• Nine things we learned from round 19
• Forecast the final eight with the 2014 ladder predictor
• Fantasy round review: Every call matters
VFL
NEWLY re-signed Kangaroo Mason Wood has put his hand up to make his AFL debut following a dominant display in attack for Werribee.
A consistent performer in the VFL all year, Wood kicked three goals and combined well with teammate Ben Brown who booted one major, in his return from a finger injury.
Meanwhile, Kangaroos key defender Nathan Grima got through his first competitive hit-out unscathed after spending the past three months on the sidelines battling a foot injury.
Western Bulldogs forwards Liam Jones and Ayce Cordy starred in attack for Footscray in its 131-point smashing of Bendigo.
The pair had four goals each, while Jarrad Grant chipped in with three.
Veteran Daniel Giansiracusa (27) and Tom Young (25) were among the Bulldogs' best players, while Lin Jong had 19 touches and kicked two goals in a solid performance.
Luke Ball has made a successful return from a back problem with a best-afield effort to lead Collingwood's reserves to a hard-fought 11-point victory over Box Hill Hawks at Victoria Park on Saturday.
As usual, the veteran onballer did a lot of the heavy work, amassing a double-figure tackle tally while being a high-possession winner.
Omitted Pies pair Clinton Young and Ben Kennedy also played like men on a mission and their penetrating, left-foot kicking was a feature, with Kennedy drilling two important goals.
Fellow midfield contender Josh Thomas, West Australian teenager Jackson Ramsay and rookie Peter Yagmoor were also prominent for the winners.
Former Brisbane Lions forward Patrick Karnezis (two goals) also didn't do his hopes of a promotion any harm.
The Pies' prized draftee Matt Scharenberg got through his second VFL appearance unscathed in about 75 per cent game time.
Kyle Cheney was the best for the Hawks with a characteristically hard-edged display in defence, while teenage midfielder Billy Hartung continues to press his claims for a senior berth after being named an emergency for Sunday's AFL clash with the Western Bulldogs.
The Hawks were also well served by Jordan Kelly and rookie Dallas Willsmore.
Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, dropped in favour of veteran David Hale, kicked a goal but wasn't among the Hawks' best.
Fellow big men Luke Lowden and Sam Grimley slotted two goals apiece.
Geelong's impressive batch of youngsters, led by midfielder Jordon Schroder, put on an exhibition in a 61-point win over Frankston at Simonds Stadium.
Schroder, Billie Smedts and Jesse Stringer amassed more than 80 disposals between them, while key forward Mitch Brown kicked four goals.
Teenager Brad Hartman, who was omitted from the Cats' AFL side, kicked two goals, as did Josh Walker, while Jed Bews was also impressive.
Young Essendon midfielders Nick O'Brien and Leroy Jetta were superb despite the Bombers slumping to a 71-point loss to Williamstown at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
O'Brien played a terrific game and gathered a team-high 26 possessions, while Jetta had 23 touches and kicked two goals in a classy display.
Jake Melksham also slotted two goals from his 15 touches, while 18-year-old Orazio Fantasia (17 and a goal) and rookie Johnny Rayner (21) showed their talent.
Melbourne's ruck-forward duo of Max Gawn and Jack Fitzpatrick dominated in Casey Scorpions' 42-point win over the Northern Blues at Casey Fields.
Between them the pair contributed 80 hit-outs (including 54 to Gawn), 14 marks and six goals.
The beneficiaries of their work included Viv Michie (26), Matt Jones (26), Mitch Clisby (24) and Dom Barry (19).
The Blues' top draft pick Patrick Cripps must be firming for a senior recall after collecting 27 disposals, while Dennis Armfield (28) and the forgotten Kane Lucas were also busy.
Richmond midfielder Shaun Grigg has shown he is ready to return to AFL level after a remarkable effort in a side that went down to Sandringham by 13 points at Punt Road Oval.
Following a 30-possession game last week on return from a hamstring injury, Grigg racked up 36 disposals, 25 of which were contested, including a phenomenal 19 clearances – nine from centre bounces.
Also impressive for the Tigers were young midfielder Matthew Arnot, veteran ruckman Orren Stephenson and defender Matt Dea.
Tall forward Liam McBean kicked four goals, while Aaron Edwards and Matthew McDonough slotted three apiece.
For the winners, St Kilda star Sam Gilbert was terrific in his first game at any level since injuring his foot in round three.
Other Saints to impress included teenager Josh Saunders, Sam Dunell (four goals), and Tom Simpkin.
Opportunists Darren Minchington and Terry Milera each contributed three goals, while key forward hope Spencer White also kicked three majors.
WAFL
Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito has put his hand up for senior selection with a 31-disposal performance in Peel Thunder's win over Perth.
The 23-year-old was dropped from the Dockers' side after a disappointing display against St Kilda in round 18.
But on Saturday in the WAFL he was among Peel's best players.
Hayden Crozier also staked his claim for a senior recall with 30 possessions and two goals in a brilliant performance, while Colin Sylvia had 23 touches and kicked two goals.
Fremantle rookie Michael Wood kicked five goals in the win, while Max Duffy booted three.
Meanwhile, West coast ruckman Callum Sinclair has pushed his case for selection with a stand-out performance for East Perth in Saturday's loss to Subiaco.
The Eagle had 24 disposals, 10 marks, 34 hit-outs and kicked a goal as East Perth's 10-game winning streak came to an end.
West Coast utility Simon Tunbridge had a quiet day but was reported late in the final term for striking Subiaco's Simon Moore.
SANFL
Adelaide midfielder Jarryd Lyons could be edging closer to a senior recall after yet another strong showing in the SANFL.
After being dropped after the Crows' Showdown victory over Port Adelaide in round 15, Lyons hasn't missed a beat in the reserves.
The 22-year-old had 31 disposals and kicked 2.5 in Adelaide's win over the Eagles in the SANFL on Sunday.
Teammate Matt Crouch was also among the best players with 38 touches and seven clearances.
Forward Shaun McKernan kicked three goals, while veteran Crow Jason Porplyzia had 28 disposals and kicked two goals.
Port Adelaide rookie Sam Gray was the Power's most prolific player in a 17-point loss to South Adelaide at Higginbotham Oval.
Gray had a team-high 29 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s, and also laid six tackles.
Tom Logan had 26 touches and 12 marks, Lewis Stephenson (24) was handy and Jake Neade kicked 3.3 from 13 touches.
NEAFL
Gold Coast livewire Brandon Matera has made a successful return to competitive football after missing the past four games with a groin injury.
The 22-year-old was one of the best players for the Suns, in the team's 150-point loss to Aspley in the NEAFL on Sunday.
Matera is likely now to push for senior selection with Gold Coast looking to shore up a spot in the final eight.
Defender Seb Tape, who has been sidelined for seven weeks with a hamstring injury, also got through his first match back unscathed, and was among the best alongside Tom Murphy and Matera.
The Sydney Swans' AFL side is the toughest to break into but youngster Brandon Jack and veteran Ryan O'Keefe have put their names forward for senior recalls after strong performances in the NEAFL.
O'Keefe, who hasn't played at AFL level since round four, amassed a team-high 33 possessions and kicked two of his side's nine goals in the Swans' 27-point win over the Brisbane Lions in their SCG curtain-raiser on Friday night.
Jack wasn't far behind him. The 20-year-old younger brother of Swans co-captain Kieren Jack had 23 touches, kicked a goal and sent the ball inside 50 on eight occasions.
It was Jack's first game since being dropped by the Swans after round 17.
The Swans were also well served by Irish defender Tommy Walsh (19 disposals and eight rebounds), South Australian teenager George Hewett (30 possessions and two goals), Matthew Dick (28) and rookies Daniel Robinson (20) and Shane Biggs (26).
For the Lions, tall midfielder Nick Robertson was the standout with a game-high 38 disposals and five clearances.
He received solid support from athletic rookie Jordon Bourke (24), the experienced Andrew Raines (32 and a goal), talented teenager Marco Paparone (33) and key forward Jonathan Freeman (3.2).
Greater Western Sydney youngsters, including ruckman Tom Downie, dined out in a 48-point win over Sydney Hills Eagles at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Downie, who has played his only AFL game last year, formed a dominant big man combination with the more experienced Jonathon Giles and provided superb service to the likes of Mark Whiley, Nathan Wilson, Jed Lamb and James Stewart.
Tasmanian State League
Former Brisbane Lions player Aaron Cornelius has suffered a serious leg injury in an incident that forced a game to be abandoned early.
The Glenorchy playing coach was starring against Clarence at Bellerive Oval when he landed heavily on his left leg after taking a skyscraping mark in the goalsquare late in the game.
Cornelius remained unmoved beside a goalpost for about an hour until paramedics helped him from the field.
Umpires were forced to abandon the game, which Cornelius' team won by 26 points.
Cornelius, 24, was delisted by the Lions last year after 25 games and 35 goals in five years.
