The severity of the hamstring injury suffered by Geelong key forward Shane Kersten is expected to be disclosed by the club, amid expectations he will be ruled out of the final home-and-away match against the Brisbane Lions at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.

Mitch Brown, who has played 13 senior matches in four years, and Josh Walker, who has played 14 in three, are considered the front-runners to replace Kersten.

Geelong has already confirmed a serious injury to Dawson Simpson, who will have surgery on his back for a third time on Tuesday.

The long-term sidelining of Simpson reduces the ruck options for Geelong, which is already without ruckman-forward Nathan Vardy, who will not play again this season after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

North Melbourne key defender Lachie Hansen, a late withdrawal at the weekend with soreness, will be monitored this week to determine if he can play against Melbourne on Saturday night.

The Kangaroos will be able to call upon Daniel Wells after suspension and could consider Jamie Macmillan after an encouraging return in the VFL.

Small forward Robbie Nahas is also in line to make his first appearance, in the VFL, since badly injuring his shoulder in round 14.

The Demons expect to learn more on Tuesday about the condition of defender Colin Garland, who suffered what they suspect is bone bruising to a knee against West Coast.

Melbourne's feted untried key forward, Jesse Hogan, was withdrawn from the VFL at the weekend as a precaution after experiencing some soreness from his first appearance since the pre-season, when he suffered a long-term back injury.

Essendon's Cale Hooker, a prospective All-Australian defender, will be monitored after suffering concussion that forced his substitution against the Gold Coast.