With all the state leagues now up and running, the pressure to maintain and cement a spot in the team's 22 is as crucial as ever, as teams look to maintain their form, or make statement calls at the selection table.
Collingwood Magpies 31.15.201 def. Northern Blues 11.5.71
After a dominating display on Friday night, Alex Fasolo and Jamie Elliott staked their claims to return to the senior side in their team's dominating 130-point demolition of the Northern Blues.
Mason Cox and Ben Reid looked a handful for the Carlton defenders, so expect Buckley to stick with that part of the forward structure, while Jordan De Goey is slowly earning the respect of the playing group, and is getting back to full fitness. The Magpies will head to Adelaide to face the Crows this week, so a few risky inclusions may not be out of the question.
In the Blues' corner, Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones will continue to come under pressure, both looking shaky at times in Friday night's clash. Caleb Marchbank will miss the next month after going down with an ankle injury, with Cam O'Shea the likely replacement.
Richmond Tigers 21.15.141 def. Port Melbourne 11.10.76
Shai Bolton, Mabior Chol and Tyson Stengle all kicked three goals in their side's 65-point victory of the Grand Final rematch with Port Melbourne.
Corey Ellis responded to his omission, grabbing 32 touches and nine tackles to earn a possible recall this week against the Lions. However, with such a strong performance, it will most likely be an easy time at the selection table.
Frankston 6.5.41 def by. Essendon 21.17.143
John Worsfold may look to the reserves to install some grunt in the middle of the ground as the Bombers were obliterated by the Dogs on Sunday evening. While it was only a 21-point deficit, it could have easily been a 40+ point margin.
Jackson Merrett looked to find some form, snagging five goals while Shaun McKernan grabbed three as the Bombers defeated Frankston by 102 points. However, with a disappointing performance, the axe may come with the likes of James Stewart, Mitch Brown and Cale Hooker to name a few who underachieved in round three.
Box Hill 14.21.105 def. Williamstown 9.14.68
Box Hill kicked nine goals unanswered goals to run out 32-point victors over Williamstown. Heavily criticised midfielder Jonathon O'Rourke was exceptional, finishing with 29 touches. Brendon Whitecross and Dylan Moore had 24 a piece, while Dallas Willsmore had 23. James Sicily will return from his suspension, with Kaiden Brand the likely unlucky one from the weekend's game.
Coburg 11.7.73 def by. Casey 28.12.180
Recently acquired midfielder, Harley Balic, proved his worth immensely in his side's 107-point demolition over Coburg, kicking six majors, whiel Sam Weideman kicked five. Plenty of AFL-listed players were too strong, with the likes of Cam Pedersen [26 disposals], Mitch Hannan [25 and three goals] and Angus Brayshaw [22 disposals].
Footscray 14.8.92 def by. Sandringham 16.17.113
Premiership defender Shane Biggs put his hand up for a recall with a strong 26 disposal performance, while young forward, Patrick Lipinski kicked four goals, while Fletcher Roberts kicked two.
Tom Campbell and Tom Boyd were strong, without taking games apart, and would expect both of them to remain in the VFL for another week.
Peel Thunder 11.12.78 def. East Fremantle 9.9.63
The Dockers had a great 'away' win against the Suns at Optus Stadium. Danyle Pearce had leather poisoning for Peel Thunder however, finishing with 40 disposals in his side's 14-point defeat to Swan Districts. Darcy Tucker also had a field day, with 34 touches and two goals.
East Perth 17.10.112 def. West Perth 7.12.54
Luke Partington pressed his claim for a recall to the senior side for the Eagles, with a 33-disposal, two-goal performance in his side's 58-point victory over West Perth.
Malcolm Karpany had 26 touches, while ruckman, Fraser McInnes had 24 touches along with 31 hit-outs.
Adelaide 10.9.69 def by. Sturt 19.4.118
The Crows had a great win over the Saints on Saturday night, with no major impact from their big forwards. The Crows looked shaky in the first half, but once they gained momentum they were unable to be stopped. Cam Ellis-Yolmen had an off game, but would expect to retain his position in the side, while in the reserves, there wasn't really a standout in the defeat to reigning premiers, Sturt, by 49 points.
Jordan Gallucci led the AFL hopefuls with 20 disposals.
Port Adelaide 14.8.92 def. Glenelg 14.5.89
The Power are dominating in the AFL, as well as the SANFL, escaping with a three-point victory over Glenelg. Jake Neade was able to snag a late major, finishing the game with three goals, as did Peter Ladhams. Will Snelling put in a best-on-ground performance with 20 disposals and 14 tackles, while Jarrod Liernart, Joe Atley and Karl Amon each collected 26 touches.
NT Thunder 16.9.105 def. Brisbane 15.14.104
With a gallant defeat to the only undefeated team at Adelaide Oval, the Lions look a class above themselves a year ago. The change of personnel, and the inclusions of Charlie Cameron and Luke Hodge have installed confidence in the youth of the Lions, and would expect more performances like the one on the weekend.
Tom Bell was prolific with 33 touches and two goals in the twos, while Ben Keays had 25 touches and three goals to press their claim for a return to the senior side this week against the Tigers.
Aspley 8.8.56 def by. Gold Coast Suns 11.10.76
Veteran midfielder Michael Barlow will be on Stuart Dew's radar after his 36-possession and seven tackle performance to lead his team to victory over Aspley. Jesse Lonergan was also important, with 26 touches as Dew will look to get his team back on track after a disappointing performance against the Dockers.
UWS Giants 11.7.73 def. Sydney Swans 9.15.69
Former Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen is on the road back to the senior side, with a strong and influential 30-possession performance in the NEAFL. Aidan Bonar was also influential finishing with 28 disposals in their four point victory over Sydney.
Carlton recruit, Dylan Buckley, finished with four majors, while backmen, Isaac Cumming put in a strong performance, tallying 27 disposals.
Daniel Robinson had 36 touches and a goal as the Swans fell agonisingly short of a win agains the Giants. Harry Marsh, Nic Newman and Colin O'Riordan were also instrumental in their sides performance, collecting 30 touches each.