State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Glenelg v Adelaide - Sunday, July 30, 1.10pm, Bordertown Oval

Key defender Kyle Hartigan looks set for more time on the sidelines after suffering another hamstring setback in the Crows' 17-point loss.

The 25-year-old was returning from a left hamstring injury he suffered against Carlton in round 15.

After picking up a team-high 27 touches last weekend, untried third-year utility Harrison Wigg again led the stats sheet with 34 possessions, 10 inside 50s, nine marks and eight rebound 50s.

Retiring midfielder Scott Thompson was as reliable as ever with 25 disposals and 14 tackles, while livewire forward Troy Menzel led the Crows' goalkicking with three majors.

State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Canberra v Brisbane Lions - Saturday, July 29, 12pm, UNSW Canberra Oval

Exciting Brisbane Lions Academy prospect Connor Ballenden produced a stunning performance in a 94-point win in the NEAFL over Canberra at UNSW Canberra Oval on Saturday.

In just his third NEAFL game, the 18-year-old – an athletic 199cm swingman – kicked a then game-high four goals to three-quarter time. 

Also among the goals were fellow talls Matthew Hammelman (five goals) and Archie Smith (four). 

They received great supply from the likes of Rohan Bewick, who enjoyed an enormous first term in which he amassed 16 possessions and a goal, and Ryan Harwood, who had 15 touches and a goal to half-time. 

It was the Lions' ninth successive win – the club's longest streak at NEAFL level.

State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Geelong - Saturday, July 29, 1pm, Ikon Park

Nick Graham responded superbly to his omission by leading the Northern Blues to a five-point win over Geelong in their VFL clash at Ikon Park on Saturday.

Graham was the most prolific player afield, gathering 34 possessions and 11 clearances, and had good support in the midfield from Rhys Palmer (22).

Up forward, Kristian Jaksch slotted four goals, while Jarrod Pickett chimed in with two, including the matchwinner.

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State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Essendon - Sunday, July 30, 11.45am, Victoria Park

Father-son recruit Josh Daicos's hopes of earning a senior debut before the end of the season have suffered a major blow after suffering a left foot injury in the first quarter of the 14-point loss.

The 18-year-old, who is the son of Magpies great Peter, was on crutches soon after the game-ending injury with his foot strapped in ice.

In better news, midfielder James Aish played well in his return after missing last weekend with concussion, snapping the Pies' opening goal of the game from a stoppage.

Draftee Kayle Kirby put in another eye-catching display and led the goalkicking for his side with three majors, including a clever dribbling kick on the run from the boundary.

Emergency Mason Cox lined up in the game and kicked two goals, including back-to-back majors in the third quarter.

Another father-son pick, youngster Callum Brown, was held over for Sunday's clash with Adelaide at the MCG.

State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Essendon - Sunday, July 30, 11.45am, Victoria Park

Midfielder Jackson Merrett was stretchered off the ground in the third quarter with a suspected broken leg, souring the Bombers' 14-point win.

The 24-year-old, who hadn't featured at the top level this season, landed awkwardly in a marking contest and took no further part in the match.

Veteran midfielder Brent Stanton used his 255 games of experience to gather a team-high 28 touches and kick two goals, while onballer Craig Bird (25 disposals, two goals), draftee Kobe Mutch (23 disposals) and midfielder Ben Howlett were also important.

Key position player Aaron Francis featured in defence for the third successive week, beginning the match by taking a strong overhead mark.

He drifted forward late in the third term and kicked a goal to keep his side in touch with the Magpies, while big man Shaun McKernan booted three goals.

State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Swan Districts v Peel Thunder - Saturday, July 29, 2.15pm, Steel Blue Oval

Midfielder Harley Bennell was rested after three-quarter time of Peel's 16-point loss, collecting eight touches and three inside 50s in his third game back from recurring calf problems.

Ruckman Jon Griffin won the hit-out battle and gathered 20 touches and five marks, while backmen Garrick Ibbotson (20 disposals, eight marks) and Sam Collins (19 disposals, nine marks) were also around the mark.

In attack, usual defender Zac Dawson kicked two goals from his 13 possessions. 

State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Geelong - Saturday, July 29, 1pm, Ikon Park

Ryan Abbott upstaged fellow ruckman Rhys Stanley in Geelong's five-point loss to VFL rival Northern Blues at Ikon Park on Saturday.

The Cats' duo had 34 hit-outs apiece, and the omitted Stanley also kicked two goals, but Abbott was named among the best players while Stanley wasn't.

Forward Timm House also got among the action and spearhead Aaron Black contributed three goals.

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State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v GWS Giants - Saturday, July 29, 3.45pm, Metricon Stadium

Axed defender Trent McKenzie impressed in the Suns' 31-point win, collecting an equal game-high 32 disposals to go with eight marks and a goal.

Draftee midfielder Jack Bowes also responded well to his omission with 26 touches, seven tackles and two goals.

Youngster Josh Schoenfeld (17 disposals, seven marks) and tall Keegan Brooksby (eight disposals, five marks) controlled the forward line with three goals apiece, while big man Daniel Currie (12 disposals, five tackles) added two majors.

Onballer Mitch Hallahan (32 disposals), half-forward Ryan Davis (32 disposals, 13 marks) and draftees Will Brodie (28) and Brad Scheer (24) were other Suns to feature prominently.

State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v GWS Giants - Saturday, July 29, 3.45pm, Metricon Stadium 

Veteran recruit Brett Deledio remains on track to make his long-awaited Giants debut after emerging unscathed in his second game back from repeated calf issues.

The 30-year-old played out the full match and was moved to half-back in the second half, ending with 25 possessions, eight marks and two tackles in the 31-point loss.

In a further positive, young midfielder Jacob Hopper returned from an ankle injury he sustained at training last month and collected 22 touches.

The 20-year-old, who had been sidelined since the round six loss to St Kilda when he needed finger surgery, was rested in the last term.

Midfielder Daniel Lloyd gathered a team-high 31 disposals, seven tackles and six marks, while young defender Harry Himmelberg (24 disposals) played a key role in his second game back from a finger injury.

Backman Tim Mohr (12 disposals) didn't feature in the latter part of the game, and his status remains unclear.

State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Box Hill Hawks - Sunday, July 30, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval

Third-year onballer Teia Miles excelled with five goals in the Hawks' comfortable 47-point win.

Rookie Oliver Hanrahan was also named among the best, while forward Ty Vickery contributed on the scoreboard with three goals, taking full advantage of the good supply from the midfield group.

The Hawks set up the win with six unanswered goals in the second term.

State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Coburg - Sunday, July 30, 2pm, Casey Fields

Rookie Corey Maynard continued his good recent run with a team-high 28 possessions in Casey's 43-point win in windy conditions.

The 25-year-old, who picked up 30 disposals and five tackles for Casey last weekend, even bobbed up forward in the last term for a dribble goal.

Second-year forward Sam Weideman presented well in attack for 20 touches and latched onto a screamer in the final quarter before converting the set shot – one of his three goals for the afternoon.

Midfielder Angus Brayshaw gathered 22 disposals in his second game back from repeated concussions, while defender Josh Wagner added 22 touches of his own.

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State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Port Melbourne - Sunday, July 30, 2pm, RAMS Arena 

Featuring in his second successive VFL game, ruckman Todd Goldstein asserted his influence with his tap work and kicked two goals in Werribee's thrilling three-point win.

The 29-year-old drifted forward in the third term and took a strong pack mark, before finishing off his good work by calmly converting the set shot.

Goldstein will re-enter the selection frame should young ruckman Braydon Preuss (back) be unavailable through injury.

Small forward Lindsay Thomas was rewarded with four goals, and omitted draftee Cameron Zurhaar created scoring chances and kicked two majors, including the match-winner late in the game.

Usual defender Lachie Hansen featured at the opposite end and kicked two goals in the third term, while draftee Ben McKay showed glimpses of his potential by competing well and laying a good final-quarter tackle.

State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Bye

State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: North Ballarat v Richmond - Sunday, July 30, 11am, MARS Stadium

Draftee midfielder Jack Graham made an impressive return from injury, gathering a team-high 33 disposals in the Tigers' 41-point win.

The 19-year-old, who suffered an ankle injury against Werribee just over a fortnight ago, had 26 possessions and four marks to three quarter time.

Graham, the No.53 selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft, fractured his left ankle at training in March which kept him sidelined until round 13.

Omitted defender Jayden Short fitted in seamlessly with 27 touches, while Jacob Townsend (25 disposals) and Oleg Markov (20) rounded out the Tigers' major ball-winners.

In attack, forward Ben Lennon and youngster Tyson Stengle kicked three goals apiece, with singles each to Short, Jake Batchelor and Todd Elton. 

State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Box Hill Hawks - Sunday, July 30, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval

There was little to cheer about for the Zebras in their 47-point loss.

Youngster Nathan Wright, who has played three matches for the Saints this season, could hold his head high after working hard for his 26 disposals and one goal.

Coming off his solid outing last weekend, yet-to-debut rookie Nick O'Kearney took the game on with his team-high 35 possessions and one goal, while ruckman Tom Hickey was also named among the Zebras' better-performed players.

Sandringham added some respectability to the scoreboard by kicking eight goals to two in the final term.

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State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye  

State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: Claremont v East Perth - Saturday, July 29, 3.10pm, Claremont Oval

Midfielder Chris Masten racked up a game-high 38 disposals and five marks in East Perth's thrilling four-point win.

However, the 28-year-old made some costly errors by foot, slightly denting his chances of earning a senior recall.

Defender Sharrod Wellingham showed his class with 22 touches, seven marks and four inside 50s, while ruckman Jon Giles accumulated 41 hit-outs and kicked a goal.

Omitted defender Tom Cole gathered 17 touches and small forward Josh Hill had 18 disposals and six inside 50s. 

State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Williamstown v Footscray - Saturday, July 29, 2.10pm, Burbank Oval

First-year ruckman Tim English suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone in Footscray's 79-point loss in the VFL at Williamstown on Saturday.

Before half time, English attacked a contest and copped heavy contact in a head clash that left the teenager lying prostrate for some time.

A possibly concussed English sat out the rest of the game with a badly bruised right eye.

Defender Kieran Collins also tweaked an ankle.

It compounded a disastrous day for the Bulldogs, who managed just one goal in the first three quarters, and only two for the match.

In a low-possession game in extremely windy conditions, the Bulldogs had few winners but runner Declan Hamilton was one who tried particularly hard.

Dogs veteran Matthew Boyd, named an emergency for the club's big AFL clash with Essendon on Sunday, didn't appear in the VFL.