Defender Jackson Thurlow and youngster Sam Simpson have travelled to Adelaide and loom as the possible replacements for Patrick Dangerfield if the Geelong superstar is unable to come up for Friday night's clash that pits the second-placed Cats against the ladder-leading Crows at Adelaide Oval.
Dangerfield has been named to face Adelaide, but has appeared unlikely to take on his former club as he recovers from a foot injury sustained in last weekend's win over Hawthorn. Tom Stewart and Scott Selwood have been named to return for the Cats, who have omitted Simpson and lost Brandan Parfitt to a hamstring issue. However Geelong said on Thursday night that Thurlow and Simpson had travelled to South Australia. Adelaide named former cricketer Alex Keath to replace star defender Jake Lever - who is out with a hamstring issue. Gun midfielder Rory Sloane has also been named despite being concussed in the win over Melbourne last weekend.
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The Demons have significantly bolstered their side for Saturday's match against Port Adelaide at the MCG, naming Jack Viney, Dom Tyson, Christian Salem and Jack Watts to return from injury, while also picking ex-skipper Jack Trengove for what looms as his first senior appearance this year. The Dees lose Bernie Vince to suspension and Dean Kent to a shoulder injury, while Josh Wagner, Cameron Pedersen and Joel Smith have been dropped.
The Power have dumped Jasper Pittard, with Matthew Broadbent returning.
The Western Bulldogs have made just one change so far for Saturday's game against Gold Coast in Cairns. Premiership captain Easton Wood returns from suspension, named to replace Jake Stringer (hamstring). Forwards Tory Dickson and Travis Cloke had both been flagged as options to replace Stringer, and have both been named as emergencies. Dickson was spotted at Melbourne airport on Thursday as the Dogs headed to Queensland, however Cloke was not seen. The Dogs are set to face a depleted Suns outfit, with champion Gary Ablett and co-captain Steven May both out of the side because of hamstring issues, while Jarryd Lyons is out because of an ankle concern. The Suns have recalled Brayden Fiorini and Jesse Lonergan, and have picked Jack Scrimshaw to make his debut.
Hawthorn have also named a debutant, including Irishman Conor Glass for the trip to Perth to take on Fremantle on Saturday night at Domain Stadium. Veteran Brendan Whitecross is back for the Hawks, with Kurt Heatherley and Kade Stewart dropped. The Dockers have named Cam McCarthy to return from suspension, while Josh Deluca has also been recalled. Fremantle have dropped inexperienced pair Luke Ryan and Brennan Cox for alcohol-related disciplinary reasons.
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Neither Richmond nor Greater Western Sydney have yet made a change for their MCG meeting on Sunday. The Tigers have added Shai Bolton, Oleg Markov and Corey Ellis to their squad, while the Giants have named star midfielder Stephen Coniglio to return from injury. The untested Will Setterfield and Isaac Cumming have also been added to the GWS squad.
Collingwood have added Rupert Wills, Levi Greenwood, Tom Phillips and Mason Cox to their squad for Sunday's match against West Coast at Etihad Stadium, with only captain Scott Pendlebury (finger) out of the side already. The Eagles have added Elliot Yeo, Thomas Cole, Fraser McInnes and Malcolm Karpany to their squad, dropping Chris Masten.
Carlton have lost Dylan Buckley (hamstring), Ciaran Byrne (groin) and Alex Silvagni (knee) for Sunday's game away to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, while Liam Sumner has been omitted. Untried forward Harry McKay and veteran Dale Thomas are among seven players added to the Blues' squad.