State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Adelaide - Friday, March 23, 4.30pm, Alberton Oval
Given the injuries to the senior side, the Crows played a fairly depleted side in the SANFL practice match against Port Adelaide at Alberton on Friday afternoon, going down by 40 points.
Pacy forward Ben Davis played his first game of the pre-season and impressed coach Ryan O’Keefe, who also praised Jordan Gallucci for his best game of the summer.
Veteran defender Kyle Cheney was also among Adelaide’s best.
State league affiliate: Brisbane (NEAFL)
This weekend: Wilston Grange v Brisbane - Saturday, March 24, 12pm, Bendigo Bank Oval
Athletic utility Tom Cutler bagged eight goals as a high half-forward in a landslide win in a NEAFL practice match against Wilston Grange on Saturday.
But rookie-listed midfielder Jake Barrett, captain for the day, was best afield, leading from the front with his contested-ball work.
The Lions’ runners enjoyed a day out, with first-round draft pick Zac Bailey showing great composure and the experienced Rohan Bewick playing selflessly to create numerous goals.
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Northern Blues - Thursday, March 22, 4.10pm, Swinburne Centre
The Northern Blues suffered a 54-point loss to Richmond on Thursday afternoon in a VFL practice match at the Punt Road Oval.
Key forward Patrick Kerr booted two goals for the Blues and had 23 touches, while first-year draftees Tom De Koning and Lochie O’Brien put together promising performances, with De Koning hauling in six marks and kicking a goal in the second term.”
Speedy midfielder David Cuningham provided one of the highlights of the afternoon, a long-range goal from 55 metres out. He had 23 disposals, while Nick Graham had 26.
Ruckman Andrew Phillips was eased back into his first competitive game in nine months and had six disposals and 28 hit-outs.
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State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Box Hill Hawks - Friday, March 23, 2.30pm, Olympic Park Oval
The Magpies kicked away in the final term to beat Box Hill by 23 points in hot conditions at the Holden Centre on Friday afternoon.
Daniel Wells got through a half of football and kicked a goal before being rested for the second half. He will play again at VFL level next week.
QT | Collingwood 5.5 (35) leads Box Hill 2.1 (13). We're off to a flyer. Goals to T.Brown, Broomhead, Blair, Fasolo + Wells have us where we want to be. Sier + Lynch strong at the stoppages; Hore great at half back #vflmagpies pic.twitter.com/jsBEjaRd2U
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) March 23, 2018
Alex Fasolo played his way into senior contention with two goals across half-forward. He has now got through three games of football and should bolster the Pies as soon as next week against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.
Tim Broomhead kicked three goals, while Jarryd Blair booted two majors. Matt Scharenberg played well across half-back.
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Essendon - Saturday, March 24, 12pm, RAMS Arena, Craigieburn
Essendon defeated Werribee in difficult conditions, 9.5 (59) to 2.11 (23) with Jackson Merrett kicking two goals and Matthew Leuenberger kicking one.
Dylan Clarke, Matt Guelfi and Leuenberger were among Essendon’s best.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v East Perth - Saturday, March 24, 1.30pm, Bendigo Bank Stadium
Joel Hamling pressed his case for a recall with a commanding performance in Peel's 104-point win over East Perth on Saturday.
After he was considered underdone for the Dockers' season opener, Hamling had about 20 touches in the WAFL practice match and ticked the necessary boxes, according to Peel coach Cam Shepherd.
Young Tasmanian forward Hugh Dixon marked strongly and kicked six goals, while Michael Apeness (10 marks, three goals) made an encouraging return to the field.
Fremantle's No.5 draft selection, Adam Cerra, was busy with 24 touches and a goal, pressing his claim to join fellow 2017 first-round pick Andrew Brayshaw in the senior team.
Ruckmen Sean Darcy, Lloyd Meek and Scott Jones dominated the stoppages, while defender Brennan Cox (seven marks) also impressed.
State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Geelong - Sunday, March 25, 10.30am, VU Whitten Oval
Cats big man Rhys Stanley has responded strongly to being overlooked in round one, bagging a game-high four goals in an 18-point win over Footscray in a VFL practice match at Whitten Oval on Sunday.
Exciting youngster Nakia Cockatoo also showed he had the conditioning to resume at AFL level by slotting two goals in a classy performance ahead of the annual Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn.
In further welcome news for the Cats, midfielder Scott Selwood got through 70 per cent of the game in his first hit-out after ankle surgery.
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Palm Beach Currumbin - Saturday, March 24, 10am, Bond University
The Suns' NEAFL squad had a 130-point win over QAFL premier Palm Beach Currumbin. Player stats to come.
State league affiliate: GWS (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Sydney University - Saturday, March 24, 12pm, Tom Wills Oval
Young gun Jacob Hopper has given the strongest indication he is ready to return at AFL level by starring in the Giants' NEAFL practice match against Sydney University at Tom Wills Oval on Saturday.
Hopper had been battling a groin problem but showed he had regained full fitness by being the Giant' best player in a narrow loss.
Other GWS standouts included the experienced Tim Mohr, prized draftee Aiden Bonar, ruckman Dawson Simpson and youngster Isaac Cumming.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Box Hill Hawks - Friday, March 23, 2.30pm, Olympic Park Oval
Box Hill was beaten by 23 points by Collingwood at the Holden Centre in a VFL practice match on Friday afternoon.
Second-year key forward Mitchell Lewis booted three goals, while midfielder Jonathan O'Rourke ran the game out and looked classy in his first hit-out of the year.
Draftee James Worpel kicked two goals and physically looked comfortable at the level, while second-year players Harry Morrison and Oliver Hanrahan continued their promising pre-season form.
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State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: North Melbourne v Coburg - Saturday, March 24, 2pm, Arden Street
North Melbourne finished strongly to beat Coburg 15.11 (101) to 8.14 (62) in their VFL practice match on Saturday afternoon.
Keep an eye out on @NorthVFL for score updates as the boys take on Coburg at Arden St.
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) March 24, 2018
Bounce from 2pm.#BeAShinboner pic.twitter.com/ZDvlRMluSB
Nick Larkey, Ben McKay and Will Walker were among the best for the North VFL outfit, which plays under its own steam for the first time this year.
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide Magpies (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Adelaide - Friday, March 23, 4.30pm, Alberton Oval
The Magpies enjoyed a comfortable 40-point win over Adelaide on Friday afternoon at Alberton Oval in a practice match.
Two of the club’s new recruits were listed among the best players. Former Demon Jack Trengove and ex-North Melbourne small forward Lindsay Thomas were listed by the club as among the best players.
Midfielder Jimmy Toumpas was the best player for Port, while key defender Jack Hombsch was the defensive marshal for the side.
Jake Neade also featured among the best players.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Northern Blues - Thursday, March 22, 4.10pm, Swinburne Centre
A great day for the Tigers started with a 54-point win over the Northern Blues at Punt Road in a VFL practice match.
Exciting draftees Jack Higgins and Liam Baker electrified the Tigers in the third term with two goals each as Richmond put the game away.
Father-son draftee Patrick Naish also delighted the Tigers with some of his defensive efforts including a chase down of speedy Blue Kym Lebois.
Big man Mabior Chol kicked two goals in the opening quarter.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Williamstown - Saturday, March 24, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
The Zebras could muster just five goals for the day in losing to Williamstown in a VFL practice match.
Saints listed players Luke Dunstan and Nathan Wright each kicked a goal.
Bailey Rice led Sandringham for disposals with 24, followed by Dunstan with 22, Ed Phillips with 21 and Nick Coffield with 17.
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: East Perth (SANFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v East Perth - Saturday, March 24, 1.30pm, Bendigo Bank Stadium
Brayden Ainsworth (26 disposals, five tackles) was the most consistent Eagles-listed player on a tough day for East Perth.
Fellow youngsters Josh Rotham (26 touches, 12 marks) and Hamish Brayshaw (19 touches) also battled hard in the 104-point loss, while Fraser McInnes (14 touches, five marks) toiled hard against Fremantle trio Sean Darcy, Lloyd Meek and Scott Jones.
Small forward Willie Rioli was endured a quiet day, managed just seven touches. His left knee needed more treatment in the first quarter and he sat out most of the final quarter.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Geelong - Sunday, March 25, 10.30am, VU Whitten Oval
The Bulldogs will have several options for promotion from the VFL despite Footscray’s 18-point loss to Geelong in a VFL practice match at Whitten Oval on Sunday.
Midfielder Mitch Wallis performed his typical grunt work and also helped set up a few goals.
Power forward Jack Redpath and the versatile Lin Jong kicked two goals apiece while premiership opportunist Tory Dickson, ex-Lions key forward Josh Schache and fellow youngster Patrick Lipinski were also among the goalkickers.
Schache and Tom Boyd, whose right knee was strapped, shared the ruck duties and changed in attack and, despite not hitting the scoreboard as much they would have liked, were workmanlike as a combination in the windy conditions.
