Some key Bombers will face a critical test of their form and fitness after the AFL today cleared them to participate in this Sunday's VFL practice match against Coburg at Punt Road. Mark Alvey, Damian Cupido, Ben Haynes and Adam Ramanauskas have all been given the all clear to play in the match after enduring interrupted pre-seasons.

Aaron Henneman, Joel Reynolds and Mark McVeigh were also given permission to play in the match. Henneman (hamstring) and Reynolds (ankle) are onmly outside chances to play while McVeigh (hamstring) will certainly miss.

With the Bombers' injury list longer than it would like at this time of the year, it is important that these players play some good football this weekend. Ramanauskas will be a certain starter against Port Adelaide and Cupido would also seem a certain inclusion given his ability to kick goals.

But Alvey and Haynes will both need to play some very good football to ensure they head to Adelaide. Both have looked a little rusty after spending extended periods on the sidelines. Alvey - understandably - having missed basically an entire season with a kneee injury and Haynes having struggled with a stress reaction in his foot for the past six weeks.