LUKE Ball looks certain of an AFL recall after starring in Collingwood's narrow VFL loss to Williamstown on Sunday.
Ball was named best afield for the Pies, who went down in blustery conditions at Point Gellibrand Oval by six points on Sunday.
It was Ball's second game since returning from a knee injury early in 2012.
Collingwood rookie Jack Frost suffered a knee injury in the loss. Frost was injured in the last quarter of the match, with the Pies saying he will have scans early in the week.
Alan Didak, Alex Fasolo, Jordan Russell and Irishman Caolan Mooney also featured. Didak, Russell and Marley Williams were all amongst Collingwood's better player.
Mooney will also be in the mix for an AFL call-up after booting five goals, including one deep in the last term to draw the Pies close. Fasolo kicked two, as did Jackson Paine.
Ben Hudson missed the match with leg soreness.
St Kilda forward Trent Dennis-Lane kicked two goals in Sandringham's 13-point win over the Northern Blues at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
Saints rookie Tom Curren kicked two goals and was one of the Zebras' better players in the win, along with Farren Ray.
Dumped Blue Sam Rowe kicked a goal, while fellow tall forward Levi Casboult was impressive. Best for the Blues was mature-age Carlton rookie Tom Bell.
WAFL
Injury-plagued Fremantle youngster Viv Michie starred in Peel Thunder's nine-point win over Subiaco. Michie collected 33 disposals and kicked a goal at the Bendigo Bank Stadium, while former Kangaroo Cruize Garlett chalked up a game-high 34 touches.
Classy West Coast small forward Brad Dick kicked eight goals in a losing side for East Fremantle.
Former Hawthorn midfielder Chance Bateman was reported twice in his team's loss on Saturday. Playing for Perth, Bateman was reported for misconduct and striking in a five-point loss to Claremont. The game was filled with former AFL players, including Paul Medhurst, Mark Seaby, Kyle Riemers, Paul Bevan and Chad Jones.
Medhurst was instrumental in Claremont's win, kicking two goals, including the sealer late in the match.
Former Melbourne, Hawthorn and West Coast player Paul Johnson starred in East Perth's 19-point win over South Fremantle, despite the Bulldogs side containing West Coast players Jamie Cripps, Matt Rosa and Adam Selwood.
NEAFL
In the Swans' 23-point loss to the Brisbane Lions reserves in the NEAFL on Sunday, Tommy Walsh was best on ground while Mitch Morton kicked five goals. Jesse White, Tom Mitchell and the recently dropped Andrejs Everitt were also prominent.
Sam Docherty was best afield for the Lions while Jordan Lisle kicked four goals and Richard Newell kicked three.
Teenage star Jack Martin starred as Gold Coast's reserves team eased to a win over Southport on Saturday afternoon.
Tenacious defender Jack Hutchins was named the Suns' best, with ruckman Tom Nicholls and nuggetty midfielder Kyal Horsley also contributors.
VFL
Geelong ruckman Nathan Vardy stole the show by booting six goals for the Cats' VFL side against the Werribee Tigers on Saturday, in just his second game after a long lay-off with serious injuries.
There were fears that Vardy's promising career could be over after hip surgery in 2012 revealed some serious damage. A related groin injury also delayed his pre-season this year, but a solid hit-out in the VFL last week primed him for a strong performance.
The 21-year-old kicked his first goal inside a minute and continued an impressive run throughout the day as a permanent forward, leading hard to present and taking some strong marks in the Cats' 55-point win at Simonds Stadium.
Rookie Cat George Burbury was best afield, kicking six majors and being involved in a large portion of the Cats' scoring chains.
Burbury was playing his first game for the year, after recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, while burly young forward Shane Kersten also added four of his own as the Cats slammed home eight goals in the final quarter.
The three Geelong emergencies named for Saturday night's game against Richmond at the MCG - Josh Caddy, Jackson Thurlow and Mitch Brown - all played against Werribee in Geelong.
North Melbourne-listed midfielder Levi Greenwood racked up 25 touches, while the rookie-listed Tim McGenniss had 21 disposals and a goal to be among the standouts for Werribee. Jordan Gysberts was also prominent for the Tigers with 23.
Kangaroos recruit Ben Jacobs collected 31 disposals and key defender Luke Delaney had 24 in a solid performance down back for North's fellow VFL affiliate North Ballarat.
Jacobs has been in stunning form for the Roosters, following on from his 41 possession-effort last weekend, while experienced midfielder Myles Sewell - brother of Hawthorn's Brad - had 36 possessions, 13 tackles and kicked two goals.
Despite suggestions he might debut against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, Essendon father-son pick Joe Daniher went around in the VFL against the Coburg Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
Daniher was inaccurate in front of goal, finishing with 2.6 in blustery conditions, but he still left a big imprint on the match as he moves ever closer to his maiden AFL game.
Richmond draftee Liam McBean and speedy half-forward Robin Nahas kicked four goals apiece in Coburg's 34-point win over Essendon's VFL unit.
McBean, a 200cm forward/ruckman, was drafted by the Tigers at pick 33 from the Calder Cannons, and has shown mobility and versatility in his first year at VFL level in 2013.
Hawthorn rookie Amos Frank kicked two goals in Box Hill's thumping 87-point win against the Bendigo Gold.
Melbourne forward Chris Dawes kicked three goals for VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions in the club's narrow three-point loss against Port Melbourne.
Dawes, traded from Collingwood in last year's trade period, is on the comeback trail from a hamstring complaint.
Prolific Demon midfielders, James Magner (32 touches) and first-round pick Jimmy Toumpas (26) both showed an ability to find the football, while Sam Blease responded strongly to his omission from the senior side to gather 32 as well.
SANFL
Nuggety Port Adelaide midfielder Tom Logan collected 26 disposals and small forward Cameron Hitchcock had 20 for Glenelg on Friday night.
Power defender Andrew Moore (23) and Daniel Stewart (three goals) impressed for North Adelaide, while Matt Thomas (27) won plenty of the footy for Norwood.
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter- @AFL_BenGuthrie
Tenacious defender Jack Hutchins was named the Suns' best, with ruckman Tom Nicholls and nuggetty midfielder Kyal Horsley also contributors.
VFL
Geelong ruckman Nathan Vardy stole the show by booting six goals for the Cats' VFL side against the Werribee Tigers on Saturday, in just his second game after a long lay-off with serious injuries.
There were fears that Vardy's promising career could be over after hip surgery in 2012 revealed some serious damage. A related groin injury also delayed his pre-season this year, but a solid hit-out in the VFL last week primed him for a strong performance.
The 21-year-old kicked his first goal inside a minute and continued an impressive run throughout the day as a permanent forward, leading hard to present and taking some strong marks in the Cats' 55-point win at Simonds Stadium.
Rookie Cat George Burbury was best afield, kicking six majors and being involved in a large portion of the Cats' scoring chains.
Burbury was playing his first game for the year, after recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, while burly young forward Shane Kersten also added four of his own as the Cats slammed home eight goals in the final quarter.
The three Geelong emergencies named for Saturday night's game against Richmond at the MCG - Josh Caddy, Jackson Thurlow and Mitch Brown - all played against Werribee in Geelong.
North Melbourne-listed midfielder Levi Greenwood racked up 25 touches, while the rookie-listed Tim McGenniss had 21 disposals and a goal to be among the standouts for Werribee. Jordan Gysberts was also prominent for the Tigers with 23.
Kangaroos recruit Ben Jacobs collected 31 disposals and key defender Luke Delaney had 24 in a solid performance down back for North's fellow VFL affiliate North Ballarat.
Jacobs has been in stunning form for the Roosters, following on from his 41 possession-effort last weekend, while experienced midfielder Myles Sewell - brother of Hawthorn's Brad - had 36 possessions, 13 tackles and kicked two goals.
Despite suggestions he might debut against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, Essendon father-son pick Joe Daniher went around in the VFL against the Coburg Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
Daniher was inaccurate in front of goal, finishing with 2.6 in blustery conditions, but he still left a big imprint on the match as he moves ever closer to his maiden AFL game.
Richmond draftee Liam McBean and speedy half-forward Robin Nahas kicked four goals apiece in Coburg's 34-point win over Essendon's VFL unit.
McBean, a 200cm forward/ruckman, was drafted by the Tigers at pick 33 from the Calder Cannons, and has shown mobility and versatility in his first year at VFL level in 2013.
Hawthorn rookie Amos Frank kicked two goals in Box Hill's thumping 87-point win against the Bendigo Gold.
Melbourne forward Chris Dawes kicked three goals for VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions in the club's narrow three-point loss against Port Melbourne.
Dawes, traded from Collingwood in last year's trade period, is on the comeback trail from a hamstring complaint.
Prolific Demon midfielders, James Magner (32 touches) and first-round pick Jimmy Toumpas (26) both showed an ability to find the football, while Sam Blease responded strongly to his omission from the senior side to gather 32 as well.
SANFL
Nuggety Port Adelaide midfielder Tom Logan collected 26 disposals and small forward Cameron Hitchcock had 20 for Glenelg on Friday night.
Power defender Andrew Moore (23) and Daniel Stewart (three goals) impressed for North Adelaide, while Matt Thomas (27) won plenty of the footy for Norwood.
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter- @AFL_BenGuthrie
