Round 10 begins with a mouth-watering contest between Port Adelaide and Melbourne on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
Adelaide travel to Ballarat to take on the Western Bulldogs at MARS Stadium, while Geelong head west to face Fremantle.
QClash 24 is set for Saturday night as the Dreamtime at the G between Essendon and Richmond is a feature.
A traditional Sunday afternoon clash with arch rivals Collingwood and Carlton journeying to the home of football also looks spicy.
MORE: Injury List: Collingwood set to welcome back ruckman as North cop massive whack
Port Adelaide vs Melbourne teams
Todd Marshall suffered his second concussion for the year and will miss this week’s clash.
However, Charlie Dixon – who was a late out last week – is likely to be his replacement for a club that is on a six-game win streak.
Jackson Mead or Kane Farrell could be dropped for Darcy Byrne-Jones while Scott Lycett will be considered to combat the Gawn-Grundy combination.
Brynn Teakle will have a nervous wait.
Melbourne will need to make at least two changes to cover for Harrison Petty (ankle) and Tom Sparrow (suspension).
Tom McDonald is the likely replacement for Petty while Simon Goodwin will toss up between James Jordon or James Harmes for Sparrow’s absence.
Christian Salem is slowly making his way back but is at least another week off and could play VFL.
North Melbourne vs Sydney teams
North Melbourne were struck down by injuries and could make up to six changes.
Luke Davies-Uniacke (hamstring), Jack Mahony (shoulder), Flynn Perez (concussion), Darcy Tucker (hamstring), Cam Zurhaar (face) and Aidan Corr (suspension) are all out of the senior side this weekend.
Josh Goater (knee) and Lachie Young (concussion) are also unavailable, leaving the club relatively bare.
It means that the Kangaroos could unveil George Wardlaw for his first AFL game while Callum Coleman-Jones, Ben Cunnington, Will Phillips and Dan Howe are likely to be called on.
Charlie Lazzaro and Aaron Hall are also options if Alastair Clarkson needs.
Sydney’s injury list continues to grow to key players as co-captain Callum Mills and Logan McDonald were added.
Angus Sheldrick and Dylan Stephens have been super in the reserves and will be in consideration while Lewis Melican and Sam Wicks have successfully returned from injury.
Unlikely to see any omissions given the lack of availability to key personnel.
Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide teams
Josh Bruce is expected to be available for round 10 and will be considered for Saturday’s game.
Debutante James O’Donnell could face the axe while Ryan Gardner did his job and is likely to keep his spot.
Tim O’Brien is an option as well.
Adelaide are set to welcome back key defender Nick Murray to combat the tall forward line of the Bulldogs.
Murray will replace injured teammate Tom Doedee (concussion), which is likely to be the only change to the team who dismantled St Kilda last week.
Matt Crouch and Jackson Hately are impressing in the SANFL while Ned McHenry could be promoted to the starting 22 given his impact after coming on as the sub.
(Walyalup) Fremantle vs Geelong teams
Nat Fyfe has bided his time as the sub in the past fortnight and is ready to play a full game.
After an impressive win against Sydney at the SCG, Justin Longmuir will find it hard to make changes but could look at Ethan Hughes, who was quiet.
Neil Erasmus has been strong through the midfield but could be another option for Fyfe while Matthew Johnson returns from suspension and his prior form warrants an immediate selection.
As for Geelong, they will welcome back Brad Close from suspension.
Jack Henry and Sam de Koning will be looked at to bolster the backline as Tyson Stengle is nearing a return.
Brandan Parfitt got the nod last week and is the likely one to face the chopping block while Oliver Henry will be pulled from the side with injury.
Oliver Dempsey underperformed against the Tigers and is another who might miss out.
Brisbane vs Gold Coast teams
After six wins on the trot and no new injury concerns, coach Chris Fagan would be foolish to change a winning combination.
Daniel Rich is still a fortnight away and Darcy Gardiner is building in the VFL as he returns from injury.
Their opponents, Gold Coast, will hope forwards Ben Ainsworth and Nick Holman put their hand up for selection after missing a fortnight.
Levi Casboult could come into the mix after he was rested while Sam Flanders continues to impress in the VFL.
But who will come out?
Mac Andrew only gathered seven disposals as the Suns ran riot over the Eagles while forwards Tom Berry and Hewago Oea were goalless in the 70-point win.
Stuart Dew has also shown he’s not afraid to drop an experienced player as Brandon Ellis failed to make an impact from 84 per cent game time.
Essendon vs Richmond teams
Jordan Ridley and Jake Kelly are set to return from concussion protocols for the crucial clash against Richmond.
Kaine Baldwin was brought into the side last week as a key defender but will quickly make room as will Massimo D’Ambrosio.
Will Snelling is pushing his case for a senior return and could replace the quiet Jye Menzie or Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti.
As for Richmond, they will miss Jacob Hopper with Jack Graham and Jack Ross ready to step up in his absence.
Co-captain Toby Nankervis is a chance this weekend and will likely replace Ben Miller if deemed ready to go.
Noah Cumberland responded in the VFL with three goals as did Tyler Sonsie, who performed well with 23 disposals and three clearances.
Hawthorn vs West Coast teams
Hard for Hawthorn to make any changes given their reserves didn’t have a match over the weekend.
However, Tyler Brockman has been a consistent feature and returns from suspension while Ned Reeves was a late out against Melbourne and will be recalled if deemed fit.
Connor Macdonald was also ill and has recovered to put his hand up for this week.
James Blanck was brought in but could be pushed back out while Jacob Koschitzke was starved of opportunities.
Chad Wingard didn’t kick a goal and struggled but it is hard to see him dropped.
For West Coast, things continue to go from bad to worse on the injury front.
Jack Darling (arm) will miss at least a month, meaning more responsibility falls on Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen.
Elijah Hewett could be welcomed back from an ankle issue while Rhett Bazzo needs to pass concussion protocols.
As it has been for most weeks, Adam Simpson is unlikely to swing the axe given the lack of availability.
Carlton vs Collingwood teams
It’s go time for Carlton and some tough decisions could be made for the crucial clash against Collingwood.
Tom de Koning will need to pass concussion protocols to be deemed fit although hasn’t been favoured in weeks gone by while Jack Martin played VFL over the weekend and could be brought back in to spark the struggling side.
Jesse Motlop and Corey Durdin combined for one goal last week and haven’t been able to make a consistent impact while Oliver Hollands could be rested given he is a young player.
The Pies are set to welcome back ruckman Darcy Cameron to the senior line up after injuring his PCL.
Craig McRae’s men sit a game clear on top so they won’t make any unnecessary changes.
If Cameron comes straight in, it could be an the expense of a small forward although the decision will be tough given they’re all playing good football.
Will Hoskin-Elliot could be demoted to the sub as a reshuffle through the wing and half forward could be made for Sunday’s game.
GWS vs St Kilda teams
The Giants will welcome back captain Toby Greene after he nearly made it back for last Sunday’s clash with Collingwood.
Harry Rowston and Wade Derksen were huge in the VFL while Kieran Briggs is putting pressure on Matt Flynn.
Number one pick Aaron Cadman was kept goalless and could be sent back to the reserves while debutante Cameron Fleeton struggled at the level.
Ryan Angwin could also face the axe.
The return of the King is imminent as St Kilda is ready to welcome back their spearhead forward.
Max King will replace the injured Tim Membrey (concussion) in a straight swap while Ross Lyon could put some players on notice after a disappointing outing against the Crows.
Cooper Sharman struggled in Adelaide as did Jack Bytel despite being the sub.
Marcus Windhager and Jack Billings have continued to push their case forward in the VFL and could be rewarded for some strong form.