richardson, Melbourne's GM of AFL Football Performance, confirmed that the key forward would be watching the anticipated clash from the sidelines.
"Tom has some ankle soreness, which meant he wasnโt able to get through our final training session this morning," Richardson told club media.
"We will monitor Tom over the next few days, but at this stage, weโre hopeful he will be available next week.โ
Sam Weideman has joined the starting 22 in McDonald's place, with Mitch Brown added to the emergency list.
Tom McDonald will miss tomorrow's clash against Fremantle.
๐ | https://t.co/MdHlYOXMxH
— Narrm Demons (@melbournefc) May 27, 2022
Thursday May 26 ....
Second Swan to debut
Sydney appears set to blood their second debutant for the 2022 season, with the news hard-nosed midfielder Matt Roberts is set to be included for Sydney's Round 11 clash with the Tigers on Friday night.
The South Australian made his way to the Harbour City with the 34th pick of the 2021 National Draft after carving out a sound resume at both SANFL senior and reserves levels with South Adelaide.
Reports of the midfielder's inclusion first arose following a tweet from News Corp's Marc McGowan.
The Swans will pick a second debutant this year on Friday night. Tough midfielder Matt Roberts set to make his debut, after Angus Sheldrick played in the first couple of rounds
— Marc McGowan ๐ฃโ๏ธ๐จ๐ปโ๐ป๐ฐ (@ByMarcMcGowan) May 26, 2022
The Langhorne Creek product will join Angus Sheldrick as Sydney's only cygnets to have earned a start during their debut season.
Given Roberts is listed as a 184cm and 84kg ball-winner who holds the ability to float forward and impact the scoreboard, it is clear that even at this early stage, the 18-year-old fits John Longmire's offensive mold
Returning Saint placed in COVID protocols
St Kilda have suffered their second selection setback of the week due to AFL's health and safety protocols, with defensive onballer Hunter Clark understood to be placed in isolation.
According toย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary, Clark will join forward Jack Higgins in COVID protocols ahead of the club's matchup with North Melbourne on Sunday.
Clark has been pushing for his first game of the season after battling a shoulder injury sustained in the pre-season, having pieced together a strong run of form in the VFL with Sandringham.
Hunter Clark will need to wait at least another week to make his AFL return, heโs entered COVID protocols @7AFL @7NewsMelbourne
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) May 26, 2022
The setback will see Clark have to wait until Round 13 at the earliest for his return, with St Kilda scheduled to have their bye next week.
Like Clark, Ryan Byrnes has pieced together a strong stint in the VFL and could be in line for a call-up to Brett Ratten's side for this weekend with Clark now out of the picture.
Giants weigh up multiple changes for Brisbane bout
Greater Western Sydney will welcome defender Lachie Ash back from illness, while the likes of Nick Haynes and Braydon Preuss remain a test ahead of selection.
The trio were all ruled out of last week's win over the Eagles due to the sickness, with the Giants having made a total of nine changes for the Round 10 encounter.
Ahead of Saturday's clash with Brisbane, GWS assistant Amon Buchanan confirmed Ash's inclusion, however the certainty of returns for Preuss and Haynes wasn't as clear.
Should Preuss return, Buchanan flagged his side could return to pairing the journeyman with fellow ruckman Matt Flynn to combat the Lions' aerial dominance.
Buchanan also confirmed Harry Himmelberg is likely to retain his place in Mark McVeigh's back six for this weekend.
Midfield duo Tim Taranto (back) and Lachie Whitfield (ankle) will remain sidelined and will gain extra rest from next week's bye.
Wednesday, May 25...
Demons to make midfield shuffle, late call on winger
Melbourne will welcome back Jack Viney for this weekend's matchup against Fremantle.
Viney was a late withdrawal from his side's win over North Melbourne due to a hamstring issue, having been replaced in Simon Goodwin's sid eby Luke Dunstan.
Goodwin confirmed midweek that the premiership onballer will return to Demons' 22, while the certainty of Ed Langdon's selection isn't as secure.
Langdon suffered a rib injury after being on the end of a crunching tackle that forced him out of the Round 10 win over the Roos, with Goodwin stating the wingman will be given until the final hour to prove his fitness this weekend.
Saturday's clash with the Dockers may see Langdon line up against his former side, with the two clubs both set to compete deep into the 2022 season.
Dogs lock in ruckman, small forward a chance
The Western Bulldogs will welcome the return of ruckman Tim English for this weekend's matchup with the Eagles.
English has missed the past month with hamstring and illness setbacks, with emerging tall Jordon Sweet stepping in as his replacement in recent weeks.
Dogs senior coach Luke Beveridge didn't rule out a partnership of Sweet and English to take on West Coast, with the former having impressed in his short stint at AFL level.
Beveridge has also flagged livewire forward Cody Weightman could make his return from a broken collarbone sustained against Port Adelaide in Round 8, while Taylor Duryea is also in the frame after overcoming an illness.
Duryea's likely return could see first-year backman Luke Cleary shuffled out of Beveridge's side for this weekend.
Crows veteran to miss Cats clash under H&S protocols
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker has reportedly been placed under AFL health and safety protocols, according toย 7 News'ย Theo Doropoulos.
The required isolation will see the veterans spearhead miss Saturday's match against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Taylor Walker is out of Saturdayโs clash with Geelong under the AFLโs Health and Safety protocols. @7NewsAdelaide
— Theo Doropoulos (@TheoDrop) May 25, 2022
The Crows are likely to be without fellow forward Josh Rachele due to a corked thigh sustained in Round 10, while ruckman Reilly O'Brien firms as a potential inclusion after a dominant run in the reserves following his axing two weeks ago.
Doropoulos has flagged that O'Brien has trained with the senior side this week, while midfielder Matt Crouch remains outside of the main group.
Recruit Jordan Dawson has been cleared to face the Cats after suffering an eardrum injury in the past week.
Giants star in doubt, midfield gun set to miss again
Greater Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield remains a doubtful chance to feature in Saturday's clash with Brisbane.
Whitfield was ruled out of last week's win over West Coast due to an ankle issue, with the club tasting their best and fairest winner is still required to prove his fitness ahead of Round 11.
Fellow midfielder Tim Taranto has been ruled out of a return after being a late out in Round 10 due to a back injury, while Lachie Ash, Braydon Preuss and Nick Haynes are all expected to return from illness.
Both Taranto and first-year midfielder Finn Callaghan are listed to be another week away from returning to Mark McVeigh's side.
Blue cleared to continue comeback trail, forward a test
Luckless Carlton defender Caleb Marchbank has been cleared of any serious damage to his knee following an incident in Sunday's VFL hitout against Sandringham.
Having been placed on a long path back from multiple ACL setbacks, fresh fears sparked for the former Giant when he suffered a knock to his knee on the weekend and did not play out the match.
The Blues have since confirmed that Marchbank has avoided serious damage to his knee, and will be further assessed in the coming days.
Marchbank remains a chance to play against the Northern Bullants on Sunday, but could be rested and return after the club's Round 11 bye.
The Blues will be hopeful to see Marchbank back in their AFL side in 2022, having had their defensive stocks hampered with injury across the course of the year.
Meanwhile, Jack Martin is a test to feature against Collingwood this week after recovering from a calf injury, while Jack Newnes will also need to prove his fitness after battling with soreness.
Tuesday, May 24...
Saint placed in H&S protocolsย
St Kilda forward Jack Higgins will have to wait for his return from concussion after being forced to enter AFL health and safety protocols.
The lively forward missed his side's win over Adelaide on Saturday after suffering a head knock against Geelong the week prior, having been forced to undergo the required 12 days out of action.
The concussion was Higgins' second of the season, hampering a strong start to the 2022 season for the former Tiger, who has booted 16 goals from eight games.
The 23-year-old was in line to return to Brett Ratten's side for their upcoming clash with North Melbourne on Sunday, however will miss due to the league's COVID policies, the cliubn confirmed on Tuersday.
The Saints are set to weigh up a number of potential changes for this weekend, with young duo Hunter Clark and Ryan Byrnes pressing their case for a reprieve with strong form in the VFL.
St Kilda recorded no injuries in their win over Adelaide.
Adelaide rookie a test for Cats clash
Young Crows forward Josh Rachele will need to prove his fitness in the coming days ahead of Saturday's matchup with Geelong at Kardinia Park.
Rachele suffered a corked thigh in his side's Round 10 loss to St Kilda and was subsequently subbed out of the match in the final term.
On Tuesday the club confirmed their top draftee would need to pass fitness tests at training to be in line for this weekend.
โJosh sustained a reasonable quad cork and heโll be managed this week and weโll see how he goes,โ Crows high performance manager Darren Burgess said.
โWeโll give him every chance to come up for the weekend, he will do a modified session on Wednesday and give him every chance to train on Friday and play on Saturday.โ
The Crows could look to make several changes this week after recording four-straight losses, with past best and fairest winners Reilly O'Brien and Matt Crouch both dominating in the reserves on the weekend.
Monday, May 23...
Lions to gain forward, but Joe still sidelined
Brisbane are set to receive a boost this week with key forward Daniel McStay likely to make his return to action against GWS on Saturday.
McStay sustained an injury to his ankle against West Coast in Round 8, causing him to miss the last two games as a result.
He'll need to make it through the Lions' Thursday training session unscathed in order to be considered to for the Gabba game.
The Lions are still set to be without Joe Daniher, who is currently recovering from a shoulder injury. The 28-year-old is expected to make a return to action in around three weeks, potentially lining him up to return for Brisbaneโs Round 13 matchup against the Saints.
Hawks' ruck worry ahead of NT tripย
Hawthorn are likely to be without all three of their ruckman for this weekend's clash with the Suns after young tall Max Lynch underwent and failed a concussion test.
Sam Mitchell is already without Ned Reeves (shoulder) and Ben McEvoy (neck) through injury, with Lynch adding to the club's casualty ward.
Lynch suffered a worrying head knock late in the win over the Lions, with the former magpie playing no further part in the game.
According toย AFL.com.au,ย Lynch failed a concussion test on Monday and has been ruled out of the trip to face Gold Coast at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
More ruck issues at @HawthornFC. Max Lynch has entered concussion protocols and will miss the trip to the NT to face Gold Coast. He went through a test at Waverley Park today after copping a head knock late against Brisbane. More to come @AFLcomau
— Josh Gabelich (@JoshGabelich) May 23, 2022
The Hawks have no other listed ruckman on their list, with Jacob Koschitzke and Connor Nash likely to be relied on in the middle.
Cavalry returning for Bevo's Bulldogsย
The Western Bulldogs are anticipating the return of several key names ahead of their trip to face West Coast on Saturday.
Duo Tim English and Taylor Duryea will return after a bout of illness, while defender Jason Johannisen is hoping to be back in the frame after battling his own illness and a calf injury.
โTaylor and Tim were able to complete a game like training session on the weekend,โ Bulldogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell told the club's website.
โBoth players are back to full energy and knocking down the door to be considered this week.โ
โIf both get through training this week like I expect, both will return to availability.โ
โJason Johannisen is a day or two behind (with a similar illness) but has turned the corner and is back into a full training model.โ
Young forward Cody Weightman is progressing quicker than expected in his recovery from a broken collarbone sustained in Round 8 against Port Adelaide.
The Bulldogs livewire will face further tests this week in hope of
โCody has progressed faster than expected following his collarbone fracture,โ Bell said.
โHe has regained full function and strength of his shoulder and the surgeon is happy with his progress.
โHe still needs to tick some boxes throughout this week and get through a solid main training session on Wednesday before we decide if he returns to availability this weekend.โ
The Bulldogs recorded no casualties in their win over the Suns on Saturday, prompting further pressure at selection for Luke Beveridge.
Positive signs for hamstrung Tigerย
Richmond are expected to be buoyed by the results of Tom Lynch's hamstring scans, with the ailment reportedly not as damaging as initially feared.
Lynch had his night end early after suffering the injury in Saturday's win over Essendon, sparking fresh fears for the in-form spearhead.
According toย SEN'sย Sam Edmund, the Richmond forward is unlikely to spend an extended period on the sidelines with the setback.
In good news for Richmond, the Tom Lynch hamstring is on the minor end of the scale. Certainly not a recurrence of the pre-season tear that cost him weeks. Sydney and the bye to come in the next fortnight.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) May 23, 2022
The news comes at a critical time in Richmond's season, with the Tigers to face the Swans, Power, Blues and Cats in the coming month, as well as a bye in Round 12.
Lynch is expected to be sidelined for Friday's meeting with the Swans, with Damien Hardwick sure to look toward potential forward reinforcements.
Small forward Sydney Stack had a field day for the Tigersโ VFL side, with three goals and 17 disposals, while Noah Cumberland was almost equal to him with three goals and 16 disposals of his own.
The Tigers are likely to welcome Jack Graham back into their side, while veteran midfielder Kane Lambert is anticipated to miss due to a hip complaint.
Saint and Crow among reserves standoutsย
A return for Hunter Clark is more than likely as the classy midfielder took over for Sandringham in the VFL. Clark gathered a solid 28 disposals, with 14 kicks and 14 handballs.
Ryan Byrnes also put in a more than solid shift with a game-high 30 disposals, putting his name up for selection.
Charlie Dixon is another name who stood up in the reserves, with a return for the big forward definitely on the cards after yet another solid performance for Port Adelaide in the SANFL.
Dixon booted three goals while managing 16 possessions and four marks, and will likely make his return for the first team in the coming weeks.
Xavier Duursma also put his hand up for a recall, with a best on ground performance consisting of 29 disposals and two goals likely to get his name back into the first team after being dropped in Round 9.
Charlie Constable put on an eye-catching performance for the Suns in the VFL. The off-season recruit managed an impressive 35 disposals in the Sunsโ 25 point win against Footscray.
2020 number one draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was a standout for the losing team, kicking three goals alongside 12 disposals.
Reilly O'Brien is the last of the big names to have standout weeks in the reserves. OโBrien took over for Adelaide on the SANFL with an incredible 37 disposals, 42 hit-outs, 11 marks, 13 clearances and a goal. Matt Crouch also put up impressive numbers with 35 disposals and seven clearances.
Options aplenty for Swans' Kennedy void
The Swans will look to replace star midfielder Josh Kennedy this week after the veteran suffered a serious hamstring injury in attempting a late spoil on Carlton defender Sam Docherty.
The late spoil also resulted in Kennedyโs elbow making contact with Dochertyโs head, putting him under report, with the tribunal ruling a one-week suspension. The injury and suspension combination will ensure the veteran will face an extended period of time on the sidelines.
James Rowbottom will return to the side after sitting out the Carlton clash due to receiving a one-game suspension during Sydneyโs Round 9 match against Essendon.
Ryan Clarke is one name putting his hand up for a return to action after recording 36 disposals, eight makes and four tackles for the Swans' VFL side, while Joel Amarteyโs four-goal effort is also unlikely to go unnoticed. Sam Reid also impressed with a solid 14 marks and two goals.
Ben Ronke put up a solid performance himself with 22 disposals and two goals, while Robbie Fox, Dylan Stephens and Lewis Taylor were among the leading ball winners, meaning the Swans lack no options in terms of a Kennedy replacement.
