Around The Grounds

• Bulldogs forward Rob Murphy will fly with his team to Darwin for Saturday's match against Port where he should return from a three-game absence from a hamstring injury. "At this stage Murphy and [Scott] Welsh will play and we'll take a 23rd [player], but we're pretty confident they'll be right," said Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade. Welsh returns from suspension.
  

• Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop has overcome an ankle injury and will also be making the trip to the Top End after two weeks out. Power teammate Alipate Carlile missed training on Wednesday due to a cold, but is expected to play. There continues to be whispers that the Brisbane Lions' popular DT defender Daniel Merrett could be a chance for an early return from an ankle injury this weekend. Lions teammate Joel Macdonald told afl.com.au, "Merrett could be a chance.” Brisbane play Hawthorn on Sunday.
  

• The Carlton match committee have revealed they'll consider Richard Hadley, Chris Yarran, Greg Bentley and Adam Hartlett for this weekend's match against St Kilda after all had enjoyed good VFL form recently.
  

• Western Bulldogs backman Tom Williams is still battling a foot injury and is a few weeks away from a return. Eade revealed about the $169k defender, "He's improved but he's still a couple of weeks away."