State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Norwood v Adelaide - Sunday, July 23, 2.10pm, Coopers Stadium

Untried third-year utility Harrison Wigg relished the wet conditions in the Crows' 25-point loss.

The 20-year-old controlled the midfield and gathered a team-high 27 disposals, seven inside 50s, five marks and four tackles.

Wingman Paul Seedsman had 22 touches and six marks, while veteran midfielder Scott Thompson added 19 disposals and could enter the selection frame should Brad Crouch (facial fracture) be unavailable.

State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane Lions v Redland - Sunday, July 23, 1pm, Gabba

There were several standouts for the Lions in their 18-point win, headlined by trio Jarrad Jansen, Claye Beams and Ryan Harwood.

Jansen led the stats sheet with a game-high 32 possessions, nine marks, four tackles and a goal in a near faultless display.

The 22-year-old was joined by Beams (30 disposals, seven marks) and Harwood (19 disposals, nine marks, four goals).

Harwood's game was made even more impressive given he sat out the entire first quarter. He went on to kick two goals in each of the third and fourth quarters.

In attack, youngster Liam Dawson (24 disposals) and rookie Blake Grewar (18 disposals) registered three goals apiece.

There was a total of 16 goals kicked in the last quarter.

Fantasy form watch: Pigs shouldn't be allowed to tag

State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: North Ballarat v Northern Blues - Saturday, July 22, 1pm, MARS Stadium

Veteran Dennis Armfield snagged two goals for the Northern Blues on a tough day as they lost to the previously winless North Ballarat by 26 points at Mars Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Billie Smedts and Daniel Gorringe were named in the best while Kristian Jaksch and Liam Sumner each booted a goal. 

The Blues kicked just one behind in the opening term as the Roosters snapped a 12-match losing streak, 11.9 (75) to 6.13 (49).

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

State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Collingwood - Sunday, July 23, 10.20am, Punt Road Oval

Draftee Kayle Kirby showed his potential and didn't harm his chances of earning a debut before the season is out, kicking two goals in A thrilling two-point win.

The 18-year-old, who was taken at pick No.50 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, was lively in the Magpies' attacking half.

Utility Tom Phillips was named his side's best courtesy of his three-goal game, big man Mason Cox kicked two goals and forward Chris Mayne applied pressure acts and booted a goal.

Draftee Sam McLarty, the No.30 selection last year, picked up an apparent knee problem, and omitted midfielder Matt Scharenberg was held over for Sunday's clash with West Coast.

VFL-listed midfielder Lachlan Tardrew kicked the match-winning goal late in the game.

State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Essendon - Saturday, July 22, 7pm, Casey Fields

Draftee Kobe Mutch shook off a first-quarter injury scare to be named the Bombers' best in their 16-point loss in windy conditions.

The 19-year-old appeared to be sore in the opening term and was attended to by a trainer, but the midfielder stood up and got through the game.

Forward Jackson Merrett kicked the Bombers' first goal of the match and could have had his second major soon after, but he missed a snap at goal.

Key position player Aaron Francis presented well and finished with a goal.

The 19-year-old, who has played two games at the top level this season, received treatment in the third quarter around his hip/stomach area but he returned. 

State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v Subiaco - Saturday, July 22, 2.40pm, Bendigo Bank Stadium

Forward Matt Taberner provided a target at both ends of the ground in Peel's 46-point loss, finishing with a team-high 25 disposals, 11 marks and two goals.

The only blemish on Taberner's game was a costly defensive turnover across the face of goal that resulted in a Subiaco major.

In his second match back from repeated calf issues, midfielder Harley Bennell was kept in check with five disposals and three marks, but emerged unscathed.

Half-forward Brady Grey had a busy first term and ended with 20 touches, seven marks and two goals, while defender Sam Collins (17 disposals, six marks) and ruckman Jon Griffin (43 hit-outs, 17 disposals) rounded out the leading Dockers. 

State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Sandringham - Saturday, July 22, 2pm, Simonds Stadium

Defender Jackson Thurlow picked up 29 disposals in Geelong's 27-point loss to Sandringham at Simonds Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Former Roo Aaron Black slotted three goals, including the first two of the game.

The Cats led at quarter-time but were unable to stop Sandringham, 16.17 (113) to 13.8 (86).

State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Southport v Gold Coast - Saturday, July 22, 1.30pm, Fankhauser Reserve

Midfielders Mitch Hallahan and Will Brodie pushed their claims for senior selection in Gold Coast's 58-point win against Southport at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Former Hawk Hallahan (36 disposals and a goal) and first-round draftee Brodie (30 and one major) were their side's leading ballwinners.

Meanwhile, Josh Schoenfeld snagged three goals.

Hallahan is yet to play an AFL game this season while Brodie, who was drafted with the ninth pick last year, has played just twice. 

The Suns led at every change to post a 14.14 (98) to 6.4 (40) victory.

State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney Uni v GWS Giants - Saturday, July 22, 2pm, Blacktown International Sportspark 

Star pair Brett Deledio and Stephen Coniglio made successful returns from calf and ankle injuries respectively in Greater Western Sydney's 13-point win against Sydney University at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday afternoon.

Coniglio racked up 36 disposals and kicked a goal in his return from ankle surgery.

Deledio played his first game in over a year, playing across half-back and on a wing, picking up 17 disposals.

GWS coach Leon Cameron told Melbourne radio station SEN on Friday night the plan was to see Deledio make his senior debut for the Giants in round 20.

"The plan really is, he's going to play about 50 or 60 per cent this weekend. We hope to up the ante to about 75 or 80 (per cent) and then if everything goes to plan, then we'll pick him for the Melbourne game," Cameron said.

Defender Harrison Himmelberg had 25 disposals and a goal in his return from a finger injury, while Isaac Cumming (27 disposals) and Daniel Lloyd (26) also won their fair share of the footy.

GWS extended its five-point lead at the final change to win, 12.12 (84) to 11.5 (71).

The run home: Your club's road to September

State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Werribee - Sunday, July 23, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval 

Young ruckman Marc Pittonet drew praise for his efforts against experienced North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein in the 45-point win.

The 21-year-old, who hasn't featured at the elite level so far this season, also kicked the Hawks' first goal of the afternoon in a match played in wet conditions.

Rookie Oliver Hanrahan and young onballer Teia Miles kicked two goals apiece, while forward Ty Vickery kicked one and also spent time relieving Pittonet in the ruck.

 

State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Essendon - Saturday, July 22, 7pm, Casey Fields

Midfielder Angus Brayshaw finished with 23 touches in the 16-point win and more importantly, emerged unscathed from his return to footy after seven weeks out recovering from concussion.

A helmeted Brayshaw had 11 touches in the third quarter alone, helping to stem Essendon's charge before the Demons kicked away in the final quarter.

Corey Maynard continued his impressive form with 27 possessions while Ben Kennedy (26) and Josh Wagner (23) were also prolific. Dropped big man Cam Pedersen kicked two goals.

However, the win was soured by an apparent injury to young defender Mitch White, who limped off the ground in the third term and took no further part thereafter.

State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Box Hill Hawks v Werribee - Sunday, July 23, 2pm, Box Hill City Oval 

Dumped ruckman Todd Goldstein did all that was required of him in Werribee's 45-point loss.

Despite the wet conditions, the 29-year-old tried hard to give his teammates first use of the ball competing against young Hawk Marc Pittonet and relieving ruckman Ty Vickery.

A Werribee spokesman told AFL.com.au on Sunday that Goldstein "did what he needed to do".

"He worked hard around the ball with his follow-up and all the basics that ruckmen pride themselves on," the club official said.

"He looked to do those as well as he could, and he certainly ticked that box."

Draftee defender Declan Watson returned from an ankle/shin injury and "showed some pleasing signs" against Vickery and VFL-listed forward Chris Jones, while small forward Lindsay Thomas had a good first half and ended with three goals.

"He played forward today after being trialled in defence a little bit in the AFL," the spokesman said on Thomas.

Forgotten forward Jed Anderson needed medical attention for a dislocated finger in the last quarter and returned with his fingers taped.

State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Port Adelaide v Glenelg - Sunday, July 23, 2.10pm, Alberton Oval

Hard-running utility Aaron Young collected 34 possessions and laid 11 tackles – both game-highs – in the Magpies' 50-point win.

Young onballer Brendon Ah Chee also put in a solid performance with 29 touches, seven marks and three goals.

Rookie Will Snelling (31 disposals, nine tackles), winger Karl Amon (28 disposals, 10 marks) and speedster Aidyn Johnson (11 disposals, three goals) rounded out Port Adelaide's leaders.

State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Collingwood - Sunday, July 23, 10.20am, Punt Road Oval

Tall Ben Griffiths' hopes of making an AFL comeback hit a roadblock after he suffered a right shoulder injury early in the second quarter of the Tigers' two-point loss.

It was the 25-year-old's second game back following a two-and-a-half-month layoff after repeated concussions.

Griffiths contested a centre bounce and followed up his efforts by attempting to tackle a Magpies opponent on the wing, only to injure his shoulder in the heavy contact.

Exciting small forward Tyson Stengle kicked four goals, while Taylor Hunt (three goals), forward Todd Elton (two) and midfielder Jacob Townsend (two) also contributed around the ground.

Speedy forward Shai Bolton looked dangerous with ball in hand, kicking the opening goal of the game with a clever snap across his body from the pocket.

 

Nine things we learned from round 18

State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Sandringham - Saturday, July 22, 2pm, Simonds Stadium

Nathan Freeman suffered a right ankle injury in the first quarter when a teammate fell into his leg, consigning the speedy midfielder to the bench for the rest of the game as Sandringham beat Geelong by 27 points at Simonds Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

There are thoughts it might be a rolled ankle but Freeman will be scanned during the week.

Meanwhile, David Armitage collected 22 disposals and laid three tackles in 60 minutes of game time as he came back from two separate groin operations.

Dropped pair Tom Hickey (28 disposals and one goal) and Mav Weller (27 and two) both performed well, while Josh Battle booted four goals after making his AFL debut against Essendon last week.

Irish rookie Ray Connellan finished with three goals and Nick O'Kearney had 29 disposals.

Sandringham overcame a 10-point deficit at the first break to post the 16.17 (113) to 13.8 (86) win. 

State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney v NT Thunder - Saturday, July 22, 3.45pm, SCG 

Maligned Sydney forward Kurt Tippett slotted five goals, collected 21 disposals and took 10 marks in his bid for promotion as the Swans crushed the Northern Territory Thunder by 146 points at the SCG on Saturday.

Will Hayward booted six goals and won 19 disposals.

Meanwhile, Jordan Dawson continued his ballwinning ways, racking up 40 disposals, 14 marks, eight tackles and slotting three goals.

James Rose also snagged three goals to go along with his 27 disposals.

Aliir Aliir had 22 disposals and a goal while Alex Johnson (16) continued his comeback from five knee reconstructions.

Tippett, 30, hasn't been seen at AFL level since round 10, with poor form and an ankle injury keeping him out of the senior team.

The Swans had only four goals to the first break but were dominant from then on, winning 25.24 (174) to 4.4 (28).

State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v South Fremantle - Saturday, July 22, 2.15pm, Sir Stewart Bovell Park

Experienced duo Chris Masten and Sharrod Wellingham stamped their authority for East Perth despite the 30-point loss.

Masten, who was omitted from the squad that took on Collingwood on Sunday, gathered 27 disposals and five marks, while Wellingham had 19 possessions and featured among the best players.

Yet-to-debut midfielder Luke Partington didn't stop running and picked up a team-high 29 disposals and kicked two goals.

Tall Fraser McInnes had 14 touches and ruckman Jon Giles accumulated 39 hit-outs, 12 disposals and booted a goal. 

After the siren: Meltdown torches Eagles' credibility

State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Coburg - Saturday, July 22, 1pm, VU Whitten Oval

Veteran Matthew Boyd racked up 36 disposals and booted two goals to push for a spot in a Bulldogs line-up still in the finals mix, as Footscray beat Coburg by 60 points at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon. 

Boyd, 34, has played one game for the senior team since round 13.

Key forward Travis Cloke kicked another bag of three goals. The former Pie, 30, took a break from football in June to deal with depression.

Lukas Webb finished with 30 disposals and four goals, with three of those coming in the first quarter.

He also snagged three goals a couple of weeks ago against Sandringham.