Six things we learned from round 12
• After the siren: Why history says Demon fans should mark this date
• Fantasy form watch: round 12's Pig and Presti

Adelaide

State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Eagles v Adelaide - Saturday June 20, 2.10pm, Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval

Ricky Henderson made a successful return from pectoral and back issues, and collected 27 disposals in his first game at any level since round seven.

Ruckman Luke Lowden got through the 13-point loss with 16 hit-outs and two goals in his fourth game for the year after an Achilles injury.

Defender Sam Siggins, who has been sidelined since last month's Showdown because of injury and illness, had 13 touches and took five marks.

Jarryd Lyons picked up 29 touches and kicked a goal, which follows on from his best-on-ground performance in the SANFL before last week's bye.

Brisbane Lions

State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Eastlake v Brisbane Lions - Saturday June 20, 12pm, StarTrack Oval

Brent Staker kicked three goals in his first game since round five.

The 31-year-old was making his first appearance since he tore a hamstring against Gold Coast in just his second AFL game for the year.

Ryan Harwood was another prolific Lion in the team's 10-point loss, while Harris Andrews and Sam Mayes were in the best after being omitted from the senior side.

Carlton

State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Werribee Tigers - Saturday June 20, 2.15pm, Ikon Park

Defender Michael Jamison made an encouraging return from a calf injury that has kept him out since round five.

The 29-year-old played well on North Melbourne-listed tall Majak Daw and picked up nine touches, two marks and conceded one goal in about 60 per cent game time.

"From (Jamison's) point of view, he would've liked to have touched the ball a bit more but … we thought he played his role throughout the day on Majak and a couple of other guys, and getting him through was the main thing," Carlton's VFL and development coach Luke Webster told AFL.com.au. 

"Hopefully he can put himself up (for AFL selection) next week or the week after."

Matthew Watson booted six goals in the Blues' thrilling four-point win, while Mark Whiley collected 28 possessions.

David Ellard (28) and Blaine Boekhorst (26) were also prolific ball winners along with Nick Holman (22).

Former Bulldog Jason Tutt had 21 touches after a quiet AFL game last week against Adelaide.

Jamison already showing his quality: halving contests with Daw and rebounding well. #PJVFL #JamoWatch

— Northern Blues FC (@NBluesFC) June 20, 2015

 

Collingwood

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

Essendon

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

Fremantle

State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Bye

Geelong

State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Geelong - Saturday June 20, 2pm, Piranha Park

Ruckman Dawson Simpson (left shoulder) and midfielder Billie Smedts (collarbone) both made encouraging comebacks from injury in the Cats' 30-point win.

"Both Dawson and Billie got through really well and really helped the team," Geelong's VFL coach Paul Hood told AFL.com.au.

"Dawson looked strong from his return from his shoulder injury and Billie was fantastic around the ball and improved as the game went on."

Goals: Blease 2, Read 2, Gibbs 2, Hollmer, Close, Maas, Rees, Burchell, Paliouras Best: Tudor, Robinson, Atkins, Smedts, Gibbs, Sheringham

— Geelong VFL (@GeelongVFL) June 20, 2015

 

Gold Coast Suns

State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye

GWS Giants

State league affiliate: UWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Ainslie v UWS Giants - Saturday June 20, 12pm, Alan Ray Oval

Small forward Jed Lamb was the focal point in attack with four goals in the Giants' 65-point win.

Fellow forward Patrick McKenna, who captained Australia's under-19 cricket team during its tour of Sri Lanka last year, booted three goals, while ruckman Tom Downie and Will Hoskin-Elliott added two each.

Tall Jeremy Finlayson, 177cm midfielder Liam Sumner, first-round draft pick Paul Ahern and rebounding defender Curtly Hampton were also named among the Giants' best players.

Hawthorn

State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Williamstown v Box Hill Hawks - Sunday June 21, 2pm, Burbank Oval

Forwards James Sicily and Sam Grimley took the honours with five goals apiece in the Hawks' emphatic 62-point win.

Ruckman Ben McEvoy (hamstring), defender Matt Spangher (hamstring) and midfielder Will Langford (calf) again featured at VFL level after overcoming their respective injuries before the Hawks' bye round.

"Spangher was a ripper for us, he took seven or eight marks from opposition (kicks) inside our defensive 50. His impact in the air and then when it hit the ground was really effective," Box Hill coach Marco Bello told AFL.com.au.

"(McEvoy) played about 60 per cent of ruck and did 30-40 per cent forward. He was the catalyst for us to be able to win our hands on the footy.

"Langford started a little bit slowly, but as the game went on he kept on getting better and better. (He) affected the opposition with his strength and … had 25-odd touches himself."

Utility Brendan Whitecross and on-baller Alex Woodward rounded out the even spread of contributors for the Hawks.

"That was Whitecross's best game for the year, so he's slowly been able to get back to playing some good footy," Bello said.

Melbourne

State league affiliate: Casey Scorpions (VFL)
This weekend: North Ballarat v Casey Scorpions - Saturday June 20, 1pm, Eureka Stadium

Young forward Jay Kennedy-Harris kicked two majors in Casey's 20-point loss.

Veteran ruckman Mark Jamar and fellow big man Jack Fitzpatrick were also among the Demons' best players.

VFL | Kennedy-Harris scoops up a loose ball and wobbles it through from 40 metres out! He's got our 2 and we lead by 3 points! #StingEm @VFL

— Casey Scorpions (@CaseyScorpions) June 20, 2015

 

 

North Melbourne

State league affiliates: Werribee, North Ballarat (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Werribee Tigers - Saturday June 20, 2.15pm, Ikon Park; North Ballarat v Casey Scorpions - Saturday June 20, 1pm, Eureka Stadium

Midfielder Ryan Bastinac responded well to his demotion with 29 touches (12 kicks, 17 handballs), five clearances and six tackles in North Ballarat's 20-point win.

Forward Aaron Black (19 touches) and Brad McKenzie (18) also found the ball, while defender Aaron Mullett (16) had a quieter game compared to his past fortnight.

For Werribee, big man Majak Daw was restricted to 10 disposals and three goals playing largely on experienced Carlton defender Michael Jamison.

Tall Mason Wood led the stats for the Roos-listed players with 23 touches, while livewire forward Kayne Turner had 18 disposals and kicked three goals.

Fellow forward Kieran Harper also booted three goals, while defender Luke McDonald finished with 14 touches in his second straight VFL appearance.

Port Adelaide

State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Bye

Richmond

State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Footscray - Saturday June 20, 12.12pm, Punt Road Oval

Defender Chris Newman lined up in his second VFL game after overcoming a groin injury and finished with 19 disposals in the Tigers' two-point defeat.

A Richmond spokesman told AFL.com.au Newman played out the full game across half-back and got through unscathed.

Mature-age recruit Kane Lambert made a promising return from a shoulder injury he sustained in his AFL debut in round two, accumulating 28 touches, eight clearances and a one goal in three quarters of game time.

After missing the Tigers' last game before the bye, defender Matt Dea was named among his team's better-performed players with 21 disposals.

Ruckman Shaun Hampson, who was expected to take the field, sat out for a third consecutive game.

St Kilda

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

Sydney Swans

State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye

West Coast Eagles

State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v East Fremantle - Saturday June 20, 2.15pm, Medibank Stadium

Midfielder Mark Hutchings was the Royals' leading ball winner with 31 touches (14 kicks, 17 handballs), six tackles and two goals in the 21-point win.

Former Carlton onballer Kane Lucas was named among the best players with 30 possessions (12 kicks, 18 handballs) and six marks.

Draftees Corey Adamson (16 touches) and Damien Cavka (11) made their debuts in the League squad.

Western Bulldogs

State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Footscray - Saturday June 20, 12.12pm, Punt Road Oval

Veteran defender Dale Morris made a successful return in his first competitive hit-out after a pectoral injury he sustained in round three against Hawthorn.

"(Morris) played about 80 per cent game time, which was what we expected," Bulldogs football operations manager Ben Graham told AFL.com.au

"His game wasn't measured on statistics - the main one was game time and getting him through his first hit-out in a couple of months. 

"The beauty of it is he got through the game unscathed and put himself into selection contention this week."

Big man Ayce Cordy registered six goals in an impressive display in the Dogs' gripping two-point win, while omitted onballer Lin Jong responded to his demotion in the best possible way with 28 touches.

Half-back Shane Biggs (31 disposals), midfielder Lachie Hunter (27) and youngster Mitch Honeychurch (24, one goal) were also solid contributors.

All times are local

Dale Morris gets his first touch in his return game. Great to see the general out there in defence!

— Footscray Bulldogs (@FootscrayVFL) June 20, 2015