State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Footscray - Saturday, April 22, 5pm, VU Whitten Oval
Midfielder Caleb Daniel will re-enter the selection frame after picking up 28 disposals and laying eight tackles in the 51-point win.
Daniel featured in the Bulldogs' opening three rounds of the season, before being overlooked for the past fortnight.
Second-year utility Bailey Williams, who played six games for the Dogs in his maiden season, was unstoppable in defence with 29 touches and 12 marks.
Draftee Tim English (17 touches), the No.19 selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft, won the ruck battle against Werribee's talls, which included North Melbourne big man Majak Daw.
In attack, fellow draftee Fergus Greene booted five goals from his 10 possessions, while midfielder Mitch Honeychurch, onballer Bailey Dale and rookie Nathan Mullenger-McHugh added two majors each.
State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Central District v Adelaide - Saturday, April 22, 2.40pm, My Money House Oval
Veteran Scott Thompson was the Crows' best ball-winner in his first game for the season – a 54-point SANFL loss to Central District at My Money House Oval on Saturday.
After overcoming shoulder and adductor issues, the 307-game midfielder had 21 touches and laid six tackles against Central District.
Mature-age rookie Jonathon Beech was next-best with 20 disposals and nine marks, while fellow rookie Hugh Greenwood (19 touches, two goals and an equal game-high eight tackles) and first-year draftee Matthew Signorello (19) worked hard.
Big man Reilly O'Brien had 19 hit-outs and kicked three goals.
State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions - Saturday, April 22, 12.55pm, Metricon Stadium
Marco Paparone mopped up in defence to help the Lions to a 45-point win over Gold Coast in their NEAFL clash at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
Paparone gathered 30 possessions in a sweeping role while the Lions were well served by youngsters Josh Clayton, Jacob Allison (27) and Rhys Mathieson (24), and more experienced pair Tom Bell (26) and Rohan Bewick (26).
Rookie key-positon player Matthew Hammelmann bagged four goals, while fellow talls Jonathan Freeman, rookie Oscar McInerney and Jarrad Jansen contributed two each.
Young ruckman Archie Smith was also one of the Lions' best.
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Williamstown - Saturday, April 22, 2.40pm, Preston City Oval
Recycled Blues Liam Jones, Alex Silvagni and Sam Kerridge were standouts in the Northern Blues' 21-point VFL win over Williamstown at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
Former Bulldog Jones and ex-Docker Silvagni forged a strong union in defence, while Kerridge (31 disposals) was their most damaging runner.
David Cuningham (23 and a goal) and Nick Graham (31) were also in the thick of the action, while former Cat Billie Smedts (26) and Blaine Boekhorst (24 and a goal) kept pumping the ball forward.
Harry McKay kicked three goals while Kristian Jaksch snared two.
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Collingwood - Sunday, April 23, 1pm, Windy Hill
There were few positives for the Magpies in their heavy 81-point loss.
Former Docker Chris Mayne attacked the ball in the air and at ground level, but like many of his AFL-listed teammates, did little to demand a senior recall.
Midfielder James Aish tried hard on the wing and defender Matthew Scharenberg also did well in an otherwise one-sided contest.
Defender Lynden Dunn turned the ball over at times and was moved to the forward line in the third quarter to try kickstart his team, while omitted tall Jesse White assisted in the ruck but had little impact.
The Magpies were held goalless in the final term and registered just five goals for the match, with singles to Mayne, Rupert Wills, Jordan De Goey, Jarryd Blair and Ben Crocker.
De Goey will line up at VFL level again next week as he serves the last of his club-imposed three-week suspension after lying about his broken right hand.
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Collingwood - Sunday, April 23, 1pm, Windy Hill
Ruckman Tom Bellchambers is inching closer to a senior return after dominating the ruck duels in his team's comprehensive 81-point win.
The 27-year-old palmed the ball down with ease, provided a strong aerial presence and kicked three goals, even dishing off a goal assist in the final quarter after taking a strong mark deep in attack.
Bellchambers had knee surgery in January and featured in round one of the VFL last week.
Midfielder David Myers had a field day in his comeback from finger surgery, while small defender Martin Gleeson took several intercept marks across half-back and impressed with his ability to rebound effectively from defence.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Port Melbourne - Saturday, April 22, 1pm, Simonds Stadium
Scott Selwood performed strongly in his return from injury in a 52-point VFL loss to Port Melbourne at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Selwood, who sustained a toe problem just before the start of the JLT Community Series, had 23 touches.
Jed Bews (24) was the Cats' best player while teenage defender Ryan Gardner (23 and 12 marks) and ruckman Rhys Stanley were also strong performers.
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions - Saturday, April 22, 12.55pm, Metricon Stadium
They copped a 45-point hiding from the Brisbane Lions in their NEAFL clash at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, but a few young Suns pressed their claims for elevation.
Rookie small man Darcy Macpherson was Gold Coast's best player, while inexperienced runners Mackenzie Willis, Jesse Lonergan, first-year draftee Brad Scheer and Josh Schoenfeld each showed promising signs.
Rookie forward Ryan Davis kicked two goals.
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v GWS Giants - Saturday, April 22, 3.45pm, SCG
On the back of his 26-disposal, three-goal game last weekend, academy draftee Harry Perryman continued to stake his claim for a debut, collecting 21 touches and taking seven marks in the 36-point loss.
Former Docker Matt de Boer gathered 28 disposals and eight marks in his second game back from a hamstring injury.
Recently re-signed defender Jeremy Finlayson was kept busy in a Giants defence that was under constant pressure, finishing with a team-high 31 disposals and 12 marks.
Finlayson penned a one-year deal last month, tying him to the club until the end of 2018.
In attack, Daniel Lloyd took the points with an equal team-high two goals to go with his 26 possessions and seven marks.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Coburg - Saturday, April 22, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval
Ty Vickery responded strongly to his axing by bagging three goals as the Box Hill Hawks hammered VFL rival Coburg by 66 points at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.
The under-fire former Tiger – who did not regain his place after pulling out of the Easter Monday clash with Geelong with a back issue – had all of his goals by the opening minute of the second term.
Vickery also spent time in the ruck and helped set up a few goals for teammates.
However, he was upstaged by fellow big man Jack Fitzpatrick, who was awarded the Gibbs-Lyons Medal for a best-afield five-goal haul.
Another Hawks tall in draftee Mitch Lewis – whose name caused much amusement on draft night given the Hawks had offloaded veteran stars Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis – enjoyed his best VFL game so far, slotting two goals.
Taylor Duryea also joined in the romp with some quality delivery to the Hawks forwards, while Jono O'Rourke was also good in his second game back from injury.
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v North Ballarat - Saturday, April 22, 7pm, Casey Fields
Casey's 46-point win was overshadowed by another concussion to midfielder Angus Brayshaw.
The 21-year-old, who was last year concussed twice in the space of three weeks, suffered his latest head knock in a contest during the second quarter and didn't appear after half-time.
Casey coach Justin Plapp told AFL.com.au on Sunday that Brayshaw would be monitored closely given his concussion history.
In better news, axed utility Tomas Bugg put in a best-on-ground performance, bagging five goals to go with his 35 disposals.
"It was an impressive performance. The response from being left out of the AFL team was first-rate … and his role within the game was fantastic," Plapp said.
"He's put himself right into where we need him to be from a selection point of view."
Plapp said Ben Kennedy (23 touches), Jack Trengove (20 touches) and Cam Pedersen (two goals) "all continued to impress as well".
State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Footscray - Saturday, April 22, 5pm, VU Whitten Oval
Midfielder Ryan Clarke was North's most consistent player in the 51-point loss, finishing with 22 touches, five tackles and two goals.
Fellow onballer Jed Anderson performed well matching up on Western Bulldog Caleb Daniel, collecting 20 disposals and kicking a goal.
The 23-year-old is nearing a return to the senior line-up after recovering from shoulder surgery he had in late January.
Young defender Declan Watson, the No.34 selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft, made his VFL debut and had 19 possessions and took five marks.
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v North Adelaide - Saturday, April 22, 2.10pm, Alberton Oval
The next generation of Port Adelaide stars turned it on during a 63-point SANFL win over North Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday.
Riley Bonner (30 touches), Jesse Palmer (27) and first-year draftee Joe Atley (22 and six tackles) provided the backbone to the Magpies' victory.
Jimmy Toumpas was also in good touch with 28 possessions.
Up forward, mature-age recruit Brett Eddy blazed 3.4 while Brendon Ah Chee tallied 3.3.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Richmond - Saturday, April 22, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Richmond's improving depth was on display during its 25-point win over Sandringham in the VFL at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday.
Taylor Hunt (29 possessions) and Corey Ellis (28) and ex-Giant Jacob Townsend (22) held sway in the midfield.
First-year draftee Ryan Garthwaite was named the Tigers' best player after a strong showing in defence, with strong support from Jake Batchelor.
Rookie big man Mabior Chol kicked a team-high three goals, while rookie small forward Tyson Stengle and fellow 18-year-old Shai Bolton kicked two apiece.
Ben Lennon kicked a goal after an especially courageous mark.
The one sour note was a potentially serious left knee injury to Nathan Drummond, who requires scans to determine the extent of the injury. The midfielder tore the ACL in his right knee in his AFL debut almost exactly two years ago.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Richmond - Saturday, April 22, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Paddy McCartin kicked three of Sandringham's eight goals in a 25-point loss to Richmond in their VFL clash at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday.
The No.1 pick from the 2014 NAB AFL Draft wasn't named among his team's best players but was a beacon up forward.
Sandringham was also well served by Saints-listed youngsters Jack Sinclair (35 disposals), Daniel McKenzie (29), father-son draftee Bailey Rice, Brandon White and Shane Savage (29).
Rookie big man Rowan Marshall kicked two goals.
Draftee forward Josh Battle, the No.39 selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft, suffered a left knee injury in the first half and took no further part in the match.
On Sunday, Saints coach Alan Richardson said Battle had suffered "a pretty significant bruise" and would be assessed further.
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v GWS Giants - Saturday, April 22, 3.45pm, SCG
Rookie Sam Murray (21 disposals, one goal) was named best on ground in Sydney's 36-point win over the Giants.
James Rose kicked four goals and midfielder Brandon Jack led the team with 35 disposals and 10 marks.
Nic Newman (31 touches, seven marks) and Aliir Aliir (20 touches, six marks) responded well to their omissions from the senior team, with fellow axed Swan Oliver Florent (22 touches, three marks) not far behind.
Experienced defender Jeremy Laidler rounded out the Swans' best, with 22 disposals and 11 marks.
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v Perth - Saturday, April 22, 2.15pm, Leederville Oval
Rookie forward Fraser McInnes provided the spark in the 20-point win, with his 24 disposals, 13 marks and three goals helping East Perth register its first victory of the season.
Midfielder Mark Hutchings (28 disposals, two goals), defender Eric Mackenzie (19 disposals, eight marks) and yet-to-debut ball-winner Kurt Mutimer (28 disposals, one goal) were also standouts.
Speedster Lewis Jetta used his 19 disposals to good effect and kicked a goal, but could face an uphill battle to regain his spot in the senior squad.
