Carlton veteran, Collingwood youngster dominate as mid-season fancies impress: VFL Wrap – Round 8

Collingwood fans get excited, because this could be the week you unveil a debutant against North Melbourne.

A Carlton veteran couldn't have done more to earn a senior recall, while a host of Mid-Season Draft fancies stake their claims for an AFL opportunity, with the intake coming up fast.

Here's a recap of the VFL's weekend results and the standout performers from each game.

Byes: Brisbane, Essendon, Frankston Dolphins.

Sydney (75) def. by Carlton (105)

A seven-goal haul from Carlton youngster Harry Lemmey proved to be the difference as the Blues won by 30 points.

Veteran Sam Docherty continued to stake his claims for a senior recall after gathering 39 touches and six marks.

Mid-Season Draft fancy Liam McMahon slotted another four majors, while Alex Cincotta returned from a hip injury.

Sydney is hopeful that captain Callum Mills did enough to put his hand up for selection. He collected 20 disposals, six marks and a goal in his return.

Taylor Adams will be among the names considered for a return, recording 30 possessions and seven clearances. As will defender Ben Paton, who was dropped from Dean Cox's side.

Key forward Hayden McLean was quiet, kicking two behinds from eight disposals.

Collingwood (56) def. GWS (45)

Collingwood's hard-fought victory will stir belief in the club's VFL side, despite all the stats going against them.

Potential debutant Charlie West continued his impressive goal-kicking form, slotting another three to firmly place his name for the North Melbourne game.

Tom Mitchell took more steps toward a long-awaited return, recording 21 possessions and 13 tackles.

Harry DeMattia (28 touches and four marks) and Charlie Dean (22 possessions and eight marks) were instrumental in the win.

James Leake and Marc Sheather both had 39 disposals each.

Harry Rowston was impressive in the midfield while project ruckman Nick Madden gave the on-ballers first look.

The in-form Nathan Wardius will rue his inaccurate kicking (1.4), but was lively in the front half.

Gold Coast (29) def. by Box Hill Hawks (113)

Henry Hustwaite responded strongly to his axing as one of Box Hill's best players in the massive win.

Hustwaite gathered 28 touches, nine tackles and six clearances. He was helped by ruckman Max Ramsden, who kicked three goals from 26 possessions and nine clearances.

Sam Butler was strong for the Hawks while Jai Serong and Seamus Mitchell were notable players.

Connor Budarick's defensive efforts won't go unnoticed at the Suns camp, registering 26 touches, 11 marks and nine tackles.

Sean Lemmens finds himself in the same boat as a depth defender with Budarick, but impressed in the VFL.

Highly-touted draftee Leo Lombard was busy, gathering 15 disposals and five marks in the defeat.

Casey Demons (53) def. by Southport Sharks (94)

A host of Southport Sharks players put their hand up for best afield after a team performance.

Zac Foot, Jesse Joyce and Michael Manteit combined for 92 disposals, 28 marks and 14 tackles.

Ruckman Brayden Crossley proved he could impact up forward with two majors while midfielder Boyd Woodock led the way.

As for the Demons, they didn't have many winners on the day, but Blake Howes was rock solid in defence.

Jack Billings and Kynan Brown found plenty of the ball while dropped key forward Matthew Jefferson had multiple chances in front of goal.

Veteran defender Jake Lever also featured in the VFL in his bid to return to the senior side, gathering 17 touches and eight marks.

Jacob van Rooyen was kept to one goal.

Williamstown Seagulls (84) def. Footscray Bulldogs (56)

A six-goal haul from Seagulls forward Brodie McLaughlin was the difference between the two sides.

Ruckman Tom Downie fed his midfielders through 49 hit-outs and 19 touches, although he recorded 11 clearances himself.

Toby Triffet also reached double-digits in clearances, benefiting from Downie's dominance.

The Bulldogs were outplayed by the hosts, but a few individuals can hold their heads high.

Oskar Baker (30 touches and six marks) was impressive while Harvey Gallagher (21 disposals and eight tackles) and Jedd Busslinger (18 touches and three marks) remain around the mark.

Nick Coffield poses as a defensive option if Luke Beveridge needs.

Port Melbourne Borough (51) def. Geelong (47)

Port Melbourne star Harvey Hooper led his side to a four-point victory, registering 23 touches, 11 tackles, five clearances and two crucial goals.

Tom Hird recorded 29 disposals while ruck duo Jimmy Miller and Ajang Kuol Mun impressed.

Former North Melbourne player Charlie Lazarro was busy while Archi Manto kicked two goals.

As for Geelong, Ted Clohesy (27 possessions, nine tackles, seven clearances and a goal) and Jhye Clark (22 disposals and 10 tackles) raffled best afield honours.

Developing youngster George Stevens was ultra-impressive with his tough performance, while Mid-Season Draft prospects Nathan Kreuger and Charlie McCartin were relatively quiet.

Coburg Lions (99) def. Northern Bullants (69)

Hauls from Mitch Podhajski (five) and Kyle Weightman (four) led Coburg to a strong victory over fellow non-AFL affiliate club Northern Bullants.

Donovan Toohey sat among the Lions' best, collecting 34 disposals and nine marks.

Jack Bytel (38 possessions, 11 clearances and seven tackles) and Joel Trudgeon (36 touches, 10 tackles and eight clearances) were also dominant.

Former Saint Matthew Allison slotted three majors.

Bullants forward John Jorgensen matched Podhajski with five goals of his own.

Jean-Luc Velissaris was a clearance beast from 21 touches, while Liam Coghlan led the way for disposals.

Sandringham Zebras (61) def. Werribee Tigers (112)

Hudson Garoni led the way for Werribee with four goals in the one-sided affair.

Dom Brew and Flynn Young both collected 20 disposals each, but also combined for five majors on the day, while Zac Banch also slotted two goals.

Cooper Whyte had the ball in his hands 25 times, while ruckman Sam Conway was palming the ball down to his midfielders.

St Kilda fans could see a host of changes to their senior side, with many individuals putting their names up for selection.

Zak Jones (38 touches, nine clearances and seven tackles) and Hunter Clark (27 possessions, 11 tackles and six clearances) immediately jump from the page.

Hugh Boxshall could also be recalled after stuffing the stat sheet as Liam Henry continues to build from his injury-plagued season to date.

North Melbourne (62) def. Richmond (60)

Like their AFL side, North Melbourne held off the Tigers in a single-digit victory.

Mid-Season Draft fancy Adam Tomlinson was arguably the Kangaroos' best, collecting 27 touches and 14 marks.

Cooper Harvey slotted three goals, while Eddie Ford (26 touches and 12 marks) and Will Phillips (22 possessions, seven tackles and six clearances) were instrumental.

Richmond's Tyler Sonsie had a superb game, recording 37 touches, nine clearances, seven tackles and a goal in the narrow defeat.

Judson Clarke was busy, as was key defender Jacob Blight. Mykelti Lefau kicked a goal in his return game from an ACL injury.

Tom McCarthy put his name forward once again for the mid-season intake.