State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Footscray - Friday, March 24, 4.15pm, Holden Centre
The Bulldogs should have more depth in their ruck department after Tom Campbell imposed himself on Friday night against Collingwood.
An ankle injury hampered the big man through the pre-season and he played only one game in the JLT Community Series.
Campbell's strong marking up forward and his ruck dominance was what the Dogs would have wanted to see.
Premiership pair Josh Dunkley and Clay Smith showed their typical hardness and aggression through the midfield.
State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens - Saturday, March 25, 11.25am, Football Park
Veteran midfielder Scott Thompson and defender Jake Lever played their first games of the season on return from a shoulder and hamstring injury respectively.
The pair, who did not take part in the recent JLT Community Series, played out the full trial match without any concerns in the heavy 83-point loss.
Thompson (14 disposals, five tackles) spent stints across half-back and in the midfield, while Lever (19 disposals, one goal) shook off a slow start and steadily improved after quarter-time.
Other players to return from injury, utility Jonathon Beech (calf) and midfielder Dean Gore (concussion) both emerged unscathed.
State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions - Saturday, March 25, 3.25pm, Metricon Stadium
Irishman Cian Hanley, whose older brother is Gold Coast recruit Pearce, played his first match for the Lions in the 37-point loss.
The 21-year-old has endured a horror run since being recruited as an international rookie at the end of 2014, with a knee reconstruction keeping him out in 2015 and ongoing groin problems sidelining him for all of last year.
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Northern Blues - Thursday, March 23, 4.30pm, Punt Road Oval
Promising young tall Harry McKay booted four goals against Richmond in a 22-point loss at Punt Road Oval on Thursday.
McKay was selected at No.10 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft and has yet to make his senior debut after a stress fracture in his back forced him to miss a chunk of last season.
Midfielder Nick Graham picked up 18 disposals, including a goal, while former Giant Rhys Palmer had 15 himself.
After finding the ascendancy early, Richmond held on for the win, 14.10 (94) to 10.12 (72).
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Footscray - Friday, March 24, 4.15pm, Holden Centre
Forward pair Kayle Kirby and Mitch McCarthy each slotted three goals in the Magpies' 38-point loss against reigning premier Footscray at the Holden Centre on Friday night.
Kirby was excellent as he showed off his creativity and smarts in the forward line. He showed a penchant for the spectacular with a big mark, as well as threading the needle from a tight angle to hit the scoreboard.
Former Demon Lynden Dunn was steadfast in defence while Josh Daicos looked too good for the level, despite being in his first season.
Lachie Keeffe was quiet in attack and finished with a goal.
Backman Matthew Scharenberg appeared to cop a stinger to his right elbow after being tackled in the third quarter, but didn't need to leave the field.
The Bulldogs ran out winners, 17.8 (110) to 9.8 (62).
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Box Hill Hawks - Saturday, March 25, 12pm, True Value Solar Centre
A trio of returning Bombers played in the four-point loss to Box Hill at Tullamarine on Saturday, with Ben Howlett the standout.
Howlett was clearly the best player on the ground while playing in the midfield and forward line. His work rate and pressure were excellent.
Big man Tom Bellchambers played close to the full game, splitting his time between the forward line and in the ruck.
His progression from knee surgery in January would gladden the Essendon hierarchy, with Matthew Leuenberger dealing with a hamstring strain.
It was a quiet day for Heath Hocking. The 29-year-old spent most of his time in the midfield but was also used in defence.
The No.6 selection in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, Aaron Francis, competed well in the forward line, with his aerial prowess on display.
Conor McKenna showed dash off half-back while Matt Dea often cut off the Hawks' forays forward in blustery conditions.
Rookie backman Ben McNiece was one of the best for the Bombers, while Jake Long was consistent all day from a wing.
Box Hill won the practice match on a warm day, 13.13 (91) to 13.9 (87).
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v East Fremantle - Saturday, March 25, 2.15pm, Bendigo Bank Oval
Forward Matt Taberner put on a clinic for Peel, kicking five goals to go with his 20 possessions, seven marks and five tackles in the 86-point win.
Youngster Ethan Hughes put in a strong performance with 20 disposals and seven marks on his own in the one-sided affair, while goalkicker Hayden Crozier registered two majors and laid seven tackles.
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v North Ballarat - Saturday, March 25, 12pm, Simonds Stadium
Second-year Cat James Parsons returned to competitive action from a broken foot he injured in late January and was named among his side's best, kicking two goals.
Livewire Darcy Lang also played well with 19 touches and five tackles in the 56-point win.
Youngster Wylie Buzza led the goalkicking with three goals and six marks, while former Kangaroo Aaron Black (six marks) and defender Jed Bews (11 disposals) kicked two apiece.
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions - Saturday, March 25, 3.25pm, Metricon Stadium
Midfielders Mitch Hallahan and Will Brodie gave the Suns the upper hand in clearances, which resulted in plenty of scoring opportunities in the 37-point win.
After spending much of last season as a midfielder, second-year Sun Brayden Fiorini played across half-back and fitted in seamlessly in his new-found role.
Ruckmen Dan Currie and Tom Nicholls shared the ruck duties against Lions counterpart Archie Smith.
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney University v GWS Giants - Saturday, March 25, 12pm, Tom Wills Oval
Youngster Jacob Hopper, who suffered stress fractures in his lower back last year, emerged unscathed for the Giants as he continues to overcome back soreness.
Giants coach Leon Cameron said Hopper would in the selection mix this week to replace Tendai Mzungu, who suffered a left hamstring in Sunday's loss to Adelaide.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Box Hill Hawks - Saturday, March 25, 12pm, True Value Solar Centre
Triple premiership captain Luke Hodge impressed in the Hawks' four-point win against Essendon on Saturday at Tullamarine.
Stats weren't kept for the practice match but Hodge played largely in the midfield and won his fair share of the ball.
Brendan Whitecross was another to have plenty of the ball and his leadership in the backline and through the middle was noticed by coach Chris Newman.
"'Whitey' is a bigger body and his attack on the footy was outstanding. With his voice, he's a bit of a leader," Newman told AFL.com.au.
"He's an experienced AFL player, so you can go into a game assured that you're going to get 100 per cent effort from 'Whitey'.
Kaiden Brand looked good in defence while Ryan Burton was also among the better players.
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Williamstown - Saturday, March 25, 11.30am, Casey Fields
Midfielder Dom Tyson accumulated 24 possessions, 16 inside 50s and kicked two goals in the Demons' 36-point win.
Casey coach Justin Plapp told AFL.com.au that Tyson "performed really strongly" in his third game back from a knee injury.
"He's had a delayed start because of injury … so he's going through the process of building time and we were really happy with his performance," Plapp said.
Ruckman Jake Spencer (28 hit-outs, 10 disposals) and Dean Kent (20 disposals) were other notable standouts in the VFL practice match win.
State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Werribee - Saturday, March 25, 2pm, RAMS Arena
Draftee Nick Larkey kicked three goals and set up a couple of others in Werribee's three-point win.
A Werribee spokesman told AFL.com.au that Larkey – the Kangaroos' final selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft at No.73 – was the pick of the forwards and particularly impressed at ground level.
Livewire Corey Wagner pushed his name forward at the selection table, spending time up forward and on the wing, and using his hard-running ability to great effect.
Rookie Cameron Zurhaar was lively inside 50, while big man Majak Daw spent time in the ruck but the stiff breeze didn't work in his favour.
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Sturt - Thursday, March 23, 7.10pm, Alberton Oval
Youngster Peter Ladhams, who was taken at pick No.9 in last year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft, kicked two goals and was named Port's best in the 56-point win.
Midfielder Will Snelling was equally dangerous in the forward half and registered a goal as the Magpies powered away after half-time with eight goals to two.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Northern Blues - Thursday, March 23, 4.30pm, Punt Road Oval
Forward Ben Lennon put his hand up for selection against Collingwood in round two with an impressive display in attack against Carlton on Thursday.
Lennon booted 3.5 to continue what has been an up-and-down pre-season. He created his chances both in the air and on the ground.
The No. 12 selection in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft booted four goals in an intraclub earlier this year but struggled to have in impact in two JLT Community Series games.
Tough onballers Kane Lambert and Jacob Townsend helped set the tone, while veteran ruckman Ivan Maric was particularly influential early as the Tigers shot out to a 26-point lead at quarter-time.
Mabior Chol was quiet in attack, while small forward Shai Bolton struggled to get through after playing with a corked thigh he suffered at training.
Bolton could also face suspension after he was involved in what was possibly a reportable incident.
Anthony Miles was an emergency for the senior team and didn't play as Richmond won at Punt Road Oval, 14.10 (94) to 10.12 (72).
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Port Melbourne - Sunday, March 26, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Key forward Paddy McCartin kicked three first-half goals in the Zebras' 66-point win.
The 20-year-old was a late withdrawal ahead of the Saints' season opener against Melbourne due to hamstring tightness.
Sandringham coach Lindsay Gilbee told AFL.com.au that McCartin was rested in the final quarter "to manage a few minutes".
"His work rate around the ground to give himself an opportunity to get into the contests was definitely a positive out of the game, that's for sure," Gilbee said.
In further good news, veteran Saint Leigh Montagna gained vital match fitness after overcoming a right calf complaint, accumulating 18 disposals to three-quarter time.
"'Joey' was great, he came back with a really, really good attitude," Gilbee said.
"He was like Paddy, we ended up taking him off at three-quarter time."
Montagna took no part in the recent JLT Community Series due to the calf injury.
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: West Perth v East Perth - Sunday, March 26, 1.40pm, HBF Arena
A five-goal haul from forward Tom Lamb wasn't enough for East Perth, who went down by 21 points.
The 20-year-old also gathered 23 disposals and eight marks in an eye-catching display.
Defender Francis Watson, who was recruited at the end of last year as a category B rookie, also played a critical role with 26 possessions and nine marks.
Youngsters Liam Duggan and Tom Barrass finished with 24 and 19 touches respectively, while ruckman Jonathan Giles was withdrawn from the match after veteran recruit Drew Petrie fractured his left hand against North Melbourne.
