State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Sturt v Adelaide - Sunday, July 1, 2.10pm, Peter Motley Oval
Dumped winger Rory Atkins was one of Adelaide's best players in its 72-point loss to Sturt.
Atkins, who was dropped for the first time since Don Pyke took the Crows in 2016, gathered 28 possessions (20 kicks) and kicked a goal.
Rookie-listed midfielder Patrick Wilson, who was also omitted for the Crows' round 15 clash with West Coast, amassed 32 touches (21 kicks)
And another rookie on-baller Jackson Edwards – the son of 300-gamer Tyson – gathered 19 disposals.
State league affiliate: Brisbane (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v Brisbane - Saturday, June 30, 12pm, Blacktown International Sportspark
Midfielder Ben Keays picked up 28 disposals, seven tackles and a goal in Brisbane's 29-point loss to Sydney at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday afternoon.
Liam Dawson (32 disposals and 10 marks), Rohan Bewick (24 and two goals) and Ryan Bastinac (23) were prolific.
Backman Sam Mayes responded to his omission with 18 disposals while Sam Skinner, in his second game back from a third knee reconstruction, finished with 12.
The Lions led at the first break but Sydney held sway thereafter, winning 12.8 (80) to 7.9 (51).
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Footscray - Saturday, June 30, 10am, Ikon Park
Former Cat Darcy Lang picked up 20 disposals in the Northern Blues' six-point loss to Footscray at Ikon Park on Saturday.
Defender Cam O'Shea had 16 while fellow backman Ciaran Byrne notched 15.
Patrick Kerr passed a fitness test after a hip issue and booted two goals, while promising tall Harry McKay slotted one himself.
The Blues led by four points at the final break but the Bulldogs finished in front, 10.11 (71) to 10.5 (65).
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Williamstown v Collingwood - Sunday, July 1, 2.10pm, Williamstown Football Ground
Callum Brown kicked two goals and was Collingwood's best player in their five-goal loss to Williamstown.
Brown has played six AFL games this season, the most recent of those in round eight.
Big-bodied midfielder Rupert Wills was also good for the Pies.
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Casey Demons - Saturday, June 30, 2.10pm, RAMS Arena
Defender Aaron Francis responded after a quiet first half to impress in Essendon's eight-point loss to the Casey Demons at RAMS Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Francis finished with 14 disposals and seven marks.
Bombers coach Dan Jordan told Channel Seven his side had needed more from the South Australian, who hasn't played in the senior side since round seven last year.
"We really want some consistency from Aaron and today conditions probably weren't suited for him in terms of marking and the way Casey utilise the ball and go forward pretty slickly," Jordan said.
"He got challenged at half-time and I thought his second half was terrific.
"He positioned himself really, really well. Had some really good impact in that third quarter – I reckon he took three or four intercept marks – and gave some impetus driving from the back half."
Kobe Mutch (24 disposals) and Dylan Clarke (23) were among the ball-winners but their performances weren't enough as Casey won 8.6 (54) to 6.10 (46).
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v Swan Districts - Saturday, June 30, 2.15pm, Bendigo Bank Stadium
Bradley Hill impressed in his first game since the Dockers' round two victory over Essendon.
The Fremantle speedster, who has been troubled by a knee complaint in 2018, finished with 25 possessions and seven marks, and was instrumental in Peel's 10.18 (78) to 9.6 (60) win.
Harley Bennell had 21 disposals and a goal, before sitting out the final term, while veteran Docker Danyle Pearce again racked up big numbers (35 touches).
Fremantle rookie Taylin Duman amassed 31 possessions, took nine marks and kicked a goal, while ruckman Sean Darcy kicked three goals and had 31 hit-outs.
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Werribee - Saturday, June 30, 11am, GMHBA Stadium
Forward Daniel Menzel bagged two goals in his return from a groin injury as Geelong defeated Werribee by 16 points at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Menzel hadn't played since round five of the AFL season.
Ryan Gardner snagged three goals while Wylie Buzza finished with two.
Nakia Cockatoo had been due to return from a left knee issue but illness ruled him out of the match.
The Cats came away with the win, 12.16 (88) to 10.12 (72).
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Redland - Saturday, June 30, 4pm, Metricon Stadium
Kade Kolodjashnij had a big afternoon, the 22-year-old finishing with 31 disposals, 14 marks and a goal in the Suns' 27-point win.
Kolodjashnij hasn't played at senior level since Gold Coast's round four loss to West Coast.
Will Brodie (29 touches and a goal), Jesse Lonergan (25 possessions and five tackles), Jacob Heron (20 disposals) and Jack Scrimshaw (18 touches, seven marks and a goal) also performed well for the Suns, who won 15.11 (101) to 10.14 (74).
Connor Nutting with a brilliant match-winner against the Bombers !#NEAFL | @GoldCoastSUNS | @AFLQ pic.twitter.com/3dhn7SCp0N
— NEAFL (@neaflofficial) July 1, 2018
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Aspley - Saturday, June 30, 4pm, Spotless Stadium
Giants Academy product Nick Shipley had a day out against Aspley with the 19-year-old winning 26 disposals, laying six tackles and kicking three goals.
Adam Kennedy (26 touches, 11 marks), Matthew Flynn (25 possessions, 39 hit-outs, eight clearances), Tim Mohr (23 disposals, nine rebound 50s, six marks) and Matt Buntine (23 touches, nine marks, five tackles) were the other players to shine for the Giants.
Rookie Zachary Sproule and ex-Blue Dylan Buckley each kicked three majors in the 40-point win.
The NEAFL GIANTS make it FIVE wins in a row!
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) June 30, 2018
A 40 point win moves them into the top six.#BeGIANT pic.twitter.com/iefPoFy6kH
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Box Hill Hawks - Saturday, June 30, 11.30am, Swinburne Centre
Draftee James Worpel impressed in Box Hill's 47-point loss to Richmond at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
Worpel collected 20 disposals, nine clearances, seven inside-50s and two goals.
James Cousins (27 disposals and a goal) was his side's biggest ball-winner, while Brendan Whitecross (25) and Kieran Lovell (22) were also relatively prolific.
The Tigers trailed by three points at the main break but ran away with victory, 14.11 (95) to 6.12 (48).
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Casey Demons - Saturday, June 30, 2.10pm, RAMS Arena
Dropped veteran Bernie Vince amassed 25 disposals, six marks and five tackles in the Casey Demons' eight-point victory against Essendon at RAMS Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Oskar Baker (34 disposals and nine marks) and Billy Stretch (23 and two goals) won their fair share of the football.
Coach Jade Rawlings was impressed with talls Cam Pedersen, Sam Frost, Tim Smith and Declan Keilty.
Small forward Jeff Garlett finished with 1.2 and laid seven tackles.
The Demons led at every change to post a 8.6 (54) to 6.10 (46) win.
"We've just got to keep playing our way"@caseydemonsfc skipper Jack Hutchins spoke from the boundary during the final term.#7VFL #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/rgVGPnrspU
— 7VFL (@7VFL) June 30, 2018
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: North Melbourne v Coburg - Sunday, July 1, 11am, Avalon Airport Oval
Tristan Xerri, Gordon Narrier and Will Walker each kicked two goals for North Melbourne in its big win over Coburg.
Midfielders Mitchell Hibberd and Josh Williams won plenty of the ball and were influential for the Kangaroos.
Back in the winners circle! ⚪️ #BeAShinboner pic.twitter.com/kVJc1y3oCN
— North Melbourne VFL (@NorthVFL) July 1, 2018
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Norwood - Sunday, July 1, 2.10pm, Alberton Oval
Recently dropped forward Jack Watts turned in another strong performance for the Magpies in their 28-point loss.
Watts finished with 18 touches, six marks, four tackles and two goals.
Jake Neade gathered 27 touches, took four marks and laid five tackles, while Karl Amon gathered 26 touches.
Darcy Byrne-Jones, who was dropped for turning up late to training, won the ball 14 times.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Box Hill Hawks - Saturday, June 30, 11.30am, Swinburne Centre
A sickening collision left Richmond onballer Anthony Miles concussed but the Tigers managed to record a 47-point win over Box Hill at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
Miles, 26, was taken to hospital for precautionary measures after being stretchered off the ground late in the game.
However, the early signs were positive.
Draftee Patrick Naish booted a couple of classy goals while Shai Bolton (22 disposals), playing in an unfamiliar midfield role, excelled.
Meanwhile, Corey Ellis picked up 27 disposals while Sam Lloyd and Connor Menadue each finished with 23.
The Tigers were three points behind at half-time but stepped up after the main break to post the 14.11 (95) to 6.12 (48) victory.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Port Melbourne v Sandringham - Saturday, June 30, 2pm, North Port Oval
Key forward Josh Bruce booted three goals but another tall, ruckman Tom Hickey, starred as Sandringham defeated Port Melbourne by 56 points at North Port Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Hickey racked up 34 disposals.
Darren Minchington returned from a hip injury to amass 25 disposals and two goals while Rowan Marshall (24 and one) was also prolific.
Nathan Freeman collected 20 touches and laid five tackles, while Sam Gilbert was named among the Zebras' best with 18 possessions and a goal.
Nathan Wright bagged three majors while Jack Lonie slotted two.
The Zebras ran away comfortable victors, 21.8 (134) to 11.12 (78).
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v Brisbane - Saturday, June 30, 12pm, Blacktown International Sportspark
Returning forward Sam Reid booted two goals and collected 12 disposals in his comeback from a quad injury in Sydney's 29-point victory over Brisbane at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday.
However, dashing defender Ryley Stoddart suffered a concussion in the first quarter.
Defender Lewis Melican was also playing his first game in months, and had six disposals.
Both had been absent since round three of the AFL season.
Development coach Tadhg Kennelly was impressed with how that pair performed.
"Reid and Melican looked fit, looked healthy," Kennelly told sydneyswans.com.au.
"Melican competed really hard and Reidy was providing options. They'll look to build on it now. They've had long breaks away from footy."
Nic Newman was important, amassing 30 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal, while Jordan Foote (25 disposals) and Jordan Dawson (24 and three goals) made their impact felt.
The Swans trailed at quarter-time but led at every other break to win 12.8 (80) to 7.9 (51).
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: South Fremantle v East Perth - Saturday, June 30, 2.15pm, Fremantle Community Bank Oval
Dom Sheed pressed his claims for a senior recall with a starring role for the Royals in their 16.9 (105) to 12.12 (84) loss to the Bulldogs.
Dropped after the round 13 loss to Sydney, Sheed collected a game-high 34 disposals and had six inside 50s.
Big man Nathan Vardy dominated in the ruck with 57 hit-outs, to go with seven tackles and two goals.
Luke Partington continued his strong form at the lower level, the 21-year-old with 25 possessions, five inside 50s, eight tackles and a goal.
Rookie Tony Olango hurt a hamstring.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Footscray - Saturday, June 30, 10am, Ikon Park
Ruckman Jordan Roughead impressed with 33 hit-outs, five tackles and a goal in Footscray's six-point win against the Northern Blues at Ikon Park on Saturday.
Mitch Honeychurch was his typical hard-nosed self through the midfield as he put his name up for a recall following Lin Jong's broken right collarbone, collecting 14 disposals and six tackles.
Up forward, Fletcher Roberts booted three goals, all in the second quarter, while at the other end of the ground, Kieran Collins looked good in amassing 15 disposals and nine marks.
The Bulldogs trailed by four points at the final break but came away with a 10.11 (71) to 10.5 (65) win.
Some happy Bulldogs #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/nuB1f7gL09
— Footscray Bulldogs (@FootscrayVFL) June 30, 2018
