AFL State Leagues and VFL: How your team's reserves fared during AFL round 3

Kieran Francis

AFL State Leagues and VFL: How your team's reserves fared during AFL round 3 image

Sydney superstar Lance Franklin is set to come back into the senior side after a week's rest, while St Kilda could be boosted by the return of Rowan Marshall.

Via the VFL, State Leagues or practice matches, AFL players who are not in the senior team are doing everything they can to catch the eye of their coach.

Sporting News investigates which players have put their hands up for selection in AFL round four.

Adelaide

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Adelaide (SANFL)

Adelaide 6.5 (41) lost to South Adelaide 14.18 (102) (SANFL Rd 1 - Fri Apr 2)

Jackson Hately gathered 25 disposals and 10 marks as he builds fitness to make his Crows debut after crossing over from GWS in the off-season.

Josh Worrell impressed in a defensive rebounding role, while Fischer McAsey took 10 marks as he stakes a claim for a senior return.

Livewire small forward Tariek Newchurch snagged two goals and Darcy Fogarty was again among the best players in a midfield-forward role.

Brisbane

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Brisbane (VFL)

Did not play because of COVID restrictions

Carlton

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Carlton (VFL)

Carlton 15.12 (102) defeated Williamstown 11.11 (77) (Practice match - Sat Apr 5)

Dropped defender Tom Williamson put forward his case for a recall with a best on ground performance in the VFL practice match.

Midfielders Liam Stocker and Matthew Kennedy were also among the best players.

Mitch McGovern - who has battled for consistency at senior level - kicked three goals in a forward role, while David Cuningham also caught the eye.

Collingwood

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Collingwood (VFL)

Collingwood 9.14 (68) lost to Richmond 14.12 (96) (Practice match - Sat Apr 5)

Darcy Cameron put his hand up for selection in Collingwood's forward line, kicking two goals and being best afield in the practice match.

Finlay Macrae - brother of Bulldog Jack - was among the best players as he pushes for a senior debut, while Levi Greenwood continues to build form and match fitness.

Nathan Wilson was named in the best for the third consecutive game.

Levi Greenwood

Essendon

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Essendon (VFL)

No information available on practice match against Sandringham.

There isn't likely to be many changes to the Essendon side that thumped St Kilda by 75 points at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Fremantle

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Peel Thunder (WAFL)

Peel Thunder 11.8 (74) lost to East Fremantle 15.16 (106) (WAFL Rd 1 - Fri Apr 2)

Exciting talent Sam Sturt returned from injury to kick five goals from 12 disposals in a dominant performance.

Connor Blakely had 19 touches but failed to impact the match, while Joel Western (13 disposals) and Taylin Duman (14 disposals) found a little bit of the ball.

Geelong

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Geelong (VFL)

No information available on practice match

There was no practice match for Geelong's VFL team this weekend.

Gold Coast

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Gold Coast (VFL)

No information available on practice match

There was no practice match for Gold Coast's VFL team this weekend.

GWS

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: GWS (VFL)

No information available on practice match

Three consecutive losses will likely see the Giants look to swing the changes ahead of the senior team's match against Collingwood.

Tom Green

Hawthorn

STATE LEAGUE AFFILATE: BOX HILL (VFL)

Box Hill 17.14 (116) defeated Northern Bullants 10.8 (68) (Practice match - Sun Apr 4)

Emerson Jeka kicked six goals in a dominant role up forward as he looks to crack his first senior match at Hawthorn.

Ball magnet James Cousins got a heap of the ball, while kicking two goals, and Conor Nash only played a half as he was an AFL emergency for the Geelong match.

Damon Greaves and Josh Morris had a couple of nice moments but weren't prominent throughout the match.

Melbourne

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Casey Demons (VFL)

No information available on practice match

There was no practice match for the Casey Demons this weekend. The 3-0 Melbourne senior side will be a hard team to break into.

North Melbourne

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: North Melbourne (VFL)

North Melbourne lost to Western Bulldogs by 48 points (Practice match - Fri Apr 2)

After the 128-point beating at the hands of the Bulldogs, North will likely swing the changes.

Dom Tyson put his hand up for an immediate recall, kicking three goals, while Atu Bosenavulagi again impressed in defence.

Tom Campbell, Tristan Xerri, Connor Menadue and Taylor Garner also played in the match.

Port Adelaide

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Port Adelaide (SANFL)

Port Adelaide 6.10 (46) lost to Norwood 14.13 (97) (SANFL Rd 1 - Thu Apr 1)

Project ruckman Sam Hayes was best afield as Port went down in their first SANFL match of the season.

Utility Sam Mayes gathered 28 disposals, while defender Jarrod Lienert impressed with 26 possessions.

Tom Rockliff played some minutes, while fellow senior regular Kane Farrell also lined up.

Richmond

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Richmond (VFL)

Richmond 14.12 (96) defeated Collingwood 9.14 (68) (Practice match - Sat Apr 5)

Patrick Naish gathered a mammoth 39 disposals in a half-back role as the Tigers got the job done in a practice match.

Bachar Houli got through his injury return safely, while Jack Ross picked up 20 disposals and two goals in midfield.

Hugo Ralphsmith continued on from his good pre season form, gathering 24 disposals and edging closer to a senior debut.

St Kilda

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Sandringham (VFL)

Sandringham v Essendon - no score details on match available.

Rowan Marshall got through three quarters and moved well as the Saints hope to bring him into the seniors after the shock 75-point loss to Essendon.

Midfielders Jack Bytel and Luke Dunstan both put their hand up for selection with industrious performances in the engine room.

Dean Kent was an emergency for the seniors but be elevated in place of one of St Kilda's struggling small forwards.

Paddy Ryder has returned to Melbourne from personal leave in South Australia but will likely need to build his match fitness.

Paddy Ryder saints

Sydney

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Sydney (VFL)

No details of a practice match

Lance Franklin is set to return to the senior team for Thursday's night match against Essendon after being rested for the Richmond game.

West Coast

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: West Coast (WAFL)

West Coast 15.5 (95) lost to Perth Demons 16.12 (108) (WAFL Rd 1 - Sat Apr 3)

The Eagles have several players pushing for senior selection despite having a loss in the first round of WAFL.

Xavier O'Neill had 31 disposals, while Nathan Vardy kicked four goals and dominated in the ruck.

Small forward Isiah Winder showed his immense potential with five goals, while Hamish Brayshaw, Zane Trew, Brayden Ainsworth and Alex Witherden all found plenty of the ball.

Western Bulldogs

STATE LEAGUE AFFILIATE: Footscray (VFL)

Western Bulldogs defeated North Melbourne by 48 points (Practice match - Fri Apr 2)

Fresh after a bag of four goals last week, Ben Cavarra again added a haul of four, with midfielder Lin Jong chipping in with three majors and finding plenty of the ball.

Despite suffering a thumb injury last week, no.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan lined up and kicked two goals.

Rhylee West picked up plenty of possessions playing in a midfield role.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Bulldogs

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.