STATE Leagues around the country are heading towards the business end of the season, and we'll bring you a wrap of all the action.
Check out how your team fared in the VFL, WAFL and SANFL this weekend.
>> CHECK OUT THE VFL FIXTURE OR VFLW FIXTURE TO STREAM LIVE GAMES
State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: South Adelaide v Adelaide at Magain Stadium, Saturday August 9, 2.10pm ACST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Adelaide's clash
Midfielder Billy Dowling turned in a dominant performance as Adelaide cruised to a 27-point victory over South Adelaide on Saturday.
Dowling had a day out with two goals, 40 disposals, eight marks and three clearances.
Veteran Matt Crouch continued his strong form with 33 disposals, eight tackles and seven clearances, while in the ruck, Kieran Strachan starred with 39 hitouts, 16 disposals and five tackles.
Strachan also added a goal, as did Lachlan Sholl (24 disposals, five marks), Brayden Cook (14, seven) and Tyler Welsh (19).
After being omitted from the senior side, Brodie Smith responded with a solid showing, finishing with 22 disposals, nine marks and five tackles.
Charlie Edwards (19 disposals, seven marks) found plenty of the ball, as did first-year talent Sid Draper (23 disposals, seven marks, five tackles).
Luke Nankervis added 16 disposals and seven marks, while James Borlase (17 disposals, nine marks), Toby Murray (16 hitouts, 13 disposals, five marks), Jordon Butts (11 disposals) and Karl Gallagher (nine) were other AFL-listed players in action.
State league affiliate: Brisbane (VFL)
This weekend: Brisbane v Casey at Brighton Homes Arena, Saturday August 9, 11.05am AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Brisbane's clash
Oscar McInerney pushed his case for a return to Brisbane's AFL side for their finals campaign with a standout performance in the narrow VFL defeat to Casey on Saturday.
McInerney, who has battled injury throughout this season, had an eye-watering 13 clearances - seven more than anyone else - to go with 23 disposals, 26 hitouts and a goal.
Young midfielder Daniel Annable, the Lions academy player who will be drafted by the club in November, also impressed with 22 disposals, four tackles and six clearances in an eye-catching display.
Defender Luke Beecken led the way with 25 disposals and 13 marks, while key forward Ty Gallop kicked 2.1 to go with 3.3 from young Academy product Fergus McFadyen.
Young duo Shadeau Brain (17 disposals and six tackles) and Zane Zakostelsky (19 and eight marks) also made an impact as the Lions went down in a thriller.
In a see-sawing contest, the Demons moved to within one point of the lead late in the match when a shot on goal from Jack Billings trickled through for a behind. But the Lions were unable to keep hold of possession and the Dees surged forward again for Mitch Hardie to run into an open goal and give Casey the lead.
The drama wasn't over yet, though; the Lions went forward from the ensuing centre bounce and won a holding-the-ball free kick against Willem Duursma, meaning Curtis McCarthy lined up a shot after the siren. But his attempt from 20m out on an angle went wide and the Demons held on by four points.
State league affiliate: Carlton (VFL)
This weekend: Carlton v Gold Coast at Ikon Park, Sunday August 10, 11.05am AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Carlton's clash
Carlton will take a late-season positive out of Elijah Holland's sparkling return to football after a long absence for personal reasons, the forward finishing with 25 disposals, nine marks and one goal in the Blues' 24-point win over Gold Coast on Sunday.
Mitch McGovern was another returning from time out and the key position player performed strongly with 21 touches and 10 marks.
Doing what he does best, Jaxon Binns racked up the possessions with 24 and kicked a goal, as did Orazio Fantasia from 14 touches.
Young rebounding defender Harry Charleson and midfielder Lucas Camporeale had 24 disposals apiece, while veteran ruckman Marc Pittonet found the ball 15 times along with 17 hitouts and a team-high seven clearances.
Jordan Boyd (16 disposals), Alex Cincotta (13) and Rob Monahan (14) were the only other senior Blues in action.
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: No match
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, Saturday August 9, 12.05pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Essendon's clash
Veteran Kyle Langford returned from a quad injury and got through the 14-point loss to Geelong with 14 disposals and nine marks in a performance that will put at least a little smile on Brad Scott's face.
After impressing with strong early performances in the seniors Zac Johnson returned to state league level last week and was one of Essendon's best.
The 18-year-old backed that up with another big game, finishing with an equal team-high 26 disposals.
Running half-back Saad El-Hawli was also prominent with 21 touches and nine marks, while small forward Alwyn Davey had the ball 20 times and laid six tackles, but failed to hit the scoreboard.
Mid-season recruit Oskar Smartt was another returning to the twos and kicked one goal from 11 disposals.
Kayle Gerreyn (16 touches, seven marks), Archer Day-Wicks (14 disposals) and Rhys Unwin (12) were the only other senior Bombers in action.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v Perth at Lane Group Stadium, Saturday August 9, 2.30pm AWST
A dominant performance from ruck Liam Reidy wasn't enough to get Peel Thunder over the line against Perth.
Reidy was everywhere, finishing with 49 hitouts, a team-high two goals, 22 disposals, seven marks and six tackles in a monstrous performance.
James Aish was equally prolific with 36 disposals and eight marks, while Brandon Walker (23 disposals, five marks), Corey Wagner (20 disposals) and Hugh Davies (12 disposals, six marks) also impressed.
Up forward, Cooper Simpson was impactful with 28 disposals, seven marks and three tackles, while Quinton Narkle (16 disposals, three tackles), Jack Delean (14, five) and Will Brodie (11, six) kicked a goal apiece.
Josh Draper (12 disposals), Ollie Murphy (nine, six marks) and Charlie Nicholls (nine) were other Dockers in action.
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, Saturday August 9, 12.05pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Geelong's clash
There was a big plus for Geelong beyond its 14-point win over Essendon on Saturday, with veteran defender Jake Kolodjashnij getting through his first hitout on return from injury.
The veteran defender even kicked a goal from his nine disposals and could present as a handy senior inclusion by the time AFL finals arrive.
A few of the Cats' younger names were busy in the victory with Patrick Retschko and George Stevens each racking up 30 disposals, Stevens' numbers including seven tackles and a game-high 11 clearances.
Ted Clohesy had plenty to say with 28 touches, eight tackles, seven clearances and one goal.
Oli Wiltshire (12 disposals, seven marks), Jed Bews (15 disposals), Jay Polkinghorne (10), Joe Pike (nine), and Jacob Molier (nine) also each finished with one goal.
Young ruck Mitch Edwards had 13 touches and 14 hitouts, with fellow big man Toby Conway finishing with 10 and 21, along with five clearances.
Other senior Cats players included Keighton Matofai-Forbes (13 disposals), and rookies Xavier Ivisic (11) and Cillian Burke (eight).
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (VFL)
This weekend: Carlton v Gold Coast at Ikon Park, Sunday August 10, 11.05am AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Gold Coast's clash
A swag of Suns lined up for Gold Coast's VFL side on Sunday, and while it didn't help them to a win against Carlton, it was a valuable run for many as a first AFL finals series looms large.
Just as important were the Suns Academy kids running around, with likely top-five pick Zeke Uwland following 17 touches last week with 17 again, Nelson Beikoff-Smart racking up 25 disposals and eight marks, and Beau Addinsall slotting a goal from 19 disposals.
Ruckman Ned Moyle is ready to step in should skipper Jarrod Witts need a rest, Moyle finishing the 24-point loss with 19 disposals, 30 hitouts, one goal and a game-high 11 clearances.
Exciting first-year midfielder Leonardo Lombard impressed again with 26 touches and five tackles, but was off-line in front of goal, kicking 0.3 for the afternoon.
Jake Rogers also did plenty of hard work at the stoppages with eight clearances and team-highs in disposals (29) and tackles (seven), Tom Berry was equally busy with 23 touches, eight marks and a goal, and Sean Lemmens also racked up 23 disposals.
Veteran Alex Sexton kicked one goal from 19 touches and nine marks, Jed Walter kicked a goal from limited opportunities.
Caleb Graham was busy with 19 touches and eight marks, Lachlan Gulbin had 11 and seven, and Malcolm Rosas had 15 disposals, while James Tsitas (eight), Cooper Bell (four) and David Swallow (five) were quieter.
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (VFL)
This weekend: No match
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill v Footscray at Box Hill City Oval, Saturday August 9, 2.05pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Box Hill's clash
Out-of-favour midfielder Cam Mackenzie was busy in Hawthorn's 19-point loss to Footscray on Saturday.
Mackenzie collected 24 disposals, five tackles and six clearances in a prolific outing, while fellow mid Henry Hustwaite was equally as influential, finishing with 10 tackles and seven clearances to go with his 23 touches.
Sam Butler collected a game-high 27 disposals, five tackles and six clearances, Ned Reeves controlled proceedings in the ruck with 40 hitouts, three marks and two clearances, and Max Ramsden (11 hitouts, 16 disposals, four marks) provided strong support.
Down back, Jai Serong (26 disposals, nine marks), Seamus Mitchell (22, seven) and Bailey Macdonald (15 disposals) were busy.
Other AFL-listed players in action included Bodie Ryan (12 disposals), William McCabe (nine, three marks), Matt Hill (six), James Blanck (eight, five tackles) and Jasper Scaife (10, five marks).
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Brisbane v Casey at Brighton Homes Arena, Saturday August 9, 11.05am AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Casey's clash
Luker Kentfield led the way with four goals as Casey secured a thrilling four-point win over Brisbane on Saturday.
The Dees shared the spoils on the possession front, with Charlie Spargo (22 and six tackles), Taj Woewodin (21 and six marks), Kolytn Tholstrup (21 and six tackles) and Bailey Laurie (20 and four tackles) all getting plenty of the footy.
Tom Fullarton (22 disposals and nine marks) and Kynan Brown (21, five tackles and a goal) were also busy, while Jack Billings took a game-high 14 marks to go with 19 disposals and 1.2.
Top draft prospect Willem Duursma showed some good signs against much bigger bodies, finishing with 19 disposals and six marks.
In a see-sawing contest, the Demons moved to within one point of the lead late in the match when a shot on goal from Billings trickled through for a behind. But the Lions were unable to keep hold of possession and the Dees surged forward again for Mitch Hardie to run into an open goal and give Casey the lead.
The drama wasn't over yet, though; the Lions went forward from the ensuing centre bounce and won a holding-the-ball free kick against Duursma, meaning Curtis McCarthy lined up a shot after the siren. But his attempt from 20m out on an angle went wide and the Demons held on by four points.
State league affiliate: North Melbourne (VFL)
This weekend: North Melbourne v Frankston at Arden Street Oval, Sunday August 10, 2.05pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from North Melbourne's clash
The current knee injury to Nick Larkey has highlighted North Melbourne's need to find key forward support for the gun goalkicker, and there was at least some good news on that level in the Roos' 12-point VFL loss to Frankston.
Finnbar Maley kicked three goals from 14 disposals and seven marks, while highly-rated youngster Matt Whitlock had his opportunities, finishing with 2.3 from 13 touches and six grabs.
Former top-three draft pick Will Phillips was busy with 21 disposals, seven tackles and a team-high 10 clearances as he searches for another chance to find his spot at the higher level.
The only other senior Kangaroos in action were Kallan Dawson (17 disposals) and Wil Dawson (10).
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide Magpies (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Central District at Alberton Oval, Sunday August 10, 2.10pm ACST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Port Adelaide's clash
It hasn't been a great season for Jeremy Finlayson with just eight senior appearances, but the veteran put in a big game in Port Adelaide's 14-point win over Central District in the SANFL on Sunday.
Finlayson finished the game with 30 disposals, 15 hitouts, two goals and a massive 17 clearances, and could find himself back in favour to replace the injured Jack Lukosius.
Mid-season recruit Ewan Mackinlay also showed plenty with 21 disposals and seven marks, but was wayward in front of goal kicking 1.4.
Senior substitute on Saturday night, Christian Moraes backed up the next day with 24 touches and one goal, Josh Lai had 20 disposals, and retiring veteran Rory Atkins had 21.
Small forward Lachlan Charleson kicked two goals from limited opportunities, while rookie Dylan Williams kicked one from nine touches.
After being the substitute at AFL level the past two weeks Hugh Jackson headed back to the state league and had 16 disposals, Tom Anastasopoulos picked up 15, Logan Evans had 12, mid-season Harrison Ramm had nine and Jacob Moss finished with six.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Sandringham at Kinetic Stadium, Saturday August 9, 7.10pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Richmond's clash
Despite having just six AFL-listed players in its side, Richmond was too good in its 41-point win over Sandringham.
Key forward Jacob Koschitzke was the standout, finishing with a game-high four goals to go with his 27 disposals, five marks, eight clearances and 26 hitouts.
Utility Jacob Blight also contributed solidly, collecting 16 disposals, five marks and four tackles, while Steely Green (12 disposals, four marks, five tackles) was also among the ball-winners.
Josh Gibcus (12 disposals) and Kaleb Smith (seven) played a part, while Thomas Sims (six) finished the game early with an arm injury.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Sandringham at Kinetic Stadium, Saturday August 9, 7.10pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Sandringham's clash
Young ruck Alex Dodson was a dominant presence around the ground in Sandringham's 41-point loss to Richmond on Saturday night.
The 19-year-old notched up a game-high 41 hitouts alongside six clearances and 31 disposals.
Midfielder Jack Carroll was wasn't too far behind for best afield honours, gathering 34 disposals, 13 clearances and four tackles in the loss.
Former first-round pick Tobie Travaglia (21 disposals, eight tackles, three clearances), Angus Hastie (23 disposals, six marks, three clearances) and Liam O'Connell (19 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances) were also in the thick of the action.
Arie Schoenmaker was lively, collecting 18 disposals, six marks and a goal, while Isaac Keeler (five clearances, 10 hitouts), James Barrat (16 disposals, five marks) and Lance Collard (10 disposals, five tackles, five clearances) also contributed a goal each.
Veteran defender Zaine Cordy (17 disposals), midfielder Paddy Dow (17), and rookie defenders Angus McLennan (13, four tackles) and Eamonn Armstrong (seven) were other Saints in action.
State league affiliate: Sydney (VFL)
This weekend: No match
State league affiliate: West Coast (WAFL)
This weekend: East Fremantle v West Coast at The Good Grocer Park, Saturday August 9, 2.30pm AWST
Small forward Noah Long kicked three goals in West Coast's 17-point loss to East Fremantle.
Long also collected 17 disposals, five marks and had six tackles in yet another strong performance.
Tyrell Dewar responded strongly from his omission from the senior side, racking up a team-high 28 disposals and three marks to be among the most influential players on the ground.
Speedy midfielder Jayden Hunt found plenty of the ball, finishing with 19 disposals, while Jack Petruccelle was lively with 16 disposals and three tackles.
In the ruck, Bailey Williams dominated with 34 hitouts to go with 15 disposals and five marks in an emphatic response to his axing from the senior side.
Coen Livingstone (12 disposals, 13 hitouts), Jack Williams (six, four marks) and Loch Rawlinson (seven) all contributed one goal.
Young midfielder Lucca Grego was busy with 15 disposals, five marks and five tackles, while Jacob Newton (10 disposals, eight tackles) was also solid.
Harvey Johnston (16 disposals), Callum Jamieson (13, four marks), Malakai Champion (nine) and Harry Barnett (five) were other AFL-listed Eagles in action.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill v Footscray at Box Hill City Oval, Saturday August 9, 2.05pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE Check out all the stats from Footscray's clash
Athletic father-son product Jordan Croft slotted three goals as Footscray accounted for Hawthorn by 19 points.
Croft finished with 13 disposals, six marks and two clearances to go with his game-high haul.
Untried defender Michael Sellwood racked up 28 disposals, 10 marks and four tackles in a commanding display down back, while fellow defender Nick Coffield was influential with 27 disposals and eight marks.
Lachie Jaques (17 disposals, six marks, five tackles) kicked two goals, while Josh Dolan (11 disposals), Luke Kennedy (12) and Buku Khamis each added a goal.
Ryan Gardner (18 disposals, nine marks) and veteran Liam Jones (15 disposals, seven marks) were rocks in defence.
Midfielder Cooper Hynes impressed with 23 disposals, six marks and four clearances, Anthony Scott was again busy with 21 disposals and six marks, and Arthur Jones was his lively self with 10 disposals and five marks.
Defenders Zac Walker (15 disposals, nine marks) and Taylor Duryea (13, five) were kept busy, and Lachlan Smith had his work cut out for him in the ruck but finished with 24 hitouts to go along with five marks.
