State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Sturt v Adelaide - Sunday, April 8, 2.10pm, Peter Motley Oval
Adelaide were no match for reigning premiers Sturt, losing 19.4 (118) to 10.9 (69) at Peter Motley Oval.
Elliott Himmelberg impressed with two goals and 14 disposals, while Jordan Gallucci (20 touches), Curtly Hampton (18), Myles Poholke (17) and Riley Knight (16) were solid in the 49-point defeat.
NINE THINGS WE LEARNED: The key points of round three
State league affiliate: Brisbane (NEAFL)
This weekend: NT Thunder v Brisbane - Saturday, April 7, 6.30pm, TIO Stadium
The reigning premiers opened their season with a one-point loss to NT Thunder at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
Following a slow start, Brisbane took a four-point lead into the final change, but the home side prevailed 16.9 (105) to 15.14 (104).
Ben Keays (25 disposals) and Brandon Starcevich booted three goals, while Zac Bailey (22 touches) and Tom Bell (33 disposals) both kicked two.
Liam Dawson, Jacob Allison, Zac Bailey and Ryan Bastinac were all solid contributors.
PUTTING THEIR HANDS UP: State leagues wrap
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Collingwood - Saturday, April 7, 2pm, Preston City Oval
On a dark day for the Northern Blues, Jack Silvagni showed signs of returning to form as his side lost to Collingwood by 130 points at Preston City Oval.
Silvagni booted a classy goal and spent time in the midfield.
Collingwood fielded a strong team and it showed on the scoreboard as the Magpies won 31.15 (201) to 11.5 (71).
FANTASY STARS COME TO PLAY - The Traders' round three wrap
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Collingwood - Saturday, April 7, 2pm, Preston City Oval
An extremely impressive return from a hamstring injury saw Jordan De Goey boot four goals and dominate through the midfield as Collingwood smashed the Northern Blues by 130 points.
De Goey racked up plenty of the football through the midfield and showed sublime foot skills under pressure.
Small forward Jamie Elliott came back from left ankle surgery to bag five goals, while his partner-in-crime Alex Fasolo finished with three.
The Magpies had a dominant victory, 31.15 (201) to 11.5 (71).
FT | Our highest ever score as a stand-alone VFL outfit. It finished 31.15 (201) to 11.5 (71) #vflmagpies pic.twitter.com/lxrNOcA4fH
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) April 7, 2018
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Frankston v Essendon - Saturday, April 7, 2pm, SkyBus Stadium
Forgotten forward Jackson Merrett snagged five goals in Essendon's 102-point win against Frankston on Saturday afternoon.
Big man Shaun McKernan finished with three.
With the Dolphins back in the VFL after a one-year hiatus, the Bombers ran away to post the 21.17 (143) to 6.5 (41) victory.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Swan Districts v Peel Thunder - Saturday, April 7, 2.15pm, Steel Blue Oval
Veteran Danyle Pearce had the ball on a string for Peel Thunder, racking up 40 disposals in his side's 14-point loss to Swan Districts on Saturday afternoon at Steel Blue Oval.
Wingman Darcy Tucker had 34 himself, along with two goals.
It was a quiet day for a couple of big men, with Sean Darcy and Michael Apeness each picking up five disposals.
Swan Districts overcame a seven-point deficit at the last break to win, 15.12 (102) to 13.10 (88).
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Aspley v Gold Coast - Saturday, April 7, 1.30pm, Graham Road
Veteran Michael Barlow picked up 36 disposals and seven tackles in Gold Coast's 20-point win against Aspley on Saturday afternoon.
Jesse Lonergan had 26 disposals and a goal while draftee Wil Powell slotted two goals himself.
A win in our @neaflofficial Round 1 match against Aspley
— GC SUNS (@GoldCoastSUNS) April 7, 2018
Aspley 8.8 (56)
SUNS 11.10 (76) pic.twitter.com/12TOOUE58L
The Suns ran the game out well after scores were level at the main break, winning 11.10 (76) to 8.8 (56).
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v GWS Giants - Saturday, April 7, 3.45pm, SCG
Giants old and young impressed against Sydney on Saturday, with Ryan Griffen (30 disposals) and Aiden Bonar (28) winning plenty of football in their four-point win.
Dylan Buckley booted four goals.
Backman Isaac Cumming notched up 27 disposals while former GWS academy member Nick Shipley had 25 and a goal.
The Giants led at every change before holding on for victory, 11.7 (73) to 9.15 (69).
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Williamstown v Box Hill Hawks - Sunday, April 8, 2pm, Williamstown Football Ground
Box Hill recorded a 37-point win over Williamstown, despite trailing by 22 points in the third quarter.
The Hawks finished with nine unanswered goals to run out winners 14.21 (105) to 9.14 (68).
Mitchell Lewis and James Cousins kicked three goals, while Jonathan O’Rourke (29 disposals), Brendan Whitecross (24), Dylan Moore (24) and Dallas Willsmore (23) won plenty of the ball.
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Casey Demons - Sunday, April 8, 1pm, Piranha Park
Harley Balic booted six goals and Sam Weideman added five in the Demons’ 107-point win over Coburg at Piranha Park.
Cam Pedersen (26 disposals), Mitch Hannan (25 disposals and three goals) and Angus Brayshaw (22) were all busy in the 28.12 (180) to 11.7 (73) rout.
Charlie Spargo, who was reported for striking in the first quarter, kicked two goals.
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
Defender Sam Wright pressed his case for senior selection in an impressive display as North Melbourne fell to the AFL Academy by 43 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
"It was great to see Sammy Wright get through a full game, pull up OK and play reasonable footy," VFL coach David Loader told nmfc.com.au.
Ruckman Braydon Preuss was his typical physically imposing self, but the youngsters of the Academy were nevertheless able to win, 17.12 (114) to 11.10 (71).
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Glenelg v Port Adelaide - Friday, April 6, 7.10pm, Gliderol Stadium
A late Jake Neade goal helped Port Adelaide post a thrilling three-point win over Glenelg at Gliderol Stadium on Friday night.
The small forward finished with three for the match, as did big man Peter Ladhams.
Youngsters Will Snelling (29 disposals and 14 tackles), Jarrod Liernert (26 and seven rebound-50s), Joe Atley (26) and Karl Amon (26) all won their fair share of the football.
Draftees Sam Hayes and Kane Farrell and former Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove each booted two goals as the Magpies won, 14.8 (92) to 14.5 (89).
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Port Melbourne - Saturday, April 7, 2pm, Swinburne Centre
Richmond had some measure of revenge in reversing last year's Grand Final result, defeating Port Melbourne by 65 points at the Swinburne Centre as a trio of Tigers slotted three goals.
Shai Bolton, Mabior Chol and Tyson Stengle kicked three each.
Corey Ellis responded to his omission from the senior side by collecting 32 disposals and nine tackles while inside midfielder Anthony Miles had another impressive game, winning plenty of the football and also booting two goals.
YELLOW & BLACK #gotiges pic.twitter.com/dZcf2chWVJ
— Richmond VFL (@RichmondVFL) April 7, 2018
The Tigers blew the game open in the first quarter with eight goals before posting the 21.15 (141) to 11.10 (76) victory.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Footscray - Saturday, April 7, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Demoted midfielder Jack Steele showed his class in the Zebras' 21-point win over the Bulldogs at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Steele was dominant, amassing 41 possessions, 13 clearances and 11 tackles.
"He was tough and aggressive inside, and really dynamic on the outside," said Sandringham coach Aaron Hamill.
Jack Lonie (four goals) and Josh Battle (three goals), Sam Gilbert and Tom Hickey also impressed in Sandringham's 16.17 (113) to 14.8 (92) victory.
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v GWS Giants - Saturday, April 7, 3.45pm, SCG
Captain Dan Robinson had 36 disposals and a goal but it wasn't enough as Sydney fell four points short of the Giants at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.
Harry Marsh (32 disposals), Nic Newman (30) and Colin O'Riordan (29) were also prolific.
Rookie Joel Amartey and James Rose each registered two goals as the Swans lost, 11.7 (73) to 9.15 (69).
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v West Perth - Saturday, April 7, 2.15pm, Leederville Oval
Midfielder Luke Partington gathered 33 disposals and two goals in East Perth's 58-point victory against West Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Exciting draftee Jarrod Brander finished with 19 disposals, 10 marks and three goals.
Speedster Malcolm Karpany picked up 26 disposals while ruckman Fraser McInnes had 24 and 31 hit-outs.
Defender Will Schofield had 20 disposals and eight marks in East Perth's 17.10 (112) to 7.12 (54) victory.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Footscray - Saturday, April 7, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Defender Shane Biggs put his hand up for a recall in Footscray's 21-point loss to Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Biggs was busy across the backline with 26 disposals in the Bulldogs' 16.17 (113) to 14.8 (92) loss.
Young forward Patrick Lipinski kicked four goals, while Fletcher Roberts, who spent time at both ends of the ground, and Fergus Greene each booted two.
Tom Campbell and Tom Boyd worked well in tandem in the ruck, amassing 41 hit-outs between them.
