State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: West Adelaide v Adelaide - Saturday, July 15, 2.10pm, City Mazda Stadium

Experienced midfielder Scott Thompson picked up a team-high 22 disposals and booted a goal in Adelaide's 21-point loss to West Adelaide at City Mazda Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Thompson, 34, was dropped after last week playing his only game in the senior side for the season.

Troy Menzel and Myles Poholke each bagged three goals.

Wingman Paul Seedsman and former cricketer Alex Keath each collected 19 disposals.

The Crows led by three points at the final break but were overrun by the Bloods, 14.13 (97) to 12.4 (76).

Forecast the road to the flag with the AFL Ladder and Finals Predictor

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

State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Northern Blues - Saturday, July 15, 2.10pm, Windy Hill

Young defender Harrison Macreadie finished with 25 disposals and five marks in a tough day for the Northern Blues at Windy Hill on Saturday afternoon as they fell to Essendon by 81 points. 

One of the few bright moments was a brilliant speccie for Jarrod Pickett, who ended the game with one goal.

Essendon was restricted to four goals in the first half before the Bombers romped away, 16.15 (111) to 4.6 (30).

State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Williamstown - Saturday, July 15, 1pm, Victoria Park

A head knock ended James Aish's day in the third quarter and ruled him out for the rest of Collingwood's 60-point loss to Williamstown at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon.

Defender Jackson Ramsay impressed, while big-bodied midfielder Rupert Wills continues to press for senior selection with another good game.

Wingman Tom Phillips played three quarters after illness kept him out of the AFL side last week.

Chris Mayne and Kayle Kirby each kicked a goal as Williamstown ran out comprehensive 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (70) winners.

State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Northern Blues - Saturday, July 15, 2.10pm, Windy Hill

A six-goal haul for Jayden Laverde highlighted Essendon's 81-point win against Carlton at Windy Hill on Saturday afternoon.

Laverde also tallied 19 disposals.

It was just his third game back from an ankle injury that kept him out of the first half of the season.

Veteran Brent Stanton racked up 36 disposals, 10 marks, five tackles and two goals while Kyle Langford snagged four himself to go with his 26 disposals.

Aaron Francis notched up 22 disposals.

The Bombers put the match to bed with a nine-goal final term to record a 16.15 (111) to 4.6 (30) victory.

Nine things we learned from round 17

State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v Peel Thunder - Saturday, July 15, 2.15pm, Leederville Oval

Star midfielder Harley Bennell finally made his return from persistent calf injuries, emerging unscathed and collecting 12 disposals and a goal in Peel Thunder's 28-point win against East Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday aernoon.

Bennell, 24, played 60 minutes of game time in his first match at any level in more than a year.

Tall forward Matt Taberner booted five goals to go with his 27 disposals after booting six the week before.

Cameron Sutcliffe had 31 disposals, 10 tackles, eight inside-50s and a goal.

Peel ran out comfortable 12.7 (79) to 7.9 (51) winners. 

State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Footscray - Saturday, July 15, 7pm, Simonds Stadium

Defender Jackson Thurlow led the stats sheet for the AFL-listed players, finishing with 26 disposals and a goal in the Cats' 62-point loss.

Second-year utility Matthew Hayball collected 23 disposals, 200cm ruckman Ryan Abbott continued his good patch of form and forward Aaron Black added a goal in a tough night for the Cats.

Forward Wylie Buzza was kept goalless but laid eight tackles in his return to the VFL after being omitted from the Geelong squad that won over Hawthorn on Saturday.

The Cats kicked just six goals for the game and had four individual goalkickers. 

State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Redland - Saturday, July 15, 12.55pm, Metricon Stadium

Big man Keegan Brooksby booted six goals in Gold Coast's 77-point win against Redland at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

He also had 14 disposals, 10 tackles and nine marks. Brooksby, 27, has played 12 games in his AFL career. 

Darcy MacPherson notched up 31 disposals and three goals while Mitch Hallahan (30, one goal) and Will Brodie (27, one goal) were both influential.

The Suns trailed by 25 points at the first break but a nine-goal second quarter propelled them to a 21.15 (141) to 10.4 (64) win.

State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Sydney - Saturday, July 15, 3.45pm, Spotless Stadium 

Draftee Isaac Cumming won 33 disposals and took eight marks in Greater Western Sydney's 59-point loss against Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Last year's No.5 draft pick Will Setterfield picked up 29 disposals and kicked a goal in another impressive performance.

The Giants trailed at every break as Sydney won, 16.16 (112) to 8.5 (53).

State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v North Ballarat - Sunday, July 16, 12pm, Box Hill City Oval 

Midfielder Dallas Willsmore didn't harm his chances of earning another senior opportunity, finishing with 35 disposals and two goals in the 49-point win.

The 22-year-old made his debut against Sydney in round 10 and played the following week against Port Adelaide before being omitted.

Experienced campaigner Brendan Whitecross had 34 touches, while draftee defender Harry Morrison (23 disposals) and young onballer Teia Miles (21 disposals, one goal) rounded out the Hawks' major ball-winners.

In attack, forward Ty Vickery booted two goals – one of Box Hill's five multiple goalkickers for the afternoon.

After the siren: Is this Danger's 'senior' moment?

State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Bye

State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Richmond - Saturday, July 15, 2pm, Frankston Oval

Tough onballer Trent Dumont pressed his claim for an immediate return to the senior side after picking up 32 disposals, 12 clearances and eight tackles in Werribee's 102-point loss to Richmond at Frankston Oval on Saturday afternoon.

It was the first time Dumont had played in the VFL all season.

Lachie Hansen and Jed Anderson each slotted a couple of goals while Ben McKay booted one.

Richmond kicked eight goals in the opening term before recording a dominant 25.13 (163) to 9.7 (61) win.

State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Central District v Port Adelaide - Saturday, July 15, 2.10pm, My Money House Oval

Brett Eddy continued his consistent SANFL season with another three-goal haul, this time in Port Adelaide's 16-point loss to Central District at My Money House Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Only twice out of 12 matches this season has he booted fewer than three goals in a game. His season tally stands at 40.

Inside midfielder Brendon Ah Chee collected 24 disposals while Aaron Young had 23 disposals and a goal.

Port was held scoreless in the third quarter as the Bulldogs were victorious, 11.13 (79) to 10.3 (63).

The run home: How the race for the finals is shaping up

State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Richmond - Saturday, July 15, 2pm, Frankston Oval

Tall forward Ben Griffiths kicked two goals before being rested for the second half of his long-awaited comeback from concussion issues as Richmond dominated Werribee in a 102-point win at Frankston Oval on Saturday afternoon.

However, a suspected ankle sprain for tough midfielder Jack Graham soured the day for the Tigers.

Griffiths, 25, played the opening two games of the AFL season and has been concussed more than five times in his career.

It was his first match since April.

Small forward Shai Bolton pressed his claim for a recall with five goals while Ben Lennon snagged four himself.

Graham picked up 22 disposals, eight clearances and six tackles before he was injured.

Earlier this year, Graham was on the long-term injury list after suffering a fractured left ankle. A hamstring tendon issue also plagued him over the pre-season.

The South Australian was selected with No. 53 in last year's NAB AFL Draft.

Richmond had 12 individual goalkickers in its victory, 25.13 (163) to 9.7 (61).

State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Port Melbourne v Sandringham - Saturday, July 15, 2pm, North Port Oval

Luckless midfielder Nathan Freeman collected 18 disposals and a goal in his return from a back concern as Sandringham beat Port Melbourne by eight points at North Port Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Last week's game was the first time Freeman has missed this season. Hamstring injuries have kept him sidelined for much of his career since he was drafted by Collingwood at No.10 in 2013.

Blake Acres notched up 29 disposals and a goal while Luke Dunstan also pressed for a recall with 27 and one.

Big man Rowan Marshall, who was recently elevated from the rookie list, booted a couple of goals and was one of the best for the Zebras.

Mav Weller returned from a sore right ankle and finished with a goal.

State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Sydney - Saturday, July 15, 3.45pm, Spotless Stadium 

Forward Kurt Tippett had 12 disposals and four marks in a half (he was rested in the second half due to groin tightness) in his return from an ankle injury in Sydney's 59-point victory against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Jordan Dawson notched up 29 disposals and four goals while James Rose had a similar stat line, with 32 and three.

Others to be prolific were Brandon Jack (33 disposals), Harry Marsh (32 and one goal) and Jordan Foote (27).

Aliir Aliir slotted two goals and collected 13 disposals while Alex Johnson had six disposals.

Promising forward Will Hayward slotted two goals from his five disposals as the Swans won, 16.16 (112) to 8.5 (53).

State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v Peel Thunder - Saturday, July 15, 2.15pm, Leederville Oval

Luke Partington finished with 28 disposals and a goal in East Perth's 28-point loss to Peel Thunder on Saturday afternoon at Leederville Oval. 

Tom Cole collected 25 disposals himself as Peel beat the Royals, 12.7 (79) to 7.9 (51).

Eagles emergencies Sharrod Wellingham and Jack Redden were held over ahead of Sunday's Western Derby.

Meanwhile, Jake Waterman, who played his first competitive game since the first pre-season match after suffering foot stress fractures, had eight disposals in the WAFL reserves.

State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Footscray - Saturday, July 15, 7pm, Simonds Stadium

Dumped forward Clay Smith let his actions do the talking playing through the midfield, collecting an equal game-high 31 disposals and eight tackles in his side's 62-point win.

The 24-year-old, who is unlikely to get an immediate recall for Saturday's clash with Gold Coast, earned a short-lived call-up last weekend after playing three VFL games since overcoming a calf injury.

Midfielder Lukas Webb proved a class above with 27 possessions and a goal, and utility Josh Prudden wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty with 19 disposals across half-back.

Forward Tory Dickson kicked two goals, while fellow goalkicker Travis Cloke added a major in his second match since returning from mental health concerns.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said Dickson and Cloke would be considered to replace forward Jake Stringer, who suffered a left hamstring injury against Carlton on Sunday.

"I thought (Dickson) played really well against Geelong down there and he got some of his spark and spunk back," Beveridge said after the 20-point win over the Blues.

"Travis played pretty well. He seemed to enjoy last night … so, again, he'll be another player we'll consider."