Having been overlooked for the Demons' first two pre-season matches, Watts was recalled for last week's match against West Coast and was a steady performer with 15 disposals and six marks.

Melbourne said on Monday that Watts would be in the Casey Demons team to play Port Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday morning.

Watts will be joined by Dom Tyson, who missed the start of the JLT Community Series because of a knee injury. Jeff Garlett (hamstring), Michael Hibberd (Achilles) and Dean Kent (back) are also in contention to play in the game after injury-interrupted pre-seasons.

Meanwhile, Geelong say they will monitor how midfielders Cameron Guthrie and Scott Selwood train on Wednesday before considering whether to pick the pair for a VFL practice match against Essendon on Friday night.

The game shapes as a key trial ahead of round one, with the Bombers saying that both forward Cale Hooker and ruckman Tom Bellchambers are in the mix to face the VFL Cats at Simonds Stadium.

Both Guthrie and Selwood have had interrupted pre-season. Guthrie hasn't played since injuring a calf against Hawthorn in Launceston last month, and while he appears likely to be available to face Fremantle in round one at Domain Stadium on Sunday week, still needs to prove his fitness. Selwood didn't feature at all in the JLT series, having been hampered by a toe issue. The Cats say he is also still in contention to play against the Dockers.

AFL approval is needed for any senior-listed players to feature in practice matches this weekend, however players who have had interrupted pre-seasons are generally allowed to play the weekend before round one. The Cats say that other senior players could come into the frame for Friday night as well, but that decisions won't be made until players return to training on Wednesday.

Geelong also said there was no word yet on defender Tom Stewart, who appeared to hurt his hamstring late in the Cats' JLT series win over Essendon in Bendigo on Sunday.

Neither Hooker (hamstring) nor Bellchambers (knee) played in the JLT series, but the Dons say both could play on Friday night. The club says it won't decide until midweek whether the pair - and several other senior players - will play in Geelong. Essendon coach John Worsfold said on Sunday night that Hooker could still play against Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday week even if he doesn't play in the VFL game.

Big man Matthew Leuenberger is expected to miss the Hawks clash with a hamstring injury. Youngster Jayden Laverde was due to undergo scans on Tuesday, but it's believed he just rolled his ankle in Sunday's loss to the Cats, and should be ready to face Hawthorn if selected.