Forgotten Sydney youngster Matt Roberts put his name up for AFL selection after 29 disposals in his second game back from injury, while Brodie Grundy was trialed forward in a VFL practice game.
Melbourne’s VFL side Casey Demons didn’t have a game this weekend but they organised a practice match against St Kilda’s reserves, where Brodie Grundy played primarily forward, but only managed one goal, with 16 possessions and six marks.
Grundy’s progress as a forward will impact his return to the AFL side and thus Max Gawn’s solo ruck role which proved points-friendly on Friday night.
In the VFL, Matt Roberts had 17 kicks, 12 handballs and seven tackles for the Swans in a 62-point loss to Footscray, with only Dylan Stephens (33 disposals) getting more footy for Sydney.
Roberts had eight clearances and seven inside 50s. Roberts hasn’t played in the AFL since Round 6 when he hurt his knee against Geelong, having played in five of the first six rounds. He returned in the VFL last weekend where he played managed minutes.
Mid-Season Draft selection Jack Buller was good with 23 disposals, nine marks and a goal, while Tom Hickey and Peter Ladhams were decent in the ruck by all reports.
Richmond’s Mid-Season Draftee small forward Kaelan Bradtke booted three goals in the VFL, pushing his case for an AFL debut, which could be forthcoming depending on the fallout from Maurice Rioli’s bench behaviour.
Essendon’s top 10 draftee Elijah Tsatas continued to push his bid for an AFL debut with a joint game-high 31 touches with 11 clearances and six marks in their VFL win over Geelong.
Aaron Hall continues to put on pressure for an AFL recall at North Melbourne after an outstanding 43 disposals and 11 marks in their narrow loss to Hawthorn.
Todd Goldstein was impressive for North too, with 28 disposals, 11 marks and 35 hit-outs although their opposition, Box Hill Hawks, were without a full-time ruckman.
Western Bulldogs
Harvey Gallagher – 2 goals, 29 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle (108 AF points)
Oskar Baker – 3 goals, 22 disposals, 5 marks (96 AF points)
West Coast
Xavier O’Neill – 32 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles (123 AF points)
Sydney
Matt Roberts – 29 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles (101 AF points)
Jack Buller – 23 disposals, 9 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal (113 AF points)
Lachlan McAndrew – 7 disposals, 2 marks, 7 hit-outs, 1 goal (33 AF points)
Richmond
Tyler Sonsie – 27 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal (98 AF points)
Kaelan Bradtke – 3 goals, 12 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle (65 AF points)
Port Adelaide
Hugh Jackson – 3 goals, 26 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles (126 Ranking points)
Quinton Narkle – 12 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles (64 Ranking points)
North Melbourne
Aaron Hall – 43 disposals, 11 marks, 2 tackles (147 AF points)
Todd Goldstein – 28 disposals, 11 marks, 1 tackle, 35 hit-outs (136 AF points)
Blake Drury – 14 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal (67 AF points)
Hawthorn
Changkuoth Jiath – 10 disposals, 4 marks (27 AF points)
GWS Giants
Cameron Fleeton – 25 disposals, 13 marks, 3 tackles (118 AF points)
Josh Fahey – 22 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles (81 AF points)
Geelong
Sam Menegola – 31 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles (113 AF points)
Fremantle
Ethan Stanley – 16 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal (58 AF points)
Essendon
Elijah Tsatas – 31 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles (104 AF points)
Kaine Baldwin – 26 disposals, 12 marks, 1 tackle (115 AF points)
Adelaide
Matt Crouch – 34 disposals, 12 tackles (124 Ranking points)
Elliott Himmelberg – 4 goals, 15 disposals, 4 marks, 28 hit-outs (111 Ranking points)
Harry Schoenberg – 29 disposals, 2marks, 11tackles, 2 goals (127 Ranking points)
Get all the Round 18 injury updates from the coaches, including Dunkley, Cameron, Laird and Butters updates. Read here
Find out all the Round 18 role changes with our analysis. Read here
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