Adelaide

State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Norwood v Adelaide - Saturday August 1, 2.10pm, City Mazda Stadium

Experienced campaigner Nathan van Berlo was named the Crows' best in the 29-point win, collecting a team-high 27 disposals and 13 marks playing across half-back and the midfield.

Onballer Sam Kerridge (20 touches, one goal) and defenders Kyle Cheney (18 touches, nine marks) and Jake Kelly (nine touches, six marks) were also among the Crows' standout players.

Draftee Mitch McGovern booted four goals in his second game back from a knee injury, while James Podsiadly and Luke Lowden added two apiece.

Rookie forward Keenan Ramsey was taken off the ground on a stretcher after injuring his right knee in a marking contest in the second quarter.

Brisbane Lions

State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions - Saturday August 1, 12.55pm, SCG

Rookie Zac O'Brien was a lone soldier despite the Lions' 45-point loss, amassing 50 possessions (29 kicks, 21 handballs), 10 marks, seven tackles and a goal.

Defender Tom Cutler was the next best with 31 touches (22 kicks, nine handballs) and nine marks, while father-son recruit Josh Clayton was also kept busy with 25 disposals (18 kicks, seven handballs) and seven marks.

Omitted veteran Brent Staker finished with 13 disposals (10 kicks, three handballs), seven marks and one goal.

Carlton

State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: North Ballarat v Northern Blues - Sunday August 2, 1.30pm, Eureka Stadium

It was a dirty day for the Blues, who managed just two goals for the game and went down by 112 points.

In one of the only positives, defender Andrew Walker collected 20 disposals in about 70 per cent game time in his comeback from a persistent knee injury. 

Youngster Bradley Walsh, who made his debut for Carlton in round 16, gathered 29 touches in an encouraging performance, while off-season recruit Mark Whiley was also kept busy with 26 touches.

Collingwood

State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Williamstown v Collingwood - Sunday August 2, 2pm, Burbank Oval

Key position player Ben Reid played the whole game up forward and kicked one goal in the Magpies' 32-point loss. 

A Collingwood spokesman told AFL.com.au the 26-year-old continued to build towards his much-anticipated senior return, but may require one more week at VFL level to build his match fitness.

Omitted forward Jesse White lined up alongside Reid in attacking 50 and complemented rookie Mason Cox in the ruck. White was held goalless in a tough day for key forwards given the blustery conditions.

Fellow omitted Magpie Jarryd Blair (one goal) played in the midfield and as a small forward, while Jonathon Marsh was "a shining light" in defence and was inching closer to his AFL debut.

Essendon

State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Essendon - Sunday August 2, 11.42am, Whitten Oval

After booting four goals last weekend, Courtenay Dempsey again staked his claim for an AFL recall with three goals in the Bombers' 22-point defeat. 

The 27-year-old's highlights included a strong tackle up forward that was rewarded for holding the ball and a quick left-foot snap goal in congestion, but he could've easily added more goals, finishing with three behinds.

In his second game back from a groin injury, Paul Chapman finished with 21 touches and will come into senior contention should the Bombers look for experience. 

Omitted ruckman Shaun McKernan presented well at times, taking a strong one-on-one mark and converting a set shot to keep his team in the contest.

Another omitted Bomber, Shaun Edwards, found plenty of the ball with 23 touches, while Irishman Conor McKenna continued to show his potential with two goals.

Fremantle

State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Bye

Geelong

State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Frankston v Geelong - Sunday August 2, 2pm, Frankston Oval

Midfielder George Horlin-Smith took the honours for the Geelong-listed players with 43 touches (23 contested), eight tackles and eight clearances in the Cats' 71-point win.

"It was a really good spread, with George being the standout with 43 disposals and having a really good solid four-quarter performance," Geelong coach Paul Hood told AFL.com.au. 

Daniel Menzel kicked three goals from his 10 marks and Hood said the luckless Cat "threw himself at the footy, took a few high marks and thrilled the crowd a couple of times".

Hood said Dean Gore (32 touches, 10 marks, one goal) played across half-back for the first time in the Cats' VFL side and "was difficult to play on". 

Matthew Stokes (28 touches, two goals) was also recognised for his efforts on the wing and in attacking 50.

Gold Coast

State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v NT Thunder - Saturday August 1, 3pm, Metricon Stadium

Rookie Tyrone Downie kicked five goals to go with his 23 disposals (15 kicks, eight handballs) and seven marks in the Suns' nine-point loss.

Danny Stanley was his team's major ball-winner with 33 touches (18 kicks, 15 handballs), while experienced campaigner Andrew Raines was also prominent with 27 disposals (16 kicks, 11 handballs) and a goal.

GWS

State league affiliate: UWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: UWS Giants v Eastlake - Saturday August 1, 12pm, Robertson Oval

Another strong performance from Jon Patton has the potential to push the key forward ahead of teammate Cam McCarthy in the race to earn senior selection after the Giants' 92-point win against Eastlake. 

The Giants had plenty of scoring options in their big win, with Patton (three) and Dylan Addison (four) among the multiple goalkickers.

But McCarthy went goalless after being dropped by the Giants one week ago.  

"Cam struggled to have an impact on the game, but he stuck to his guns and his team things were good," coach Brett Hand told AFL.com.au.

"The ball just didn't bounce his way and you have those days. He kept trying and he got rewarded with some touches."

Patton has now played four matches in his return from a knee reconstruction, with his past three games excellent.

The Giants' best player was in-form ruckman Andrew Phillips, Hand said, with Jacob Townsend (two goals) a strong contributor.

Addison's four goals were "good reward for some consistent form over the last few weeks".

Hawthorn

State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill v Richmond - Saturday August 1, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval

AFL-listed midfielder Jonathan Simpkin made a strong case for senior selection with 34 possessions against Richmond, enjoying a standout day in the 39-point win.  

"He used the ball very effectively for us today and covered a lot of ground," coach Marco Bello told AFL.com.au.

Jed Anderson was the Hawks' other midfield star, logging an "in-and-under type day with plenty of tackles". 

Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar continues to perform in the VFL after being dropped for Ben McEvoy at AFL level, and he was dominant with his hit-outs to advantage, Bello said. 

Midfielder Jonathan O'Rourke was solid before being thrown across half-back in the last quarter. "It was a really good offensive game, but just as good defensively," Bello said.

Melbourne

State league affiliate: Casey Scorpions (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Scorpions v Werribee - Sunday August 2, 2pm, Casey Fields

Big man Jack Fitzpatrick was named the Demons' best player in his side's 13-point loss.

The 24-year-old and onballer Ben Newton (two goals) led Casey's disposal count at the last change, but the Scorpions were held goalless in the final quarter.

Midfielder Aidan Riley and youngster Christian Salem (one goal) relished the wet and windy conditions, while emerging ruckman Max King chipped in with two goals.

North Melbourne

State league affiliates: Werribee, North Ballarat (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Scorpions v Werribee - Sunday August 2, 2pm, Casey Fields; North Ballarat v Northern Blues - Sunday August 2, 1.30pm, Eureka Stadium

Small forward Robin Nahas strengthened his chances of a senior recall, bagging seven goals in North Ballarat's thumping 112-point victory. 

The 27-year-old, who hasn't been able to regain his spot in the Roos' squad since being a late withdrawal in round 15 with hamstring soreness, ended with 16 touches and five tackles.

Nahas' performance is sure to put pressure on fellow livewire forward Kayne Turner, who was substituted out of the Roos' round 18 match against Carlton at three-quarter time. 

For Werribee, defender Lachie Hansen got through unscathed in his second game back from a hip injury, finishing with eight touches in the Tigers' 13-point win. 

Tall Mason Wood booted three goals from his 14 disposals, while big man Majak Daw had 13 touches, laid eight tackles and accumulated 49 hit-outs in a good display.

Port Adelaide

State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Central District - Saturday August 1, 2.10pm, Alberton Oval

Young Port forward Mitch Harvey produced a solid performance in the Magpies' 18-point win over Central District, kicking three of his team's 12 goals to play a crucial role.

Harvey, who kicked all of his goals in the first half, was the Magpies' most productive forward, also racking up four inside 50s. 

Karl Amon (18 and three inside 50s), rookie Tom Logan (18 and four clearances) and Brendon Ah Chee (15 and eight clearances) were among the leading ball-winners.  

Richmond

State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill v Richmond - Saturday August 1, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval

After bagging nine goals in the past fortnight, tall forward Liam McBean was influential with another five-goal haul despite the Tigers' 39-point loss.

"McBean's goals and his involvements have been at AFL standard the last few weeks, which has been great," Richmond coach Tim Clarke told AFL.com.au.

David Astbury played up forward for three quarters before switching to his customary defensive role. Clarke said the club was "still expecting more" from the 24-year-old before he could push for senior selection.

Clarke said midfielders Matt Thomas and Matt McDonough played important roles through the middle, with backman Matt Dea also among the Tigers' best.

• After the siren: Mighty versatile Tigers are mighty dangerous

St Kilda

State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Bye

Sydney Swans

State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions - Saturday August 1, 12.55pm, SCG

Onballer Dan Robinson led the way with a team-high 33 disposals (14 kicks, 19 handballs), six tackles and a goal in the Swans' 45-point win.

Omitted defender Zak Jones responded well to his demotion, accumulating 28 possessions (21 kicks, seven handballs), six marks and booting a goal.

Youngster George Hewett, who is yet to debut for the Swans, displayed his potential with 25 disposals (eight kicks, 17 handballs).

Forward Dean Towers kicked two goals from his 24 touches (15 kicks, nine handballs) and eight marks, but was inaccurate in front of goal with six behinds.

• Nine things we learned from round 18: Lewis Jetta is a leader on and off the ground

West Coast

State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v West Perth - Sunday August 2, 2.15pm, Medibank Stadium

After booting four majors last weekend, Tom Lamb added another four-goal haul to go with his 16 touches (10 kicks, six handballs) and seven marks in East Perth's thrilling four-point win.

With his side trailing by two points with one minute remaining on the clock, the 18-year-old draftee kicked the match-winning goal after taking a high-flying mark in attacking 50.

Utility Patrick McGinnity was named the Royals' best in his second game back from a broken wrist, collecting 30 disposals (17 kicks, 13 handballs), seven tackles and booting a goal.

Western Bulldogs

State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Essendon - Sunday August 2, 11.42am, Whitten Oval

Nathan Hrovat was the Bulldogs' major ball-winner and looked lively across the ground, collecting 27 disposals and kicking a goal in the Bulldogs' 22-point victory.

Fellow midfielder Lin Jong had 26 possessions in a strong display that included his usual dash and carry output through the midfield.

Key forward Tom Boyd registered three goals from his 13 disposals and presented well up forward with seven marks. The 19-year-old took a strong mark late in the final quarter and converted the match-sealing goal at the 24-minute mark. 

Defender Sam Darley (19 touches) played three quarters but didn't take part in the final term to assume AFL emergency duties at Etihad Stadium.

All times are local

• Forecast this season's final standings with the AFL Ladder Predictor