The weekend of VFL action saw some stunning comebacks capped of with wins, while multiple young names have only strengthened their chances for an AFL debut.
Mid-Season Draft hopefuls continued to impress, and a young Lion booted seven goals in a big win over Coburg.
Here's a wrap-up of the results and key performers from Round 9 of the VFL.
Box Hill vs Southport (84 - 45)
VFL leading goalkicker Fraser Thurlow was kept to just the one major as Box Hill chalked up their sixth win from seven games this year.
Jaylon Thorpe, Jai Serong and Max Hall all booted multiple goals for the Hawks, as did Mid-Season Draft fancy Ryan Maric in the win.
Maric amassed 15 disposals, eight marks and two goals against the Sharks to do his draft chances no harm, while fellow MSD hopeful Ethan Stanley collected 16 disposals and booted one goal for Box Hill.
First-year Hawkl Henry Hustwaite had his best game in the brown and gold with a game-high 26 possessions along with six tackles, five clearances and five marks.
Southport star Boyd Woodcock collected 26 possessions of his own and added one goal, while Jacob Dawson had a 'quiet' outing on his way to 23 possessions for the Queensland club.
Jed Foggo was the Sharks' leading goalkicker in the loss with three majors as Southport were kept to just six goals for the game.
Werribee vs Gold Coast (91 - 89)
The Tigers cit through a 42-point Suns lead at half-time to claim a famous VFL victory and hand Gold Coast their first defeat of the season.
A late Hudson Garoni goal would claim the lead with just moments left in the match as Werribee strengthened their premiership bid.
Star midfielder Tom Gribble collected 41 disposals in the come-from-behind win as Kye Declase (35 disposals) and Shaun Mannagh (33 disposals, two goals) also did damage from the middle.
The Sharks would have five multiple goalkickers in the win, while keeping Chris Burgess and Brodie McLaughlin to just the one goal between them.
James Tsitas was a standout for the Suns with 20 disposals and three goals, while Sam Flanders collected 36 possessions and 10 marks from midfield.
Brisbane vs Coburg (155 - 38)
Brisbane sophomore Kai Lohmann stole the show at Springfield on Saturday by booting seven goals in the 'Lions Derby'.
Lohmann was one of 11 goalkickers for the Queenslanders as Blake Coleman and Henry Smith booted three each in the emphatic victory, while Jarryd Lyons (44 disposals, 10 clearances) and Deven Robertson (39 disposals, nine clearances) were again dominant in midfield.
Young midfielder Jaspa Fletcher had an impressive game for Brisbane, collecting 30 disposals, 12 marks and booting two goals.
Despite the loss, Ben Jepson's strong season continued while support from Braedyn Gillard and Tom McKenzie helped through the middle.
Casey vs North Melbourne (117 - 102)
A high-scoring affair at Casey Fields saw the Demons clinch a 15-point win over the Roos and hold onto their top-four placing after nine rounds.
James Jordon returned to Melbourne after playing as the sub against Port Adelaide in South Australia on Friday night to represent Casey, where he collected a team-high 27 possessions and eight clearances.
AFL-listed trio Joel Smith, Josh Schache and Jake Melksham each booted three goals for the Demons, while Ben Brown and Bailey Laurie also notched up multiple majors.
Young Roo Charlie Lazzaro led all ball-winners with 33 disposals, while senior pair Ben Cunnington (32) and Tarryn Thomas (36) also chipped in.
Father-son Kangaroos Cooper Harvey booted five goals in the loss to only strengthen his chances for an AFL debut.
Northern Bullants vs Frankston (54 - 71)
The Dolphins claimed their third win of the season at Preston City Oval, with Kai Owens containing his strong vein of form in 2023 with another 31 disposals in the victory.
Owens, the brother of Saints young gun Mitch, also racked up 12 clearances and six tackles to help lead Frankston over the line against a fellow standalone side.
Matt Johnson booted four goals from his 15 touches, while Will Fordham kicked two majors himself to add to a promising start to hs own season.
Bullants ball magnet Jean-Luc Velissaris recorded 27 disposals, seven marks and four clearances while Cam Wild and Spencer Johnson were also among Brodie Hollands' best.
Essendon vs Richmond (82 - 84)
The Tigers claimed a narrow, thrilling victory over the Bombers in a Dreamtime certain raiser at the MCG, ereasing a 30-point margin to move into the top eight.
Richmond booted the last five goals of the game, with Ben Miller putting the Tigers in front with little time left on the clock.
Noah Cumberland kicked four goals in the win, being one of eight goalkickers for Steve Morris' side. Young midfielder Tyler Sonsie had a game-high 28 touches, while Cam Olden was also a standout for the Tigers.
Bombers ruckman Nick Bryan was stellar for the Dons on his way to recording 25 possessions, 11 marks, 37 hit-outs and eight clearances in the defeat.
AFL-listed forward Patrick Voss (three goals), Anthony Munkara (two) and Matt Guelfi (two) each booted multiple majors for Leigh Tudor's team.
Port Melbourne vs Sydney (118 - 55)
Sam Naismith did his Mid-Season Draft hopes no harm against his former club, recording 43 hit-outs, seven clearances and 17 disposals in the 63-point win over the Swans.
Former Crow Matt Signorello booted four goals, while ex-Bomber Tom Hird also impressed with two goals, 21 touches and six tackles for the Borough.
Defender Fraser Rosman and midfielder Harvey Hooper were the major ball-winners for Port Melbourne as young Swan Corey Warner offered plenty of fight for the Bloods.
Warner collected 26 disposals and booted one goal in the loss, while Angus Sheldrick backed up his AFL performance against North Melbourne as the sub with an 18-disposal effort on Saturday night.
2022 Mid-Season Draft selection Hugo Hall-Kahan had three goals from his 13 disposals.
Williamstown vs Carlton (80 - 60)
Traditionally windy conditions out at Williamstown had a say on how both sides were able to perform on Sunday, with the Seagulls able to claim a win on their home deck over the struggling Blues, who suffered their third straight defeat.
Williamstown kicked away in the final term, with Joel Ottavi leading all scorers with a trio of majors for the Seagulls.
Defender Marty Hore had 27 disposals and 15 marks to be a key force in the Seagulls' rearguard, while Harry Jones collected nine clearances and 21 disposals.
Young Blue Paddy Dow continued his strong ball-winning campaign with another 40+ touches to go along with 11 clearances and five marks in the defeat.
First-year wingman Jaxon Binns added to his promising debut season as well with 30 possessions and five tackles, while ruckman Tom De Koning recorded 34 hit-outs, 10 clearances, eight marks and 24 possessions.
GWS vs Sandringham (87 - 60)
Giant Josh Fahey will again be in strong consideration for an AFL debut after collecting 43 disposals against Sandringham on Sunday.
The GWS defender had 14 marks as he commanded the ball in the backline to help launch the Giants's attacking avenues.
In-form forward Wade Derksen kicked another three goals to add to his strong season tally, while Dan Lloyd (25 disposals, two goals) and Matt Flynn (21 disposals, two goals, seven clearances, 32 hit-outs) have pushed their case for recalls.
Jordan Segar led the way for the Zebras with a trio of goals in the loss, while Jack Bytel amassed 36 disposals and 10 clearances as one of Sandringham's best.
Tysin Milne (32 disposals), Leo Connolly (30 disposals) and Tom Highmore (29 disposals) also found plenty of the ball.
