Hawthorn will be buoyed by the combination of two key forwards in their front half.
A Williamstown Seagulls high-flyer continues his impressive goal-kicking form while a Giants veteran made his long-awaited return to football.
Plus, a non-AFL affiliate club broke a nearly 400-day drought with a shock victory over the weekend.
Byes: Frankston Dolphins
Footscray Bulldogs (87) def. North Melbourne (71)
Bulldogs midfielder Anthony Scott had a day to remember against North Melbourne, recording 37 touches, 10 clearances, six tackles and a goal.
Mid-season draftee Michael Sellwood was equally as impressive in the victory, amassing 28 possessions and seven tackles.
Josh Dolan and Oskar Baker hit the scoreboard, while emerging ruckman Lachlan Smith was strong in the contest, producing a 41-hit-out game.
Kangaroos' Geordia Payne registered a whopping 17 tackles and two goals. Zac Banch also kicked a pair of majors as he looks for an AFL debut.
Callum Coleman-Jones battled willfully in the ruck, and failed to convert his chances up forward.
Brisbane (97) def. by Southport Sharks (127)
Wylie Buzza and Josh Gore's three goals each led the Sharks to a 30-point win over Brisbane.
Jackson Edwards, Zac Foot and Max Pescud all contributed with a pair of majors, while ruckman Brayden Crossley amassed a huge 50 hit-outs along with his 18 touches.
Jacob Dawson benefited from Crossley's dominance, gathering 13 clearances from his 36 possessions.
Lions youngster James Tunstill was arguably the club's best, recording 34 disposals, seven clearances and two goals.
Deven Robertson and Sam Marshall both gathered 24 touches, as recently re-signed Bruce Reville impressed through the midfield.
Werribee Tigers (59) def. by GWS (78)
Giants ruckman Nick Madden responded to his axing with 42 hit-outs, 23 touches, nine clearances and seven tackles in the win over Werribee.
Jacob Wehr (two goals, 27 touches, eight clearances and nine tackles) and Jack Ough (21 possessions and seven clearances) enjoyed Madden's dominance in the midfield.
Veteran Stephen Coniglio faced the Tigers after a long layoff due to injury, and played some strong football in his return, gathering 25 touches, six tackles and four clearances.
Tigers leader Dom Brew's contest work was on show for onlookers, amassing 11 tackles to go with his 32 possessions and seven clearances.
Jack Riding and Jay Dahlhaus' inaccuracy in front of goal could haunt him and Werribee, but his performance overall impressed.
Sydney (66) def. by Northern Bullants (73)
The Bullants' first win in 398 days has seen the club celebrate with purpose after a difficult year.
Jean-Luc Velissaris was arguably best afield, kicking three goals from 28 touches and six clearances.
Sam Donegan was equally as good, amassing 31 possessions, eight clearances and two goals in the drought-breaking win.
Josh Hamilton and Patrick Fairlie found plenty of the football as the ruckless side battled valiantly.
The shock loss stunned the Swans, but some individuals can hold their heads high.
Ben Paton (34 touches, 10 marks and a goal) and Peter Ladhams (29 disposals, 27 hit-outs and 11 clearances) were Sydney's best in the defeat.
Corey Warner impressed on the day, while Oliver Florent used the ball well.
Jesse Dattoli is also pressing for an AFL debut after kicking 2.4 in the forward half, with veteran Tom Papley injured in the seniors.
Essendon (86) def. by Gold Coast (100)
A four-goal effort from Jy Farrar proved to be the difference between Gold Coast and Essendon and proved pivotal in Saturday's contest.
Veteran David Swallow (30 touches, eight tackles and a goal) stuffed the stat sheet, as did Leo Lombard (27 possessions and six tackles) and Nick Holman (two goals and 25 disposals).
Malcolm Rosas recorded a team-high 10 clearances, with Alex Davies contributing a further nine to the Suns.
Jake Rogers returned from injury and kicked a major as he builds towards a senior recall.
Essendon midfielder Elijah Tsatas produced a monster game in the defeat, amassing 35 touches and 14 clearances.
Matt Guelfi, Liam McMahon, Archer Day-Wicks and Alwyn Davey all kicked a pair of goals, as young ruck Vigo Visentini impressed with his tap work.
Port Melbourne Borough (72) def. by Williamstown Seagulls (89)
Brodie McLaughlin's staggering goal-kicking form continued as he slotted five majors against Port Melbourne.
Nathan Colenso and Blake Coleman helped with three majors, as ex-Tiger Riley Collier-Dawkins amassed 24 touches and 10 clearances in the victory.
Lucas Impey and Oscar Sassalu combined strongly in the ruck, giving the Seagulls midfielders first look.
Tom Hird was a standout performer for the Borough, slotting one goal from his 22 possessions and seven tackles.
Dyson Heppell gathered 24 disposals as young ruck Ajang Kuol Mun's athleticism was on show throughout the contest.
Dominic Bedendo and Jimmy Miller added four goals between them.
Collingwood (79) def. by Carlton (83)
Jaxon Binns played a pivotal role in Carlton's narrow win over Collingwood, while Corey Durdin was the matchwinner during the final term.
Binns collected 29 touches, 11 marks and a goal in the victory, as the Camporeale twins combined for 50 disposals and 10 clearances.
Harry Lemmey kicked two goals, as did ex-Hawk Denver Grainger-Barras. Billy Wilson responded maturely to his axing from the senior side, amassing 23 possessions and nine marks.
How's this from the 19-year-old?! ๐คฏ
Harry DeMattia put the jets on to clear the stoppage and get himself on the scoreboard in last night's VFL clash with Carlton ๐โโ๏ธ๐จ pic.twitter.com/EIX1wP3D61
— Collingwood FC VFL (@CollingwoodVFL) July 6, 2025
Pies youngster Harry DeMattia provided a special highlight with a goal from a centre-square bounce to go along with his 28 touches and six tackles.
Wil Parker featured in the VFL despite playing as the sub under Craig McRae the night before, while defender Charlie Dean slotted seamlessly into the reserves after being dropped.
Mason Cox and Oscar Steene worked in tandem throughout the day to combat the opposition's ruck.
Richmond (88) def. Geelong (83)
Richmond's impressive win has been soured by a suspected ACL injury to young forward Jacob Bauer.
Jayden Short (27 touches and 14 marks) made a successful return through the VFL after a long layoff due to a calf issue, while Taj Hotton (23 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and a goal) played a full game in his bid for an AFL debut.
Steely Green kicked three goals as Josh Gibcus made his long-awaited return from an ACL injury.
Cats forward Jay Polkinghorne slotted four goals to keep the blue and white in the hunt for a victory.
Midfielder Ted Clohesy produced a monster game, amassing 34 touches, 10 tackles, seven marks and six clearances.
Mitch Duncan's experience was on show as Mitch Knevitt was strong through the centre.
Box Hill Hawks (100) def. Sandringham Zebras (56)
Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis proved to be a strong working pair in the forward line, kicking six goals between them, with VFL-listed player Jake Arundell also popping up with three majors.
Finn Maginness was arguably Hawthorn's best, gathering 28 touches, nine tackles and six clearances, while Jai Serong was strong in defence.
Henry Hustwaite's clearance work was impressive, and puts him in the frame for a senior recall.
Veteran Luke Breust kept the scoreboard ticking over with a pair of goals.
Saints youngsters Paddy Dow (23 touches, seven clearances and five marks) and Hugh Boxshall (two goals, 19 possessions and seven clearances) were immense in the heavy loss.
Max Heath continued to make strides as a ruck-forward while draftee Tobie Travaglia looked above the level.
Casey Demons (71) def. by Coburg Lions (75)
Casey's inaccuracy opened the door for Coburg to steal the victory, and a trio of goals from Kyle Weightman and Daniel Johnston.
Midfield trio Josh D'Intinosante (25 touches, eight clearances and a goal), Donovan Toohey (34 disposals and four clearances) and Joel Trudgeon (30 possessions and a goal) were pivotal in the surprise victory.
Flynn Gentile and Jack Bytel were well held but had moments.
Mitch Hardie slotted four goals for the Demons in an impressive outing.
Ex-Saint Riley Bonner found plenty of the ball (33 disposals) while ruckman Tom Campbell recorded 40 hit-outs.
Veteran Tom McDonald performed strongly across the day as Luker Kentfield will rue the chances missed in the narrow defeat.
