State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: South Adelaide v Adelaide - Sunday May 1, 2.10pm, Hickinbotham Oval
Exciting pair Brad Crouch and Wayne Milera returned from injury and were both prolific, gathering 36 and 22 possessions respectively.
In his comeback from a hamstring injury, Crouch was the Crows' leading possession-getter in their agonising one-point loss, while Milera kicked a team-high three goals after overcoming a quad complaint.
Onballer Cam Ellis-Yolmen (32 touches, eight clearances), midfielder Mitch Grigg (26 touches, eight marks) and defender Ricky Henderson (24 touches) were other notable standouts, with the trio also adding a goal each. - Giulio Di Giorgio
State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans - Sunday May 1, 9.30am, Coorparoo
Defender Marco Paparone was kept busy with 27 disposals and eight marks in an otherwise forgetful day for the Lions, who succumbed to the Swans by 110 points.
Youngster Rhys Mathieson, the No.39 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft, worked hard for his 20 touches, four tackles and a goal.
The Lions managed just three majors for the game, which were all scored in the first term.
Draftee Eric Hipwood and rookie Reuben William were the other goalkickers.
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Collingwood - Saturday April 30, 12pm, Preston City Oval
Forward Andrejs Everitt was a strong performer for the Northern Blues in his second game back from a calf injury against Collingwood's VFL team at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
Everitt finished the game with a team-high 27 possessions, roaming from attack to defence and finding more and more touch as the match went on.
Former Swan Matthew Dick (23 possessions and one goal) was lively and second-year utility Dillon Viojo-Rainbow (18 and one) showed some encouraging signs.
Cameron Wood battled manfully in the ruck all game, but key defender Michael Jamison's bid for a senior recall suffered a setback when he sat out the final three quarters after copping a heavy knock in the first term.
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Collingwood - Saturday April 30, 12pm, Preston City Oval
Spearhead Travis Cloke found some encouraging touch in the Magpies' nine-point win over the Northern Blues at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
Cloke kicked just one goal but had a hand in several others as he was double-teamed in most marking contests inside the Pies' forward 50.
Roaming frequently up the ground, the 29-year-old marked cleanly on the lead and had an occasional turn in the ruck.
Midfielder Brent Macaffer looked a cut above the VFL at times on Saturday with his poise and class, Ben Crocker (two goals) was lively in attack, while 203cm rookie and former basketballer Darrean Wyatt kicked a team-high three goals in a promising display.
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Casey Scorpions - Sunday May 1, 12pm, Windy Hill
Top-up recruit Nathan Grima took the honours for the Bombers in their 17-point loss to Casey.
The 30-year-old former North Melbourne defender is yet to make his debut for his new club, but has staked his claim for a call-up after solid back-to-back performances.
Grima matched up on Collingwood forward Travis Cloke last Sunday and held his own in contests, particularly after quarter-time.
Top-up ruckman Mark Jamar and utility Patrick Ambrose rounded out the Bombers' best against the Scorpions, while ruckman Shaun McKernan chipped in with a goal. - Giulio Di Giorgio
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v Perth - Saturday April 30, 2.15pm, Bendigo Bank Stadium
In his first game of the season, mature-age draftee Shane Yarran made a successful comeback from a right knee injury he sustained in last year's WAFL Grand Final playing for Subiaco.
The 26-year-old forward, who was recruited by the Dockers with pick No.61 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, kicked three first-half goals.
Matt de Boer backed up his impressive performance last week and starred in Peel's 77-point win over Perth. The experienced ball-winner accumulated 24 possessions and laid 10 tackles to go with his two goals.
Fellow onballer Clancee Pearce gathered an equal game-high 30 disposals in his comeback from a hamstring injury, while Nick Suban (22 possessions and three goals) was named among the best.
Rookie-listed Tanner Smith dominated with 25 touches, 12 marks and a goal. The 22-year-old defender has only played two games at senior level after being hampered by injuries early on in his career.
Garrick Ibbotson (22 disposals, nine marks) and Ed Langdon (25 possessions, six marks) contributed as well.
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Coburg - Sunday May 1, 1pm, Simonds Stadium
Forgotten midfielder George Horlin-Smith performed his role with aplomb on the wing with 23 disposals, six tackles and four clearances in his side's 35-point win.
Cats VFL manager Troy Selwood told AFL.com.au on Sunday that Horlin-Smith "led the team really well yet again".
Selwood said fellow midfielder Billie Smedts began in the middle of the ground, before drifting to half-forward in his second game back from a pre-season shoulder reconstruction.
"Defensively he laid seven tackles, so he's looking to hit bodies and he's got full faith in his shoulder that it's all back and working well," Selwood said.
He added that Smedts would continue to build his match fitness in the VFL for at least another fortnight.
Rookie Jock Cornell was named the Cats' best player in the win courtesy of his 20 disposals and three goals.
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Giants v NT Thunder - Saturday April 30, 12.55pm, Spotless Stadium
Adam Tomlinson was the Giants' best performer in their 13-point loss to NT Thunder at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
The forward kicked two goals and was a tireless worker all game. Midfielder Jake Barrett and ruckman Tom Downie were also among the Giants' best, while rookie Sam Reid booted three goals.
Key defender Tim Mohr continued his outstanding comeback from his latest knee construction with a stingy performance, while academy recruit Harrison Himmelberg played his best game since joining the club.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill v Frankston - Sunday May 1, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval
Draftee Blake Hardwick, forward Dallas Willsmore and rookie Kade Stewart kicked two goals each in the Hawks' 59-point win.
Pacey defender Angus Litherland, who was omitted after round four, was named among the Hawks' best alongside Willsmore and Hardwick, and booted a goal of his own. - Giulio Di Giorgio
State league affiliate: Casey Scorpions (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Casey Scorpions - Sunday May 1, 12pm, Windy Hill
Draftee Clayton Oliver, who received the round one NAB AFL Rising Star nomination, impressed with 29 touches in Casey's 17-point win after being rested by Demons coach Paul Roos in round five.
Coming off the back of his 28 touches last week, Demons rookie Viv Michie accumulated a team-high 35 disposals and kicked a goal, and was followed closely by father-son recruit Billy Stretch with 34 possessions.
The pair each gathered 10 disposals in the final term to guide their side to victory, while midfielder Jack Trengove ended his fourth straight VFL game with 27 touches as his comeback to the elite level continues to gain momentum.
State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Werribee - Saturday April 30, 12pm, Whitten Oval
Forward Mason Wood put his hand up for a senior recall in Werribee's 42-point win over Footscray at the Whitten Oval on Saturday. Wood kicked four goals – three in the first quarter – and finished with 23 disposals in an outstanding performance.
If Kayne Turner is sidelined by the hamstring injury he suffered in North's win over the Western Bulldogs, Wood could replace him, although if North opts for a like-for-like replacement small forward Robin Nahas will be in the frame after kicking two goals against Footscray.
Trent Dumont (25 possessions) led the way for Werribee in the clinches, Brad McKenzie (27) found plenty of the ball while Farren Ray (25) and Aaron Mullett (23) ran tirelessly.
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Sturt v Port Adelaide - Sunday May 1, 2.10pm, Peter Motley Oval
Midfielder Kane Mitchell led the way for the Magpies in their 63-point defeat, accumulating 31 touches – 10 more disposals than his nearest teammate, onballer Sam Colquhoun.
Wingman Karl Amon had 18 possessions after being demoted following the Power's loss to Geelong in round five.
In attack, Mitchell and Colquhoun also added two goals apiece, with John Butcher kicking one. - Giulio Di Giorgio
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Sandringham - Saturday April 30, 4.30pm, Punt Road Oval
After being named among the Tigers' best last weekend in his return from an ankle injury, tall forward Ben Griffiths continued his good run with a team-high two goals and five contested marks in his side's 57-point loss.
Omitted midfielder Jacob Townsend, promoted rookie Jayden Short (26 disposals) and defender Taylor Hunt (24 disposals) were also named among Richmond's best in an otherwise tough day.
Rookie midfielder Adam Marcon displayed his contested ball-winning ways in the opening term, before chipping in with a goal of his own.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Sandringham - Saturday April 30, 4.30pm, Punt Road Oval
Jack Lonie responded in perfect fashion after being omitted from the senior line-up and may earn an immediate recall. The small forward gathered a game-high 33 disposals and booted three goals in the 57-point victory over Richmond.
Josh Saunders was also a prolific ball-winner and finished the game with 30 possessions. American rookie Jason Holmes continued his development and bagged a clever goal, while Tom Curren backed up his strong outing last week with 26 disposals.
Brodie Murdoch also collected 26 touches and small forward Eli Templeton kicked two goals.
State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans - Sunday May 1, 9.30am, Coorparoo
Versatile forward Dean Towers put in a strong performance in his side's 110-point demolition of the Lions, kicking five goals to go with his 24 disposals and six tackles.
Wingman/half-forward Abe Davis had 20 disposals and seven marks, while onballer Brandon Jack (19 touches, one goal) and medium forward James Rose (18 touches, three goals) also contributed to the comfortable win.
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v East Fremantle - Sunday May 1, 12.10pm, Medibank Stadium
Axed forward Fraser McInnes was named among East Perth's best in its 37-point loss, collecting 18 disposals and kicking two goals.
In positive news, backman Xavier Ellis made an encouraging return from an Achilles tear he suffered in the Eagles' season opener against the Brisbane Lions, ending with 24 touches.
Ex-Blue Kane Lucas led the possession count for the Eagles-listed players with 27 disposals and six marks, while utility Jamie Bennell, who was omitted after round two, had 17 disposals and kicked a goal.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Werribee - Saturday April 30, 12pm, Whitten Oval
First-year midfielder Josh Dunkley put in an encouraging effort in Footscray's 42-point loss to Werribee at the Whitten Oval on Saturday.
Dunkley racked up a game-high 34 possessions to be one of the Bulldogs' best players, while Lukas Webb (29) and Mitch Honeychurch (28 and one goal) were also prolific ball-winners.
All times are local
