State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Adelaide - Saturday, July 8, 2.40pm, Alberton Oval

Draftee Elliott Himmelberg showcased his potential against Port Adelaide, booting four goals in his team's 58-point loss.

The younger brother of Greater Western Sydney's Harrison, Himmelberg and fellow draftee Jonathon Beech (two goals) booted three-quarters of their team's goals.

Half-back Paul Seedsman was the team's leading ball-winner with 29 possessions, six inside 50s and a goal, alongside Harrison Wigg (25 and four rebound 50s) and draftee Jordan Gallucci (24 and seven inside 50s).  

The Crows were smashed in inside 50s (32-55) on their way to the 17.10 (112) to 8.6 (54) loss.

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

State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Aspley v Brisbane Lions - Saturday, July 8, 1.30pm, Graham Road 

Young forward Josh Schache booted five goals in his team's 121-point win over Aspley, giving him two bags of five in his past three games.

Schache, who booted four goals in the first half, was his team's best player as the recently re-signed forward pushed for a return to AFL level.

Big-bodied midfielder Jarrad Jansen was also excellent booting four goals from 17 possessions and laying seven tackles. He is yet to feature at AFL level this season.

Midfielders Jake Barrett (34 possessions) and Ben Keays (25) won plenty of the footy, while utility Marco Paparone (31 and eight marks) was influential.  

The Lions dominated possession (369-235) on the way to the big win, 25.16 (166) to 6.9 (45).

Nine things we learned from round 16

State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Port Melbourne - Saturday, July 8, 2.10pm, Preston City Oval 

For the second straight week, midfielder Blaine Boekhorst amassed 36 possessions, despite the Blues tubmling to a loss.

The 23-year-old was omitted from the senior squad ahead of the round 15 loss to Adelaide.

Boekhorst, who also kicked a goal at the start of the last quarter, finished 14 disposals ahead of his next Carlton teammate, midfielder Billie Smedts (22 touches).

Forgotten tall Kristian Jaksch had 17 disposals, rookie Andrew Gallucci kicked two of his side's nine goals for the match and axed forward Liam Sumner chimed in with a goal. 

State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Collingwood - Saturday, July 8, 1pm, Simonds Stadium

Draftee Kayle Kirby booted four goals for Collingwood to put his name forward for senior selection if the Magpies look to the future for the remainder of the season.

Kirby, who kicked six goals against Sandringham five weeks ago, was the difference in a 26-point win for the Magpies.

Midfielder James Aish was also impressive in the midfield after two weeks out of the senior team.

Jarryd Blair, Rupert Wills and Aish, who also kicked a nice checkside goal, controlled the midfield in the road win at Simonds Stadium.

The sour note for the Magpies was a lower leg injury for Ben Crocker, while the Pies were pleased with Chris Mayne's performance.

After the siren: Saints go from pretenders to contenders

State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: North Ballarat v Essendon - Sunday, July 9, 1pm, Eureka Stadium

Forward Jayden Laverde took another encouraging step forward in his second game back since overcoming ankle surgery, kicking three goals to go with 23 disposals in the Bombers' 54-point win.

The 21-year-old, who had surgery in March to repair the ankle injury he suffered in the final JLT Community Series match, presented well across half-forward despite missing a couple of chances to add to his goal tally.

Midfielder Ben Howlett generated scoring opportunities with 28 disposals and a goal, draftee Kobe Mutch had 23 touches and forward Jackson Merrett matched last week's efforts with another three majors.

State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: West Perth v Peel Thunder - Saturday, July 8, 2.15pm, HBF Arena

Forward Matt Taberner kicked a career-high six majors in Peel's 30-point win – four of them in the last quarter.

The 24-year-old also reeled in 13 marks and 25 possessions to be the dominant figure in attack ahead of Cameron Sutcliffe (23 disposals, four goals).

Second-year defender Sam Collins provided a steady hand in the backline three weeks after being omitted from the Dockers' line-up, collecting 25 touches and 12 marks.

Young midfielder Harley Balic (25 disposals, 10 marks) made his first appearance since taking nearly two months of personal leave and registered the opening goal of the match, while fringe ruckman Jon Griffin had 42 hit-outs and kicked a goal.

Meanwhile, onballer Josh Deluca (20 disposals, four tackles) was reported for striking in the opening term.

Fantasy form watch: Blue a snout contender

State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Collingwood - Saturday, July 8, 1pm, Simonds Stadium

Young defender Ryan Gardner was the most impressive of Geelong's AFL-listed players in a 26-point loss to Collingwood, spoiling well and even pushing forward for a goal.

Esava Ratugolea was also lively and kicked a goal, while the Cats were pleased with fellow rookie Jamaine Jones, who is finding his feet in his first season. 

The Cats lost 11.10 (76) to 7.8 (50).

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

State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v Gold Coast - Saturday, July 8, 12.55pm, SCG

Ruckman Daniel Currie booted two of his team's four goals in a 107-point loss to Sydney, taking eight marks and laying six tackles.

Suns midfielder Mitch Hallahan won a team-high 29 possessions on a tough day, while draftee Will Brodie racked up 25.

Half-back Matt Shaw had 20 possessions and six tackles, but there were few standouts for the Suns in the 21.10 (136) to 4.5 (29) loss.  

State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Southport v GWS Giants - Saturday, July 8, 12pm, Fankhauser Reserve 

Only four AFL-listed Giants ran out for the team against Southport, with the team losing 18.10 (118) to 7.6 (48).

Ruckman Dawson Simpson (14 possessions and five tackles) gave his team a 68-49 advantage in hit-outs.

The others to get a run were Will Setterfield (14 possessions), Matthew Flynn (14) and rookie Jake Stein (11) in an injury-hit GWS team. 

State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Williamstown - Sunday, July 9, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval 

Draftee Harry Morrison was named the Hawks' best in their 45-point loss courtesy of his ability to continually thwart Williamstown's attacks.

Morrison, the Hawks' first selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft at pick No.74, collected 21 touches, laid 10 tackles and took six marks.

Rookie Oliver Hanrahan (17 disposals), wingman Dallas Willsmore (equal team-high 24 disposals) and youngster James Cousins (24 disposals, seven marks) were the other notable performers, registering a goal each.

Forward Ty Vickery (12 disposals) also finished with a goal after a tumultuous week in which he was arrested, and later released without charge, as part of an extortion investigation.

State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Casey Demons - Saturday, July 8, 1pm, Holm Park Recreation Reserve

Former co-captain Jack Trengove continued his push for an AFL return with 31 possessions in Casey's 28-point loss to Richmond.  

Ben Kennedy was the Demons' leading ball-winner with 32 possessions and one goal, impressing after he was ruled ineligible for selection last week because of a drinking session.  

Category-B rookie Corey Maynard won 25 possessions and kicked a goal as he pushes to make his debut.

A disappointing Casey kicked just one goal in the first half but rebounded to win the second half, finishing with 7.6 (48). 

State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Werribee - Saturday, July 8, 2pm, Piranha Park

Hard-running rookie midfielder Will Fordham continued his good patch of form, leading the stats sheet for the North-listed players with 22 touches in the 18-point win. 

Fordham, who is yet to debut since being recruited with pick No.33 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft, was the only Kangaroo to feature in Werribee's best. 

Ruckman Braydon Preuss had a solid first half, accumulating 25 hit-outs, nine kicks, five marks and kicking a goal. 

The 22-year-old was named in the Roos' extended 25-man squad for the clash with Fremantle. 

Omitted ball-winner Ryan Clarke (20 disposals) responded well and showed his class by receiving a handball and slotting a goal in the pocket early in the second quarter.

State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Adelaide - Saturday, July 8, 2.40pm, Alberton Oval

Billy Frampton dominated the airways against Adelaide's VFL team, taking 10 marks and booting three goals in an impressive performance for the third-year tall, who is yet to debut at AFL level.

Matthew Lobbe took the bulk of the ruck work and won his position with 31 hit-outs, while Brendon Ah Chee (23 possessions, seven marks and five inside 50s) and Aaron Young (33, eight tackles and a goal) were strong contributors. 

Mature-age recruit Brett Eddy kicked three goals for Port in the 17.10 (112) to 8.6 (54) win. 

State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Casey Demons - Saturday, July 8, 1pm, Holm Park Recreation Reserve

Nick Vlastuin returned after being managed last week, playing across half-back and tackling strongly.

Callum Moore also returned from an ankle injury and impressed, kicking two goals and showing plenty of dash.

Tall forward Todd Elton booted two goals and won plenty of the ball, improving his selection chances if the Tigers opt for tall reinforcements in the coming weeks.

Midfielder Corey Ellis (24 possessions and a goal), defender Nathan Broad (27) and first-year on-baller Jack Graham (22) were impressive, with Jacob Townsend winning a team-high 34 possessions. 

The VFL Tigers won their fourth consecutive match, beating Casey by 28 points in Beaconsfield. 

State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Footscray - Sunday, July 9, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval

Axed midfielder Luke Dunstan wasn't overly damaging in the 49-point loss but still gathered a lot of the ball, finishing with 32 disposals and two goals – both team-highs.

However, the 22-year-old looks set to come under scrutiny after being reported for an incident involving Bulldogs midfielder Lukas Webb.

Defenders Brandon White (25 disposals, one goal) and Nathan Wright (one goal) overcame their respective concussion and calf concerns leading into the game and intercepted well, while midfielder Blake Acres (one goal) played a blinder until he was taken out of the game at three-quarter time. 

State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v Gold Coast - Saturday, July 8, 12.55pm, SCG

Ruckman Callum Sinclair impressed in his second week out of the senior team, booting five goals and racking up 20 possessions in a 107-point win over Gold Coast.

Forward James Rose was also prolific with 28 possessions and 4.1, while Brandon Jack kicked three goals to go with his 26 possessions.

Defenders Jeremy Laidler (32 possessions and 11 marks) and Aliir Aliir (27 and 11) also had big days.

The Swans increased their lead at every break to win 21.10 (136) to 4.5 (29).   

State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: Bye

 

State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Footscray - Sunday, July 9, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval

Key forward Travis Cloke made a successful return to competitive action, kicking three goals in Footscray's 49-point win.

The 30-year-old had not played at any level since taking an indefinite break over a fortnight ago to deal with mental health issues, and continued to train at the club when it became public.

He snapped a goal in the opening term and kicked his second just before quarter-time when he converted a set shot from a tight angle after being awarded a free kick.

Cloke kicked his third major from the square early in the second quarter and set up a couple of other goals as he drifted further up the ground.

Fellow forward Tory Dickson also kicked three goals, draftee Lewis Young stood out with his 25 touches and Josh Prudden contributed well and kicked one.

Midfielder Lukas Webb (one goal) had a day he'd rather forget after being reported in the first half and not having his usual output.