State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Norwood v Adelaide - Sunday, July 7, 2.40pm, Coopers Stadium
Dumped veteran Bryce Gibbs responded well to his omission by finishing with 22 disposals and 10 clearances during the Crows' 37-point victory over Norwood.
Experienced rookie Patrick Wilson continued his good recent form with a team-high 27 touches and two goals, while out of favour ruckman Sam Jacobs had 17 disposals and 24 hitouts.
Young big man Elliott Himmelberg put the pressure on fellow key forward Josh Jenkins by contributing 16 disposals, six marks and an inaccurate 3.4.
State league affiliate: Brisbane (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Brisbane - Sunday, July 7, 1pm, Giants Stadium
Young midfielder Corey Lyons inched closer to a first senior game with a dominant performance for Brisbane's NEAFL side against the Giants.
The 21-year-old finished with 38 disposals, 10 marks, nine clearances and 12 inside 50s as the Lions reserves remained unbeaten in 2019 with a 49-point triumph.
Big man Archie Smith was the leading scorer with four goals, while Ryan Bastinac (29 touches) and Lewis Taylor (25) won plenty of the ball.
BARRETT Weight of expectation could crush Pies' dreams
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Northern Blues - Saturday, July 6, 2pm, Casey Fields
Untried defender Angus Schumacher enjoyed a breakout game in a 13-point loss to Casey Demons.
Schumacher, 20, gathered a game-high 27 possessions, including 23 kicks.
Mid-season rookie draftee Josh Deluca was the Blues' next-best ball-winner with 22 touches and a goal.
In attack, Alex Fasolo performed well despite limited opportunities, slotting two goals from 18 touches, while Jarrod Garlett and ruckman Andrew Phillips also kicked two goals each.
One of the Blues' highlights came from teenage tall Tom De Koning, who goaled with a terrific snap after following up his ruckwork at a boundary throw-in.
Simply astonishing from the King!
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 6, 2019
If there's one highlight to watch from today, it's this from @Tom_Dekoning for @NBluesFC. #BoundByBlue
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Collingwood - Saturday, July 6, 2pm, Avalon Airport Oval
After just three VFL games, Collingwood's mid-season draftee John Noble could be in line to make his AFL debut following another accomplished performance in a three-point win over Werribee.
The West Adelaide product, a speedy half-back flanker and wingman, had 28 possessions (including 20 kicks).
Midfielder Rupert Wills came back strongly from a calf injury to collect a game-high 29 possessions (including 22 handballs) and lay seven tackles.
Runner Ben Crocker was creative with 17 disposals and a goal, promising onballer Tyler Brown had 20 touches and rookie ruckman Max Lynch had 16 possessions, 33 hitouts and kicked a goal.
Jack Madgen had 23 possessions in defence, where Flynn Appleby was also miserly, while Mark Keane, the Irishman, took a match-saving mark on the goal line.
Veteran Travis Varcoe, who was dropped from the AFL side, had just eight touches and kicked a goal.
That's three on the trot for the Pies, after hanging on to beat @WerribeeFC.
— Collingwood FC VFL (@CollingwoodVFL) July 6, 2019
Find out who staked their claim for a place in the senior side next week.
REPORT - https://t.co/TmGjkfiBhd pic.twitter.com/yNRP9eFVUS
NINE THINGS WE LEARNED Is the Eddie Betts show on its last legs?
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Essendon - Sunday, July 7, 12.30pm, Piranha Park
Mid-season draft recruit Will Snelling continued his good recent form by picking up 33 disposals during the Bombers' 39-point victory over Coburg.
See the Bombers fly up #MightyBombers pic.twitter.com/LxlXAznbQA
— Essendon VFL (@essendonvfl) July 7, 2019
David Myers (26 touches) and Brayden Ham (25) also won plenty of the ball, while omitted forward Josh Begley did his hopes of a recall no harm by booting three goals and collecting 20 possessions.
The victory was soured with injuries to young duo Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (finger) and Kobe Mutch (leg) that left the Bombers with just two fit players on the bench at the end of the match.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v West Coast - Saturday, July 6, 12.10pm, David Grays Arena
Midfielder Bailey Banfield was a rare shining light for Peel Thunder in its 48-point loss to West Coast in the WAFL, finishing with 24 touches and five tackles.
Youngster Taylin Duman also had 24 disposals, along with a team-high 11 marks.
Draftee Luke Valente laid nine tackles and collected 15 disposals, while veteran Hayden Ballantyne finished with seven tackles and 10 touches.
Full Time. Just not our day, West Coast far too good for our boys. We’ll look to bounce back next week against the Royals! #wearepeelthunder #wafl pic.twitter.com/upcdi3hCWf
— Peel Thunder (@PeelThunderFC) July 6, 2019
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Geelong - Saturday, July 6, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval
Midfielder James Parsons impressed with 2.1 from 23 disposals in Geelong's 10-point loss to Box Hill on Saturday.
Quinton Narkle kicked a goal from 22 touches, and Lachie Henderson was solid with 21 disposals and seven marks.
Midfielder Scott Selwood was ferocious in the contest, laying 11 tackles and finishing with 20 disposals.
Rookie Sam Simpson collected 15 disposals and kicked a goal.
: @ArjGiese pic.twitter.com/xkyRj9dVMu
— Geelong VFL (@GeelongVFL) July 6, 2019
FANTASY FORM WATCH The Pig delivers again on tough week for coaches
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Redland - Saturday, July 6, 10.15am, Metricon Stadium
Midfielder/forward Aaron Young was again a game-breaker in a 41-point win over Redlands.
The former Port Adelaide player, who has sat on 99 AFL games since playing his most recent game in round seven, was brilliant in the first half with 15 possessions and three goals.
Young, 26, finished with 25 touches, including 22 kicks, and 11 inside 50s.
Rookie-listed veteran Michael Rischitelli was the Suns' leading possession winner with 29 disposals in a typically hard-running display.
Ruckman Tom Nicholls had 48 hitouts and kicked two goals, while former Cats Jordan Murdoch (26) and George Horlin-Smith (25) were also important playmakers, along with teenage rookies Jacob Dawson (27) and Mitch Riordan (26).
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Brisbane - Sunday, July 7, 1pm, Giants Stadium
Nick Shipley (24 disposals) was the leading ball-winner as an inexperienced Giants' outfit fell to a 49-point loss against an undefeated Brisbane Lions side.
Fellow youngsters Jye Caldwell (21 touches), Ian Hill (19) and Jake Stein (19) also won plenty of the ball, while Nick Murraybooted three goals up forward.
Ruckman Matthew Flynn (32 hitouts and 18 disposals) caught the eye with an impressive performance in the matched up against the more experienced Archie Smith.
Out-of-favour defender Matt Buntine was named among the best players for the Giants after finishing with 16 disposals and six marks.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Geelong - Saturday, July 6, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval
Omitted ruckman Jonathon Ceglar was dominant during Box Hill's 10-point win over Geelong on Saturday, finishing with 24 touches, a goal and 48 hitouts.
Teia Miles (23 touches) and James Cousins (22 touches) also found plenty of the ball, while Jackson Ross kicked 2.1.
Veteran Grant Birchall took 10 marks and collected 16 touches as he continues his comeback from long-term injuries.
Forward Jarryd Roughead kicked 1.1 from 16 disposals.
Roughy turning back the clock! pic.twitter.com/b0ScZJx6X2
— Box Hill Hawks (@BoxHillHawks) July 6, 2019
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Northern Blues - Saturday, July 6, 2pm, Casey Fields
Star defender Jake Lever has placed his name before the Melbourne selectors after making a good return in a 13-point win over the Northern Blues.
Lever, who suffered bone bruising in his reconstructed left knee during his comeback game against Collingwood in round 12, got through the VFL clash unscathed, collecting 16 possessions and taking a game-high eight marks.
First-year player James Jordon was a standout in his best VFL performance. The 18-year-old runner had an equal team-high and personal-best 25 possessions and laid an equal game-high seven tackles.
Corey Maynard continued his consistent run to also accumulate 25 touches, along with five tackles.
Josh Wagner (23) and Jay Kennedy-Harris (20 touches and two goals) were industrious.
Teenager Toby Bedford also kicked two goals, while Oskar Baker, who was dropped by Melbourne, had 15 touches and kicked a goal.
Meanwhile, ruckman Braydon Preuss withdrew from the team as cover for Max Gawn, who is in doubt for the clash with Carlton on Sunday with an ankle injury.
THE RUN HOME Are there shades of 2017 about these Tigers?
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: North Melbourne v Sandringham - Sunday, July 7, 11.40am, Arden St
The return of Roos defender Majak Daw was a success.
North's plan was to see the 28-year-old have two eight-minute blocks of playing time in the opening quarter. He completed that, but not having run as much as the club anticipated, came on for another couple of minutes to end the first term.
Daw finished with four disposals, including a touch in the first few seconds of the clash. His best moment was a contested mark in the backline.
It was Daw's first game since he was rescued from the waters underneath Melbourne's Bolte Bridge last December that saw him break his hips and pelvis.
Alongside him, Ben McKay was impressive, collecting 23 disposals and taking 14 marks.
Down the other end, draftee Curtis Taylor booted 4.4 while Taylor Garner, who is suspended from the AFL side after allegedly being involved in a bar fight, starred with 25 disposals, eight marks and two goals.
Experienced Roos Jamie Macmillan (19 disposals) and Sam Wright (12) were both in their second game back from respective calf and ankle injuries as the Roos won 14.14 (98) to 5.11 (41).
A memorable win at home! ??
— North Melbourne VFL (@NorthVFL) July 7, 2019
FT: NORTH 98 - 41 SANDRINGHAM #BeAShinboner pic.twitter.com/jdjZfNwHdp
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v West Adelaide - Sunday, July 7, 2.40pm, Alberton Oval
Veteran defender Matthew Broadbent made a successful return from a mental health break, collecting 25 disposals in Port Adelaide's 77-point SANFL victory over West Adelaide.
Great win boys, time to celebrate. #sanfl pic.twitter.com/QV6URDDv3N
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) July 7, 2019
Former Lion Sam Mayes (27 touches) was the leading ball-winner for the Power, while dumped trio Joel Garner (24 possessions), Willem Drew (23) and Kane Farrell (23) kept the pressure on selectors with impressive performances.
Experienced ruckman Paddy Ryder finished with 15 disposals and 20 hitouts, but could only manage an inaccurate 1.3 in front of goal.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Richmond - Saturday, July 6, 1pm, VU Whitten Oval
Tiger livewire Liam Baker played a lone hand, in an unfamiliar role in defence, in a 58-point loss to Footscray.
Baker, in his second VFL game since being dropped, was recast as a small backman and had a game-high 29 possessions and laid six tackles in a hard-working performance that would have pleased his coaches.
Fellow little man, Jack Higgins, had 22 touches, applied six tackles and contributed one of Richmond's seven goals.
Oleg Markov kicked two goals from 15 possessions and 11 marks.
Jacob Townsend had 20 possessions and six tackles, while Connor Menadue had 20 touches and seven tackles and young defender Patrick Naish had 18 disposals.
Small forward Dan Butler scored just one behind from 13 possessions.
Liam Baker impressed as a small defender against Footscray. Picture: AFL Photos
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: North Melbourne v Sandringham - Sunday, July 7, 11.40am, Arden St
Small forward Jack Lonie did what he needed in his return from a right knee injury, slotting three goals in a 57-point loss to North Melbourne.
Defender Brandon White collected 23 disposals while Bailey Rice had 20, along with a goal.
Ruckman Sam Rowe provided an aerial presence, picking up 13 disposals and 20 hitouts.
Veteran onballer David Armitage won 17 disposals and rookie Doulton Langlands had 12 as the Roos ran out winners, 14.14 (98) to 5.11 (41).
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: NT Thunder v Sydney - Saturday, July 6, 6.30pm, TIO Stadium
Midfielder Ryan Clarke was prolific in Sydney's 19-point win over NT Thunder on Saturday, racking up 35 disposals and taking six marks.
Veteran Kieren Jack found plenty of the ball and finished with 29 disposals, while draftee Zac Foot kicked a goal from 23 touches.
Youngster Ryley Stoddart also impressed with 28 touches and eight marks.
Forward Daniel Menzel kicked 2.2 from just five disposals.
State league affiliate: West Coast (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v West Coast - Saturday, July 6, 12.10pm, David Grays Arena
Rookie Josh Smith collected a game-high 30 touches in West Coast's 48-point win over Peel Thunder on Saturday.
Midfielder Brayden Ainsworth also found plenty of the ball, finishing with 24 touches, while Kurt Mutimer kicked a goal from 20 disposals.
Forward Jake Waterman continued his strong goal kicking form with 2.1.
Youngster Hamish Brayshaw laid nine tackles and finished with 24 disposals.
One win down... pic.twitter.com/Y7U5j5ooTH
— West Coast Eagles WAFL (@EaglesWafl) July 6, 2019
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Richmond - Saturday, July 6, 1pm, VU Whitten Oval
Father-son prospect Rhylee West strengthened his case for an AFL debut with another strong showing to lead Footscray to a 58-point win over Richmond.
West, who will turn 19 on Friday, gathered 24 possessions and finished off his work with two goals.
Bailey Dale was also damaging with a team-high 27 touches and two goals, while fellow runner Will Hayes had 26 disposals and kicked 1.1.
Experienced midfielder Mitch Wallis made a solid return in his first game back from an ankle injury by gathering 22 touches.
WINNERS!! We’ve defeated @RichmondVFL by 58 points on our home turf!
— Footscray Bulldogs (@FootscrayVFL) July 6, 2019
: 17.7 109 : 7.9 51
9 goal kickers across the game, Anthony Scott with 4 and Bailey Dale our best with 27 disposals and 2 goals.
#MightyWest#GoDogs#VFL
?? pic.twitter.com/CWM8t0tU8x
