A 13-goal haul from a Southport Sharks forward was the highlight of the weekend, while a host of forwards hit the scoreboard.
A massive win from Southport Sharks was nearly matched by the Coburg Lions and Casey Demons.
Byes: Carlton, Footscray Bulldogs, North Melbourne
Here's a recap of the VFL's weekend results and the standout performers from each game.
Brisbane (119) def. Essendon (99)
A five-goal haul from Will McLachlan saw Brisbane prevail over Essendon following a shootout to kick off a weekend of VFL football.
Deven Robertson found plenty of the ball (31 disposals, six clearances and six tackles) after playing as the sub in the senior side the night before.
Reserves-listed forward Curtis McCarthy slotted four majors in the win, while James Tunstill and Tom Doedee were significant in defence.
As for the Bombers, untried ruckman Vigo Visentini recorded a whopping 58 hitouts to go with his 20 possessions and five clearances.
Veteran duo Darcy Parish (21 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances) and Dylan Shiel (32 touches and 11 clearances) proved to be a class above.
Calden Cannons and Essendon-tied teenager Hussien El Achkar debuted for the red sash and kicked three goals in the defeat.
Mid-season draftee Liam McMahon also hit the scoreboard.
Gold Coast (47) def. by Coburg Lions (135)
A quartet of goals from Josh D'Intinosante and Mitch Podhajski was the tip of the iceberg as Coburg produced a complete team performance in their heavy victory.
Former Pie Jack Bytel racked up possessions, notching 39 touches and nine clearances while Flynn Gentile (two goals, 21 possessions and eight tackles) and Joel Trudgeon (two goals, 18 touches and 11 tackles) were pivotal.
Ruckman Joe Furphy stuffed the stat sheet with 66 hitouts, feeding it to his midfielders.
A miserable day for the Suns had very few winners across the ground.
Ethan Read played in the ruck and showed his potential, while Connor Budarick's defensive efforts should be acknowledged.
Mid-season draftee Caleb Lewis kicked two goals in his debut for the club.
Northern Bullants (67) def. by Southport Sharks (176)
Former Fremantle and West Coast forward Hugh Dixon hit a season-high 13 goals in Southport's 109-point win over the Northern Bullants.
The Sharks could do no wrong, with all players chipping in to the monumental victory.
A total of 10 goal scorers on the day, Brock Aston was the closest to Dixon's haul with three, while Boyd Woodcock, Charlie Rowe and Wylie Buzza each found a pair of majors.
Ruckman Brayden Crossley was instrumental through his tap work (63 hitouts) as Jacob Dawson and Jacob Heron feasted on his dominance, combining for 22 clearances.
Bullants forward Caleb Franks had an almost day, kicking 2.4 in the nasty defeat.
Liam Coghlan recorded a team-high 25 possessions while Patrick Fairlie was a clearance beast, registering a dozen.
GWS (80) def. by Richmond (92)
Judson Clarke's AFL return from an ACL tear is nearing after a dominant two-goal, 27-possession performance.
Maurice Rioli Jr. joined him with a pair of majors to go with his 25 touches and eight tackles, while VFL-listed player Joel Garner gathered a team-high 30 possessions.
Jacob Bauer slotted three majors, as Noah Balta featured in the side due to his 10 pm curfew.
A monumental performance from Harry Rowston (two goals, 28 touches, eight tackles and six clearances) wasn't enough to will the Giants over the line.
James Leake had his hands on the football all day, as did Conor Stone and Harrison Oliver.
Nathan Wardius kept GWS in the match with three majors.
Sydney (61) def. by Casey Demons (155)
Emerging forward Matthew Jefferson put his name up for senior recall after a five-goal outing in the impressive win over Sydney.
Former Saint Riley Bonner gathered 28 touches to be one of the Demons' best, while veteran Jack Billings' 32-possession game was hard to miss.
Jacob van Rooyen was busy with a pair of majors and 17 disposals, as former Eagle and mid-season draftee Jai Culley impressed.
Axed defender Tom McDonald responded to his dropping with 18 touches.
Swans forward Tom Hanily kicked 3.3 and is in line for Dean Cox's side.
Oliver Florent was dropped for the first time in 130 games, but showed he was a class above, racking up 22 touches, seven clearances and seven tackles.
Jesse Dattoli's debut shouldn't be far away after three majors in the loss.
Box Hill Hawks (61) def. by Collingwood (78)
Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell's return is nearly complete, racking up 29 possessions, nine clearances and nine tackles in the shock victory over the ladder leaders.
Mason Cox responded well to his dropping, kicking three goals and taking nine marks.
Harry DeMattia continues to press his case for an AFL debut, while Will Hayes matched Cox with three majors.
Mid-Season draftees Roan Steele (24 touches and seven marks) and Noah Howes (seven possessions and three marks) donned the black and white for the first time.
Seamus Mitchell was arguably the Hawks' best, collecting 35 touches and 12 marks.
Sam Butler (29 touches and 11 tackles) and Henry Hustwaite (32 disposals and five clearances) found plenty of the ball.
Cam Mackenzie also featured in the VFL in his bid to return to the senior side.
Frankston Dolphins (100) def. Sandringham Zebras (64)
Dolphins forward Matt Johnson's half-a-dozen goals were the difference between the two sides.
Sebastian Quirk and Thomas Murphy combined for 54 disposals, seven clearances and 14 tackles.
Jackson Voss (27 touches and eight marks) was instrumental in the win, while Corey Elison slotted a pair of majors.
Harry Boyd's ruck dominance for Sandringham wasn't enough to will the Zebras over the line.
Boyd recorded 69 hitouts, to go with his 18 touches, 10 clearances and a goal.
Hugo Garcia pressed his claim for an AFL recall after 35 disposals, 12 tackles and 11 clearances.
Liam Henry was clean with the ball, as was Angus Hastie.
Port Melbourne Borough (41) def. by Werribee Tigers (49)
Werribee captain Dominic Brew's BOG performance led the Tigers to an eight-point victory, recording two goals, 30 touches, 13 clearances and seven tackles.
Louis Pinnuck and Jack Riding were impressive in the low-scoring affair, while Sam Azzi proved to be in the right spot more often than not.
Harvey Hooper and Charlie Lazzaro combined brilliantly for Port Melbourne in the close loss.
Tom Hird was instrumental in ensuring the Borough remained within touching distance, as former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell racked up 20 possessions.
Ex-Bomber Ned Cahill slotted two majors.
Williamstown Seagulls (74) def. Geelong (48)
Joel Fitzgerald and Jake Gresier's performance was outstanding in withstanding the Geelong pressure.
The pair combined for 63 touches, 27 marks and five tackles in the 26-point win.
Nathan Colenson kept the scoreboard ticking over with three goals, but an inaccurate Brodie McLaughlin (1.5) prevented a monster game for the Seagulls forward.
Cats forward Jack Martin is building nicely to an AFL return after crossing from Carlton at the end of last year.
Martin has rarely been sighted in the past 12 months, but his 22 touches and six marks were encouraging.
Patrick Retschko (two goals, 21 touches and four clearances) and George Stevens (26 possessions, eight clearances and seven tackles) are pushing for an AFL debut.
