Adelaide

State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Eagles v Adelaide - Saturday July 23, 2.10pm, Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval

Running defender Paul Seedsman responded well to his demotion, gathering 23 touches in his side's 20-point loss to the Eagles.

The 24-year-old recruit, who made the switch from the Magpies at the end of last season, also impressed by taking 10 marks in tough conditions.

Midfield pair Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Mitch Grigg worked tirelessly to record their customary high numbers in the SANFL.

Ellis-Yolmen amassed a team-high 30 possessions, while Grigg ended with 24 touches and a goal.

Both have been unable to crack into the senior line-up this year despite their noteworthy form.

Youngster Harrison Wigg (25 disposals, 10 marks) played one of his best games for the year, while untried forward Harry Dear was the team's leading goalscorer with three majors. 

Ex-Giant Curtly Hampton (17 disposals) got through his third consecutive game unscathed.

Brisbane Lions

State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Southport v Brisbane Lions - Sunday July 24, 1.30pm, Fankhauser Reserve

There were very few positives for the Lions in their heavy 75-point loss, with omitted utility Ryan Lester the notable standout with 25 touches and two goals.

The defeat was compounded by injuries to Claye Beams (knee) and Josh McGuinness (hamstring) before half-time.

Yet-to-debut onballer Josh Clayton tried hard for his 21 touches and a goal, while midfielder Nick Robertson and promoted rookie Jackson Paine were the next major ball-winners with 20 disposals apiece.

The Lions kicked just four goals for the match.

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Carlton

State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Footscray - Sunday July 24, 2pm, Ikon Park

Swingman Andrejs Everitt had 20 touches and took 11 marks in the Blues' six-point win – his second straight game in the VFL since being axed after round 16.

On the back of his 38-possession, two-goal game last week, midfielder Mark Whiley was again in the thick of the action with a team-high 31 disposals. 

The former Giant has featured in just one game for the Blues this season against Gold Coast in round three.

Speedster Jason Tutt, who has also appeared in just one senior match this year, relished the cold and windy conditions to end with 28 touches. 

Forward Liam Jones and first-round draftee Harry McKay kicked three goals apiece, while Kristian Jaksch chipped in with two to round out the Blues' best.

American import Matt Korcheck kicked the sealer late in the match from a strong contested mark deep in attack.

Collingwood

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

Essendon

State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Essendon - Sunday July 24, 1pm, Simonds Stadium

In his second game back from a lengthy hamstring injury, top-up Bomber Jonathan Simpkin played a lone hand with 34 disposals in the 78-point loss. 

Fellow recruit James Polkinghorne (28 disposals), half-forward Jackson Merrett (24) and tagger Ryan Crowley (23) were also productive despite the one-sided contest. 

Crowley, Shaun Edwards and Sam Grimley kicked three of the Bombers' five goals for the afternoon.

Fremantle

State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Perth v Peel Thunder - Saturday July 23, 2.15pm, Cunderdin

Clancee Pearce collected 26 disposals and nine tackles in Peel Thunder's 11-point win over Perth.

Matt de Boer (24 disposals, eight tackles) and young gun Darcy Tucker (18 disposals), who were emergencies for Fremantle's game against Gold Coast, both played well.

Injury-prone forward Michael Apeness made his return from a fractured collarbone, finishing with 11 disposals, 14 hit-outs and two goals.

Ruckman Jack Hannath had 34 hit-outs to go with his 12 disposals, and Ethan Hughes picked up 21 touches.

Geelong

State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Geelong v Essendon - Sunday July 24, 1pm, Simonds Stadium

Injury-prone forward Nathan Vardy has suffered yet another setback in his quest to earn a senior call-up after injuring his lower leg in the Cats' 78-point win.

The 25-year-old required a stretcher after landing awkwardly early in the first quarter and took no further part in the match.

A Geelong spokesperson told AFL.com.au Vardy will have scans on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.

The clash marked Vardy's 50th appearance at VFL level.

In better news, speedster Darcy Lang (32 touches, two goals) was unstoppable and was joined in the Cats' best by Scott Selwood (31, one goal) and George Horlin-Smith (26), while forward Mitch Clark kicked three majors as he aims to build continuity.

Gold Coast

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

GWS

State league affiliate: Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney Swans v Giants - Saturday July 23, 10.05am, SCG

Lachie Whitfield finished with 26 disposals and a goal despite limited game time after missing last week with tonsillitis, as the Giants beat the ladder-leading Swans by 25 points.

He spent about 55 per cent of the match on the field and coach Brad Miller said Whitfield looked a class above. 

"We had to look after him. He's been a bit crook. When he was on, he definitely had some impact with his run and carry," Miller said.

Defender Matt Buntine had 27 disposals and 11 marks in a best on ground effort. Buntine has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.

"He just won critical one-on-one contests. (He was) really cool and calm under pressure. He probably saved three or four goals off his own bat," Miller said.

Buntine came off the field intermittently but played out most of the match.

Will Hoskin-Elliott notched up 29 disposals, 10 marks and two goals, using his work rate to great effect. Inside midfielder Jake Barrett recorded 40 disposals and eight tackles despite being tagged. 

James Stewart booted three goals, stand-in skipper Dawson Simpson impressed by shouldering the ruck load despite playing while ill, with fellow ruckman Tom Downie absent, and Tim Mohr was impressive in his return from a hamstring injury. 

Academy prospect Harrison Macreadie played as a third tall defender and used his agility well to move the ball away from congestion, collecting 19 disposals.

Hawthorn

State league affiliate: Box Hill (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Box Hill - Sunday July 24, 12.30pm, Punt Road Oval

Luckless midfielder Alex Woodward made a promising return in his first senior VFL game of the season, finishing with 25 disposals, seven tackles and a goal in the Hawks' 16-point loss.

The 23-year-old played in Box Hill's development team at the start of the month after overcoming his third knee reconstruction, but was then sidelined with a ruptured plantar fascia in his foot.

Fellow speedster Billy Hartung also played an important role in the tough conditions with a team-high 29 possessions.

Melbourne

State league affiliate: Casey Scorpions (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Scorpions v Sandringham - Sunday July 24, 11.40am, Casey Fields

Midfielder Jack Grimes didn't put a foot wrong after being axed from the Demons' squad, setting up the win in the second term and ending with 31 disposals in Casey's 46-point win.

AFL emergencies Ben Kennedy and Tomas Bugg, both of whom travelled to Perth with the senior squad, showed no effects of the long plane trip and were prolific with a game-high 34 and 27 disposals respectively.

Ball-winners Viv Michie (33 touches), Jack Trengove (28) and Clayton Oliver (28) dominated around the stoppages, while out-of-contract Demon Dean Terlich also performed well with four goals.

The win was soured by a right knee injury to big man Jake Spencer, who hobbled off the ground in the first term and sat out the rest of the game after trying unsuccessfully to return.

North Melbourne

State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v North Ballarat - Saturday July 23, 2pm, Avalon Airport Oval

Draftee Declan Mountford was named the Kangaroos' best player for the second consecutive week in his team's 11-point win.

After being assigned his first tagging role on Geelong's George Horlin-Smith last week, the 19-year-old was given another run-with role. 

Kangaroos development coach David Loader was pleased with Mountford's performance on his North Ballarat opponent.

"Dec was outstanding today. He had a big job on Nick Rippon … and he did a great job for the team," Loader told the club's website.

"(He) really went to work on Nick so (it was) another big plus coming out of the game this week for Dec." 

Mountford capped his afternoon with a clever snap in the third quarter, while second-year rookie Will Fordham used his run and carry ability and collected 15 disposals.

Port Adelaide

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

Richmond

State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Box Hill - Sunday July 24, 12.30pm, Punt Road Oval

Defender Bachar Houli got through unscathed in his long-awaited return from an 11-week wrist injury, ending with 24 possessions in his side's 16-point win.

The Tigers' VFL general manager, Daniel Hull, told AFL.com.au on Sunday Houli played predominantly on the wing and featured in about 75 minutes game time.

Midfielder Andrew Moore led the way for the Tigers with 28 touches, nine clearances and two final-quarter goals. 

Fellow midfielder Jacob Townsend also had 28 touches in a strong performance to go with his 11 inside 50s, eight clearances and eight tackles.

Rookie midfielder Adam Marcon continued his consistent run with 21 touches, while key forward Ty Vickery ended with 12 disposals and two last-quarter goals.

Half-forward Ben Lennon injured his ankle early in the match and will be assessed further in the coming days after being unable to return to the field.

St Kilda

State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Scorpions v Sandringham - Sunday July 24, 11.40am, Casey Fields

Speedster Jack Lonie and rookie midfielder Nick O'Kearney were the pick of the Saints-listed players, gathering 23 and 24 disposals respectively in their side's 46-point loss.

Utility Cam Shenton kicked two majors, including the goal of the day after laying a smother and unleashing a long bomb from well outside 50m.

Youngster Brandon White, who was taken at pick No.40 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, sustained a hamstring injury and took no further part from early in the second quarter.

Father-son recruit Bailey Rice didn't return to the field after receiving an accidental knee to the rib cage from teammate Tom Lee at ground level in the second quarter.

The youngster walked off gingerly holding his jaw and was assessed for concussion, although the exact nature of the injury remains unclear.

Sydney Swans

State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney Swans v Giants - Saturday July 23, 10.05am, SCG

Ted Richards notched up 18 disposals and five marks after being dropped from the senior team.

Nic Newman collected 29 disposals and five tackles but was wasteful in front of goal with 0.3 as the Swans lost to the Giants, 4.19 (43) to 10.8 (68). 

Ben McGlynn was another culprit in terms of kicking inaccurately, registering 2.3 among his 22 disposals. 

Ruckman Toby Nankervis impressed with 21 disposals and six tackles, while Colin O'Riordan had 23 disposals.

West Coast

State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: Claremont v East Perth - Saturday July 23, 2.15pm, Show Grounds

Axed utility Patrick McGinnity has bounced back in encouraging fashion, recording 27 disposals and a goal in the side's eight-point triumph over Claremont. 

The 27-year-old has been used predominantly as a forward in his three senior games this year, but ran freely through the midfield on Saturday afternoon.

Fellow demoted Eagle Mark Hutchings also produced a positive return with 24 disposals, 10 marks and six tackles.

Experienced defender Mitch Brown was shifted forward and bagged a goal, while youngster Tom Lamb had 24 disposals and eight marks to go along with his major.

Lewis Jetta was kept reasonably quiet with just 16 touches in his pursuit to find form.

Western Bulldogs

State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Northern Blues v Footscray - Sunday July 24, 2pm, Ikon Park

Midfielder Lukas Webb took the honours for the Bulldogs courtesy of his 32 possessions, seven tackles and two goals in the six-point loss. 

The 20-year-old looms as a potential replacement for injured pair Mitch Wallis (broken leg) and Jack Redpath (knee) following his standout game. 

Fellow onballer Mitch Honeychurch also re-entered selection calculations with his 28 disposals, while Jed Adcock and Nathan Hrovat were prominent with 26 touches and one goal apiece.

It was Hrovat's first appearance since injuring the AC joint in his right shoulder in the VFL early last month.

Defender Joel Hamling was withdrawn in the lead-up to the game and could replace Dale Morris (hamstring) should the veteran backman be unavailable to face Geelong on Friday night.