Who starred and who stood out in the state leagues around the country this weekend?
We’ve gone through all the big storylines from an AFL perspective:
Howe throws hat in the ring, Dunstan dominant again
Box Hill made it two on the trot by beating Sandringham by 30 points in the VFL.
Daniel Howe threw his hat back in the ring for the Hawks with 30 touches and a goal while Conor Nash took nine marks and had 20 disposals.
Box Hill players Fergus Greene and Vincent Adduci combined for nine goals with Hawks-listed forward Tyler Brockman chipping in with two.
For Sandy, Luke Dunstan continued his strong form with 35 possessions and three goals in a dominant display following on from 46 touches in Round 2.
Tom Highmore racked up 30 touches and took 14 marks, Ben Long had 25 disposals and Jack Lone kicked three goals and had the ball 22 times.
However, the Saints’ big win over the Hawks in the AFL will make it tough for any of these guys to be recalled for the Suns clash next weekend.
Andrew Slevison
Blues pair star in return from injury
Carlton pair Tom De Koning and Nic Newman made successful returns in the VFL on Sunday afternoon.
De Koning did the majority of the ruck work and pushed forward, winning 31 hit-outs, taking five marks and kicking a goal.
Newman meanwhile returned to his usual role across half back, finishing with 23 disposals.
Lochie O’Brien continued his strong run of VFL form for the Blues as well, picking up 18 disposals and being the key link player between the arcs, while Will Setterfield won 26 touches and kicked a goal.
Nic Negrepontis
Something for the Magpies to get excited about
Top draft picks Ollie Henry and Reef McInnes were the difference for Collingwood in their win over Gold Coast on Friday night.
Henry booted 3.3 and took 13 marks in the last-second victory. McInnes meanwhile found 20 disposals and kicked the winner in the dying moments.
Tom Wilson also picked up 30 disposals in a strong performance.
Nic Negrepontis
Sam Weideman continues to put his hand up
Sam Weideman booted another four goals in the VFL and continues to bang on the door for a senior spot that just might not be there.
Ben Brown got his opportunity on Sunday and unless Tom McDonald is moved into defence to cover the injured Adam Tomlinson, it’s hard to see the Demons getting any taller.
The Demons destroyed North Melbourne on Thursday night, with James Harmes (27 and 2 goals), Dom Tyson (27 disposals) and Zac Foot (3 goals) standing out.
Nic Negrepontis
Suns midfielders a cut above VFL level
Will Brodie, Darcy MacPherson and Brayden Fiorini all continue to star at VFL level for Gold Coast.
Brodie picked up 41 disposals, MacPherson 33 and Fiorini 32 with Collingwood’s midfield unable to keep pace with them.
It’s a good sign for the Suns who are building some nice depth.
Nic Negrepontis
Jamarra held quiet by former Blue
The Northern Bullants put up a strong fight against Footscray, but were ultimately outgunned on Saturday.
Dominic Bedendo booted three, Cody Weightman was lively with 2.4 and Mitch Wallis found 28 disposals.
Number one pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan however was held to just one goal and 10 disposals by former Carlton defender Ben Silvagni.
The Bullants clearly had a plan for him, sitting defenders in front of him, while Silvagni held his own all afternoon.
Nic Negrepontis
Campbell proves he's a class above
Braeden Campbell went back to VFL level after appearing as the medical sub in Round 6 and proved he was a class above.
He had 25 disposals and seven tackles in an impactful performance.
Logan McDonald was solid with three goals and eight marks as he tries to make his way back to senior level while Nick Blakey will need to do more to earn his spot back after his 19-disposal outing.
Lachlan Geleit
Holmes continues to impress
The highly-rated Max Holmes continues to press his case for an AFL call up with another strong performance. Holmes had 26 disposals and Charlie Constable also found enough ball in the midfield with 28 touches to put his hand up for selection.
Geelong is hoping to bring Esava Ratugolea back into the senior side this season, but he’ll need to have a bigger impact than eight disposals and a goal to get a call up from Chris Scott.
Lachlan Geleit
Could Coleman earn a recall?
It’ll be a tough ask for anyone to break into the Lions’ senior side following their 49-point win over Port Adelaide but Keidean Coleman did his chances for a recall no harm.
Coleman was dropped after Round 2 at AFL level but could make his way back into the side after earning 28 disposals and kicking two goals against Coburg on Sunday.
Lachlan Geleit
Giants unearth a new tall option down back
Jake Riccardi could provide the Giants a tall option in defence with Nick Haynes still out with a hamstring injury after dominating down back at VFL level against Southport on Sunday.
The former Werribee product had 40 disposals and 19 marks off half-back and could get an instant recall despite GWS’ big win over Adelaide.
It might be the easiest route for him to return to the senior side after Jesse Hogan kicked four goals on club debut against the Crows.
Lachlan Geleit
Nathan Freeman continues to dominate the VFL
If a team wants a ready-made inside midfielder in the mid-season draft, how could they look past Nathan Freeman?
He won 35 disposals and led Frankston’s third consecutive win on the weekend, defeating the impressive Aspley.
35 was a quieter afternoon for Freeman, who had been averaging 41 disposals per game across the opening fortnight.
Former Brisbane Lion Matthew Hammelmann dominated for Aspley, booting six goals.
Nic Negrepontis
Rockliff, Farrell put Power case forward
Port Adelaide had a day out by beating Woodville-West Torrens by 60 points.
Tom Rockliff pleaded his case once again with 34 touches, eight clearances and five tackles while Kane Farrell picked up 31 disposals and is building nicely for a potential call-up.
2019 draft selection Dylan Williams returned three goals and took eight marks to go with 18 possessions with Pete Ladhams and Riley Bonner both busy.
Andrew Slevison
Untried Crows in contention
Josh Worrell put forward his case for an Adelaide debut with another strong performance in the Crows’ one-point loss to Sturt.
The 2019 draftee picked up 22 disposals, took six marks, had five rebound 50s and four inside 50s, and must be knocking on the door after four 20-plus touch games this season.
Chayce Jones was busy with 20 possessions, Darcy Fogarty had 18 touches and kicked a goal while yet-to-debut inside mid Ronin O’Connor had 20 disposal and 10 tackles.
Andrew Slevison
Goals galore as Thunder crush Eagles
Stefan Giro did his recall chances no harm with an equal-game-high 33 touches in Peel’s 79-point thrashing of West Coast in the WAFL Derby.
The Thunder poured on their highest score since entering the WAFL courtesy of five goals from Josh Treacy and four from Sam Sturt.
Of the West Coast-listed players, Xavier O’Neill led the way with 28 touches while small forward Jarrod Cameron kicked three goals.
The Eagles sit at the foot of the table after four straight defeats.
Andrew Slevison
Some shining lights on dark day for Tigers
It was another dark day for Richmond’s VFL side, who were smashed by Werribee by 81 points, but there were some strong individual performances.
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith had 24 kicks (26 touches total), Patrick Naish picked up 18 disposals the day after he came on for the final few minutes of the senior win over the Western Bulldogs, Noah Cumberland kicked two goals and Maurice Rioli Jnr had eight tackles and 13 disposals.
Callum Coleman-Jones was again handy after Damien Hardwick admitted he was finding it tough to fit him in at AFL level.
Andrew Slevison
