The second week of the VFL saw a plethora of fringe players stake their claim for a spot at AFL level, while some of this season's greatest threats for the premiership have begun to emerge.
Collingwood sit atop the 21-team competition thanks to a strong percentage of 209.9 per cent from their two wins, a margin that sees them separated by just 0.5 per cent over the second-placed Suns following a strong outing against Geelong from the Queensland club.
A Gold Coast recruit had a day out on Sunday, while a second-year Giant collected 43 possessions in a win over Carlton.
Essendon's big-bodied tall forward was again among the lead goalkickers, while more young Demons put their hands up for selection.
Here's a wrap-up of all the action from Round 2 of the VFL...
Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane (85 - 93)
Young Bulldogs tall Sam Darcy responded to his omission from the club's AFL side with a strong start on Thursday afternoon, booting all three of his goals in the opening term to impress.
While still having an impact, Darcy and the Dogs faded late to allow the Lions into the contest and snatch an eight-point win.
Fellow father-son and dropped Dog Rhylee West also led the game with three majors from 18 possessions, while AFL-listed forwards Buku Khamis and Mitch Hannan managed to boot multiple goals too.
For the Lions, veteran midfielder Jarryd Lyons led all ball-winners with 33 possessions - eight more than any other player on the field. He would also end the evening with seven tackles, five marks and nine clearances in a best-afield display.
Flanker Jaxon Prior booted two goals early into the match, while Tom Fullarton recorded a pair himself to pair nicely with VFL-listed tall forward Wylie Buzza.
Deven Robertson and Harry Sharp were also among the Lions' best, while rookie Jaspa Fletcher notched up 17 possessions and a goal in his second hitout at VFL level.
Frankston vs Williamstown (47 - 74)
Former Melbourne defender Marty Hore impressed in his second outing as a Seagull in Williamstown's win over Frankston under tough conditions, collecting 25 disposals on Friday night.
Former Hawk James Cousins was also among Williamstown's best in the 27-point win.
It took the Dolphins until the second quarter to boot their first goal of the evening, a major that came after 11 successive behinds were recorded in what was a tough night to start Frankston's season.
North Melbourne vs Southport (66 - 58)
North Melbourne continued their undefeated start to the season with a strong win over last year's grand finalists, with first-year Roo George Wardlaw again showing signs of his ability at senior level.
The teenager recorded 24 possessions, six clearances and six tackles in the eight-point win to be among the Kangaroos' best on Saturday.
Veteran defender Aaron Hall was again among North's best ball winners, while recruit Hamish Free showed signs in the ruck and with the ball in his second game in the blue and white.
Jacob Dawson was again among the Sharks' best to record another 30 possessions, with the former Suns also amassing 11 clearances and seven tackles in the loss.
GWS vs Carlton (83 - 44)
While their senior side couldn't get the win, the Giants' reserves flexed their pedigree at VFL level to secure a 39-point win over Carlton.
The Giants' two first-year youngsters in Aaron Cadman and Max Gruzewski combined for seven majors, while 2022 Mid-Season Draft recruit Wade Derksen also booted two of his own.
But it was sophomore defender Josh Fahey that stole the show, collecting 43 touches and 12 marks to be a force for the home side.
Carlton recruit Alex Cincotta was impressive for the Blues with 35 possessions, while Paddy Dow's form continued to collect another 28 disposals.
Coburg vs Richmond (36 - 78)
Fringe Richmond midfielder Tyler Sonsie put selectors on notice with a day out against the Lions, collecting 37 possessions, seven clearances and six tackles in the win at Pirahna Park.
Thomson Dow was another standout among the AFL-listed Tigers with his efforts on the ball, while second-year forward Jacob Bauer led all scorers with three majors.
Kaelan Bradtke also added two goals following his five-goal bag from Round 1, with the SSP pick-up again impressing to be in the eye of the club's AFL selection committee.
Port Melbourne vs Collingwood (82 - 134)
Collingwood continue their dominant start to the season at VFL level with a 52-point win over the Borough on Saturday night, with a host of AFL-listed players leading the charge.
Finlay Macrae (25 possessions, two goals) and Trent Bianco (32 possessions, six tackles) were both impressive, but it was draft duo Ed Allan and Jakob Ryan that caught the eyes of many.
Following strong Round 1 performances, the pair were again among the Magpies' best and have been noted to be in the selection mix for the year ahead at AFL level by senior coach Craig McRae.
Small forward Jack Ginnivan made his return to football and booted two goals, while Collingwood's only fit ruckman in Oscar Steene did it tough against former Sydney tall Sam Naismith, who recorded 62 hit-outs for the evening.
Oleg Markov played his first game in the black and white to produce 25 possessions, eight marks and four inside 50s.
Forward duo Tom Wilson and Reef McInnes were both lively in attack to combine for six goals, split evenly.
Gold Coast vs Geelong (182 - 75)
The Suns blew past the Cats in Sunday's early fixture, with pre-season recruit Brodie McLaughlin and veteran forward pair Sam Day and Chris Burgess combing for 16 goals.
McLaughlin also tallied 20 possessions and laid four tackles to be considered among the Suns' best, while midfielder Brayden Fiorini collected 32 disposals, eight clearances and booted three goals himself.
Rory Atkins (two goals from 27 touches) and Jeremy Sharp (23 disposals and two goals) also chipped in to help steer the Suns to a comfortable victory, while Ned Moyle was dominant in the ruck with 36 hit-outs, 21 possessions and six clearances.
The Cats may have found some positive in young ruck-forward Shannon Neale booting two goals and four clearances from 11 possessions, with Geelong potentially needing to bolster their spine at AFL level in the weeks ahead.
Casey vs Sydney (89 - 47)
While second-year tall forward Jacob van Rooyen impressed in his AFL debut to boot three goals over the Swans, 2022 first-round draft pick Matt Jefferson was the standout for Casey with four goals of his own against Sydney.
The key position forward led the way for Casey over the weekend with his quartet of majors, clunking five marks to impress in his second outing of the season.
Oliver Sestan was again among the leading goalkickers with two of his own from, while dropped swingman Tom McDonald levelled that feat along with 20 disposals and 11 marks.
Adam Tomlinson was also impressive after being demoted to the VFL, recording a game-high 34 possessions and 13 marks, while Blake Howes also tallied 34 touches and recorded 16 marks of his own.
For the Swans, Angus Sheldrick also matched Tomlinson and Howes with 34 possessions in the middle along with nine clearances in the loss.
Sandringham vs Essendon (126 - 89)
Both sides went into Sunday's contest with just nine AFL-listed players each, but it was Sandringham that prevailed at the end of the match with a 37-point victory.
Saints ruckman Max Heath and big-bodied Bomber Patrick Voss had a shootout at Trevor Barker Oval, booting five and four goals respectively.
Heath also amassed 23 hit-outs, four marks and four tackles for the evening to impress in his dual-position role.
Jack Peris (three goals), Noah Gown (three) and Jack Bytel (two) also had a large say in the score, with the latter posting 35 possessions to rival Heath for best-on-ground honours.
Essendon defender Rhett Montgomerie was again impressive, taking 12 marks to record 21 possessions in the loss, while former Geelong midfielder Quinton Narkle was also among the Bombers' best with his 23 possessions, 10 tackles and a goal.
