The flying Demon was playing on Lion’s danger man Dayne Zorko and played a crucial role as the third man in defence.

Howe was named Melbourne’s best performer, gathering 23 touches, 12 marks and laying four tackles.

Other Tasmanians to feature in the match included Colin Garland, who picked up 13 possessions in the Dees’ back half, while Glenorchy’s Ryan Harwood was brilliant for the Lions.

Harwood compiled 19 touches, including 15 kicks, eight marks and a stylish running goal.

His teammate Josh Green was well below his career-best 2014 form, only accumulating five touches and scoring one behind.

Devonport’s Grant Birchall continued to impress for Hawthorn – this time on home soil at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium.

The running half-back shadowed Western Bulldog’s Lachie Hunter and racked up 27 disposals in Hawthorn’s 10-goal win.

North Hobart’s Sam Darley played on Paul Puopolo in his third game for the Dogs and finished the match with six tackles to his name.

Hobart’s Aaron Hall had St Kilda’s Dylan Roberton follow him during the Gold Coast’s first win without their captain Gary Ablett.

Hall had 22 touches and took six marks in the Suns’ win, while Launceston’s Jesse Lonergan (16 disposals, three tackles and a goal) went head-to-head with Saints youngster Luke Dunstan.

St Kilda’s Maverick Weller (11 handballs, four tackles) tagged Suns midfielder Dion Presita, who was the Suns’ most productive with 31 touches.

Clarence’s Jack Riewoldt was well held by Greater Western Sydney skipper Phil Davis.

Riewoldt could only manage one major in the final quarter for Richmond – despite booting 11 goals the previous time they met this season.

On his return from injury, Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers looked every bit like an underdone man.

The North Launceston product could only muster three disposals and gave away four free kicks going up against Sydney’s Mike Pyke, as the Bombers went down by 22 points at the SCG.