MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - SEPTEMBER 03: Tom Boyd of Footscray celebrates a goal during the VFL Elimination Final match between Essendon and Footscray at Fortburn Stadium on September 3, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)
With all the state leagues now up and running, the pressure to maintain and cement a spot in the team’s 22 is as crucial as ever, as teams look to maintain their form, or make statement calls at the selection table.
South Adelaide 9.6.60 def Adelaide 6.4.40
Midfielder Riley Knight pushed his claims for a recall to the senior side, gathering 25 disposals and laying seven tackles.
Paul Hunter slotted two majors, while former Giant Curtly Hampton was as physical as ever, laying 10 tackles to go with his 14 disposals.
With a disappointing display against Collingwood on Friday night, coach Don Pyke will be looking for an immediate response this week against the Swans.
Port Adelaide 4.4.28 vs. Woodville West-Torrens 2.16.28
Jasper Pittard has announced himself to Ken Hinkley for a possible return to the senior lineup after a hamstring injury, amassing 28 disposals, with seven rebound 50's in their low-scoring affair with Woodville.
The draw saw new recruit and former Roo Lindsay Thomas lead all goal-scorers with two majors, however he did have the chance to seal the game late in the final quarter.
Will Snelling collected 25 disposals, had eight tackles and kicked a goal in a best on ground performance for the Magpies.
Peel Thunder 11.13.79 def by. Perth 12.13.85
Fremantle veteran Danyle Pearce was in the Thunder's best in the six-point defeat at the hands of Perth, grabbing 23 touches and having four tackles.
Rookie Taylin Duman was instrumental for Peel, with 28 touches (20 kicks) and grabbing 10 marks.
Young forward Ryan Nyhuis collected 23 disposals, while Ethan Hughes collected 24.
Brisbane Lions 19.10.124 def Sydney Swans 10.14.74
With a clash of two AFL clubs, there was always going to be AFL standouts in this particular match.
With the Lions being comprehensive winners, it was their AFL listed players in Tom Bell, Ryan Bastinac, Daniel McStay and Claye Beams who were the standouts in their 50-point victory.
With their disappointing display against the Tigers, where they only scored 17 points, Chris Fagan will be looking to change a few personnel ahead of this weeks 'Q Clash'.
For the Swans, there were even contributors with no real standouts, with Harry Marsh [22 touches], Robbie Fox [22 touches] and Darcy Cameron and Ben Ronke each snagging two goals.
Gold Coast 14.9.93 def. GWS Giants 11.6.72
The Gold Coast Suns will be looking at their impressive reserves victory, after a dismal and disappointing 80-point defeat at the hands of the Eagles.
Jesse Lonergan and Jacob Dawson will be the pick of the reserves looking to take the next step this week. Dawson was best on the ground in their victory, while fellow rookie-listed player, Jacob Heron, snagged three goals.
For the Giants, exciting young prospect, Lachie Tiziani was just about best on ground, with three goals before rupturing his ACL. He'll now miss the rest of the season. Matthew Flynn was lively up forward, snagging two goals, while former Magpie Lachie Keefe and former Blue Dylan Buckley were also lively in attack.
Footscray 17.11.113 def Coburg 4.8.32
Premiership forward Tom Boyd may return to the Bulldogs for the first time in 2018, with a five-goal performance in his side's dominating victory over the Lions. Fellow tall Josh Schache finished the game with ice on his leg, delaying his debut for his new club.
Ruckman Jordan Roughead may also earn a recall after a successful return from concussion.
Collingwood 7.5.47 def by. Port Melbourne 9.9.63
It was a fairytale finish for the Borough and Gary Ayres in his 700th game, trumping the Magpies by 16 points. For the Magpies, Daniel Wells made a return from his hamstring and Achilles injuries, but however didn't have much of an impact due to the wet conditions.
Alex Fasolo booted one goal, while Chris Mayne continued his strong form, lining up on the wing and using his physicality in the difficult conditions.
Frankston 9.10.64 def by. Box Hill Hawks 14.19.103
The Hawks were too strong for Frankston, handing them a 39-point defeat. Dropped defender Ryan Burton was among Box Hill's best, with a 22 disposal and two-goal performance lifting him to contention again this week.
Onballer, James Cousins was prolific, collecting 30 disposals, 10 tackles and eight clearances, while Teia Miles and Will Langford also collected a fair bit of the ball.
Williamstown 10.17.77 def. Essendon 6.9.45
Rookie listed ruckman and former Crow Shaun McKernan kicked three of the six Essendon goals against Williamstown.
Patrick Ambrose, Jordan Ridley and former GWS Academy player Kobe Much, were all among for the best in what was a pretty disappointing display by the Bombers.
Werribee 8.7.55 def by. Casey Demons 10.11.71
After being dropped for the first time in his career, dashing defender Jayden Hunt responded in a big way earning best on ground honours in his sides 16-point victory over Werribee.
Cameron Pedersen kicked two, while Harley Balic isn't far away from a debut, kicking one goal.
North Melbourne 12.12.84 def. Northern Blues 12.9.81
Experienced defender and injury riddled flanker Sam Wright is pressing his claim for a return to the senior side after getting through another game injury free.
Wright was a massive contributor to North Melbourne' stunning comeback, kicking eight of the last 10 goals to sneak through a three-point victory.
Young guns, Cameron Zurhaar and Declan Mountford were among their best, while big man, Tristan Xerri, was able to control the ruck contest.
For the Blues, demoted forward Jed Lamb put his hand up for another chance, finishing with 17 touches and three goals. Former Crow Sam Kerridge collected 22 touches, while Harry McKay and Cameron Polson both kicked two goals to hopefully earn a call up for next week's game.
Geelong 9.8.62 def by. Sandringham 9.10.64
The Cats were unable to get past the Zebras, falling short by two points in their curtain raiser before the men on Sunday afternoon.
The injury room doesn't get any better for the Cats, with utility Aaron Black being sent for scans on Monday after injuring his shoulder in their loss. Timm House put his hand up to fill the key defender position, finishing with 26 touches, while Jackson Thurlow collected 29, after a dominating 11-disposal 4th-quarter display.
For the Zebras, dropped veteran David Armitage was best on ground and will more than likely be inserted back into the senior side this week.
He gathered 31 disposals, with 18 being contested, and laid four tackles as tried to regain some form.
Bailey Rice and Logan Austin both collected 20 touches, and may be in line for a debut with the senior side struggling, while Maverick Weller looked back to fitness, gathering 14 touches and kicking a goal.