Western Bulldogs vs Richmondย
Wednesday, July 29, Metricon Stadium, 7.10 pmย
Team News:ย The Bulldogs bring Sam Lloyd and Toby McLean back in for Lachie Young (omitted) and Callum Porter, who injured his AC joint in his debut.ย
The Tigers have made four changes, with Daniel Rioli, Jack Graham and Patrick Nash all omitted, while Nick Vlastuin will miss through injury.ย
The Tigers welcome back fearless leader Trent Cotchin, livewire Sydney Stack, Oleg Markov and Jack Ross.ย
Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 8.ย
Melbourne vs Port Adelaide
Thursday, July 30, Gabba, 7.50 pm
Team News: There are plenty of players putting their hands up for selection for the red and blue and it could see Tom McDonald return to the fold after he kicked four goals in a scratch match.ย
Tom Sparrow, Adam Tomlinson, Alex Neal-Bullen and Joel Smith could also be in the frame for a spot on Thursday night given Angus Brayshaw's recent quiet performances.ย
Port Adelaide will be without young gun forward Todd Marshall after went down with a broken thumb in their loss to St Kilda on Saturday night.ย
It means it could see Justin Westhoff be given another opportunity despite his poor showing against the Saints.ย
Port will be sweating on Trent McKenzie (back) Cam Sutcliffe (hamstring) and Scott Lycett (knee), who all face fitness test in a bid to earn selection for Thursday night's clash with the Dees.ย
Prediction: Melbourne by 2.ย
Carlton vs Hawthornย
Friday, July 31, Optus Stadium, 5.40 pmย
Team News:ย The Blues will likely head into Friday afternoon's clash against the Hawks without forward Mitch McGovern, who they expect him to miss this week due to a hamstring injury.ย
The Blues could welcome back Harry Mckay after sustaining a minor knee injury.ย
Carlton could also drop Callum Moore in favour of small forward Zac Fisher, while Caleb Marchbank and Jack Silvagni are still battling injuries.ย
Meanwhile, Hawthorn's selection is solely based on fitness test to Jarman Impey and Luke Breust, who are both a chance to return.ย ย
Tim O'Brien and Jon Ceglar are also facing fitness tests in a bid to earn selection for Friday afternoon.ย
If they all cleared it could mean Keegan Brooksby, Darren Minchington, Josh Morris, Harry Morrison and possibly Mitch Lewis are in danger of losing their spots.ย
Finn Maginness remains in the frame for a debut in the brown and gold if the Hawks choose to drop Tom Scully.ย
Hawthorn could also shake up their forward line and bring in Dylan Moore or Ollie Hanrahan if they want to go small.ย
Prediction: Carlton by 14.ย
Essendon vs Brisbaneย
Friday, July 31, Metricon, 8.10 pmย
Team News:ย The Bombers will have two spots up for grabs, with Jayden Laverde (ankle) and Kyle Langford (suspended) both out.ย
Dylan Shiel returns from his two-game suspension, meaning the Bombers have one more spot they need to fill.ย
James Stewart, Matt Guelfi and Tom Cutler are the frontrunners to earn a reprieve.ย
Meanwhile, Brisbane will have to make wholesale changes as four players suffered injuries in their nail-biting win over the Dees, with Daniel Rich (hamstring), Ryan Lester (hamstring), Dan McStay (suspension) and Archie Smith (ankle) all set to miss.ย
It could open the spot for Noah Answerth and Alex Witherden to bolster the Lions defence.ย
Sam Skinner and Connor Ballenden could come into consideration for McStay and Smith's spots, while Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Deven Robertson could also return.ย
Prediction: Brisbane by 23.ย
North Melbourne vs Adelaideย
Saturday, August 1, Metricon Stadium, 2.35 pmย
Team News: Jamie Macmillan and Aaron Hall may be feeling the heat at the North Melbourne selection table ahead of their clash with the Crows.ย
Other players expected to push for selection include Tom Murphy, Will Walker, Paul Ahern and Aiden Bonar.ย
The Roos announced that Majak Daw will play his first game since Round 23, 2018 in a great football story.ย
Adelaide could bring in reinforcements in Riley Knight, Bryce Gibbs, Ned McHenry, Darcy Fogarty, while acting skipper Tom Doedee (hamstrong) is expected to be available.ย
The Crows though will be without Bradย Crouch after he suffered a strain injury in their loss to the Bombers.ย
Prediction: Adelaide by 4.ย
St Kilda vs Swansย
Saturday, August 1, Gabba, 5.10 pmย
Team News:ย The Saints look like they have the formula right, although could elect to make one change.ย
Jack Lonie could return after being dropped for their win against Port.ย
Josh Battle has to overcome a fitness test after recovering from a cheekbone injury, but don't be surprised if he missed due to the short turnaround.ย
Ryan Byrnesย andย Jack Bytel are knocking the door down for a spot in the midfield.ย
Sydney's George Hewett (back) could miss the next two months, while Colin O'Riordan is doubtful.ย
Will Hayward will need to face a fitness test after failing to recover from his injury in time for the Hawks last week.ย
Lewis Melican, Joel Amartey, Hayden McLean, Sam Wicks and Barry O'Connor are all available for selection with the latter two being promoted from Category B status.ย
Lewis Taylor,ย Sam Grayย and James Bell are all under pressure for their spots.ย
Prediction: St Kilda by 26.ย
West Coast vs Geelongย
Saturday, August 1, Optus Stadium, 8.10 pmย
Team News:ย The Eagles selection will be based around if Jeremy McGovern and Brendon Ah Chee can overcome fitness tests in time to face the Cats.ย
If they do pass their fitness tests it would mean that Josh Rotham and Brayden Ainsworth make way.ย
Lewis Jetta is also in frame but unlikely given that Liam Duggan, Tom Cole and Jackson Nelson are in good form.ย
For the Cats skipper, Joel Selwood is pushing for selection but he may return for their clash against North Melbourne.ย
Despite playing one game in 23 days, Jack Steven is a chance to return to the field and the Cats may even contemplate of throwing Josh Jenkins into the side for the suspended Tom Hawkins.ย
Prediction: West Coast by 23.
Gold Coast vs Greater Western Sydneyย
Sunday, August 2, Metricon Stadium, 3.35 pm
Team News:ย Despite the narrow loss to the Bulldogs last week, the Suns do not need to make any impulsive changes as they came away unscathed.ย
They may contemplate bringing in Brayden Fiorini and Sean Lemmens who have been performing well in the practice matches.
They Giants could welcome back Zac Williams, while Zac Langdon will be feeling the heat with Jackson Hately, Tom Green and Matt Buntine all knocking down the door.ย
Prediction: GWS by 16.ย
Fremantle vs Collingwoodย
Sunday, August 2, Optus Stadium, 6.10 pmย
Team News:ย Much of the Dockers selection is based on how their injured players pull up.ย
Several Dockers went down on Monday night, including Michael Walters, Sean Darcy, Blake Acres and ย Darcy Tucker.ย
Walters and Darcy are set for scans for their injuries but Fremantle will hope it was only cramp.
The good news for Fremantle is they could welcome back two-time Brownlow Medalist Nat Fyfe for Sunday night.ย
After being a late out with a hip injury, Brennan Cox could also be in the frame as he undergoes a fitness test.ย
The Pies will be without skipper Scott Pendlebury for the next two weeks after he was a late out for last week's clash with the Eagles due to quad tear.ย
They will welcome back Steele Sidebottom after serving a four-match suspension. Ben Reid and Brayden Sier are also in the mix to return.ย
Prediction: Collingwood by 33.
