State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for SANFL finals
State league affiliate: Brisbane (NEAFL)
This weekend: Aspley v Brisbane, Second Elimination Final - Saturday, September 1, 1.30pm, Graham Road
Brisbane's quest for back-to-back NEAFL premierships has been cut short, knocked out in Saturday's elimination final by Aspley.
Leading by eight points at the first break, the Lions were blown away after quarter-time with ex-Lion Jonathan Freeman (three goals) doing much of the damage.
Sam Skinner was the Lions' best, while Ryan Bastinac (three goals) was the only multiple goalkicker.
Second-year midfielder Ben Keays will take confidence into 2019 with his performance, while Rohan Bewick and Sam Mayes performed strongly.
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for VFL finals
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Essendon, Elimination Final - Sunday, September 2, 2.10pm, Stannards Stadium
Brave Collingwood backman Tyson Goldsack enhanced his chances of a recall in September in his second game back from a left knee reconstruction, as the Magpies lost their elimination final to Essendon by 34 points at Stannards Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Despite collecting just two disposals, his timing in the air was much improved from last week and he contested the football well.
The 31-year-old had surgery in March – a stunningly quick recovery from an injury that usually takes 12 months to rehabilitate.
"I've done all I can in the time that we had and we always knew it was going to be a tight turnaround, and that's why the improvement had to be so great, from two weeks ago, to last week, to this week," Goldsack told reporters.
Draftee Nathan Murphy was left out with a "niggle" but is expected to be right for Collingwood's qualifying final against West Coast on Saturday night at Optus Stadium.
Defenders Jack Madgen and Adam Oxley could be victims of the selection squeeze, with Jeremy Howe set to return from a thigh operation for what the club said is a corkie.
Callum Brown starred with 24 disposals, 10 tackles and three goals, as Essendon won through to a semi-final, 18.6 (114) to 11.14 (80).
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Essendon, Elimination Final - Sunday, September 2, 2.10pm, Stannards Stadium
Defender Aaron Francis starred in Essendon's 34-point elimination final win over Collingwood at Stannards Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Francis dominated the air early in the contest and finished with 19 disposals and eight marks.
FLYING FRANCIS! ✈️#PJVFL pic.twitter.com/QDhcEgDPhR
— 7VFL (@7VFL) September 2, 2018
Small forward Josh Green ran amok at the other end of the ground, booting five goals, while delisted Bomber Jackson Merrett slotted four.
In the middle, Kobe Mutch amassed 28 disposals, six marks and five tackles.
James Stewart showed his wares in attack, kicking 2.2.
Midfielder Dylan Clarke was concussed as the Bombers won, 18.6 (114) to 11.14 (80).
Dylan Clarke will undergo a concussion test after copping a knee to the head.
— 7VFL (@7VFL) September 2, 2018
Looked very groggy coming off the ground.
Watch #PJVFL https://t.co/4kPPZfFhhn pic.twitter.com/P4UXDAlKlc
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for WAFL finals
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Geelong, Qualifying Final - Saturday, September 1, 2.10pm, Casey Fields
Coach Shane O'Bree didn't hold back in his assessment of a "damning" performance around the stoppages in the 91-point loss to Casey.
O'Bree admitted Lachie Fogarty was the best of 17 AFL-listed players, as midfielders Jordan Cunico, Jackson Thurlow and Quinton Narkle failed to put their hands up.
Zac Smith had his colours lowered and did little to suggest he will dislodge Ryan Abbott from the No.1 ruck spot for Friday night's AFL elimination final.
Esava Ratugolea played more minutes in his second game back from a three-month layoff but had little impact playing between attack and ruck.
Livewire forward Lincoln McCarthy was busy early but was a victim of little forward supply, playing his second match after a hamstring setback.
Stewart Crameri was a late withdrawal with groin soreness.
The Cats face the winner of Sunday's elimination final between Collingwood and Essendon in next week's semi final.
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for NEAFL finals
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for NEAFL finals
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Port Melbourne, Elimination Final - Saturday, September 1, 2pm, Stannards Stadium
Dan Howe did his chances of earning a finals recall no harm, winning 28 disposals in three quarters as Box Hill secured a thrilling VFL elimination final victory over Port Melbourne.
Ollie Hanrahan sent the match to extra time with his second goal of the afternoon, while Brendan Whitecross also kicked two goals as the Hawks progressed with an 11-point win.
James Cousins played an important role in the midfield with 30 disposals and a goal, while Taylor Duryea, Teia Miles and Kaiden Brand were also solid in the victory.
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Geelong, Qualifying Final - Saturday, September 1, 2.10pm, Casey Fields
High-flyer Mitch Hannan showed Simon Goodwin why he should be recalled for Friday's elimination final with an impressive return from a knee injury.
A late withdrawal from the round 23 win over Greater Western Sydney, Hannan kicked three goals and took a final term hanger in Casey's 91-point thumping of Geelong.
The @CaseyDemonsFC have won through to a #PJVFL #LovetheGame preliminary final, with Mitch Hannan bringing down this big grab today.
— #PJVFL / #SwisseVFLW (@VFL) September 1, 2018
Recap the Saturday results so far: https://t.co/XuGjh7DxVO @melbournefc pic.twitter.com/Nc4rMlzIaj
He finished the match on the bench alongside Joel Smith (two goals) and Tom Bugg (24 disposals) as the Demons looked ahead to the AFL clash with the Cats.
Cam Pedersen proved he's ready for AFL level if called upon, finishing with 25 disposals, four goals and multiple goal assists.
Jayden Hunt finished his first game back from an ankle injury strongly, while Jeff Garlett impressed with his front-half pressure.
Casey booked themselves a week off and a preliminary final berth.
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for VFL finals
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for SANFL finals
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Williamstown, Qualifying Final - Saturday, September 1, 7.10pm, Swinburne Centre
Small forward Dan Butler emerged unscathed in his return from ankle surgery as Richmond lost its qualifying final to Williamstown by 25 points at Punt Road.
He had only three disposals and kicked a goal.
However, the match will be noted for the lights going out during the third term, which forced play to be halted.
An update on the lights out situation...#PJVFL pic.twitter.com/fDWy3pnYzp
— 7VFL (@7VFL) September 1, 2018
Oleg Markov (15 disposals) also made a comeback, lining up after a knee issue kept him out.
However, neither is likely to line up in the AFL side's qualifying final against Hawthorn.
"We've got to play on Thursday, after a Saturday game, which makes it pretty tough," football boss Neil Balme told Channel Seven.
"Dan was good. He hasn't played for a fair while. I thought he was OK, particularly early. We'll see what happens."
Sam Lloyd and Ryan Garthwaite were left out of the match.
"We thought they were very much the next players in line in the chop-up," Balme said.
"For them to play two games in five days in a serious final is probably pretty hard to do.
"I just wish the AFL and the VFL would talk to each other. It might make it a bit easier for us."
Onballer Anthony Miles collected 25 disposals while Corey Ellis finished with 22 and a goal.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for VFL finals
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: Claremont v East Perth, Elimination Final - Sunday, September 2, 2.40pm, Claremont Oval
Young forward Oscar Allen booted two goals and collected nine disposals as he tries to keep his spot ahead of West Coast's qualifying final against Collingwood next Saturday night at Optus Stadium.
Allen played in East Perth's 28-point loss to Claremont in a WAFL elimination final on Sunday afternoon.
The draftee played in round 23 to take his career tally to two games.
However, the impending return of Josh Kennedy (right shin) leaves Allen's spot vulnerable.
Brayden Ainsworth was his side's leading ball-winner, amassing 25 disposals, while Brendon Ah Chee had 18, along with six tackles and a goal.
The Royals couldn't recover from a goalless opening term, with Claremont progressing after a 12.11 (83) to 8.7 (55) victory.
Oscar Allen takes a huge contested clunk and nails his set shot from 35m!
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) September 2, 2018
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State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Did not qualify for VFL finals
