Multiple Mid-Season Draft prospects put their hand up for a debut at a new club, while a top-10 fancy debuted for the side he is linked to.
A pair of veteran ruckmen stake their claims for a senior recall as the reserves grade produced a strong weekend of results.
Byes: Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons, Northern Bullants
Here's a recap of the VFL's weekend results and the standout performers from each game.
Geelong (85) def. Brisbane (117)
A monster game from Brisbane midfielder Deven Robertson helped set up the victory away from home.
Robertson collected 29 touches, 14 tackles, seven clearances and a goal. His efforts were assisted by Oscar McInerney (25 touches, 31 hit-outs, 12 clearances and five marks), who dominated in the ruck and through the midfield.
Ty Gallop slotted four goals while Conor McKenna and Brandon Ryan both kicked a pair of majors.
Lions defender Tom Doedee suffered a concussion during the contest and will miss at least the next 12 days.
Geelong could look at recalling Jack Bowes after his stellar outing in the defeat.
Bowes registered 33 disposals and 12 marks.
Young duo Mitch Knevitt (one goal, 25 touches and seven tackles) and Ted Clohesy (two goals, 26 possessions and seven marks) were pivotal to the Cats' chances.
Southport Sharks (86) def. by Sydney (92)
Sydney academy prospect Max King had an almost day, kicking 1.4 in his Swans debut.
King, who is eligible for this year's draft and is shaping as a top-10 selection, also collected nine disposals and four marks.
Axed veteran Jake Lloyd responded to his dropping, collecting 39 touches, eight marks and a goal.
Caiden Cleary (31 possessions, 10 tackles and five clearances) and Oliver Florent (26 touches, six tackles and five clearances) were instrumental in the win.
As for the Sharks, ruckman Brayden Crossley was dominant throughout the day, amassing 22 possessions, 44 hit-outs, 10 tackles, nine clearances and a goal.
Boyd Woodcock and Jacob Dawson benefited from Crossley's ruck assertiveness to find plenty of the football.
Multiple goals to Zac Foot, Jackson Edwards and Wylie Buzza kept the scoreboard ticking over, but to no avail.
Collingwood (93) def. Sandringham Zebras (90)
A goal after the siren from Charlie West saw Collingwood snatch the victory from the Zebras.
West kicked six on the day, and is poised to debut for the senior side next week.
Veterans Tom Mitchell and Mason Cox proved their worth on the three-point win, while youngsters Jakob Ryan and Wil Parker were impressive through the backline and wings.
St Kilda's Hugo Garcia was arguably the club's best, registering 27 touches, 14 clearances and 12 tackles.
Ruckman Harry Boyd was a handful to deal with, and also produced 11 clearances to get the ball going forward.
Zak Jones was strong in the contest, while Liam Henry finished off his work with two majors.
Paddy Dow returned from injury, collecting nine disposals and a goal.
Port Melbourne Borough (67) def. by Coburg Lions (77)
An inaccurate Port Melbourne side saw Coburg capitalise on their missed opportunities, and a six-goal haul from Josh D'Intinosante helped set up the narrow victory.
Donovan Toohey was at his usual impressive self, racking up 34 touches and five marks.
Jack Bytel and Joel Trudgeon battled valiantly in the midfield, combining for 53 possessions and 14 clearances.
Jack Le Foy slotted three majors as ruckman Will Bella gave his on-ballers first look at the stoppage.
Port Melbourne's Josh Green did everything in his power to will his side over the line, producing a 27-disposals, 10-tackle and nine-clearance performance.
Harvey Hooper joined Green in the Borough's midfield dominance, but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard.
Luca Alessio and Tom Hofert were the only multiple goal kickers.
Williamstown Seagulls (93) def. Werribee Tigers (72)
Seagulls forward Brodie McLaughlin could've put the game beyond doubt, if he'd kicked straight.
McLaughlin kicked 2.5 in the 19-point win, and was outplayed by teammate and former Crow Lachlan Gollant's three majors.
Ruckman Tom Downie was huge through the midfield, recording 47 hit-outs, six clearances and 14 touches.
Former Swan Hugo Hall-Kahan picked up a team-high 23 disposals and seven marks, while teammate Toby Triffet was equally as good with 19 possessions, 10 marks and eight clearances.
Werribee pair Dom Bree and Jack Riding's form continues to reach new heights, with the duo combining for 69 possessions, 27 tackles and 20 clearances.
Ruckman Sam Conway matched Downie's efforts with 57 hit-outs and three clearances.
Jay Dahlhaus kicked three goals.
Carlton (73) def. by North Melbourne (74)
North Melbourne youngsters Will Phillips and Callum Coleman-Jones proved vital in the club's one-point victory over Carlton.
Phillips amassed 25 possessions, eight clearances and seven tackles, while Coleman-Jones played as a mobile ruckman, collecting eight clearances and 22 touches.
MSD player Zac Banch slotted three goals, as did Zane Duursma, who continues to push for a senior recall.
Blues MSD Flynn Young was also impressive, slotting two majors from 19 touches.
Ashton Moir matched him with a pair of goals, while Ben Camporeale was arguably Carlton's best.
Frankston Dolphins (66) def. Essendon (60)
A Trent Mynott masterclass helped Frankston prevail over a plucky Essendon outfit.
Mynott recorded 28 disposals, six marks, three clearances and two goals in the win.
Thomas Murphy, Jackson Voss and Darby Hipwell found plenty of the football while Corey Elison and Clayton Gray kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Bombers youngster Elijah Tsatas continued his ridiculous form in the VFL without any AFL representative, collecting 37 touches, 10 clearances and five tackles.
MSF prospect Liam McMahon will push for a senior debut after kicking five goals, while Dylan Shiel is also in the mix for selections.
GWS (93) def. Gold Coast (80)
An incredibly accurate Giants outfit prevailed over Gold Coast, with Max Gruzewski and VFL-listed player Alex Swinnerton both kicking three goals.
Josh Fahey gathered 31 possessions and 14 marks to go with his pair of majors, while Toby McMullin and Wade Derksen found plenty of the football.
Josaia Delana played as a pressure forward and made eight tackles.
Gold Coast's Ned Moyle recorded a whopping 53 hit-outs to go with his 17 possessions and five clearances.
Alex Sexton and Lachlan Gulbin both kicked two goals alongside MSD prospect Caleb Lewis.
Veteran David Swallow amassed 23 touches and seven clearances, while Leo Lombard was busy with 19 possessions and six tackles.
Footscray Bulldogs (90) def. Richmond (45)
Riley Garcia and Jedd Busslinger will give Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge something to consider at the selection table after stirring performances in the VFL.
Garcia had 37 touches, 10 clearances and six tackles in the strong victory over Richmond, while Busslinger gathered 29 possessions and eight marks.
Fellow defender Ryan Gardner amassed 22 disposals and 11 marks, as emerging ruckman Lachlan Smith recorded 33 hit-outs, five clearances and 16 touches.
A tough day for the Tigers, but they can be buoyed by a host of youngsters putting their hand up for selection.
Draftee Taj Hotton played his first game since being taken by the Punt Road club at last year's draft, collecting 13 disposals and three marks.
Jacob Blight impressed in defence as the backline was under siege for the majority of the day.
Tylar Young is also building following his return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
