Wednesday whispers: What team changes can we expect for Round 15?

WHO will return and who will miss out when Round 15 teams are named tomorrow? Get the early word from around the AFL.

Gary Ablett talks with coach Rodney Eade.

WHO will return and who will miss out when Round 15 teams are named tomorrow? Get the early word from around the AFL in the first edition of Wednesday whispers.

The WESTERN BULLDOGS will be buoyed by the return of captain Bob Murphy while Nick Vlastuin shapes as the likely replacement for suspended RICHMOND defender Bachar Houli after making a successful return from a shoulder injury in the VFL last weekend.

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The Tigers’ opponent PORT ADELAIDE will keep its fitness staff busy with tests for Matthew Broadbent (ankle) and Jared Polec (hamstring).

FREMANTLE expects to regain Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands for its clash against St Kilda at Subiaco.

Fyfe hasn’t played since the Dockers’ Round 12 win against Brisbane as he nurses a bruised sternum.

Coach Ross Lyon said today the 2015 Brownlow medallist could play as a forward against the Saints.

“Nathan pushed to play last week and he trained but he wasn’t playing in the manner that we desired and he desired,” Lyon said on Wednesday.

“He’s really courageous, we know that, we’ve seen him play with a broken leg — sometimes you’ve got to save them from themselves and make a hard decision.

“He was prepared to play but we took it out of his hands. Our doctors made the final call and said he would benefit greatly from (a rest) so he’s really up and about and keen to play.

“Really, (it’s) 21 days without any contact, so you’d think he’d be in pretty good shape.”

Sandilands has missed a month with a hamstring injury and Lyon said he would join Fyfe in the team — probably

“They hit all their markers and sports science have ticked them off so they’re obviously good enough to come straight back in and play. It’s looking likely.”

Nat Fyfe is expected to return from injury to face St Kilda.

GOLD COAST captain Gary Ablett is rated a strong chance to front up for his 300th game against North Melbourne on Saturday.

Ablett’s milestone was delayed when he pulled out of the team last weekend with a calf niggle.

“As long as Gary continues to progress in the same manner over the coming days, we believe he will play on Saturday against North,” Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

“He still needs to get through a final fitness test at our training session on Thursday, but we’re really positive it will be good news.”

Pearce Hanley (hamstring) also faces a fitness test and could play but don’t expect to see Aaron Hall (hamstring), Brandon Matera (foot) or Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) for at least one more week.

Gary Ablett joins Gold Coast training on Tuesday.

Gary Ablett chats with coach Rodney Eade.

ADELAIDE will be without Tom Lynch for its clash against Carlton at the MCG after the forward succumbed to a mystery virus.

Lynch will be miss the Blues clash while doctors are yet to determine the exact nature of the illness affecting Adelaide’s key link man since Monday.

“Unfortunately Tommy Lynch has picked up a viral infection and will be out. We are running some tests the moment but he won’t play,” said Adelaide coach Don Pyke of Lynch who has been isolated from the group.

Mitch McGovern looms as the obvious replacement while Charlie Cameron (wrist), Wayne Milera (knee) and Luke Brown (ankle) face fitness tests.

CARLTON forward Jed Lamb is yet to resume full training after being KO’d by Bachar Houli on Sunday and looks an unlikely starter.

MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin has ruled out Jack Watts and Jeff Garlett for Friday night’s blockbuster against Sydney, along with Jesse Hogan.

Hogan, 22, has not played since Round 7 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

He returned to training today ahead of a few “big sessions” over the next week to bring him back up to speed.

“He (Hogan) won’t played this week, but he’s getting closer. It’s good to have him doing some full training and back into it,” Goodwin said.

“He’s been doing a hell of a lot of work the last couple of weeks, he’s getting very close, he’s getting very eager to start playing soon.

“He’s got a few big sessions to come, six or seven days, he’s tracking a long really well.

“We’re encouraged by how he’s progressing so he’s not too far away.”

Goodwin confirmed both Watts (hamstring) and Garlett (hamstring) would assessed next week, the Dees not willing to risk the duo after consecutive six-day breaks.

Watts reported soreness in his hamstring, while goal sneak Garlett is experiencing “tightness”.

Jack Watts helps Angus Brayshaw with his headgear at Melbourne training.

COLLINGWOOD forward Jamie Elliott could be a surprise inclusion against Hawthorn on Sunday.

Football manager Geoff Walsh said the goalkicker had made a quicker than expected recovery from an ankle injury and will be picked if he passes a fitness test.

“We will wait and see on that but so far the news looks promising for Jamie later in the week,” Walsh told the club website.

SYDNEY veteran Jarrad McVeigh is set to return for the Friday night blockbuster and will be joined by Zac Jones, who has served a one-match suspension.

Youngsters Dean Towers and Ollie Florent could be the unlucky players to miss out.

ESSENDON forward Cale Hooker will come straight back after missing the Bombers’ harrowing loss to Sydney with a finger injury.

“The only minor risk is if he splits the stitches open at training so we are obviously taking precaution that that does not happen,” coach John Worsfold said at training today.

“Everything else is tracking well.”

Shaun McKernan is likely to make way against Brisbane while Darcy Parish and David Myers are also possible inclusions on the back of strong VFL performances.

The Lions will have to find a replacement for Dayne Beams, who will miss a month with a shoulder injury.

GEELONG will wait until the last minute to make a call on skipper Joel Selwood’s availability against GWS.

Coach Chris Scott told AFL360 on Monday night Selwood would be named in the squad with a final decision made on Friday or even Saturday.

Former teammate Steve Johnson today jokingly advised Selwood to “take a week off and definitely be right for the following week”.

Lachie Henderson, a late withdrawal last week with groin soreness, faces a fitness test while Josh Kelly (hip) and Devon Smith (knee) are in the selection mix for the Giants.

Originally published as Wednesday whispers: What team changes can we expect for Round 15?