Geelong 9.13 (67) def. by Northern Blues 10.8 (68)
The Cats came up just short in their clash against the Blues, succumbing to a mere one-point loss.
AFL-listed player Cam Guthrie returned from a calf injury that saw him miss the start of the 2019 season. His effective use of the ball saw him gather 25 disposals and place him in contention for Geelong’s match against Hawthorn on Easter Monday.
Wylie Buzza and James Parsons also gave the Geelong selection team something to think about as both continued to show strong form and were aggressive at the ball finishing with 18 and 23 disposals respectively.
Geelong looks to secure their first win in 2019 this week when they face Werribee in round three.
With Carlton’s poor start to the AFL season, the VFL boys raise the stakes as they continue to fight for selection. Midfielder Jack Silvagni emerged as one of the Blues' best, collecting 19 disposals and topping off his performance with two goals.
Matthew Kreuzer put up a strong fight against the dominant Geelong ruckmen. Kreuzer remained consistent throughout the match with 16 disposals, one goal and 26 hit-outs.
The Blues will look to follow up their win with another victory as they come up against Collingwood this Saturday.
Collingwood 6.4 (40) def. by Footscray 17.10 (112)
Footscray came out firing as they annihilated Collingwood over the weekend in a 72-point victory.
Whilst the loss was unpleasant, it saw the return of Daniel Wells and Brayden Sier, both who had been sidelined with injury.
Sier's niggles earlier in the week saw him demoted to the VFL side where he collected 28 disposals and six tackles. Wells, on the other hand, had been sidelined for 10 months due to a Lisfranc injury in his left foot. The midfielder returned and played as though no time had passed, finishing with 23 touches, 11 marks and a goal.
Collingwood will host the Blues this week, as they look to redeem themselves from their shocking loss.
In his second game back from a serious neck injury, Lukas Webb continues to shine as he finished with a team-high 28 disposals, two goals and a spot in Footscray’s best.
Yet to get the call up for a senior game in 2019, Jackson Trengrove was heavily influential in the Dogs' triumph. The handy ruckman finished with 26 hit-outs, 26 disposals and two goals.
Lin Jong and Tom Boyd both returned from injuries and had a great impact on the game.
The Dogs will enjoy a restful Easter weekend with a bye. They will return in round four against Williamstown.
Sandringham 8.11 (59) def. by Hawthorn 16.4 (100)
Hawthorn went home with the four points in their curtain raiser match. They enjoyed a 41-point victory over Sandringham Zebras at Marvel Stadium.
Nick Hind pushes for a senior debut after a stellar performance on the weekend. The youngster broke through the pack as he showed off his speed and agility, gathering an outstanding 41 touches.
AFL-listed players Luke Dunstan and David Armitage performed consistently, finishing with 37 and 24 disposals respectively, whilst ruckman Billy Longer had 39 hit-outs.
Sandringham hopes to finally come home with the four points when they host Williamstown on Easter Sunday.
Kaiden Brand places himself in the frame for selection this week. James Frawley suffered a hamstring injury against St Kilda in round four of the AFL season, leaving a spot to be filled. Brand finished with 22 disposals against Sandringham and showed his strength and resilience in defence.
Conor Glass and Tim O’Brien also showed consistency at both ends of the field with the pair gathering 23 and 20 disposals respectively. Glass, however, came off with a minor knee injury late in the game.
Hawthorn looks to make 3-0 as they come face to face with Port Melbourne this Saturday.
Casey Demons 18.11 (119) def. North Melbourne 10.5 (65)
After a major loss against Hawthorn in round one, the Demons redeemed themselves in a 54-point win over North Melbourne.
Holding North scoreless in the first quarter, the Demons went to work and scored an astounding six goals. It was Jeff Garlett who led the way with three goals. The small forward returned for his second game back from a shoulder injury and proved strong with 18 disposals and five tackles.
Down the other end, Harrison Petty was a standout, earning himself a place in the best following 17 disposals and nine marks.
Other notable mentions include Corey Maynard and Alex Neal-Bullen, finishing the match with 23 and 14 disposals respectively.
The Demons join Footscray as they enjoy the Easter weekend off before returning to face Richmond, who also have a bye in round three.
AFL-listed forwards Tom Campbell and Nick Larkey stood out amongst the side, booting five goals between them. Campbell responded with class after being omitted from the AFL side. He capped off an incredible day with 63 hit-outs, 19 disposals and eight tackles.
Sam Wright and Dom Tyson also emerged as North’s best. Wright finished with 24 disposals and seven marks whilst Tyson had 22 and eight tackles.
North Melbourne will face the fresh Essendon Bombers in round three.
Richmond 13.14 (92) def. Port Melbourne 7.7 (49)
Richmond’s VFL side recorded their second win of the season with a 43-point triumph over Port Melbourne.
The inexperienced side was led by pick number 58 in the 2018 draft, Fraser Turner who finished with a team-high 22 disposals, 15 of which were kicks, and four marks.
Dan Bulter and Oleg Markov were both dropped from the senior side this week, but fought with perseverance in attempt to slide back into contention for selection. Butler finished with one goal and 15 disposals whilst Markov was held to just 11 touches.
Both Patrick Nash and Derek Eggmolesse-Smith are yet to debut at an AFL level but continue to perform consistently in defence.
Richmond will continue to relish their win with a bye in round three. Round four will see Richmond come up against Casey Demons.
Woodville-West Torrens 10.17 (77) def. by Adelaide 14.16 (100)
An even first half saw Adelaide switch into high gear for the remainder of the game as they ran away with a 23-point win.
Bryce Gibbs was omitted from the senior side this week and found himself playing against Woodville in the SANFL. Gibbs responded to his shock omission with a classy 28 disposals, six marks and six clearances.
Patrick Wilson led the disposal count for Adelaide, finishing with 42 disposals accompanied by 11 marks.
Hugh Greenwood pushes himself in contention for selection after an outstanding performance. After finishing with 33 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals, Greenwood inches closer to his AFL debut.
Round four of the SANFL season will see Adelaide come up against the undefeated South Adelaide.
Port Adelaide 16.11 (107) def. North Adelaide 13.8 (86)
The convincing win over North Adelaide saw Port Adelaide walk away with the four points and move in the top three on the ladder.
Forward Todd Marshall was omitted from the senior side this week but didn’t let that affect his game. Marshall led Port Adelaide to a 21-point win by booting four goals.
Jack Trengrove (35 disposals), Jarrod Leinert (33) and Sam Mayes (28) are all pushing for an AFL call up after an exciting game over the weekend.
Port Adelaide will face the undefeated Norwood this week as they look to come home with another four points.
Brisbane 18.22 (130) def. Greater Western Sydney 5.5 (35)
Leading at every break, Brisbane Lions have stamped themselves as a threat with an outstanding 95-point win over Greater Western Sydney.
Yet to play an AFL game this season, star forward Ben Keays helped lead his team to victory after six goals from his 15 disposals.
Corey Lyons played an impressive game with 19 kicks from his 29 disposals and six marks as well as a goal. Tom Cutler and Toby Woller were strong down forward, finishing with 23 and 25 touches respectively.
Brisbane remains on top of the ladder as they enter round three. They will face Aspley who are yet to win a game.
Greater Western Sydney surrender to another defeat, leaving them 0-2 leading into the third round. Despite this poor loss, some positives came about through the talent of some AFL-listed players.
Draftee Jackson Hately found plenty of the footy as he finished with 27 disposals for the second week in a row.
Zach Sproule is yet to debut for the senior side but continue to inch himself closer and closer to selection. The dangerous forward finished with three goals from 15 disposals in the Giant’s loss.
Greater Western Sydney will face the also winless Gold Coast in the third round.
Gold Coast 10.12 (72) def. by Sydney 17.8 (110)
The Swans were too strong for Gold Coast as an impressive second half by the Swans saw them walk away with a 38-point win.
George Horlin-Smith played his first game since round one of the AFL season. The midfielder found plenty of the ball as he gathered 32 disposals and nine clearances in a stand out performance. Brad Scheer (31 disposals) and Will Brodie (30), also in the midfield, made good use of the ball and found themselves among the leading ball winners.
On his club debut, Josh Corbett impressed with three goals and 18 disposals.
Gold Coast will travel to face the Giants as they look to record their first win of the season.
Sydney youngsters James Rowbottom and Joel Amartey played key roles in the Swans' win over Gold Coast. Scoring three goals each, the duo worked tirelessly down forward.
Ryan Clarke and Colin O’Riordan also provided some positives as they found the ball through the midfield and up back, gathering 28 and 24 touches respectively.
Sitting fourth on the ladder, Sydney look to make it three straight wins as they come up against Redland this weekend.
Peel Thunder 6.14 (50) def. by West Coast 11.11 (77)
Despite there only being a two goal difference at half time, Peel Thunder was unable to hold on and match West Coast’s pressure ultimately leading to a 17-point loss.
Playing his first match after suffering a groin injury, draftee Luke Valente impressed with 19 disposals and six tackles. Fellow first year players Sam Strutt and Brett Bewley finished with 17 disposals a piece and found themselves among the best.
Midfielders Tom North and Mitch Crowden also provided ball pressure with 28 and 26 disposals respectively.
Peel Thunder will face the bottom of the ladder East Fremantle as they look to redeem themselves from their second round loss next week.
Jake Waterman kicked five of West Coast’s 11 goals against the Thunder. This is the second week in a row that the strong forward has bagged five goals, showing strong form.
Jackson Nelson, Matthew Allen and Brendon Ah Chee worked beautifully together in the midfield as though they were in unison. The trio finished with 27, 25 and 24 disposals respectively.
West Coast hopes to continue their strong performance in round three as they face the undefeated Subiaco.