State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Norwood v Adelaide - Saturday, July 7, 1.10pm, Coopers Stadium
Running machine Sam Gibson had 29 disposals, seven marks and a goal in Adelaide's 51-point loss to Norwood at Coopers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Sam Gibson kicks his first goal in the SANFL for @Adelaide_FC #SANFL pic.twitter.com/dY2k8L4vjx
— 7SANFL (@7SANFL) July 7, 2018
Creative midfielder Rory Atkins finished with 17 disposals and two goals.
Alex Keath, who looms as a defensive option if Daniel Talia's scans on a foot injury don't go well, notched up 14 disposals, eight marks and seven rebound-50s.
Norwood trailed at the first break but powered home to win 13.24 (102) to 7.9 (51).
State league affiliate: Brisbane (NEAFL)
This weekend: Southport v Brisbane - Saturday, July 7, 12pm, Fankhauser Reserve
Rohan Bewick kicked three goals and had 21 possessions in Brisbane's two-point loss.
Bewick, who hasn't played at AFL level since round four, also laid five tackles and took eight marks.
Ryan Bastinac was formidable through the midfield, with the former Kangaroo finishing with 36 touches and 12 marks.
Academy player Jacob Allison was busy with 20 possessions and two goals, while Sam Mayes (27 disposals), Corey Lyons (27 and a goal), Tom Bell (26), Claye Beams (21) and Brandon Starcevich (21) all performed well.
THINGS WE LEARNED Dons' past has caught up with them
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Werribee - Sunday, July 8, 11.30am, Victoria Park
Darcy Moore, Josh Smith and Travis Varcoe all got through Collingwood's VFL clash with Werribee unscathed on Sunday.
Moore, who was returning from a second hamstring injury for the season, which he suffered during the round eight AFL loss to Geelong, played on limited minutes and was very impressive across half-back.
Smith, who also had a hamstring issue, kicked three goals and was best afield.
"He (Smith) really led the boys in the forward half, and Darcy down back just looked like a natural defender," Pies coach Jared Rivers told Collingwood Media.
Varcoe (one goal) has now played two consecutive VFL games after hurting a hamstring in the round 10 AFL win over the Bulldogs.
Sam McLarty kicked two goals, while Adam Oxley and rookie Max Lynch were among the Pies' best.
A long-awaited rendition for the #vflmagpies, featuring Gatorade showers for Jackson Starcevich + Tom Jok! pic.twitter.com/MaN32vjEgs
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 8, 2018
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Richmond - Sunday, July 8, 2pm, Windy Hill
Young gun Darcy Parish had 39 possessions (including 21 contested) and 10 clearances in Essendon's 7.15 (57) to 13.11 (89) loss to Richmond.
Parish hasn't played at the top level since the Bombers' round eight loss to Carlton, and will likely be in contention for a promotion after Essendon's AFL side lost to Collingwood on Sunday.
James Stewart kicked two goals, had 14 touches and eight marks, while 19-year-old Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (13 possessions, six marks) showed good signs.
And Dylan Clarke (23 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances) worked hard all day.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Subiaco v Peel Thunder - Friday, July 6, 7.10pm, Leederville Oval
Luckless midfielder Harley Bennell picked up 13 disposals and four tackles in East Perth's 42-point loss to Subiaco on Friday at Leederville Oval.
Calf injuries have held the former Sun back in his time at the Dockers.
"He didn't play as well as he played last week, but he got through, and played more minutes and had more sprint, so it's all a positive from that point-of-view," Peel coach Cam Shepherd told AFL.com.au.
Ruckman Scott Jones had 32 hit-outs in a relatively even battle with former Fremantle big man Zac Clarke, while Danyle Pearce picked up 29 disposals and laid seven tackles.
In defence, Taylin Duman (21 disposals) and Michael Johnson (20 and nine marks) had an impact as Subiaco won convincingly, 9.15 (69) to 2.5 (17).
FANTASY FORM WATCH A new premier forward?
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Frankston v Geelong - Sunday, July 8, 2pm, SkyBus Stadium
George Horlin-Smith had a blinder as the Cats ran rampant against Frankston.
Horlin-Smith finished with 42 possessions, 14 clearances and two goals in the 70-point triumph.
Stewart Crameri kicked five goals, including four in the second half, and Ryan Gardner added two.
Lachie Henderson gathered 28 touches and was the dominant defender on the ground.
Ruckman Zac Smith also had a good afternoon, keeping the pressure on AFL incumbent Rhys Stanley.
Nakia Cockatoo, who has missed much of the season, was named to play but was a late withdrawal, while Jordan Cunico was rested.
Cory Gregson hurt his foot during the match, but the extent of the injury is unknown.
Sing it loud boys! pic.twitter.com/NSE7Obamrs
— Geelong VFL (@GeelongVFL) July 8, 2018
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v GWS Giants - Saturday, July 7, 12pm, North Dalton Park, Wollongong
Defender Matt Buntine was easily his side's biggest ball-winner, with 28 disposals in Greater Western Sydney's 46-point loss to Sydney at North Dalton Park on Saturday afternoon.
He also took eight marks.
Adam Kennedy was next on the stats sheet with 22 disposals.
The Swans powered away after the main break to post a 10.15 (75) to 4.5 (29) victory.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Box Hill Hawks - Saturday, July 7, 3.20pm, Etihad Stadium
Brendan Whitecross was again influential at the lower level; the Hawthorn veteran compiling 29 touches in the Hawks' big win over the Dogs.
Rookie Conor Nash had a busy afternoon, finishing with 21 disposals, eight marks, four tackles and two inside 50s.
Talented youngster Mitchell Lewis, who has had a taste of senior footy in 2018, booted three goals, while Dylan Moore added two.
James Worpel (23 possessions), David Mirra (22) and Kieran Lovell (22) were also among the better players in the 13.18 (96) to 8.5 (53) win.
And it’s a huge win!
— Box Hill Hawks (@BoxHillHawks) July 7, 2018
Stats to come pic.twitter.com/ZeSgEYoG8O
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v North Melbourne - Saturday, July 7, 2.10pm, Casey Fields
Dumped onballer Dom Tyson collected 31 disposals and laid 15 tackles as the Casey Demons defeated North Melbourne by 37 points at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.
However, Jay Kennedy-Harris' performance caught the eye after he bagged three goals and amassed 25 disposals amid howling wind and a deluge of rain.
Meanwhile, Mitch King could be in trouble for this tackle.
Is Mitch King in trouble for this tackle?#7VFL #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/jJJ63uYi2B
— 7VFL (@7VFL) July 7, 2018
Tom Bugg appeared to relish the conditions as he notched up 31 disposals and 11 tackles.
Aaron vandenBerg (23 disposals and 16 tackles) and Pat McKenna (nine) returned from long-term injuries while key forward Sam Weideman booted two behinds.
Casey kept North goalless, winning 5.14 (44) to 0.7 (7).
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v North Melbourne - Saturday, July 7, 2.10pm, Casey Fields
Ruckman Braydon Preuss notched up 19 disposals and laid five tackles as North Melbourne finished goalless in its 37-point loss to the Casey Demons on Saturday afternoon.
How many players does it take to tackle @northvfl's Braydon Preuss?!#7VFL #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/x3sKEYsQih
— 7VFL (@7VFL) July 7, 2018
Amid howling wind and rain bucketing down at Casey Fields, a side featuring 13 listed Roos couldn't kick a goal.
Draftee Luke Davies-Uniacke collected 18 disposals and laid 10 tackles as Casey ran out victors, 5.14 (44) to 0.7 (7).
THE RUN HOME How the contenders are shaping up
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Woodville-West Torrens v Port Adelaide - Sunday, July 8, 2.10pm, Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval
Defender Matthew Broadbent and forward Jake Neade were injured in Port Adelaide's 20-point loss.
Playing his second game back from two ankle surgeries, Broadbent appeared to re-injure his ankle in the fourth term.
Neade, meanwhile, seemed to suffer a leg injury in a final-quarter collision. He immediately was helped off from the ground, and did a fitness test on the boundary, but didn’t return.
Karl Amon led the way for the Magpies with 27 possessions, Jimmy Toumpas gathered 26, while Todd Marshall didn’t hit the scoreboard but won the ball 20 times.
Demoted defender Jack Hombsch collected 13 possessions and took seven marks.
Jake Patmore and Kane Farrell each kicked three goals.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Richmond - Sunday, July 8, 2pm, Windy Hill
Rookie Liam Baker booted two goals and gathered 27 possessions in the Tigers' 32-point away win.
Tyson Stengle also had a busy day at the office, finishing with 18 touches, nine tackles and a goal.
Shai Bolton (23 disposals, six tackles, one goal and seven inside 50s), Connor Menadue (27 possessions, six clearances, five inside 50s and a goal) and youngster Noah Balta (16 touches, 13 hit-outs) were significant factors.
Always good winning on the road #gotiges #PJVFL pic.twitter.com/MYd2NjOOaQ
— Richmond VFL (@RichmondVFL) July 8, 2018
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Sandringham - Saturday, July 7, 2pm, Piranha Park
Talented midfielder Blake Acres racked up 33 disposals in his return from a groin injury as Sandringham drew with Coburg at Piranha Park on Saturday afternoon.
A late free kick and 50m penalty allowed rookie Doulton Langlands to slot a goal and level the scores.
Key forward Rowan Marshall booted three goals while Irishman Ray Connellan slotted two.
Ruckman Tom Hickey continued his impressive form, collecting 28 disposals, while Jack Lonie (27) was also prolific.
The Zebras had more shots at goal but were more inaccurate, booting 11.13 (79) to 12.7 (79).
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v GWS Giants - Saturday, July 7, 12pm, North Dalton Park, Wollongong
An Achilles problem meant injury-stricken forward Sam Reid lasted just five minutes in Sydney's 46-point victory over Greater Western Sydney at North Dalton Park on Saturday.
His comeback from quadriceps surgery has been halted in his second match back and Reid will be assessed on Monday.
"He was just a bit sore and we didn’t want to risk him," coach Tadhg Kennelly told sydneyswans.com.au.
"He's still coming back from a major surgery. There's no point pushing someone of his quality.
"We'll assess his injury and hopefully he'll be right for next week."
Reid finished with a behind from his only kick of the game.
Irishman Colin O'Riordan racked up 37 disposals, 11 marks and two goals, while Nic Newman won the same amount of the football.
Meanwhile, Jordan Foote's day was ended early after he suffered a concussion in the first quarter.
In-form big man Darcy Cameron collected 27 disposals, eight marks and slotted a goal as the Swans won 10.15 (75) to 4.5 (29).
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Box Hill Hawks - Saturday, July 7, 3.20pm, Etihad Stadium
Mitch Honeychurch put his hand up for a recall with a team-high 25 possessions in the 43-point loss to the Hawks.
Lewis Young was good in defence, the 19-year-old finishing with 21 disposals and nine marks.
In his first game back from injury, young ruckman Tim English kicked a goal, laid six tackles and won 12 hit-outs, while fellow big men Jordan Roughead (15 disposals, 18 hit-outs) and Tom Campbell (10 disposals, 19 hit-outs) were serviceable.
The Bulldogs lost 8.5 (53) to 13.18 (96).
