IT may have been a baptism of fire for Burnie's Maverick Weller with his St Kilda debut being in the fifth biggest defeat in the club's history, but it wasn't all bad news for those that originate from the North-West Coast.
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Devonport's Grant Birchall was one of the reasons for Weller and his teammates' pain, going about as he pleased in Hawthorn's 145-point win at the MCG.
The seemingly opponent-free Birchall collected a game-high 34 possessions (26 uncontested) at 82.4 per cent disposal efficiency rate (outstanding in the wet conditions), took seven marks, had six inside-50s 16 score involvements and kicked 0.2
Conversely, Weller, who had a bright start with six disposals in the first term, saw his influence drop and finished with 16 possessions at just 50 per cent disposal efficiency, and laid two tackles and 14 pressure acts.
Teammate, Jimmy Webster had the unenviable task of trying to contain Cyril Rioli (who kicked two goals, had 24 disposals and nine score involvements).
Webster, of Glenorchy, finished with 13 disposals at 85 per cent disposal efficiency, three tackles and two score involvements.
The previous night at the same venue, Lauderdale's Mitch Robinson continued his solid season by being Carlton's most dangerous likely option in its loss to Collingwood.
While he only kicked 1.1 in his intriguing battle with Tyson Goldsack, for the first three quarters he looked the only Blue capable of taking a forward mark, as he did to open the game with a screamer.
Robinson finished with 14 disposals at 79 per cent disposal efficiency rate, applied three tackles, 16 pressure acts and five score involvements.
At the Adelaide Oval, Dodges Ferry's Jeremy Howe was strong in defence, collecting 23 disposals (17 uncontested) at 83 per cent disposal efficiency rate and five score involvements.
West Moonah's Liam Jones was again quiet for the Western Bulldogs, kept to 1.0 by Cale Hooker, but his goal in the third quarter was an important one.
Clarence's Josh Green kicked 1.2 and had six score involvements from his 16 disposals and three marks on Nick Malceski in Brisbane's loss to Sydney at the Gabba.
On Sunday, Kade Kolodjashnij put in another impressive performance in Gold Coast's win over North Melbourne, collecting a career-best 25 touches running out of defence and pushing up the wing.
The Launceston lad had 12 contested possessions, took five marks, had five rebound 50s, two inside-50s and laid two tackles.
Hobart's Aaron Hall was dangerous in attack early for the Suns, with Aaron Mullett and Shaun Atley his opponents, and finished with 1.0 and six score involvements from 14 disposals, five marks and four tackles.
Burnie's Luke Russell was the Suns' sub, coming on in the third term and collecting five disposals.
For the Roos, Evandale's Nathan Grima was again solid in defence. He collected 20 touches at 85 per cent disposal efficiency, took six marks, laid three tackles, had four rebound 50s and three score involvements with Charlie Dixon and Tom Lynch his main opponents.
Hobart's George Burbury laid six tackles and had nine touches and two score involvements in his forward role for Geelong against Richmond, with Clarence's Jack Riewoldt strong for the Tigers in the tough conditions, kicking 2.1 from 15 touches and five marks on Tom Lonergan.