State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Adelaide - Friday, March 22, 4.30pm, Alberton Oval
A calf injury to forward Shane McAdam added to Adelaide's disappointment on Friday night at Alberton Oval, as the Crows lost to Port Adelaide by 15 points.
He was hurt late in the contest.
Inside midfielder Hugh Greenwood booted two goals and won plenty of the football as he pushes his case for a senior recall after an abdominal tendon injury marred his pre-season.
Ben Davis finished with three goals.
Inside midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen and ruckman Reilly O'Brien each sat out the second half, as emergencies for the Hawthorn clash.
The Crows led by a goal at quarter-time but then trailed at every other break as Port won 12.8 (80) to 10.5 (65).
Crows forward Shane McAdam being helped off the ground, looks to have done his hamstring at the 22-minute mark of the last quarter @AFLcomau pic.twitter.com/mowPovmGfD
— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) March 22, 2019
State league affiliate: Brisbane (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane v Redland - Saturday, March 23, 3pm, Giffin Park
Lions regulars Allen Christensen and Lewis Taylor were forced out in a selection squeeze and impressed in the 112-point NEAFL practice match win.
Despite heavy humidity, tall Tom Cutler joined midfielders Ben Keays and Corey Lyons in kicking three goals apiece to put up his hand for a recall.
Cedric Cox and Nick Robertson added two majors each, while 19-year-old draftee Noah Answerth proved why the Lions were desperate to select him after injury troubles in his top-age TAC Cup year.
While Ryan Lester sat out as the carryover emergency, draftee Connor McFadyen provided a link in attack in his first outing after an interrupted pre-season.
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Northern Blues - Thursday, March 21, 4pm, Swinburne Centre
A knee injury to Tom De Koning marred what had been an impressive practice match against Richmond for the tall forward.
Shortly before the final break, De Koning limped off the field with a moderate grade lateral ligament issue.
Up until that point, the 19-year-old had booted two goals and taken three contested marks.
Youngster Lochie O'Brien finished with 16 disposals.
Tall options Levi Casboult and Patrick Kerr both spent time down back and up forward in the Tigers' 39-point win.
The Northern Blues trailed at every break in Richmond's 13.15 (93) to 7.12 (54) win.
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Geelong - Friday, March 22, 4pm, Olympic Park Oval
One of three Grand finalists overlooked for round one, Brayden Sier did his chances of a recall no harm during the 17-point loss to the Cats.
The 22-year-old was damaging at stoppages and collected plenty of ball, hoping to put his hand up to play against Richmond on Thursday night.
Tyson Goldsack managed one goal but was well beaten by Cat Lachie Henderson, while Levi Greenwood was the travelling emergency for the senior side.
First-round draftee Isaac Quaynor showed promise, while Josh Daicos and Ben Crocker flashed in and out of the contest.
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Coburg - Saturday, March 23, 3pm, RAMS Arena, Craigieburn
Darcy Parish gave John Worsfold plenty to think about, bagging five goals just 24 hours after he was overlooked for senior selection.
Entering his fourth year with his contract expiring at the end of the season, the former No.5 draft pick starred in the 100-point practice match win.
Fellow AFL emergency Brandon Zerk-Thatcher drew praise from VFL coach Dan Jordan, while draftee Tom Jok impressed with his physicality.
First-choice defender Martin Gleeson played his first match in over 12 months, kept to restricted minutes following a badly injured ankle sustained last pre-season.
Mason Redman also got through unscathed in his first hitout from a fractured ankle he damaged early in the summer.
Back-up ruckman Zac Clarke, third-year big man Sam Draper and rookie Trent Mynott added two goals apiece.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v TBC
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Geelong - Friday, March 22, 4pm, Olympic Park Oval
A best-afield performance from Quinton Narkle in a 17-point practice match win over Collingwood will have him pushing for a berth in the senior side.
Narkle collected 28 disposals and a goal in an impressive display.
After an interrupted pre-season, defender Lachie Henderson picked up 16 disposals, eight marks and five rebound-50s.
Mature-age draftee Darcy Fort booted three goals while Zac Smith returned from a knee injury to bag one, alongside 19 hit-outs.
Jordan Cunico finished with 30 disposals and seven clearances as the Cats won, 10.11 (71) to 7.12 (54).
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Palm Beach (QAFL) - Sunday, March 24, 10.30am, Metricon Stadium
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Sydney Uni - Sunday, March 24, 12pm, Tom Wills Oval
Suspended ruckman Shane Mumford dominated the ruck division in his first of two weeks in the NEAFL.
Cleared to play while serving his AFL suspension, Mumford started in the ruck and rotated with big man Matthew Flynn who spent a large chunk of the game in attack in the 10-point win.
Nick Haynes also got through his return from a back injury unscathed, playing out the entire match.
Aiden Bonar impressed with his inside work through the midfield, while Isaac Cumming rebounded aggressively from defence before he sat out late as a precautionary AFL emergency.
First-round draftee Jackson Hateley, who lost several kilograms during the week through illness, played three quarters.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Box Hill Hawks - Sunday, March 24, 12pm, Casey Fields
Rookie defender Tim Mohr was taken to hospital with a dislocated knee after an incident early in the clash.
While he was released on Sunday afternoon, the former Giant will head for scans on Monday to learn the full extent of any further damage.
Forwards Dylan Moore and Mitch Lewis were among the shining lights for the Hawks in attack as they attempt to break through for senior selection.
Defender Teia Miles, who played eight senior matches last year, was the Hawks' best on ground.
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Box Hill Hawks - Sunday, March 24, 12pm, Casey Fields
Recruit Kade Kolodjashnij collected plenty of ball in his first hitout of the pre-season after an adductor injury hampered his preparation post-Christmas.
Midfielder Billy Stretch also impressed, while Declan Keilty's marking was a highlight in the two-goal win over Box Hill in blustery conditions.
Ruckman Braydon Preuss went head-to-head with Hawk Marc Pittonet and while the new Demon won his fair share of stoppages, Pittonet had his measure around the ground.
Former Casey Demon Jay Lockhart, who earlier this month was added to the Demons' AFL list via the supplemental selection period, continued his rise since becoming a full-time footballer.
Josh Wagner was another to perform strongly to put his name in the frame for senior selection after a disappointing AFL result on Saturday.
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: North Melbourne v Port Melbourne - Saturday, March 23, 4pm, Arden Street
Aiming for redemption after he was dumped from the senior side, Paul Ahern was solid without starring in the Roos' 20-point loss to Port Melbourne.
One of 10 AFL-listed Roos to take part, Ahern spent time split between the midfield and in the front half.
Academy product Tarryn Thomas was starved of opportunity in attack in the first half before drawing praise from the coaching staff as a midfielder after the main break.
Rebounding defender Tom Murphy, who played four AFL matches last year, showed promising signs and pushed forward to kick a 70m goal with the aid of a strong breeze.
After a busy summer schedule, Nathan Hrovat and Nick Larkey sat out the contest.
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Adelaide - Friday, March 22, 4.30pm, Alberton Oval
Hamish Hartlett successfully returned from a right knee reconstruction in a practice game victory over Adelaide on Friday night.
He picked up 19 disposals and six marks across half-back.
"The leg felt alright," Hartlett told portadelaidefc.com.au.
"I landed on it a bit awkwardly early on in the game where my knee bent pretty aggressively but it settled down after about 30 seconds or so.
"Other than that, it was fine. My change of direction was good. I shanked a couple of kicks and I don’t know if it was my legs or the Burley (football)…it might have been a combination of both.
"But the knee felt really good, so we'll see how it pulls up tomorrow, but I reckon it'll be fine."
Aidyn Johnson kicked three goals while onballer Joe Atley played his first game since a left knee operation in February as Port won, 12.8 (80) to 10.5 (65).
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Northern Blues - Thursday, March 21, 4pm, Swinburne Centre
Defender Ryan Garthwaite returned from an Achilles injury in Richmond's 39-point win over the Northern Blues on Thursday as he sets himself to replace Alex Rance in the senior side.
Rance tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the Tigers' season opener.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick told reporters his immediate reaction was Garthwaite, who has played two games, could be promoted.
"He's probably the guy that first comes to mind (to replace Rance)," Hardwick said.
Pressure forward Jason Castagna successfully returned from an ankle syndesmosis concern.
Brandon Ellis racked up 40 disposals while Callum Moore and Jake Aarts booted three goals apiece as the Tigers pulled off the 13.15 (93) to 7.12 (84) victory.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Williamstown - Saturday, March 23, 11.30am, Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Young gun Hunter Clark responded to his surprise omission from the senior side with a 23-disposal and one-goal display as Sandringham beat Williamstown by 22 points in its practice match.
Blake Acres finished with 27 disposals, along with a goal of his own, in his second straight game back from a back injury.
Mature-age draftee Robbie Young slotted four goals while big man Rowan Marshall continued his impressive form with 21 disposals.
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v Canberra - Saturday, March 23, 12pm, Waratah Oval
Veteran Kieren Jack escaped unscathed while playing 60 minutes in a 52-point practice match victory over the Canberra Demons on Saturday afternoon.
Sydney development coach Lloyd Perris was impressed with the 31-year-old's effort.
"He was really good. It was a classic Kieren Jack performance," Perris told sydneyswans.com.au.
"His pressure around the ball and his hit, the trademark of his game, was there for the 60 minutes he played.
"He'll be much better for the hit-out after an injury-interrupted pre-season."
Ruckman Darcy Cameron returned from injury while key forward Tom McCartin kicked a goal.
The Swans led at every change in their 17.9 (111) to 8.11 (59) victory.
State league affiliate: West Coast (WAFL)
This weekend: West Coast v East Perth - Saturday, March 23, 2.15pm AWST, Leederville Oval
Recently appointed WAFL captain Fraser McInnes led from the front, bagging five goals in the Eagles' 14-point practice match win over East Perth.
McInnes, who was retained for his eighth season at the Eagles, gave the coaching staff a timely reminder of his credentials in a ruck divison lacking Nic Naitanui.
Another tall, draftee Bailey Williams, took an impressive mark deep in the match, while mature-age big man Keegan Brooksby also hit the scoreboard.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Werribee - Saturday, March 23, 1pm, VU Whitten Oval
Big man Jackson Trengove responded to his dumping from the senior team with 28 disposals and three goals in Footscray's 54-point win over Werribee.
Patrick Lipinski was prolific with 36 disposals while Will Hayes (28) also won plenty of the footy, with each slotting a goal.
The Dogs ran out victors, 17.12 (114) to 9.6 (60).
