A host of players kicked bags across the weekend while a flurry of Suns players put their hand up for selection.
The Pies' depth finally recorded a win while the Giants mimicked the AFL game in the reserves with a narrow victory.
Gold Coast flipped the script with a win over their state rivals while Essendon overcame a slow start to take down Sandringham.
See who performed well in Round 18 of the VFL.
BYES: Footscray Bulldogs, Carlton and Northern Bullants
Young Giants forward Max Gruzewski's five-goal haul proved to be the difference in a miserable day at Casey Fields.
In the low-scoring affair, Gruzewski stood up when it mattered most.
Teammates James Leake (28 touches, five clearances and five tackles), Nick Haynes (28 possessions and seven marks) and Conor Stone (22 disposals and four tackles) also performed strongly.
Axed Demons midfielder Tom Sparrow proved to be above the grade, amassing 31 touches, nine clearances and nine tackles in the loss.
Ruck-forward Tom Fullarton continues to build strong form in the VFL, giving Simon Goodwin something to think about.
Key forward Matthew Jefferson had an almost day, kicking 1.3 while Lachie Hunter is looking to return to the senior level.
Caiden Cleary did his recall chances no harm with an impressive outing on Saturday, gathering 34 touches, nine marks and five clearances.
His ruck - Peter Ladhams - was equally as good, kicking three goals from 20 disposals, 23 hitouts and seven clearances.
Angus Sheldrick and Caleb Mitchell found plenty of the ball while Joel Hamling could be considered as a defensive option given the hamstring injury to Lewis Melican.
Sharks trio Boyd Woodcock (33 touches, 10 clearances and 11 marks), Jacob Dawson (34 possessions, 17 clearances and seven tackles) and Ben Jepson (30 disposals and five marks) did everything they could to get their side over the line.
Zac Foot kicked a pair of goals along with Hugh Dixon and Jackson Edwards while ruckman Brayden Crossley battled willfully.
Alex Sexton's five-goal effort helped the Suns secure the win against cross-town rivals Brisbane.
Sexton's performance was joined by Brayden Fiorini, Oskar Faulkhead and Rory Atkins, who all gathered 32 disposals.
Four other Suns kicked multiple goals while half-backs Connor Budarick and Sean Lemmens continued to build their case for a senior call-up.
Despite the loss, the Lions had plenty of strong outings, including the recently axed Bruce Reville. Reville kicked two goals from his 26 touches and eight marks.
Midfielder Deven Robertson was arguably the club's best, collecting 30 disposals from 14 clearances and 11 tackles.
Jarryd Lyons and James Tunstill were also impressive.
Geelong had a host of strong players in their 21-point victory over the Kangaroos, led by youngster Jhye Clark.
Clark amassed 24 touches, 10 tackles, eight clearances and a goal.
His efforts were matched by Mitch Knevitt (two goals, 27 possessions and nine tackles) and Mitch Hardie (one goal, 31 disposals and eight clearances).
Ruckman Joe Furphy recorded a whopping 56 hitouts while Brandan Parfitt made the most of the dominance.
Veteran North Melbourne midfielder Hugh Greenwood was pivotal in the contest, gathering 30 touches from 11 clearances and nine tackles to go with his one major.
Mid-season recruit Geordie Payne is inching closer to an AFL debut after his efforts on Saturday.
Another five-goal outing across the weekend was the difference-maker, with Werribee's Hudson Garoni making the most of his opportunities.
Teammates Jack Riding slotted three himself while midfield duo Riley Bice (31 touches, 11 marks and eight tackles) and Dom Brew (29 possessions, 15 clearances and 11 tackles) were instrumental in the win.
Jack Henderson joined in on the act with 11 clearances and 24 disposals while making most of Sam Conway's 42 hit-outs.
Son of Essendon legend James Hird, Tom, was arguably the Borough's best, collecting 21 touches, 10 tackles and nine clearances to go with his singular major.
Defender Tom Highmore will continue to be on recruiters' radars after another strong performance while Kyle Viccars was the only multiple-goal scorer for the hosts.
The Pies eventually returned to the winner's list following the strong performances from Charlie Dean, Ed Allan and Finlay Macrae.
Dean was a pillar in defence, recording 15 marks and 27 touches while Allan gathered 32 disposals to go with his two goals.
Macrae was critical in the midfield, utilising his clean hands to assist with Collingwood's running game.
Reef McInnes remained goalless but found plenty of the ball while mid-season recruit Iliro Smit continues to build his game toward AFL standard.
As for the Tigers, Lachlan Wilson is putting together some season and Sunday was no different, amassing 18 touches, 13 tackles and six clearances.
Kane McAuliffe was equally as impressive while Tyler Sonsie put his name back on the selection agenda.
Harry Morrison put together the most complete performance of the weekend, recording 33 touches, nine clearances, six tackles and three goals in the 32-point win.
Pre-season pick-up Ethan Phillips was impressive with 15 marks in defence while Jai Serong was just as strong.
Young midfielder Cam Mackenzie responded to his axing, gathering 29 possessions and 10 clearances.
Seagulls forward Corey Ellison kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors, slotting six majors.
Will Fordham was a tackling machine while Jack Toner and Joel Fitzgerald both gathered 21 possessions each.
Tyson Milne's kicking prowess was on display during the Dolphins' 28-point victory, recording 28 touches (23 kicks) and six marks.
Matt Johnson led the way up forward with three goals while both George Grey (two goals, 23 touches and three tackles) and Blake O'Leary (two goals, 20 touches and three marks) were a handful.
Lions ruckman Cooper Keogh was arguably the best afield, racking up 25 disposals, 11 clearances and 52 hitouts in the defeat.
Coburg pair Flynn Gentile (35 touches and six clearances) and Braedyn Gillard (36 possessions and three tackles) had their own football.
Joel Trudgeon didn't let a tackle slip, laying 11 to go with his one goal and 22 disposals.
Brad Scott could recall a host of in-form players as the seniors were smashed by St Kilda.
Elijah Tsatas (34 touches, seven clearances and six marks) and Will Setterfield (25 disposals, 13 tackles and six clearances) immediately spring into the conversation.
Depth ruckman Nick Bryan was just as good while Nick Hind played a pivotal role in a narrow victory.
Sam Weideman found plenty of football for the Bombers.
As for the Saints, youngster Hugo Garcia could get a look in Ross Lyon's side after his strong performance.
Arie Schoenmaker responded to his axing with 29 touches while Paddy Dow continues to build some form.