North Melbourne vs Richmondย
Marvel Stadium 7:50pm (AEST) Friday May 31
Team news: Big man Ivan Soldo has served his one-week suspension and will likely come into the side for Callum Coleman-Jones. Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin is set for his first match since round three after nursing a hamstring injury, with fringe player Connor Menadue a chance to be omitted as the Tigers boost their midfield stock.
First selection table for interim coach Rhyce Shaw, who has former Suns mid Aaron Hall knocking on his door. Hall had 30 disposals and nine tackles in the VFL, and is the only glaring option out of the Roos camp. Young contested ball-winners Luke Davies-Uniacke (shoulder) and Paul Ahern (knee) will face fitness tests.
Prediction: Tigers by 33
Collingwood vs Fremantleย
MCG 1:45pm (AEST) Saturday June 1
Team news: Pies fans will be delighted to see key trio Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Mason Cox return to action, however, both Adams (adductor) and Wells (knee) become unavailable. Omissions might come for Jack Madgen, Rupert Wills and Ben Reid, as coach Nathan Buckley leans towards one of Cox or Reid up forward.
Ross Lyon will be pleased with his side's gallant one-point victory against the Lions, and there aren't any obvious inclusions. Young ruck Sean Darcy (ankle) has made formidable improvement in recent days, but will need time. As will the pacey Stephen Hill (quad), who is listed as two weeks away from his return.
Prediction: Collingwood by 13
Greater Western Sydney vs Gold Coast
Giants Stadium 1:45pm (AEST) Saturday June 1
Team News: Jackson Hately continues to shine in the NEAFL with a 36-possession game last week, and will come into the side if Stephen Coniglio fails to come up from a corked thigh. Defender Aidan Corr has recovered from his ankle concern, and could force youngster Isaac Cumming out of the side.
Livewire mid Ben Ainsworth will require foot surgery that will see him miss the next six games. While the Suns will try to limit any drastic changes, both Will Brodie and George Horlin-Smith have been in excellent form in the NEAFL, warranting a potential return to replace the injured Ainsworth.
Prediction: Giants by 42
Geelong vs Sydneyย
GMHBA Stadium 4:35pm (AEST) Saturday June 1
Team news: Chris Scott would be pleased with some performances out of the VFL, but shouldn't look to make too many movements. From one Brownlow medalist to the other, Patrick Dangerfield will return to the side to replace the suspended Gary Ablett. Experienced mid Cam Guthrie (hip) looms as a potential out, with all of Scott Selwood, Lachie Fogarty and Zac Guthrie putting their hand up.
If proven fit, veteran star Jarrad McVeigh will be handy against the Cats to replace the out-of-form Robbie Fox. For what could be his first game in new colours (and against his former side), forward Daniel Menzel booted five goals in the NEAFL and is a chance for selection. Co-captain Josh Kennedy (knee) is expected to miss a month, and either Menzel or James Rowbottom (31 touches in the NEAFL) are set to replace him.
Prediction: Cats by 19
Brisbane vs Hawthorn
Gabba 7:25pm (AEST) Saturday June 1
Team news: After yet another defeat by the narrowest of margins, the Lions return home against the Hawks and will look at making just the singular change. Rhys Mathieson served his one-week suspension, and will be crucial against a strong Hawks midfield. The man known as 'beast mode' will likely replace Lewis Taylor, Lincoln McCarthy or Cam Rayner who have all been quiet recently.
For the Hawks, they'll weigh up the option of Marc Pittonet who was the second ruck against Port Adelaide last week. However, he might be forced out of the side if emerging forward Mitch Lewis (concussion) proves fit. Jack Scrimshaw will miss up to six weeks with a knee injury, but it'll be a silver lining for fellow defender Kaiden Brand, who recorded a sublime 30 disposals and 19 marks in the reserves.
Prediction: Lions by 5
Melbourne vs Adelaideย
TIO Stadium 7:40pm (AEST) Saturday June 1
Team News: The Demons will have patience with Jake Lever, who returned to VFL action last week following his knee reconstruction late last year. Sam Weideman impressed with three goals for Casey, while both Christian Salem and Alex Neal-Bullen are good to go after recovering from concussion. Up forward, we could see Weideman and Neal-Bullen replace Charlie Spargo and Tim Smith, while Salem will likely come in for Harrison Petty.
Fitness tests will judge the selection of injured pair Matt Crouch and Tom Lynch, while Josh Jenkins and Bryce Gibbs still await a return game. Young forwards Chayce Jones and Jordan Gallucci are two names who may be culled especially with David McKay almost certain to return following illness.
Prediction: Demons by 9
St Kilda vs Port Adelaideย
Jiangwan Stadium (China) 2:20pm (AEST)ย Sunday June 2
Team News: Saints fans will be begging for Hunter Clark (29 disposals) to be named. the youngster had another sublime game for Sandringham last week. Captain courageous Jarryn Geary is a chance to play following quad surgery, but he'll need to prove himself fit first. Robbie Young didn't have a big impact against the Blues, so too Ed Phillps. Clark for Phillips is the obvious decision.
Both clubs will utilise their four travelling emergencies on their trip overseas. Ruckman Scott Lycett (adductor) is good to go for his Shangai debut. Both Ryan Burton and Tom Rockliff have travelled, although Burton will play, while Rocklif won't. Will Drew was solid again in the SANFL. Peter Ladhams to come out of the side, so too Billy Frampton for either Todd Marshall or Burton.
Prediction: Power by 4
Essendon vs Carltonย
MCG 3:20pm (AEST) Sunday June 2
Team news: Old rivals will meet again on Sunday afternoon, with plenty of injury concerns for John Worsfold's side. Jake Stringer (hamstring) becomes another casualty, while star recruit Dylan Shiel is hoping to get up from a hamstring niggle. David Myers and Mark Baguley are the like-for-like options, but don't be surprised if Dylan Clarke gets a call-up following decent VFL form.
Will Setterfield recorded 23 disposals for the Northern Blues, but it's developing Blue Paddy Kerr who is the talk of the town. Kerr could see his first senior action for the season pending the fitness of Mitch McGovern (ankle). Injured defenders Tom Williamson and Liam Jones won't be rushed back in a hurry. Former Magpie Alex Fasolo could come in for Jack Silvagni, who struggled against the Saints.
Prediction: Carlton by 10
West Coast vs Western Bulldogs
Optus Stadium 5:20pm (AEST) Sunday June 2
Team news: The Eagles are flying high at the minute, and won't make any drastic changes to their winning side. Small defender Lewis Jetta served a one-match ban and is the obvious player to come in. Jackson Nelson was a straight swap for Jetta last week, and we could see this exact change.
The Dogs have confirmed two outs, with Mitch Wallis (ankle) and Hayden Crozier (toe) set to be sidelined. Third-year defender Lewis Young is an option following decent VFL form, yet first-year Lachie Young is very similar to the injured Crozier, and could beat his surname-counterpart. Lukas Webb has starred for Footscray all year and should replace Wallis.
Prediction: West Coast by 26
