It was a big weekend of footy around the state leagues.
This weekend featured the big SANFL versus WAFL showcase, with a number of players putting their hands up for the mid-season draft.
In the VFL, we saw a number of big results and quality performances.
Here’s our breakdown from the weekend:
Familiar faces fire as SANFL beat WAFL
The SANFL state side retained the Haydn Bunton Jnr Cup with a dominant 53-point win over the WAFL at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Former Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent stood out for the winning team, claiming the Fos Williams Medal as the SANFL’s best player with 29 disposals.
Ex-Carlton and Adelaide midfielder Bryce Gibbs was also busy with 31 touches and 13 marks, his former teammate Riley Knight picked up 30 possessions while Luke Reynolds kicked four goals and captain Jack Hayes finished with three.
Another former Crow (and Tiger) Tyson Stengle finished with 3.3 and 21 touches as the South Australians kicked eight final-quarter goals.
For the WAFL, former St Kilda forward Matt Parker kicked two goals while Tyler Keitel booted four majors. Jye Bolton and Lachlan Delahunty were most prolific with 29 and 26 disposals respectively.
Andrew Slevison
Former top-10 pick the dominant midfielder of the VFL
Former Saint Nathan Freeman did no harm to his mid-season draft chances with another standout performance for Frankston in the VFL on Sunday.
The 25-year-old midfielder collected 42 disposals in the Dolphins’ 15-point loss to Essendon at Windy Hill.
The former top-10 pick is averaging north of 40 disposals a game in the state league this season and could find himself at the top of several club’s mid-season draft boards come June 2nd.
Lachie Geleit
Essendon forward dominates Frankston
Defender turned forward Patrick Ambrose was the best for the Bombers in the win, kicking 6.2 and taking 10 marks in an eye-catching performance.
Alec Waterman picked up 25 disposals and took 12 marks in the win over Frankston.
Ned Cahill and Tom Hird also impressed with their performances.
Lachie Geleit
Tall Tiger pushing for selection
Fringe Tiger tall Callum Coleman-Jones has given Damien Hardwick a timely reminder of his talents, leading Richmond to a 97-point thrashing of an inexperienced GWS outfit at Punt Road Oval.
The 21-year-old 200cm ruck-forward booted five goals including the first two of the match and finished with 19 disposals, 16 hit-outs and seven marks in a dominant display.
Others to put their hand up for senior selection were young midfield duo Will Martyn (28 disposals) and Thomson Dow (27 disposals), while Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (27 disposals, 9 marks) excelled in his role across half back.
Josh Caddy chimed in with 32 possessions and eight tackles.
Aaron Fetter
Casey and Geelong put on the game of the round
Melbourne’s Mitch Brown was everywhere up forward for Casey in their one-point win over Geelong with four goals and 17 touches, while young Cat Charlie Constable was the best for the losing side with a game-high 26 touches.
Josh Jenkins booted three goals for the Cats, while Stefan Okunbor continues to impress at VFL level, finishing with 22 disposals.
Melbourne midfielder Tom Sparrow finished with 30 disposals, while veteran Neville Jetta picked up 22 disposals.
Nic Negrepontis
Saints mid continues to dominate
St Kilda could look to bring back Luke Dunstan after Brad Crouch suffered a fractured cheekbone on Friday against Geelong. The ball magnet kicked two goals and had 36 disposals in Sandringham's win against Williamstown.
Sandringham edged out Williamstown, with Mason Wood picking up 29 disposals and booting two of his own.
Shaun McKernan kicked three, while Ben Long played his second game of footy in two days after being used as the medical sub.
Lachie Geleit
A familiar name makes Collingwood debut
Former West Coast best and fairest winner Scott Selwood made his debut for Collingwood’s VFL team against Sydney.
Selwood, who works for the Magpies as a development coach, picked up 21 disposals in the loss.
Finlay Macrae finished with 25 disposals after his omission, while Mason Cox kicked two goals.
Nic Negrepontis
Mitch Johnson finishes with a big bag
Southport forward Mitch Johnson because the first player to boot 10 goals in a VFL game this year in his side’s dominant win over Aspley.
He dominated from start to finish, with help from former Gold Coast ruckman Brayden Crossley, who kicked five goals.
Former Lion Corey Lyons was the leading disposal winner for Aspley, finishing with 28 disposals.
Nic Negrepontis
Coburg midfielder flying under the radar
Coburg midfielder Marcus Lentini has played four VFL games and, like Nathan Freeman, has averaged 40 disposals per game.
He picked up 38 in the club’s win over Port Melbourne on the weekend and may be mid-season draft calculations.
Peter McEvoy booted four for the Lions, while former Saint Eli Templeton continues to star for Port Melbourne, picking up 37 disposals.
Nic Negrepontis
Hawks crush undermanned North
The VFL was a very different story to the AFL, with the Hawks making light work of the Roos.
Josh Morris booted five, while Emerson Jeka responded to his omission, kicking 3.4, while Daniel Howe picked up 35 disposals.
Bailey Scott was North Melbourne’s best, finishing with 28 disposals and a goal.
Top draftee Will Phillips picked up 15 disposals.
Nic Negrepontis
Lions crush Suns in state league Q-Clash
Brisbane enjoyed a 60-point win over Gold Coast in the VFL/East Coast Q-Clash last Thursday night.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen returned to the team in dominant fashion with a massive 39 disposals and was ably supported by Tom Joyce who had 37 touches.
Academy graduate Bruce Reville and promising forward Will Tasker helped themselves to five goals each.
Brayden Fiorini and Will Brodie continued their strong recent form with 32 and 27 possessions respectively, while Alex Sexton kicked two goals and laid six tackles.
Andrew Slevison
Image courtesy David Mariuz