BRISBANE Lions fullback Daniel Merrett flew the Gold Coast flag highest in Round 10 of the 2008 Toyota AFL premiership, starring in his side’s 31-point Gabba win over North Melbourne.

In perhaps his best performance of the year, Merrett obliterated North Melbourne full forward Nathan Thompson with his close-checking and strong spoiling.

Merrett kept Thompson, the Roos leading goal-kicker through the first nine rounds of the premiership, to one mark and three kicks.

He didn’t bother the scorers and was a non-factor in the Lions’ emphatic victory while Merrett collected eight possessions and four marks.

Nick Riewoldt also enjoyed a strong weekend, playing a key role in St.Kilda’s runaway win over Melbourne.

The Saints skipper collected 13 marks and 21 possessions, and although he kicked only one goal from four shots he was a constant threat to the Demons inside the forward 50m arc.

Ben Hudson overcame an early injury score to play a strong role in the Western Bulldogs powerhouse win over Hawthorn in Launceston.

Hudson, who required medical treatment for a badly sprained ankle in the first quarter, returned to gather 12 possessions, three marks and a game-high 18 hit-outs against a strong Hawk ruck combination.

Michael Osborne had 16 possessions in a Hawthorn side that tasted defeat for the first time this year.

Kurt Tippett had five possessions and went goalless in the Adelaide Crows’ scratchy Friday night win over Essendon.

A lot of AFL-listed players from the VFL had the weekend off due to the representative fixture between Victoria and South Australia in Adelaide.

Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf travelled to Launceston as an emergency for their game against the Bulldogs but didn’t get a start.

In the Canberra League, Jesse White kicked one goal as the second-placed Sydney Swans reserves enjoyed a 41-point win over third-placed Eastlake.

In the AFL Queensland State League, Joel Tippett and Haydn Kiel returned to former club Southport to enjoy a 22-point win over Broadbeach, Wayde Mills played with a star-studded Suncoast Lions side that knocked off premiers Mt.Gravatt  by 12 points.

Sadly, though, Mills and Kiel both suffered minor hamstring injuries. Mills already has been listed to have a week off, while Kiel is set for a fitness test this week.