A couple of mid-season draftee shine, some classy Saints look ready to return to the AFL and a dropped Roo is underwhelming at VFL level.
VFL
With at least three forced changes for the Saints this week after some injury carnage, strong VFL form should be a good guide of who gets a call up. Jack Billings (129) was a cut above in the VFL with 32 touches and a goal, while Hunter Clark (85) was also busy with 24 touches. Cooper Sharman (100) was a threat up forward kicking 4 goals and Ryan Byrnes (74) had 26 touches.
An AFL debut looks likely for Massimo D’Ambrosio (101) after his 33 disposal outing for the Bombers on Saturday. The classy ball user is exactly what the Bombers need at AFL level. James Stewart (116) played up forward and kicked 3 goals, while Nick Bryan (104) was totally dominant in the ruck with 45 hitouts and a goal. Will Setterfield (117) put his hand up for an AFL recall after finding 34 touches and a goal, while Paddy Dow (103) was also busy with 27 touches and a goal. Mid-season draftee Will Hayes (93) also found plenty of the footy with 24 touches.
Former Eagle, Jarrod Brander (132) was everywhere for the Giants with 36 touches against the Roos. Braydon Preuss (82) split his time between the ruck and forward, finishing with 2 goals, 16 touches and 18 hitouts. Fellow ruckman Kieran Briggs (93) had a similar split with 19 touches, 1 goal and 10 hitouts. It was a pretty modest afternoon for Tarryn Thomas (64) who only managed 21 touches.
It was an impressive VFL debut for Josh Carmichael (107) with the new Pie collecting 23 touches and laying 10 tackles against the Demons. Callum Brown (123) was also busy with 30 touches and 12 tackles, while Caleb Poulter (98) had 25 disposals. Luke Dunstan (140) went full beast mode with 39 touches and a goal, while Trent Rivers (98) was good again in the VFL with 23 touches.
Around the grounds, Samson Ryan (110) proved the ruck stocks run nice and deep at Richmond with a 23 disposal, 40 hitout game against Werribee. First year player, James Tunstill (109) continues his great form for the Brisbane reserves with 27 touches and a goal, while James Worpel (118) remembered how to find the footy with 26 touches, 2 goals and 12 clearances for Box Hill.
SANFL
The big men were dominant for Port Magpies in the SANFL in their win over Central District. Sam Hayes (115) responded after being dropped having 33 hitouts, 17 touches and 9 marks. New recruit Brynn Teakle (77) split his time between forward and ruck, kicking 3 goals and having 10 hitouts. Mitch Georgiades (91) booted four goals, while Xavier Duursma (93) continues to find a bit of form with 22 touches and 5 tackles.
WAFL
Dom Sheed (106) looks all but certain to be back in the AFL next week after his 34 disposal outing in the WAFL on the weekend. That was his third game at State League level and now looks ready to return to the big league. Youngsters Luke Foley (82) and Patrick Naish (83) also found a bit of footy with 22 and 18 touches respectively.
He was probably unlucky to get dropped after last week and Lloyd Meek (121) showed he is still in excellent form with a dominant display in the WAFL. The big man had 44 hitouts and 21 disposals for Peel Thunder. Connor Blakely (122) had the footy on a string with 38 touches and Mitch Crowden (118) was really good once again with 26 touches and 8 tackles.
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