John Longmire could have his first good selection headache of the season, with four players set to return from injury for the crucial cross-town clash against Greater Western Sydney.
Longmire has had many unwelcome selection headaches this season, with the team picking itself not on merit, but who was fit enough to play, but with the triage ward at Moore Park clearing, it's going to be a tough choice who to bring in.
Kurt Tippett (ankle), Isaac Heeney (ilness), Jarrad McVeigh (calf) and Gary Rohan (hamstring) are all expected to be available for selection during the week.
Tippett missed last round after injuring his ankle in round two against the Western Bulldogs, while the other three haven't played yet this season and have endured interrupted pre-seasons.
Longmire dismissed any lingering doubt over Franklins' corked thigh, and said that he would have to think long and hard about this weeks team.
"It's obviously a consideration, but it's great having the players available, and we got Tommy Papley back last week," he said.
"(Kurt) Tippett hasn't missed a lot of football and did a big pre-season so he's probably in pretty good shape fitness-wise.
"The others have been training for the last few weeks and training well, but we'll make that decision after getting some more knowledge after training and seeing how they pull up, and make the call.
"Whether they all play or not we're not quite sure, but we'll address each individual case as we see fit, and each of those have got different backgrounds."
Tippett's availability will be crucial against GWS ruck combination Shane Mumford and Rory Lobb, especially now that Sam Naismith is set to miss the next month with a medial ligament injury suffered at training, and draftee Darcy Cameron battling a shoulder injury.
Injury List
Player | Injury | Est. Return |
Isaac Heeney | Illness | Test |
Jarrad McVeigh | Calf | Test |
Gary Rohan | Back/Hamstring | Test |
Kurt Tippett | Ankle | Test |
Dary Cameron | Shoulder | 1 Week |
Sam Naismith | Knee | 3 Weeks |
Dane Rampe | Arm | 5 Weeks |
Dan Robinson | Collarbone | 5 Weeks |
Alex Johnson | Knee | Indefinite |
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