State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Adelaide v Port Adelaide - Sunday, July 15, 1.10pm, Kadina Oval
Myles Poholke and Darcy Fogarty both responded to being axed by kicking three goals, as Adelaide smashed Port Adelaide.
Rookie Patrick Wilson won himself 32 possessions and kicked a goal, while Sam Gibson (27 touches) and Cam Ellis-Yolmen (25 and two goals) put their hand up for recalls.
Matthew Signorello and Elliott Himmelberg both booted two goals in the 56-point win.
Curtly Hampton, who was dumped following a poor game against Richmond in round 16, was a late withdrawal because of illness.
A special win for the young lads ❤️ #SANFL #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/P2SLwCjmkj
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) July 15, 2018
State league affiliate: Brisbane (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney University v Brisbane - Saturday, July 14, 12pm, Blacktown International Sportspark
Jacob Allison and Ben Keays racked up 33 and 30 disposals respectively as Brisbane beat Sydney University by 11 points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday afternoon.
Both also kicked a goal.
Former Roo Ryan Bastinac had 28 himself, while Rohan Bewick (25 and one goal), Corey Lyons (25 and seven marks) and Sam Mayes (22) were also among the major ball-winners.
Category B rookie Tom Fullarton, who previously played basketball for the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL, booted two goals on debut and collected nine disposals as the Lions won, 12.14 (86) to 9.21 (75).
Didn’t take long...
— Lions NEAFL (@LionsNEAFL) July 14, 2018
Tom Fullarton kicks his first goal! #NEAFL pic.twitter.com/gbnuBKfMcb
Ben Keays had 30 disposals in the NEAFL for the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Williamstown - Sunday, July 15, 2pm, Ikon Park
With Andrew Phillips out injured and Matthew Kreuzer in doubt after a heart scare, Matthew Lobbe is a chance to make his Carlton debut when Carlton faces Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Lobbe was one of the Blues' best in their 39-point loss to Williamstown.
Nick Graham kicked two goals, so too did rookie Kym Lebois, while Ciaran Byrne worked hard.
LADDER PREDICTOR Where will your club finish?
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
THINGS WE LEARNED Fun in footy is becoming endangered
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Essendon - Saturday, July 14, 2.10pm, Avalon Airport Oval
Tall forward James Stewart collected 26 disposals and recorded 3.4 as Essendon fell one-point short of Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Stewart also took 13 marks.
Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger booted three goals while Jayden Laverde slotted two among his 18 disposals.
Jackson Merrett finished with 23 disposals and a goal as Werribee won, 15.13 (103) to 15.12 (102).
How about this BARREL from Michael Hartley?! @EssendonVFL #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/EsQacYvsMN
— 7VFL (@7VFL) July 14, 2018
James Stewart had a big outing against Werribee. Picture: AFL Photos
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Perth v Peel Thunder - Saturday, July 14, 2.15pm, Lathlain Park
Harley Bennell gathered 19 disposals and kicked a goal in Peel's loss to Perth.
Veterans Danyle Pearce and Michael Johnson, who both look set to bow out at the end of the season, were among the better players for the Thunder.
Pearce ended up with 34 touches, four marks, five inside 50s and a goal, while Johnson (17 possessions, 10 marks) was rock solid in defence.
The defeat was compounded by a lower leg injury to big man Michael Apeness, who was dropped back to the lower level following Fremantle's loss to Melbourne last week.
FANTASY FORM WATCH Time to cash in a superstar
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Geelong - Sunday, July 15, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Luckless forward Nakia Cockatoo's return to footy lasted less than 15 minutes on Sunday.
Cockatoo, whose season has been cruelled by a knee issue,
suffered yet another knee injury, and looks set for more time on the sidelines.
Charlie Constable (36 possessions and a goal) was everywhere for the Cats, while Zac Smith (45 hit-outs, 21 touches and two goals) poured more pressure on incumbent ruckman Rhys Stanley.
Jordan Murdoch (27 disposals), George Horlin-Smith (25 and a goal), Jordan Cunico (25) and Lachie Henderson (20 and 10 marks) were all very good.
THE RUN HOME The Hawks may have blown it
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Gold Coast - Saturday, July 14, 1.45pm, Spotless Stadium
Veteran Michael Barlow racked up 44 disposals, took nine marks and laid six tackles as Gold Coast pipped Greater Western Sydney by two points at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Pearce Hanley returned from right shoulder surgery and collected 31 disposals himself.
Back from a leg injury, Brayden Fiorini picked up 36 disposals, 11 tackles, eight marks and slotted two goals.
Defender Kade Kolodjashnij notched up 23 while fellow backman Jack Scrimshaw had 18.
The Giants led by nine points at the last break but Gold Coast finished just in front, 10.10 (70) to 8.20 (68).
Veteran Michael Barlow was outstanding for the Suns. Picture: AFL Photos
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Gold Coast - Saturday, July 14, 1.45pm, Spotless Stadium
On return from yet another calf injury, Brett Deledio topped the stats sheet with 32 disposals in Greater Western Sydney's two-point loss to Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Deledio's strain in May was not to the calf that kept him sidelined for much of 2017.
Dropped defender Jeremy Finlayson collected 27 disposals and six marks while fellow backman Tim Mohr had 25 and 11.
GWS led at every break but were headed in the final term as the Suns posted a 10.10 (70) to 8.20 (68) victory.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Port Melbourne - Sunday, July 15, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval
Don't be surprised to see James Worpel back at AFL level again in round 18.
Worpel was the Hawks' best in their 43-point triumph, finishing with 35 possessions and a goal.
Dylan Moore (27 touches and a goal) and David Mirra (22) both won plenty of the ball, while Ryan Schoenmakers collected 21 disposals and kicked two goals.
Talented youngster Mitchell Lewis booted three goals for the second week in succession, and Jackson Ross added two.
The boys sing themselves back into the top four and towards the bye! #GameFaceOn pic.twitter.com/16nLduYsgu
— Box Hill Hawks (@BoxHillHawks) July 15, 2018
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Footscray - Sunday, July 15, 2pm, Casey Fields
Dom Tyson sent a reminder to Simon Goodwin and his assistants, the left-footer leading the way for Casey in their win over Footscray.
Tyson racked up 26 possessions, as the Demons won 13.10 (88) to 11.7 (73) – their ninth straight victory.
Sam Weideman impressed up forward with four goals, while Cam Pedersen (24 possessions) and Aaron vandenBerg (19) were both busy.
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v North Melbourne - Saturday, July 14, 2.10pm, Holm Park Recreation Reserve
Braydon Preuss was one the Roos' few winners on a disappointing afternoon at Beaconsfield.
Preuss won 45 hit-outs and kicked a goal in the 85-point loss.
Big man Sam Durdin suffered a serious leg injury during the third term and was stretchered from the ground.
North's first pick in last year's draft, Luke Davies-Uniacke, did not play and subsequently was a late inclusion for the seniors against Sydney, while their second pick, Will Walker, had 18 possessions, three clearances and a goal.
Big-bodied midfielder Kyron Hayden showed good signs, finishing with 14 disposals and five clearances.
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Adelaide v Port Adelaide - Sunday, July 15, 1.10pm, Kadina Oval
Todd Marshall was stretchered from the field during the third quarter after suffering a nasty-looking ankle injury.
The young forward was rolling around on the ground in agony before being taken off.
Marshall, who was getting around on crutches post-game, will have scans on Monday.
Jack Trengove amassed a team-high 26 possessions and laid eight tackles; Jarrod Lienert won 22 touches, took eight marks and kicked a goal; and Jasper Pittard also had 22 disposals.
Will Snelling (20 possessions, 11 tackles) and Jimmy Toumpas (19 touches) were industrious.
Port lost by 56 points.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v North Melbourne - Saturday, July 14, 2.10pm, Holm Park Recreation Reserve
Tyson Stengle had a day out against the Kangaroos, with the exciting small forward, who is yet to play senior footy in 2018, bagging six goals.
Stengle also racked up 26 possessions in a best-on-ground- display.
Sam Lloyd did his favours of a senior recall no harm with a game-high 38 disposals, 10 inside 50s and a goal.
Connor Menadue (29 possessions, six inside 50s) was busy, so too was Jacob Townsend (24 touches, two goals)
Another connected performance, we ❤️ our second home. #gotiges #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/nW8KyI09EZ
— Richmond VFL (@RichmondVFL) July 14, 2018
Sam Lloyd did his chances of a senior return no harm. Picture: AFL Photos
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Geelong - Sunday, July 15, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Nathan Freeman may win himself an AFL debut after another strong performance at VFL level.
The injury-prone midfielder amassed 25 possessions in Sandringham's 28-point loss.
After picking up 33 disposals in his return from injury last week, Blake Acres (21 touches) had another strong game.
Nineteen-year-old Ben Paton, who was taken with pick No.46 in the 2017 National Draft, kicked two goals.
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: NT Thunder v Sydney - Saturday, July 14, 6.30pm, TIO Stadium
Jordan Foote was instrumental in the Swans' 74-point win in Darwin.
The Sydney Academy product kicked three goals and won plenty of the ball.
Dean Towers, who was axed following the loss to the Cats, was prolific in the midfield and is likely to come under consideration at the selection table ahead of the Swans' round 18 date with Gold Coast.
Big man Darcy Cameron booted three goals and was a handful for the Thunder defence, so too were rookies Joel Amartey (three goals) and James Bell (two).
Jordan Dawson and Jack Maibaum were the other Sydney players to impress.
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: Swan Districts v East Perth - Saturday, July 14, 2.15pm, Steel Blue Oval
Liam Ryan booted three goals for East Perth in his return to footy after a club-imposed sanction for crashing his car into a tree.
Midfielder Dom Sheed was outstanding for the Royals in their big win, finishing with 37 possessions, 10 inside 50s and a goal.
Youngster Hamish Brayshaw also put his hand up for a promotion, with 25 touches, seven tackles and two goals.
Dumped big man Nathan Vardy (66 hit-outs, 16 possessions and a goal) dominated in the ruck, while defender Tom Barrass was solid in his return from a back injury.
Jack Petruccelle, who has played two AFL games in 2018, kicked three goals.
The Royals won 18.7 (115) to 8.6 (54).
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Footscray - Sunday, July 15, 2pm, Casey Fields
An AFL debut may not be far away for Fergus Greene, after he booted four goals and in the first half and was the Bulldogs' best player against Casey.
Lukas Webb and Callum Porter made strong contributions, and Lewis Young kicked two goals.
The Dogs went down by 15 points.
