Players in the mix for ROUND 6

[Ricochet]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/134583/default.aspx

ADELAIDE
Sam Shaw could be included in the side to face the Swans after his late withdrawal from the Showdown with a hamstring complaint. Jason Porplyzia was also a late change, suffering a strained deltoid muscle and, along with captain Nathan van Berlo (thigh), will be closely watched during the week. Luke Brown was solid for Norwood, Lewis Johnston for North Adelaide, Brad Symes for Central District and Tom Lynch was good in defence for Glenelg.
- Harry Thring

BRISBANE LIONS
James Polkinghorne just can't get over his nagging ankle injury but is again expected to be right to take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The hard-at-it midfielder was a late scratching for the second week in succession against Geelong but is close to being right again. Claye Beams (back) and Ryan Harwood are also a chance with the suspension of tagger Andrew Raines.
-Michael Whiting

CARLTON
Brett Ratten has flagged the possibility of resting key players against the Giants with Chris Judd, Heath Scotland, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs all in the group of high-volume runners to be considered for a spell. Chris Yarran missed last week with a toe injury and won't be rushed back. David Ellard, Paul Bower, Josh Bootsma and Brock McLean were all listed in the Northern Blues' best players in the heavy loss to Port Melbourne at the weekend. Ruckman Robbie Warnock is regaining match fitness and could be brought in to give Matthew Kreuzer a rest.
- Jason Phelan

COLLINGWOOD
Alan Didak is a likely starter after three VFL games, while Ben Reid and Heath Shaw trained on Tuesday and are considered in the mix, along with Dale Thomas. Thomas ran laps in the same session but the Pies have another hit-out before Friday for him to really put his hand up. Chris Tarrant remains a few weeks away with a VFL appearance scheduled for next weekend. Nathan Brown looks likely to hold his spot after pulling up well from his first game on Anzac Day.
-Jennifer Witham

ESSENDON
The Bombers will have enjoyed a 10-day break before meeting the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, but Michael Hibberd will miss with the hamstring injury he suffered on Anzac Day. The defender will likely to be replaced by Courtenay Dempsey, who is expected to be available after hamstring tightness. Travis Colyer appears certain to come back into the seniors after impressing for Bendigo in the VFL last week, while Mark McVeigh is also expected to be available after three weeks out with a calf injury.
-Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE
Star ruckman Aaron Sandilands will be given all week to prove his fitness, with coach Ross Lyon labeling him a 50-50 chance to return from a knee injury in round six. Mature-age rookie Lee Spurr was last week upgraded to the senior list and the half-back could make his debut if Fremantle makes further changes against Gold Coast. Defenders Dylan Roberton and Alex Silvagni are also pressing strong claims from the WAFL, while Kepler Bradley is available if changes are made to a misfiring forward line.
-Nathan Schmook 

GEELONG
Small forward Mathew Stokes will miss Saturday's clash with Melbourne due to an ankle injury, but midfielder James Kelly and veteran defender David Wojcinksi are expected to return. Groin soreness has sidelined Kelly for the past two weeks, while Wojcinski is yet to play an AFL game this year after he was dogged by a foot problem during the pre-season. Wojcinksi was among the best players in the Cats' VFL team's 86-point win over Bendigo on the weekend. Mitch Brown was another standout performer with nine goals, while ruckman Orren Stephenson also pressed his claims.
-Adam McNicol

GOLD COAST
After initially fearing a longer layoff, midfielder Michael Rischitelli is racing the clock to be fit to play Fremantle at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. Rischitelli's ankle injury suffered at training last week has improved significantly and puts him in the frame for selection. Coach Guy McKenna would be loathe to make too many changes after such a competitive effort against North Melbourne, but young defender Steven May could come into contention.
-Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
The Giants are hoping to inject some experience into the side this week and they will need every bit of it as they prepare for their first AFL trip to Etihad Stadium to take on Carlton. Chad Cornes and Dean Brogan should return after being rested last week, while former Blue Setanta O'hAilpin is also in contention to make his GWS debut after an injury-plagued pre-season. Against the Western Bulldogs Jeremy Cameron showed the benefit of having the previous week off and it is a policy coach Kevin Sheedy will continue with his young squad.
-James Dampney

HAWTHORN
Defender Grant Birchall is a near-certain starter against St Kilda on Saturday night after withdrawing late from the Hawks' past two matches with knee soreness. Isaac Smith may also be available following three weeks on the sidelines with calf and back issues. Rookie Tom Schneider has made a superb start to the season at VFL level, inching him towards a senior promotion.
-Mark Macgugan

MELBOURNE
The Demons will be strengthened by the likely return of key forward Mitch Clark, who missed last week because of concussion. All Australian defender James Frawley was a late withdrawal on Saturday night due to a calf injury, and will face a test at the end of the week in an effort to prove his fitness. The Demons remain hopeful he will be right to play but he is no certainty. Former captain Brad Green remains on the sidelines for another week after a finger operation, however the Demons' injury list is shortening. Liam Jurrah will play in the VFL as he returns from a wrist injury, while Stefan Martin (hip), James Strauss (leg) and Jordan Gysberts (ankle) all face tests in order to play in the VFL this week as well. Jamie Bennell and Ricky Petterd played well for Casey on Sunday and will be in contention for selection.
-Peter Ryan

NORTH MELBOURNE
After just one game in the VFL, Todd Goldstein is a strong chance to return to partner Hamish McIntosh against star Eagles ruck duo Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui. Goldstein had a remarkable 64 hit-outs for North Ballarat last Sunday, along with 22 disposals (13 contested), six marks and two goals. Tall defender Cam Delaney (17 disposals and eight marks) and first-round 2011 draftee Brad McKenzie (20 possessions) also impressed for the Roosters. Ben Warren was the Kangaroos' best player for Werribee last Sunday, kicking six goals, while Cameron Pedersen (24 possessions) continued his good recent form and key defender Nathan Grima took another step in his comeback from injury.
-Nick Bowen

PORT ADELAIDE
Key forward Jay Schulz will miss Sunday's clash against Richmond with a scratched eye, while Chad Wingard will miss at least two weeks with a grade two AC joint shoulder injury. Daniel Stewart is likely to return to the side to cover Schulz after narrowly missing selection last Sunday. Cameron Hitchcock and Brett Ebert put their hands up for the small forward's spot with four and five goals apiece, while Matt Thomas impressed for Norwood.
- Harry Thring

RICHMOND
A feature of Richmond's season has been how little the team has changed from week to week despite the club losing four of its opening five games. The Tigers' hierarchy has clearly approved the team's performances and they're likely to have done so again after the spirited 10-point loss to West Coast. Half-back Matt Dea would be terribly unlucky to be demoted after being injured in his first game back in the senior team. Running playmaker Matt White would also be unlucky after coming on as the substitute during the third quarter. Shane Edwards would be the most likely to replace either if he could pass a fitness test on his injured calf. Jeromey Webberley, who hasn't put a foot wrong in the VFL, would also be a chance.
-Paul Daffey

ST KILDA
Justin Koschitzke has served his one-match suspension and should slot straight back into the team even though his replacement Beau Wilkes was more than serviceable in his debut match for the Saints. Small forward Ahmed Saad pushed his case with three goals for VFL team Sandringham last week, while Brett Peake continues to put his hand up for a recall to the senior team. Farren Ray and Arryn Siposs also look to be outside chances for a promotion this week.
-Luke Holmesby

SYDNEY SWANS
Whenever Nick Malceski picks up a knee problem, it is automatically reason for concern. But the club says he didn't suffer any structural damage against Hawthorn and could retain his place this week. Likewise Lewis Roberts-Thomson must have a target on his right cheekbone, which took another knock in his return from a cheekbone fracture against the Hawks, although scans were also clear. Campbell Heath and Mitch Morton are doing well for the reserves and Tommy Walsh is close to a Swans debut, but it will be hard for John Longmire to make too many changes to an unbeaten team.
-James Dampney

WEST COAST
Young defender Jacob Brennan has been on the cusp of selection for a number of weeks and he could get his chance against North Melbourne after Will Schofield accepted a two-match suspension. The Eagles are confident key defender Eric Mackenzie (ear infection) will return, replacing Mitch Brown (eye), but star forward Josh Kennedy (ankle) is in some doubt. Key tall Fraser McInnes could replace Kennedy and make his debut if the Eagles choose to retain their tall forward structure, otherwise Brad Sheppard is an option after an impressive fortnight in the midfield for East Fremantle.
-Nathan Schmook

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Daniel Giansiracusa is expected to return for Friday night's clash with Collingwood after having the weekend off with general soreness, while fellow veteran Ryan Hargrave (hip) and Lukas Markovic (hamstring) will face fitness tests. Tall forward Tom Hill continued his impressive development with four goals in the VFL and Tory Dickson, who played the opening two rounds, slotted three. Clay Smith, after two weeks out of the Dogs line-up, could also be in line for a recall, while the pacy and polished Jason Tutt is getting closer to playing his first game for the season.
-Ben Collins

[MTTY]

Good to see James Strauss recovering well. Horrible way to end his season last year.

[Justin Bieber]

Luke Brown interesting :)

Lee Spurr :)

The Big O looked strong  :D

Defender Grant Birchall is a near-certain starter against St Kilda on Saturday night after withdrawing late from the Hawks' past two matches with knee soreness

Come back strong mate  :-* haha

Doesn't look like Couch will get a game :)

HMac owners beware.

YES! Gia is back haha, but Hargrave a maybe ???

That's what I took from the "In the Mix".

[tbagrocks]

problem about the birch is already got 4 round 13 backs :(
wonder if delaney will get a game?
there's really no room for brown atm, Reilly, Dogga, stiffy. However if VB misses could be a chance

[nickstiges]

Sure hope the Blues don't rest Scotland, won't have anyone to cover him  :-\

[matt1985]

Sure hope the Blues don't rest Scotland, won't have anyone to cover him  :-\

+1

I'll be gutted if they rest Scotland and Murphy! They could both get 130+ if they play this weekend, will hurt not picking up their nice scores :(

[Mr.Craig]

Goldstein had a remarkable 64 hit-outs for North Ballarat last Sunday, along with 22 disposals (13 contested), six marks and two goals.

Whoa. :o