With the AFL season now underway, state leagues around Australia are beginning to ramp up ahead of their season openers in the coming weeks.
With a number of senior players getting injured, suspended or dropping in form at most AFL clubs, here are some of the players pressing their claims for a spot in the senior side for round two.
Richmond 19.13.127 def. Northern Blues 11.7.73
Last year's runner up Richmond continued their fine form with a dominant display, finishing 54-point victors against the Northern Bules. Draftee Jack Higgins continued his form in the pre-season with a solid outing, knocking on Hardwick's door for a debut jumper in Adelaide.
He, along with Liam Baker, each kicked two goals in an electrifying display in the third term, adding to the depth the Tigers have in the small forward roles.
Mabior Chol looked lively, finishing with two majors and being plan B if the Tigers decide to take a second tall for Riewoldt and Nankervis against the Crows.
For the Northern Blues, midfield Nick Graham pressed his claim with a 26 disposal game, however will likely have to wait for his time in the Carlton jumper in 2018. Young draftees, Lochie O'Brien and Tom De Koning put together lively performances, proving their worth early in the Carlton season.
Collingwood 13.11.89 def. Box Hill Hawks 9.12.66
A restricted Daniel Wells looked lively in his first hit-out for the Magpies in season 2018. He was restricted to limited game time, sitting out the second half, but will likely play more again next week.
After a restricted 2017, Alex Fasolo looked lively up forward with two goals, and will probably be included in the Magpies' squad to face GWS this weekend, likely to replace suspended tall forward, Mason Cox.
For the Hawks, second year forward Mitchell Lewis booted three majors, and could be an option against the Cats on Easter Monday. However, with a dominant display in round one, Clarkson will unlikely change anything, keeping the likes of James Worpel and Jono O'Rourke at bay in the VFL for another week.
Werribee 2.11.23 def by. Essendon 9.5.59
With the Bombers having clear advantages against the standalone Werribee side, they were able to run out 36 point winners.
After a comprehensive win over Adelaide, changes are unlikely to be made to their best 22. Matthew Leungberger was among Essendon's best, but will need consistent form to fit into the Bombers' 22 for the remainder of the season.
North Melbourne 15.11.101 def. Coburg 8.14.62
North Melbourne finally have a standalone club in the VFL, and they did not disappoint in their practice match against Coburg.
Nick Larkey performed strongly for the Kangaroos, while Ben McKay and Will Walker also pressed their claims for a birth in the senior side.
With the wet conditions in Cairns being a factor, the Roos may looked to add some height against the Saints for the Good Friday clash, with Majak Daw and Mason Wood being emergencies.
Sandringham 5.11.41 def by. Williamstown 12.18.90
The Sandringham Dragons were outclassed from start to finish against Williamstown, falling by 49 points.
St. Kilda players were impressive however, with unlucky midfielder, Luke Dunstan, pushing his claim for Alan Richardson to include against North on Good Friday.
Young half-back, Bailey Rice, was among the best for Sandy, collecting a team-high 24 disposals, while Dunstan, second year player Ed Phillips and young draftee, Nick Coffield, all impressed in a disappointing display for the Zebras.
Frankston 17.5.107 def. Port Melbourne 12.14.86
The return has arrived, and while it may only be a practice match, it is great to see Frankston back into the VFL competition. With no affiliations for either club, it will be interesting to see how they go throughout the season, with Port Melbourne being one of the contenders for the premiership this season.
Footscray 15.4.94 def by. Geelong 16.16.112
There will be at least one inclusion for this week's game against the Eagles, with midfielder Tom Liberatore injuring his ACL in the 82-point demolition at the hands of the GWS Giants.
Luke Beveridge may also look to swing the axe in a statement, with the Dogs struggling to find their form of 2016. Key forwards Tom Boyd and Josh Schache could be an option, paving the way for Easton Wood to return to the defence and control the back six.
Midfielders, Lin Jong and Mitch Wallis will be hoping to fill that void left by Liberatore with strong displays, as well as Caleb Daniel who was an emergency for the Dogs in Canberra.
For Geelong, Dangerfield will be an automatic selection for Easter Monday against the Hawks, while Rhys Stanley also put in a strong performance, kicking four goals as he looks to return to the Cats' lineup.
Nakia Cockatoo and Scott Selwood also got through the game unscathed with pre-season injuries, but will likely be given another week to prove their fitness before selection in the senior line-up.
Peel Thunder 20.9.129 def. East Perth 3.7.25
The Peel Thunder concluded their pre-season campaign with a convincing 104-point victory over East Perth over the weekend, heading into their round one season opener in high spirits.
Joel Hamling was disappointed to not be in top condition come round one of the AFL season, but he made sure he put on a significant performance for the Thunder, which could earn him some consideration for a recall.
Adam Cerra made sure he proved his form over the weekend as well, tallying up 24 possessions and finished off his impressive stat-line with a goal. If unlucky in selection this week, then number five draft pick will presumably continue to make a hard push for the senior team.
While it was a tough day for the Perth team, there were a few who stood their ground amidst the blowout.
Brayden Ainsworth and Josh Rotham battled hard, recording 26 possessions each for East Perth. Ainsworth applied much needed pressure against the Thunder, managing five tackles throughout the match.
It was a quiet day for West Coast senior team hopeful Willie Rioli who has been at odds with injuries over the past two seasons. The crafty small forward only had seven possessions and required left knee treatment within the first quarter.
Port Adelaide 11.15.81 def. Adelaide 6.5.41
Adelaide suffered a 40-point loss against rival team Port Adelaide in their final practice match of the pre-season.
The Adelaide team was fairly depleted, but despite the injuries Ben Davis came in for his first game of the pre-season and had a promising game.
Coach Ryan O'Keefe noticed Jordan Galluci had found some form, saying it was his best game of the pre-season.
For the Magpies, Jack Trengrove and ex-North forward Lindsay Thomas were named among the club's best players.
Jimmy Toumpas held down the midfield for the Pies, named the best player in the match over the weekend.
Brisbane 25.20.160 def. Wilston Grange 2.5.17
Tom Cutler was a stand out in the forward line for Brisbane on the weekend, scoring eight goals in a thumping win against Wilston Grange before they head in to the 2018 season.
Rookie midfielder, Jake Barrett took a hold of the game with his contested ball work all over the ground, showing on-field leadership after being named captain for the day.
Young first-round pick Zac Bailey remained poised all match alongside veteran Rohan Bewick, the catalyst to many of the Lions' scoring possessions.
Gold Coast Suns 21.17.143 def. Palm Beach Currumbin 2.1.13
The Suns enjoyed a massive win against the Palm Beach team, beating them down by 130-points on Saturday.
There were 16 AFL listed players that were in the lineup for Gold Coast over the weekend.
Michael Barlow, Jesse Lonergan and Will Brodie were all impressive for Gold Coast as they drowned out Palm Beach to claim the convincing victory.
GWS Giants 8.10.58 def by. Sydney University 11.4.70
Young hopeful Jacob Hopper is seeking redemption and a spot in the senior side following his battle with a groin injury.
He showcased an AFL-ready game for the Giants in the practice match, being named the best player for the game.
Isaac Cumming was another young player who stood out, alongside the Giants draftee Aiden Bonar and veteran defender Tim Mohr.