Nine things we learned from round six
Fantasy form watch: This week's pig and Presti
Defiant Mick Malthouse won't 'turn up the toes' after Carlton loss
After the siren: There's nothing 'flat-track' about the Eagles' bullying


Adelaide

State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Norwood v Adelaide - Friday May 8, 7.40pm, Coopers Stadium

Sam Kerridge was Adelaide's best in a disappointing 42-point loss to Norwood on Friday night.

Kerridge's 22 disposals included 10 clearances and a goal and he had good support from Brodie Martin who gathered 19 disposals.

Newly promoted ruckman Reilly O'Brien continued his promising form with 14 touches and 32 hit-outs.

Brisbane Lions

State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye

Carlton

State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Frankston v Northern Blues - Sunday May 10, 2pm, Frankston Oval

Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer made a successful return from injury in his first competitive game since August last year.

The 25-year-old, who battled a string of foot injuries over the past 12 months, played about 75 per cent of game time and was rested for the last 20 minutes.

The former No.1 draft pick featured predominantly in attack, kicking the Blues' first goal of the game. 

He had four touches, three marks, two goals and five hit-outs to half-time. 

Small forward Troy Menzel was lively in attack following a hamstring injury scare last week, booting two goals in the Blues' 18-point win.

Defender-turned-forward Matthew Watson was the focal point with three majors, while speedster Jason Tutt had 29 touches.

Collingwood

State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Collingwood - Saturday May 9, 6pm, Queen Elizabeth Oval

Magpie youngsters Ben Kennedy and Jordan De Goey continued their good recent form in the Pies' nine-point victory. 

Livewire Alex Fasolo offered a strong presence in attack and booted three goals, including his side's first major of the match. 

Midfielder Clinton Young sat out the game after sustaining a hamstring injury in the VFL last weekend.

Essendon

State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Essendon - Sunday May 10, 2pm, Piranha Park

Rookie Kurt Aylett was named among the Bombers' best-performed players along with defender Shaun Edwards and on-baller Nick O'Brien.

Young backman Jason Ashby and rookie Shaun McKernan were rested for most of the second half, but were also named among the best in the 26-point win.

Rookie Jake Long, the son of Essendon champion Michael, sustained a suspected hand injury midway through the second quarter and didn't take any further part in the game.

Fremantle

State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v Subiaco - Saturday May 9, 2.15pm, Bendigo Bank Stadium

Docker utility Tendai Mzungu was reported for rough conduct for a suspected spear tackle on Kyle Halligan in the third term of Peel's 60-point defeat. 

The report overshadowed an otherwise positive night for Mzungu, who was named his side's best with 28 touches (11 kicks, 17 handballs) and five tackles. 

Big man Jack Hannath dominated in the ruck with a game-high 41 hit-outs, while draftee Lachie Weller (27 touches), rookie Jacob Ballard (25) and on-baller Tommy Sheridan (22) also featured heavily.

Geelong

State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Collingwood - Saturday May 9, 6pm, Queen Elizabeth Oval

Irishman Padraig Lucey, who was recruited by the Cats after taking part in the reality television series The Recruit, booted an equal match-high four goals in his team's nine-point loss.

Ruckman Dawson Simpson and midfielder George Horlin-Smith, who were dropped for the Cats' round six clash with Collingwood, were named among the best players. 

Another omitted Cat, Josh Walker, registered two goals.

Gold Coast

State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Southport - Saturday May 9, 1.30pm, Metricon Stadium

Suspended trio Harley Bennell, Brandon Matera and Trent McKenzie took the first step towards regaining respect at the Suns with dominant performances against Southport in the NEAFL.

Bennell had 40 touches, kicked two goals and had 10 clearances to be the best player on the ground as the Suns defeated Southport by 14 points.

He received great support from Matera, who kicked three goals and had 28 touches while McKenzie kicked two goals and had 18 disposals.

Small forward Tyrone Downie also kicked five goals for the Suns and Danny Stanley had 38 touches.

GWS

State league affiliate: UWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: UWS Giants v Sydney Swans - Saturday May 9, 12.55pm, Spotless Stadium

Defender Tim Mohr ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for a second time.

The 26-year-old, who first tore his left ACL in the round 18 clash against Geelong last July, made a comeback from his first serious knee injury last month.

Talented midfielder Josh Kelly showed his class in the NEAFL, dominating with 39 touches, 12 tackles and a goal in the Giants' seven-point win over the Sydney Swans reserves.

Jed Lamb was dangerous up forward and Jack Steele once again played well, further pushing his claims for senior selection.

Jake Barrett's consistent form continued and first-year player Caleb Marchbank also played well.

It was a good win by the Giants who were down to two on the bench from midway through the second quarter.

Hawthorn

State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Werribee - Sunday May 10, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval

With the Hawks trailing by a goal, young forward Dallas Willsmore had a chance to tie the match with a set shot from 45m out after the siren, but failed to convert.

The Hawks registered a total of six goals in the five-point loss, with AFL-listed players David Hale, James Sicily, Sam Grimley and Daniel Howe booting one each in a low-scoring affair.

Melbourne

State league affiliate: Casey Scorpions (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Scorpions v Sandringham - Saturday May 9, 12.12pm, Casey Fields

The Casey Scorpions hung in the contest against Sandringham until three-quarter time with Viv Michie and Jack Grimes (28 touches each) winning plenty of the ball but they could not tilt the game in their team's favour.

Big ruckman/forward Max Gawn had chances inside 50 but could not convert regularly enough. He took 11 marks and had 19 disposals in the Scorpions' 34-point loss to the Zebras.

North Melbourne

State league affiliates: Werribee, North Ballarat (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Werribee - Sunday May 10, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval; Richmond v North Ballarat - Saturday May 9, 11am, Punt Road Oval

Defender Aaron Mullett got through unscathed in his first competitive match since undergoing shoulder surgery in January.

The 23-year-old was eased into his first hit-out, finishing with 14 touches after taking part in the second half of the game.

North Ballarat's defence was under pressure all day against Richmond and although defenders Sam Durdin and Joel Tippett conceded goals the damage could have been worse, but for their gallant efforts in the 82-point loss. 

Port Adelaide

State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Sturt - Saturday May 9, 2.10pm, Alberton Oval

Defender Jarman Impey made a solid return from a hamstring injury in the Magpies' eight-point win over Sturt on Saturday.

In a hard fought match, Port Adelaide's small forward Jake Neade kicked two goals and Karl Amon once again put his name in front of the selectors with a 20-disposal game.

Richmond

State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v North Ballarat - Saturday May 9, 11am, Punt Road Oval

Key forward Ty Vickery kicked three goals in the Tigers' 82-point win over North Ballarat at Punt Road's ME Bank Centre on Saturday.

Ruckman Shaun Hampson also showed good form with 41 hit-outs and young tall Liam McBean had an excellent game with five goals.

All three will come under consideration for next week's game against Collingwood if the Tigers' key forward Ben Griffiths doesn't recover from concussion he suffered against North Melbourne in Hobart.

The usual suspects Matt McDonough and Matt Arnot were also solid.

St Kilda

State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Scorpions v Sandringham - Saturday May 9, 12.12pm, Casey Fields

Sandringham had a comfortable 34-point win over Casey Scorpions in Cranbourne with midfielder Tom Curren gaining 33 possessions.

Veteran Sam Gilbert played well for the Zebras as he pushes towards a return.

Paddy McCartin was goalless but had 10 touches and Blake Acres was also impressive kicking two goals and grabbing 23 touches after being dropped back to the VFL.

Sydney Swans

State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: UWS Giants v Sydney Swans - Saturday May 9, 12.55pm, Spotless Stadium

Jack Hiscox kicked three goals and Dean Towers kicked two, while Harry Cunningham battled in the midfield in the Swans' two-point loss to the Giants' reserves.

Harry Marsh was again the Swans' best player and young Zak Jones showed good signs.

West Coast

State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: West Perth v East Perth - Saturday May 9, 2.15pm, HBF Arena

Ruckman Scott Lycett responded well to being dropped from the Eagles' round six team with a dominant display in the ruck and up forward.

Despite the 38-point loss, the big man gathered 20 touches, 34 hit-outs and was the game's leading goalkicker with three majors. 

On-baller Mark Hutchings showed his class in the midfield in the first three quarters, finishing with 26 disposals (18 kicks, eight handballs).

Father-son recruit Alec Waterman accumulated 28 touches (16 kicks, 12 handballs) and defender Patrick McGinnity had 24 disposals (15 kicks, nine handballs).

West Perth kicked the last 12 goals of the match, overcoming a seven-goal deficit in the third quarter to produce a stunning 80-point turnaround.

Western Bulldogs

State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Bye

All times are local