While the AFL had some interesting results, some surprises and some annihilations, we will take a look at how all the reserves went around the country, and who is looking to earn a spot back in the senior side.
VFL
Essendon 13.13.91 def. Geelong 12.12.84
Senior Coach John Worsfold made a statement last week, sending Darcy Parish, as well as Ben McNiece back to the reserves this week, and they responded as well as he would've liked.
Parish had 32 possessions, while McNiece was busy all day off the half back line as they look to earn a recall to the senior side. Versatile utility, Mitch Brown bagged three, while small-forward, Josh Green also had three.
For the Cats, duo Rhys Stanley and Wylie Buzza had seven between them while fellow bigman, Ryan Abbott also performed well and hit the scoreboard in a nail-biting loss to the Bombers.
Box Hill Hawks 14.12.96 def. Northern Blues 8.10.58
Jonathan Ceglar was dominant in the middle as he continues his quest to return to the senior side, finishing the game with 29 touches and a goal in the Hawks' victory.
Ryan Schoenmakers kicked three, while omitted pair, Keiran Lovell (29 disposals, one goal) and Brendon Whitecross (24 and two goals) responded well to their omission.
For the Blues, second-year tall Tom Williamson made a successful return to footy, collecting 15 touches to half-time before sitting out as he continues to stick to a minutes restriction.
Jacob Weitering was solid collecting 17 touches, while Jack Silvagni was rather quiet, despite a goal after a stellar mark in the first half.
Richmond 14.14.98 def. Sandringham 4.9.33
Live-wire small-forward Daniel Rioli made a successful return to football after his ankle injury in the Grand Final last year, playing just the first half of his side's 65-point victory.
Shai Bolton looked lively early on, before a corked quad ended his day prematurely in the third quarter. There were good performances, without any real standouts for the Tigers, with the likes of Connor Menadue, Oleg Markov, Tyson Stengle and Corey Ellis all playing an important role for their side.
For the Zebras, luckless midfielder Nathan Freeman, got injured in just his third game back from hamstring tightness, this time injuring the AC joint in his shoulder in the first quarter.
In more positive news, half-back flanker Brandon White collected 33 touches and will look to return to the senior side this week against Richmond at the MCG.
Frankston 4.9.33 def by. Casey Demons 21.13.139
Cameron Pedersen had himself a big day out as he kicked six goals in his side 106-point demolition over Frankston.
Pedersen had six before three-quarter time, while small-forward Tom Bugg booted five as they both also found plenty of the ball, collecting 22 touches apiece.
Jeff Garlett missed his chance for a senior recall with just the one major, while speedster Jayden Hunt gathered 23 disposals.
Port Melbourne 8.14.62 def by. North Melbourne 10.10.70
Luke Davies-Uniacke will be the centre of attention at the selection table this week after his stellar performance over reigning premiers, Port Melbourne.
Ben McKay was solid in defence, while at the opposite end of the ground, Nick Larkey kicked three majors.
Coburg 7.5.47 def by. Collingwood 10.12.72
Young midfielder Brayden Sier put in another strong performance, continuing his strong presence in the reserves for 2018, with 35 touches and six tackles, hopefully earning his debut for the senior side this week.
Rupert Wills amassed 32 and eight tackles, and Josh Daicos 29 touches and five tackles, also showed signs that they're ready for the senior side with strong performances.
Werribee 11.10.76 def by. Footscray 13.6.84
Veteran defender Dale Morris' return from injury was a success, running out the full game on the weekend, with no signs of any niggles from his ACL injury from February.
Josh Schache looks close to being in the senior side, booting another three goals, while Shane Biggs, Lin Jong and Tim English were all influential in their side's eight-point victory.
