There were plenty of nail-biting contests across Round 11 of the VFL season, with Richmond even snatching a win thanks to a goal after the siren from a young forward.
The Demons and Blues would also record thrilling victories over the weekend, while the Sunsc continued their dominance as ladder leaders Brisbane enjoyed a week off.
Essendon got their first look at an exciting draftee who managed to impress against the Kangaroos, while Carlton's own first-year wingman continued his case for a maiden call-up.
Here's a quick wrap-up on the results and standout performers from Round 11 of the VFL.
Southport vs Casey (75 - 76)
A late Josh Schache goal for the Demons saw Casey claim their seventh win of the season and hand fellow 2022 grand finalists Southport their third successive defeat of the season.
The travelling side held off a late Sharks comeback to remain among the VFL's top six bracket, with Schache and George Grey leading the way with four and three goals, respectively in the win.
James Jordon continued to impress at the VFL level with 32 possessions and a goal as well, while Roan Steele was also a standout on his way to 24 touches and 11 marks.
Southport's ball-winning pair of Boyd Woodcock and Jacob Dawson combined for 67 touches and 19 clearances in midfield to keep the Sharks in the contest, while Brayden Crossley, Jay Lockhart, Jye Lockett and Jed Foggo each booted two majors.
Port Melbourne vs Gold Coast (51 - 115)
The Suns strengthed their already healthy percentage with a 10-goal win over the Borough on Saturday at North Port Oval thanks to a four-goal haul from Mabior Chol.
Chol would boot three of his majors in the second half as the Suns looked to wrap up the result early, with Brodie McLaughlin offering a helping hand with three goals of his own to see his season tally increase to 26 majors and move into the top spot on the competition's leading goalkicker tally ahead of teammate Chris Burgess and Southport's Fraser Thurlow.
Sam Flander was once again the Suns' main man in midfield with 34 possessions, eight tackles, six clearances and a goal, while Charlie Constable (29 disposals), James Tsitas (27) and Jeremy Sharp (27) also found plenty of the pill.
After being dropped from the senior side for issues with his training standards, young tall Mac Andrew bounced back to recover 17 disposals and 11 marks for the evening.
Former Bomber Dylan Clarke led the way for Port Melbourne with 25 disposals, while Matt Signorello was the Borough's only multiple goalkicker with a pair of majors.
Coburg vs Werribee (37 - 97)
Werribee have held onto their top four spot thanks to a dominant display against the Lions over the weekend, with two-time J.J. Liston Trophy winner Tom Gribble among the Tigers' best performers.
Gribble collected 39 possessions and had 10 clearances in the win, working in tandem with Dom Brew and Jack Henderson through midfield.
Sam Paea booted two foals from 11 disposals but will now miss the next two matches through suspension, having accepted a striking charge after an incident involving Coburg's Braedyn Gillard.
Bior Malual and Keegan Gray also kicked two each, while livewire Shaun Mannagh could only muster one goal from his four scoring shots in what was a wayward evening for Werribee.
Hugo McGlashan (15 disposals, nine marks) and Josh D'Intinosante (20 disposals, five clearances) were among Coburg's best.
Carlton vs Frankston (76 - 73)
Blues defender Lachie Plowman booted a match-winner from long-range and near the boundary line to see Carlton secure their second win in as many weeks and move into the top 10 on the VFL ladder.
Carlton piled on the last eight scoring shots of the afternoon to notch up a come-from-behind victory against the Dolphins, who held a two-goal lead at the final break.
Jaxon Binns' ball movement on the wing was pivotal for the Blues, with the first-year midfielder ending his evening with a season-high tally of 35 possessions.
Ben Ronke booted two second-half goals to join Aiden Mills as the Blues' leading goalkickers, while David Cuningham impressed in his return from injury with 21 disposals and seven clearances.
Dolphin Kai Owens was again among Frankston's best with 27 touches and eight clearances while also pinch-hitting in the ruck, while Matt Johnson booted three goals to see his tally rise to 19 for the season.
Box Hill vs Williamstown (61 - 76)
The Hawks suffered a shock loss in Round 11 to now sit two wins away from the top two, with Williamstown extending their winning run to four matches.
The Seagulls kept Box Hill goalless in the final term while they piled on four of their own to snatch a strong away victory, with Corey Ellison booting two final-term goals to have a say in the outcome.
Despite the Hawks dominating the disposal count of 358 to Williamstown's tally of 282, the Seagulls had 22 more inside 50 entries and 12 more clearances to have the overall upper hand.
No Seagull would have 20 or more disposals for the day, with Harry Jones and Tom Downue leading the way for Williamstown with 19 each. Downie would also record 42 hitouts and nine clearances to rank among his side's best against Box Hill.
Cooper Stephens has impressed in his first year in the brown and gold and added to his 2023 campaign in style, booting two goals from 25 touches, eight tackles and six clearances.
Harry Morrison (31 possessions), Callum Brown (27) and Finn Maginness (25) also found plenty of the ball.
Footscray vs Geelong (108 - 50)
The Cats continue to slide after recording just one win from their past four matches, with the Bulldogs collecting just their third win of the season in an upset at Avalon.
Mitch Hannan and Josh Chatfield combined for six goals in the win, while Rhylee West piled on two majors of his own as Footscray found some form.
Ball magnet Lachie Sullivan was at his best with 36 disposals, seven tackles and eight clearances, while defender Luke Cleary impressed with 11 marks and 26 disposals.
Returning from a lung concern, young Bulldog Sam Darcy booted 1.5 from his 13 possession, while Josh Bruce and Alex Keath shared the workload in defence.
Geelong recruit Jack Bowes put his hand up for a return in making his comeback from injury, leading the Cats for disposals with 28 touches and four clearances.
Jhye Chalcraft's strong season in the hoops continued as he recorded 26 disposals and two goals.
GWS vs Richmond (80 - 82)
Young Tiger Jacob Bauer slotted home a set shot after the siren to see Richmond secure their fifth win of the season to sit six points away from the top six.
Richmond would erase a 14-point three-quarter time deficit on their way to a win at GIANTS Stadium thanks to a four-goal final term.
The Tigers were wayward in front of goal, booting 22 behinds for the afternoon - seven of which came off the boot of Bigoa Nyuon, who would kick two majors from his nine scoring shots.
Lachlan Street would be Richmond's leading man through the middle with 31 disposal and 10 clearances, with Giants youngster Harry Rowston competing as his counterpart on his way to 26 disposals, eight marks and seven clearances of his own.
Recent AFL debutant Cameron Fleeton put his name up for a potential recall with a game-high 32 possessions and eight marks. Toby McMullin, Max Gruzewski, Matt Flynn and Wade Derksen would kick two majors each for the New South Wales side.
Essendon vs North Melbourne (69 - 80)
Bombers fans got their first look at top five draft pick Elijah Tsatas on Sunday at the Hangar, with the silky midfielder having an instant impact in booting a goal with his first kick of the day.
Sunday's defeat would be Tsatas' first game in the red and black after recovering from a pre-season knee injury, with the Oakleigh Chargers product amassing 18 disposals, six clearances and four marks in limited game time to impress.
Defender Jake Kelly will be in AFL selection consideration this week after successfully returning from a concussion that has kept him out of action in recent weeks, with the former Crow amassing 24 disposals and 10 marks against the Roos.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti would boot two goals in his return to the VFL, matching Tex Wanganeen and Billy Cootee with multiple majors.
North Melbourne moved into the top seven after the win in what was an all-round team display for the Shinboners. Daniel Howe ended the afternoon with 30 disposals and nine clearances, while Paul Curtis, Connor Downie and Tyler Sellers each booted two goals.
Downie would also record 25 possessions and five marks to continue his strong first season at Arden Street.
Northern Bullants vs Collingwood (64 - 115)
The Magpies snapped their three-game losing streak as coach Josh Fraser came up against his old side and ex-teammate in Bullants counterpart Brodie Holland.
Collingwood would lean on forward pair Tom Wilson and Sam Glover to split eight evenly between them while Nathan Kreuger kicked three of his own. Oscar Steene and Reef McInnes also managed multiple majors for the Pies.
Fraser's other Tom Wilson would be Collingwood's leading ball-winner with 26 as he faced his former club, with Fin Macrae not far behind with 25 disposals and four tackles.
Jean-Luc Velissaris' strong season for the Bullants continued as he amassed 36 possessions and seven marks to go with a single goal for the afternoon, while Cam Wild and Ben Ham kicked two goals each.
