The stark contrast between standalone and top AFL-affiliated VFL sides was on full display on Saturday as the competition's top two clubs, Gold Coast and Brisbane, each posted triple-digit wins.
The Suns recorded a 107-point win over Frankston at Heritage Bank Stadium as the Lions managed a 128-point thumping over the Northern Bullants at Preston City Oval, with the two Queensland clubs remaining two premiership points apart at first and second on the VFL ladder respectively.
The pair of one-sided wins see the Bullants still chasing their third win after 13 matches, while Frankston only sit two rungs higher on the ladder in 18th with three wins from 12 games.
Gold Coast's lethal forward pack of Chris Burgess, Brodie McLaughlin, Mabior Chol and Sam Day combined for 17 of the Suns' 22 goals as they chalked up a 144-37 scoreline against the Dolphins.
Flanker Jeremy Sharp led all ball winners with 35 possessions to go along with 11 marks, five tackles and six clearances for the afternoon, while Charlie Constable (32 possessions, five tackles) and Elijah Hollands (26 possessions, six marks, one goal) also had a helping hand in the win.
Ruckman Ned Moyle was dominant in the middle with 41 hitouts, 19 disposals, six marks and a goal.
The Suns had just two players feature in the match that aren't listed with their AFL program.
Frankston can point to their inefficiencies in moving the ball into their attack as a factor in the final margin, having recorded just five goals from 40 inside 50 entries.
Down at Kramer Street, Brisbane's Wylie Buzza saw his season goals tally reach 31 from his 13 matches thanks to a haul of six majors, with the former Geelong and Port Adelaide tall now booting at least one goal in his past six appearances.
Harry Sharp, Kalin Lane, Billy Richardson and Owen Collins would also chip in with two goals each as Brisbane recorded a 145-17 win on the road over the Bullants.
Brisbane recorded 67 inside 50s to the Bullants' 31 thanks to a +19 clearance count on the day.ย Nick Holland's side wouldn't kick a goal until the 22nd minute of third term, with Darcy Fritsch, the brother of Melbourne premiership forward Bayley, converting his second goal in as many games in red.
Bullants gun Jean-Luc Velissaris was able to lead the game for disposals with 30 touches and six tackles in the loss, continuing his stellar campaign in Preston.
Sharp would lead the charge for Brisbane with 28 touches to go with his pair of goals, while Darragh Joyce stood tall in defence to record 22 possessions and 11 marks.
Darcy Fort had 28 disposals to go along with his 34 possessions and eight clearances in a matchup against Bullant Finbar Maley.
Both Gold Coast and Brisbane are scheduled for a bye in Round 17 before returning against GWS and Geelong the week after. The two sides will then go head-to-head in Round 19 for what is anticipated to be a potential minor premiership-deciding encounter at Carrara.
