Richmond welcomed back a forgotten veteran to their VFL side after an interrupted start to his 2025 campaign.
A Williamstown Seagull forward produces arguably the best game so far this year, while a host of Mid-Season Draft fancies press their final claims for an AFL opportunity.
Here's a recap of the VFL's weekend results and the standout performers from each game.
Byes: Werribee
Footscray Bulldogs (94) def. Geelong (71)
Caleb Poulter and Anthony Scott led the way for the Bulldogs in their 23-point win, combining for 41 touches, four goals and 16 marks.
Key defender Jedd Busslinger pushes his case for an AFL recall after a dominant display in the backline, while veteran Liam Jones was impressive standing alongside him.
Harvey Gallagher and Nick Coffield are building their form, giving coach Luke Beveridge something to consider at the selection table.
After coming as the sub, Ted Clohesy returned to the VFL and was arguably the Cats' best, amassing 23 possessions, nine tackles and six clearances.
Mid-Season Draft fancy Charlie McCartin played at both ends, swinging forward to kick a major, as veterans Jack Martin (18 touches and eight marks) and Cam Guthrie (one goal, 11 disposals and three marks) made their long-awaited returns.
Nathan Kreuger also continued his goal-kicking form with two majors.
Box Hill Hawks (91) def. Brisbane (72)
Hawthorn youngster Sam Butler had a massive day out for the reserves side, recording a whopping 42 disposals, 10 marks, eight clearances, five tackles and a goal.
Seamus Mitchell followed suit with 36 possessions, eight marks and a goal.
Henry Hustwaite was a clearance machine, recording 11 from his 35 possessions, while Calsher Dear will rue not being more accurate (2.3) in front of the goal.
Brisbane forward Ty Gallop kept the scoreboard ticking over with three majors, while project ruckman Zane Zakostelsky was the Lions' most prominent player.
Tom Doedee got through another game with 12 touches and five marks.
Southport Sharks (142) def. Frankston Dolphins (102)
A high-scoring affair saw a trio of Southport stars hit the scoreboard, with Boyd Woodcock and Max Pescud slotting five goals each, while Hugh Dixon bobbed up with four.
Ruckman Brayden Crossley put his name up for an AFL opportunity after dominating in the ruck, allowing Jacob Heron and Woodcock to be the beneficiaries.
Jacob Dawson also found plenty of the ball, amassing 38 possessions and seven clearances.
Dolphins forward Noah Gown did his part with five goals from eight disposals, proving efficiency has a place in this game.
Tom Blamires (two goals, 26 touches and five marks) and Thomas Murphy (one goal, 23 touches and nine clearances) were impressive.
Coburg Lions (89) def. Sydney (57)
An inaccurate Josh D'Intinosante (1.5) denied Coburg a much bigger win over Sydney, after the Lions controlled the entire afternoon.
Former Pie Jack Bytel collected 38 touches, 11 tackles and nine clearances. Joel Trudgeon did his best to match his teammate, amassing 36 possessions, 11 clearances and seven tackles.
Ruckman Joe Furphy helped boost those numbers with 44 hit-outs.
Sydney's Ben Paton held down the fort as best he could, gathering 37 possessions, seven tackles and six clearances.
Draftee Jesse Dattoli showed glimpses of why the Swans wanted him. Jack Buller kicked 2.4 but featured prominently in the front half.
Northern Bullants (50) def. by Casey Demons (121)
Melbourne forward Matthew Jefferson's five-goal haul will put his name in lights as Simon Goodwin continues to find his best forward mix.
Pairs of goals from Jacob van Rooyen and Bailey Laure kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Jack Billings was arguably Casey's best player.
Former Saint Riley Bonner (34 touches and 12 marks) and ex-Cat Mitch Hardie (33 possessions and 11 marks) were impressive.
Tom Fullarton spent all his time up forward and slotted three goals.
Josh Hamilton was the lone soldier for the Bullants, amassing 30 disposals and three tackles in the heavy defeat.
Jean-Luc Velissaris struggled to find his hands on the footy, while Deng Andrew kicked two goals.
Carlton (79) def. by Williamstown Seagulls (117)
A Brodie McLaughlin masterclass for Williamstown saw the forward kick 7.5 from 23 touches and eight marks, ultimately proving to be the difference in the contest.
Toby Triffet and Harry Minton-Connell were tackling machines while Mitch Cox, Tom Downie, and Jack Toner helped exit the stoppages for the Seagulls.
Carlton depth ruckman Marc Pittonet did his best to wrestle momentum in the one-sided affair, recording 40 hit-outs, seven clearances, 18 touches and a goal.
Alex Cincotta excited Blues fans as he'll look to return to the senior side. Francis Evans applied immense pressure with 13 tackles.
Richmond (74) def. Essendon (52)
Richmond veteran Dion Prestia made a return to football after an injury-interrupted season to date, collecting 20 touches, four clearances and a goal.
Tyler Sonsie's incredible form should warrant an AFL recall, gathering 35 possessions, seven marks, seven tackles and a goal.
Key defender Jacob Blight held down the fort while ACL victim Judson Clarke continues to build back from a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Jasper Alger and Mykelti Lefua slotted two goals each.
Elijah Tsatas will be in the mix after recording 32 touches, eight clearances and five tackles.
Project ruckman Vigo Visentini helped boost Tsatas' numbers with his strong tap work.
Dylan Shiel showed he was a class above the VFL with 21 disposals and six tackles, as fellow veteran Darcy Parish returned with 24 possessions and seven clearances.
GWS (84) def. by Port Melbourne (110)
Archi Manton's five-goal haul led Port Melbourne to a stirring win in Albury, while former Western Bulldogs forward Charlie Clarke contributed with 2.5.
Leader Harvey Hooper was immense in the victory, collecting 26 touches, 10 clearances and eight tackles.
Ex-Essendon captain Dyson Heppell showed his worth, recording 21 possessions and eight clearances, which was assisted by ruckman Ajang Kuol Mun's performance (18 disposals, 32 hit-outs and eight clearances).
Nathan Wardius slotted three majors for the Giants, while Max Gruzewski should've practised his goal-kicking during the week after he managed 2.3 in the loss.
Jack Ough was a tackling machine, recording 12 tackles to go with his five clearances and 22 touches.
Ruckman Nick Madden was strong against the Borough as Conor Stone's speed and dare were on show.
Sandringham Zebras (72) drew with Gold Coast (72)
A late goal from St Kilda youngster Jack Carroll levelled things up after the siren with a kick from 50 metres out.
Carroll produced arguably the best afield performance, recording two majors, 28 touches, eight clearances and eight tackles.
Fellow Saint Hugo Garcia was equally as good in the yellow and black stripes, amassing 27 possessions, 10 tackles and nine clearances.
Max Heath and Harry Boyd pair up to combat Gold Coast ruck Ned Moyle, whose 44 hit-outs proved to be a massive number in the drawn contest.
Suns forward Jy Farrar slotted three goals while veteran Alex Sexton found plenty of the football.
Collingwood (51) def. by North Melbourne (123)
The Kangaroos sought revenge in the VFL with a thumping 72-point win over Collingwood.
Cooper Harvey slotted five goals and was a major contributor to the large victory, while Will Phillips dominated in the midfield with 35 touches and eight clearances.
Brynn Teakle kicked three goals, as did Oliver Lowe and Brayden George.
Eddie Ford collected plenty of the ball for North Melbourne.
Harry DeMattia was almost selected for an AFL debut, but didn't receive the late call-up. Instead, he gathered 31 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances in the reserves.
Tom Mitchell conintues to build up his football with 17 possessions, seven tackles and five clearances in the heavy defeat.
Charlie West was kept goalless for the first time this year.
