• Nine things we learned from round 17
• Fantasy form watch: Disaster strikes in-form Gaz
• After the siren: The Dockers are far from done
State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: West Adelaide v Adelaide - Sunday July 26, 2.10pm, City Mazda Stadium
Ball-winner Jarryd Lyons was influential through the midfield in the Crows' 63-point victory, collecting 35 disposals, eight marks and kicking one goal.
Youngster Matt Crouch, who was omitted from the Crows' clash against Gold Coast, responded well with a season-high 33 touches, six marks and a goal.
Lyons and Crouch combined for 23 clearances and 14 inside 50s, while Andy Otten gathered 20 disposals, a match-high 10 marks and a goal in a solid display.
After bagging five goals last weekend, experienced tall James Podsiadly was again the focal point with five majors to go with his 18 disposals and nine marks.
What's the record for the most possessions in a SANFL game? Matt crouch is a fair chance to break the 60 barrier
— Matthew Jaensch (@matt_jaensch) July 26, 2015
State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane Lions v UWS Giants - Saturday July 25, 3.10pm, Gabba
Coming off the back of his 36 touches last weekend, rookie Zac O'Brien was again prolific with 33 possessions (21 kicks, 12 handballs), nine tackles, seven marks and two goals despite the Lions' 97-point loss.
Backman Tom Cutler had 26 disposals (16 kicks, 10 handballs), nine tackles and six marks in a defence that was under plenty of pressure all match.
Rookie Billy Evans collected 22 touches (six kicks, 16 handballs), while experienced forward Luke McGuane was the Lions' leading goalkicker with three.
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Casey Scorpions - Sunday July 26, 12pm, Victoria Park
Swingman Ben Reid got through unscathed in his comeback from a calf strain, kicking three goals in the Magpies' 23-point win.
The 26-year-old moved freely at full-forward, playing the whole match with normal rotations.
The good news continued for trio Ben Sinclair (hamstring), Corey Gault (hip flexor) and Tony Armstrong (knee), who made successful returns from their respective injuries.
Sinclair and Armstrong were solid across half-back alongside fellow backman Matt Scharenberg, while strong performances from Clinton Young (two goals), Jonathon Marsh and Sam Dwyer capped the resounding win.
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Essendon - Saturday July 25, 11am, Simonds Stadium
Defender Courtenay Dempsey embraced a new role in attack and kicked four goals in the Bombers' come-from-behind win over the Cats.
Paul Chapman, Adam Cooney and Heath Hocking all returned from injury, got through unscathed and each contributed a goal.
Scenes unbelievable down here! #EssendonVFL #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/LAFbvlu8QT
— Essendon VFL (@EssendonVFL) July 25, 2015Chapman has been out since round 11 with a groin injury, Cooney for two games with a hamstring and Hocking missed last week with a back issue after a long-term absence.
Ruckman Jonathan Giles, who can't get a game at senior level, kicked a late goal as the Bombers came from 42 points down to win by 13.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v Swan Districts - Sunday July 26, 11.40am, Bendigo Bank Stadium
Youngster Brady Grey provided plenty of run through the midfield with 33 touches (18 kicks, 15 handballs), six tackles, six inside 50s and a goal in Peel's 11-point win.
Big man Zac Clarke was the standout ruckman, accumulating a match-high 36 hit-outs, 13 possessions and booting two goals.
Utility Tendai Mzungu finished with 23 touches (15 kicks, eight handballs), six inside 50s and a goal, while draftees Connor Blakely and Ed Langdon had 24 disposals and booted a goal apiece.
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Essendon - Saturday July 25, 11am, Simonds Stadium
Mathew Stokes responded to his omission from the senior team - plus the questions about his future that came with it - to collect 32 touches in the Cats' 13-point loss to the Bombers.
In his third VFL hit-out since a fourth ACL injury, Daniel Menzel picked up 18 touches (11 contested), kicked two goals and won six clearances.
The feel-good stories continued at the Cats with the successful return of ruckman Nathan Vardy, who kicked two goals in his first game in 18 months. He last played in the pre-season of 2014.
A big return for a big Cat! Welcome back @nvardy30 pic.twitter.com/Hsi5zdbYTG
— Geelong VFL (@GeelongVFL) July 25, 2015Josh Cowan got through for 11 disposals in his first game since pulling a hamstring at AFL level in round six.
George Horlin-Smith was also impressive with 22 touches, 14 of which were contested.
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: UWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane Lions v UWS Giants - Saturday July 25, 3.10pm, Gabba
Key forward Jonathon Patton continued his promising comeback from a second knee reconstruction, booting five goals to go with his 19 touches (14 kicks, five handballs) and 10 marks in his third straight appearance.
Omitted goalkicker Cam McCarthy responded well to his demotion with three goals, 18 possessions (13 kicks, five handballs) and seven marks in the Giants' 97-point win.
Midfielder Jake Barrett was the game's leading ball winner with 32 disposals, while onballer Tim Golds (27 touches, one goal) and forward James Stewart (13 touches, four goals) were also busy.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Box Hill - Sunday July 26, 2pm, Avalon Airport Oval
Defender James Frawley, who has missed the past four games after dislocating his shoulder in round 13, got through unscathed in his comeback with nine touches and four marks.
The 26-year-old didn't take part in the second half of the Hawks' 13-point loss, but could still force his way into the senior line-up to replace fellow backman Matt Spangher, who injured his hamstring against Carlton on Friday night.
Forward Jed Anderson (30 touches, 12 tackles), midfielder Jonathan Simpkin (24 touches, five clearances, one goal) and James Sicily (23 touches) performed well in the trying conditions.
State league affiliate: Casey Scorpions (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Casey Scorpions - Sunday July 26, 12pm, Victoria Park
Midfielder Jordie McKenzie and ruckman Mark Jamar were among the Demons' better-performed players in Casey's 23-point loss.
Utility Rohan Bail led the disposal count to half-time alongside backman Dean Terlich and midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen, but the Magpies overran the Scorpions after the main break.
Scorpions coach Justin Plapp told AFL.com.au rookie Mitchell White was "very good from half-back" and chipped in with two goals in a match that was played in tough conditions.
Midfielder Jimmy Toumpas received a knock and tall Jack Fitzpatrick came off the ground with a foot injury, but Plapp said both players would most likely be fit for selection next week.
State league affiliates: Werribee, North Ballarat (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Box Hill - Sunday July 26, 2pm, Avalon Airport Oval; North Ballarat v Frankston - Saturday July 25, 2pm, Eureka Stadium
Midfielder Trent Dumont took the points for the Roos-listed players, accumulating 23 touches, seven tackles and kicking two goals in North Ballarat's 103-point victory.
Small forward Robin Nahas will come into AFL calculations again this week after booting four goals from his 12 disposals.
Onballer Brad McKenzie (26 touches) and Aaron Black (four goals) also contributed to the win.
Even better to get a win for Fitzy on his birthday!!! #GoRoosters pic.twitter.com/lQK2V1Goyu
— North Ballarat (@NB_Roosters) July 25, 2015
For Werribee, defender Lachie Hansen made a promising return from a hip complaint that has sidelined him for the past three games.
North Melbourne senior development coach Gavin Brown told AFL.com.au the 26-year-old played three quarters before being rested in the last term of the Tigers' 13-point win.
Experienced backman Scott McMahon put in a best-on-ground performance and kicked a crucial set shot from long range to extend Werribee's lead to 16 points in the final term.
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Sturt v Port Adelaide - Sunday July 26, 2.10pm, Peter Motley Oval
After collecting 34 touches last weekend, onballer Sam Gray again took the honours for the Power-listed players with 30 possessions in the Magpies' 27-point loss.
Fellow midfielder Kane Mitchell was next best with 22 touches and a goal, while young key forward Mitch Harvey led the goalkicking, registering two of his side's six goals.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Sandringham - Saturday July 25, 1.30pm, Punt Road Oval
Liam McBean has again demanded attention from the selection committee with four goals in the Tigers' 45-point loss to Sandringham.
The Richmond forward has now kicked 15 goals in the VFL across the last four weeks.
Reece Conca built on the 15 touches he managed in a half last week in his return from a long-term hamstring injury, and delivered 28 touches in his second game
Matt Arnot was also impressive with 33 and young midfielder Connor Menadue had 25 and kicked a goal.
Corey Ellis returned from a four-week hip injury and also booted a goal.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Sandringham - Saturday July 25, 1.30pm, Punt Road Oval
Second-year Saint Blake Acres was more prolific than last week in his second game back from a broken hand.
He kicked three goals in Sandringham's 45-point win over Richmond.
Seb Ross was the Zebras' best with 27 touches and will press for a senior recall after two games in the VFL.
Forward Tim Membrey was refreshed after a week off and responded with an encouraging three-goal performance.
State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: NT Thunder v Sydney Swans - Saturday July 25, 6.30pm, TIO Stadium
Experienced campaigner Ben McGlynn, who made his comeback from injury via the NEAFL last weekend, was seen icing his calf and hamstring as a precaution.
The 29-year-old was among the Swans' best alongside youngsters Lloyd Perris, Aliir Aliir, James Rose, Nic Newman and Abaina Davis in their 53-point loss.
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: South Fremantle v East Perth - Saturday July 25, 2.15pm, Fremantle Oval
Utility Patrick McGinnity, who missed the past seven weeks with a broken wrist, was named East Perth's best in its 106-point win, finishing with 23 disposals (13 kicks, 10 handballs), four inside 50s and three goals.
Young onballer Brant Colledge gathered 26 touches (20 kicks, six handballs) and booted a goal, while Fraser McInnes and Tom Lamb registered four goals apiece.
Midfielder Kane Lucas, who is yet to debut for the Eagles since being delisted by Carlton last year, performed well with 23 touches (13 kicks, 10 handballs) and eight tackles.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Footscray - Saturday July 25, 2pm, Piranha Park
Mitch Honeychurch and Nathan Hrovat led the possession getters for the Bulldogs in Saturday's 48-point loss to Coburg with 25 each.
It was Honeychurch's first game since round 14 – he last played against Carlton and missed the last two weeks with a back complaint.
Brett Goodes collected 20 and kicked a goal in his second game back from the arm he broke in round eight against Melbourne.
GOAL! Goodsey's dobbed that from about 65 out! Empty square and it bounced through - another one, boys! FB 32 CL 75. Half way through Q3.
— Footscray Bulldogs (@FootscrayVFL) July 25, 2015Tom Boyd didn't hit the scoreboard after being omitted from the senior team but was listed in the best, along with Ayce Cordy, who kicked a goal.
Will Minson, who returned from a one-week shoulder complaint, also managed a major.
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