Round 2 of the VFL season is in the books, with five of the eight matches decided by under three goals.
A host of Mid-Season Draft hopefuls put their hand up once again, with a North Melbourne VFL-listed player being watched closely by a Victorian powerhouse.
Footscray, Collingwood, Brisbane, Carlton and Sydney all had byes.
Here's a recap of the VFL's weekend results and the standout performers from each game.
Casey Demons (90) def. Gold Coast (88)
Melbourne hung on to a nail-biting victory over the Suns, largely thanks to axed key forward Daniel Turner.
The youngster booted five goals to go with his 20 disposals and 14 marks.
Midfielder Bailey Laurie was impressive, recording 32 touches, 10 tackles, six clearances and a goal in the victory.
Ex-Saint Riley Bonner found plenty of the football while developing ruckman Tom Fullarton kicked three majors from 13 possessions.
Gold Coast ruckman Ned Moyle was arguably the club's best in the loss.
On-ball pair Brayden Fiorini (21 touches, seven tackles and four marks) and Alex Davies (31 disposals and six clearances) were prominent.
Former Fremantle ruckman Max Knobel proved to be a handful in the front half, slotting three goals.
GWS Giants (93) def. Williamstown Seagulls (64)
Dropped Giants forward Max Gruzewski firmly put his name in senior selection consideration after four goals in the VFL against the Seagulls.
Youngsters Nathan Wardius and Toby McMullin also hit the scoreboard, while Jake Riccardi's back-up ruck role worked wonders, collecting 22 possessions and four clearances in the win.
Intercept defender Leek Aleer provided a highlight during the match with a massive hanger.
Ex-AFL players James Cousins and Riley Collier-Dawkins battled willfully for the visitors, combining for 47 disposals, 15 clearances and nine tackles.
Joel Fitzgerald was arguably Williamstown's best while ruckman Tom Downie gave his midfielders first look.
Essendon (55) def. by Werribee Tigers (78)
AFL hopeful and Werribee captain Dom Brew was back to his brilliant best after amassing 33 possessions, 10 clearances and six tackles in the 23-point win.
Louis Pinnuck joined Brew with similar efforts, notching up a staggering 18 marks to go with his 32 touches.
Flynn Young was busy in front of the goal, as was Hudson Garoni, who slotted a pair of majors.
Veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein's experience shone through during the contest, as his stat line read: 24 disposals, 46 hit-outs and seven clearances.
Ex-Eagle Xavier O'Neil was dominant through the midfield while Will Setterfield continues to bang on the door for senior selection.
Jared Eckersley kicked three goals while Archer Day-Wicks, who was an emergency for Thursday's AFL contest, had an almost day with 1.3.
Sandringham Zebras (74) def. by Richmond (80)
Kane McAuliffe did his senior recall chances no harm after a dominant display against the Zebras over the weekend.
The bullocking midfielder registered 28 touches, nine clearances and seven tackles.
Jasper Alger slotted two goals and could be in line for a debut, as will Jonty Faull and Maurice Rioli.
Draftee Thomas Sims played the second ruck role to good effect while VFL-listed player Lachlan Wilson was everywhere.
As for Sandringham, Arie Schoenmaker was superb on Saturday, amassing 30 touches (27 kicks), seven marks and a goal, playing largely in the back half.
SSP signing Harry Boyd was strong in the ruck against the younger Tigers, collecting 13 clearances to go with his 37 hit-outs and 16 disposals.
Zaine Cordy kicked two goals as Hugh Boxshall recorded 15 tackles in an impressive defensive output.
Geelong (90) def. Northern Bullants (60)
Cats forward Shaun Mannagh is set to reprise his position in the senior after a three-goal, 23-disposal performance in the VFL.
Managh has yet to feature in the AFL so far in 2025, but after a second consecutive loss, Chris Scott could look at some changes.
Premiership ruckman Rhys Stanley also impressed and could give Sam De Koning a chop out.
One to keep an eye on is Charlie McCartin (brother of Tom and Paddy), who was strong in defence, amassing 17 possessions and seven marks in the victory.
Jean-Luc Velissaris was the Bullants' best, gathering 33 disposals, six marks, five clearances and a goal.
Josh Hamilton (25 touches, six marks and a goal) was Velissaris' right-hand man, as was Liam Mackie (24 possessions and four marks).
Southport Sharks (62) def. Coburg Lions (59)
The one-two punch of Jacob Dawson and Brayden Crossley ran riot for the Sharks in their narrow victory over Coburg.
Dawson and Crossley raffled for best afield, with the former recording 38 possessions, nine clearances and a goal. Crossley's stat line was equally impressive, noting 45 hit-outs, 12 tackles and 17 touches.
Long-time Shark Boyd Woodcock was dominant through the stoppages as Wylie Buzza slotted two majors on the day.
Ex-Collingwood player Jack Bytel's time at the Lions has started brightly, amassing 38 possessions, seven clearances, seven tackles and a goal.
Joel Trudgeon helped Bytel through the middle, collecting 29 touches and 10 tackles.
Max Thompson and Mitch Podhajski kicked pairs of goals while ruckman Cooper Keogh battled willfully against Crossley.
Box Hill Hawks (92) def. North Melbourne (83)
Hawthorn youngster Henry Hustwaite has done no wrong and could force his way into Sam Mitchell's side.
Sitting on the outer thus far, Hustwaite let his football do the talking, gathering 38 touches, 12 clearances and six tackles.
Ruckman Ned Reeves helped his cause, kicking two goals from 18 touches, 34 hit-outs and seven clearances.
Jai Serong was solid in defence, as Max Ramsden was lively in the front half, chopping out Reeves in the ruck.
Kangaroos tall Brynn Teakle had an almost day, kicking 1.4 that could've altered the outcome of the game.
Ex-Sun Darcy Macpherson was strong in the contest and found plenty of the football, while the form of Adam Tomlinson has AFL clubs reconsidering his future in the top flight.
Draftee Matt Whitlock isn't far away from a debut, gathering 27 touches and seven marks.
Zane Duursma (10 touches and one goal), Zac Fisher (nine disposals) and Eddie Ford (two goals and six possessions) didn't have major days on the stat sheet.
Port Melbourne Borough (34) def. by Frankston Dolphins (50)
A miserable day in front of the big sticks for both clubs. The Borough and Dolphins combined for 30 behinds on Saturday night.
Trent Mynott and Matt Johnson had plenty of chances but failed to capitalise, while Blake O'Leary impressed with his hands, but couldn't find the big sticks.
Corey Ellison was the only multiple-goal scorer on the ground and proved to be the difference.
Former Roo Charlie Lazzaro also struggled to nail his opportunities, but can be buoyed by his ability to find the ball and his contest work.
Tom Hird (son of Essendon legend James) was the highest possession getter, while former Bombers captain Dyson Heppell picked up where he left off, gathering 23 disposals.
Dominic Bedendo (ex-Bulldog) and James Van Es (former Saint) also featured for the Borough.
