State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane Lions v Redland - Saturday June 18, 5.40pm, Gabba
Small forward Josh Green produced an outstanding performance for the Lions, collecting 24 disposals and booting a game-high five goals in his side’s thrilling one-point win.
Green was well complemented by youngster Rhys Mathieson, who notched a team-high 29 disposals to further boost his claims for a senior recall.
Rookie Matthew Hammelmann continued his strong run of form in the reserves and ended with an impressive 16 marks to go with his 26 touches, while omitted defender Daniel McStay was equally as influential with 22 touches and 15 marks.
Despite being kept quiet for much of the game, luckless forward Michael Close was the hero for his last-minute tackle and resulting behind, which edged the Lions over the line.
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Essendon - Saturday June 18, 2.10pm, Avalon Airport Oval
Experienced Essendon big man Shaun McKernan was the most influential player on the ground with a stellar display against Werribee.
McKernan, listed as an emergency for Sunday's clash against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, kicked four goals playing mainly as a ruckman, including the sealer with less than five minutes remaining in the game.
"When he plays like that he can play anywhere, he uses the ball well. Every time he plays VFL he gets shots on goal," Bombers VFL coach Matt Egan told AFL.com.au.
"For him it's just believing he's good enough and making the most of his chance when he gets his next opportunity (at senior level)."
The Bombers' 13-point win was even more noteworthy, considering they came from 40 points down in the third term to win an enthralling tussle.
Irishman Connor McKenna displayed his trademark dash through the middle of the ground in his time as a defender.
Bombers youngster Aaron Francis kicked one of the goals of the VFL season, breaking two tackles and then booting an outstanding goal from tight on the boundary.
"That's a big advantage of his that we can swing him from down back to forward and kick three goals in the second half shows his resilience," Egan said.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v South Fremantle - Sunday June 19, 2.10pm, Bendigo Bank Stadium
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Box Hill - Sunday June 19, 2.10pm, Simonds Stadium
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Canberra Demons v Giants - Saturday June 18, 12pm, Robertson Oval
In his second game back from a toe injury, Rhys Palmer starred in the Giants' comfortable 53-point win over Canberra.
Palmer was named as his side's best and booted four goals to give himself every chance of returning to the senior side.
James Stewart (three goals), Jack Steele and Harrison Himmelburg were also prominent for the Giants.
State league affiliate: Box Hill (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Box Hill - Sunday June 19, 2.10pm, Simonds Stadium
State league affiliate: Casey Scorpions (VFL)
This weekend: North Ballarat v Casey Scorpions - Saturday June 18, 2pm, Eureka Stadium
Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw shone in his return game for the Casey Scorpions on Saturday.
Playing his first game since sustaining his second concussion in three weeks in May, the talented onballer collected 29 disposals and kicked two goals in an outstanding performance.
Matt Jones (38 touches), Alex Neal-Bullen (30), James Harmes and Colin Garland (26) also won plenty of the footy as the Scorpions went to the top of the VFL ladder with a 91-point win over the Roosters.
State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Essendon - Saturday June 18, 2.10pm, Avalon Airport Oval
Braydon Preuss was the dominant ruckman on the ground in the first half, before McKernan took over the game.
Preuss had 47 hit-outs for the Tigers as he continues his development.
Young key forward Ben McKay, pick No.21 in last year's draft, kicked three first-half goals.
He also took seven marks in a promising display for the Roos.
Midfielder Ryan Clarke (17 touches and nine clearances) did his bit, while Ed Vickers-Willis had 15 possessions.
Defender Lachie Hansen, who has dealt with concussion issues this season, finished the game on the bench but purely as a management decision.
North recruit Jed Anderson got through the match unscathed and displayed some promising signs in his first match since returning from a hamstring injury he sustained in round one earlier this season.
The ex-Hawk didn’t rack up huge numbers (9 disposals, two marks and two behinds) despite playing the majority of the game, but demonstrated strong pressure and persistence in the 13-point loss.
“I thought he was understandably rusty, but he looked like he was getting into some pretty good spots, especially when the long ball came in,” development manager Ben Dyer told nmfc.com.au.
“His effort and his urgency was up, which is obviously a really important part of his game.”
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: South Adelaide v Port Adelaide - Saturday June 18, 1.10pm, Hickinbotham Oval
Veteran forward Jay Schulz made a strong return from injury in the Port Adelaide Magpies' 43-point loss to South Adelaide.
Returning from a back injury, that required surgery, Schulz booted two goals and took seven marks from nine disposals in his first game since March.
Kane Mitchell (34 disposals) and Brendon Ah Chee (26) were the major ball winners for the Magpies.
Jared Polec, who was dropped for Saturday's game against Fremantle, had 13 touches and nine tackles.
Tall forward John Butcher finished with three goals and Jimmy Toumpas had 11 touches and eight tackles.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney Swans v Aspley - Sunday June 19, 9.30am, SCG
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v Perth - Saturday June 18, 2.15pm, Medibank Stadium
Ruckman Scott Lycett responded in the best possible fashion after being dropped from the senior team for disciplinary reasons, recording 26 disposals, eight marks and a goal in a best-on-ground performance.
The big man also added 27 hit outs in the 40-point victory and is likely to earn an immediate recall, after being earmarked to take the No.1 ruck mantle following Natanui’s injury.
Luckless midfielder Xavier Ellis was also named in the best for his 29 possessions and nine marks, while youngster Jackson Nelson (20 disposals, seven marks and goal) was prominent through midfield.
Defender Mitch Brown continues to build match fitness in the reserves and managed two goals after being shifted to full-forward.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Frankston v Footscray - Sunday June 19, 2pm, Frankston Oval
All times are local
