Ben Hobbs made a compelling case for an Essendon debut after collecting 14 kicks, 10 handballs and 10 marks in their narrow VFL defeat to the Casey Demons.

Hobbs starred with a goal and four tackles as well, totaling 101 AFL Fantasy points, pressing his case for a game in the senior side that has endured an 0-3 start to the season.

Kaine Baldwin had less impact, managing only eight disposals with one mark and one goal.

Gold Coast had a handful of players put their hands up for a game in the seniors, led by SSP signing James Tsitas who accumulated 13 kicks and 12 handballs as well as nine tackles with two goals in a narrow win over Sydney.

Ex-Geelong midfielder Charlie Constable returned from injury with 12 kicks and eight handballs along with 14 tackles, while former top 10 pick Elijah Hollands had five kicks and 17 handballs.

Mitch Owens pressed his case for a St Kilda recall with 12 kicks, eight handballs and seven tackles along with two goals in Sandringham’s win over Richmond. Cooper Sharman, who may be competition for Jack Hayes, had minimal impact.

Players of note

Essendon

Ben Hobbs – 24 possessions, 10 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal (101 AFL Fantasy points)

Kaine Baldwin – 8 possessions, 1 mark, 2 hit-outs, 2 tackles, 1 goal (40)

Gold Coast Suns

James Tsitas – 25 possessions, 3 marks, 9 tackles, 2 goals (118)

Mac Andrew – 7 possessions, 2 marks (17)

Charlie Constable – 20 possessions, 3 marks, 14 tackles (115)

Elijah Hollands – 22 possessions, 4 marks, 1 tackle (66)

St Kilda

Mitch Owens – 20 possessions, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 2 goals (92)

Marcus Windhager – 31 possessions, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 2 goals (111)

Cooper Sharman – 6 possessions, 0 marks, 1 tackles, 0 goals (12)

Western Bulldogs

Robbie McComb – 0 possessions, 1 tackle (4)

Rhylee West – 33 possessions, 2 marks, 11 tackles (137)

Sydney

Will Gould – 18 possessions, 4 marks, 2 tackles (66)

Angus Sheldrick – 23 possessions, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 1 goal (93)

Richmond

Tyler Sonsie – 34 possessions, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 1 goal (135)

Maurice Rioli – 6 possessions, 5 tackles, 0 goals (34)

North Melbourne

Callum Coleman-Jones – 12 possessions, 2 marks, 20 hit-outs, 4 tackles (73)

Charlie Comben – 8 possessions, 0 marks, 4 hit-outs, 4 tackles, 1 goal (50)

Paul Curtis – 12 possessions, 6 marks, 1 tackle, 0 goals (50)

Melbourne

Kade Chandler – 22 possessions, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals (101)

Hawthorn

Ned Long – 20 possessions, 3 marks, 11 tackles (93)

GWS Giants

Matt Flynn – 19 possessions, 4 marks, 34 hit-outs, 2 tackles, 1 goal (104)

Leek Aleer – 10 possessions, 5 marks, 1 goal (46)

Geelong

Cooper Stephens – 25 possessions, 7 marks, 5 tackles (96)

Collingwood

Will Kelly – 11 possessions, 4 marks, 2 tackles (48)

Carlton

Jesse Motlop – 19 possessions, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 4 goals (98)

Brodie Kemp – 18 possessions, 3 marks, 4 tackles (68)

Brisbane Lions

Kai Lohmann – 20 possessions, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 5 goals (106)

Darcy Wilmot – 17 possessions, 6 marks, 1 tackle (67)

Port Adelaide

Ollie Lord – kicked 2 goals

Xavier Duursma – re-injured shoulder

Adelaide

Shane McAdam – kicked 3 goals

Sam Berry – 28 possessions, 9 clearances, 11 tackles, 1 goal

Fremantle

Sam Sturt – 5 goals

Jye Amiss – 3 goals