The 25-year-old, who played 46 games for Geelong from 2013-2018 before being traded at the end of last season, impressed off half-back with 19 possessions (12 uncontested and four intercepts) at 74 per cent disposal efficiency, with four rebound 50s and two inside 50s, four marks, one goal assist and four score involvements.

But he wasn't the only Tasmanian to impress at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

At the other end of the ground, North Hobart defender Liam Jones played Lance Franklin in the Blues' back-half.

Jones took the points after keeping Franklin to 2.1 while collecting seven touches, one mark, two clearances, three tackles and one score involvement. 

Teammate Andrew Phillips, of Lauderdale, was a late withdrawal due to a quad injury.

North Launceston's Jay Lockhart spent plenty of time forward in his second outing for Melbourne and played key role for the Demons in their loss to Essendon.

Lockhart had a career-best 14 touches (eight uncontested), one clearance, two tackles, 2.0 and five score involvements.

Teammate Kade Kolodjashnij, of Launceston, also had his best outing for the Demons, playing on the wing and in defence.

Kolodjashnij had 12 touches (nine uncontested) five marks, two tackles, 1.0, one goal assist and five score involvements.

For the Bombers, Thomas Bellchambers was well beaten in the ruck on the night by Max Gawn.

Bellchambers 21 of Essendon's 34 hit-outs (two to advantage), with Gawn won 43 of Melbourne's (18 to advantage).

Bellchambers also collected 10 touches, one mark, four clearances, two tackles, two goal assists and six score involvements.

On Thursday night, Chayce Jones made it three impressive outings in three weeks to start his life in the big time as his Crows fell to Geelong.

The former Launceston footballer from Longford was lively in attack for the Crows, with two goal assists and three score involvements, as he collected eight touches (five uncontested), took one mark and laid one tackle.

Jake Kolodjashnij was strong for the winners, keeping Eddie Betts to 0.1 (with three goal assists and seven score involvements), while collecting 10 touches (four intercepts) at 100 per cent disposal efficiency, three marks (one intercept) and two score involvements.

In Sydney on Saturday, Toby Nankervis was outplayed in the ruck for the second week in a row with Shane Mumford winning that individual contest as Greater Western Sydney knocked off his Richmond side.

Nankervis won 22 of Richmond 32 hit-outs (six to advantage), with Mumford winning 31 of 36 (nine to advantage).

Nankervis did have an impact around the ground with 15 possessions, two marks, three clearances, five tackles, two goal assists and six score involvements.

Burnie's Lachie Weller played a key role as Gold Coast upset the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Weller again spent a lot of his time in defence, and had 26 possessions (19 uncontested and seven intercepts) at 81 per cent disposal efficiency, six marks, two clearances, one tackle and five score involvements.

Also on Sunday, Devonport's Ben Brown was well held as North Melbourne fell to Hawthorn.

Brown kicked just 1.2 and had four score involvements from seven possessions and three marks, to give him a season total of 8.4 from three games.

North Launceston's Tarryn Thomas also spent time forward, and had eight touches, four marks, three tackles, 0.1 and one score involvement.

Hobart's Aaron Hall collected 16 possessions (eight uncontested), one mark, three clearances, six tackles, 1.3, one goal assist and six score involvements.  

In the west, Ulverstone's Alex Pearce played on St Kilda's Josh Bruce in the Dockers' win over St Kilda, with the Coastal product collecting 11 possessions, taking four marks and laying five tackles.

Bruce kicked 1.1 from 10 touches and three marks.

Glenorchy's Jimmy Webster had 19 touches (15 uncontested and six intercepts), three tackles and two score involvements from defence for the Saints.

Like in the grand final, Burnie Dockers premiership player Brody Mihocek again had Jeremy McGovern as an opponent when Collingwood battled West Coast on Saturday night.

Mihocek kicked 1.1 and had two score involvements from 13 touches and nine marks, while McGovern had 11 touches and seven marks. 

Dodges Ferry's Jeremy Howe was strong in defence for the Magpies with with 21 possessions (11 uncontested and nine intercepts), one tackle and seven score involvements.

Lauderdale's Mitch Robinson was a strong contributor as Brisbane continued its unbeaten start to the season.

The midfielder collected 29 possessions (15 contested), took six marks, had three clearances, laid five tackles had one goal assist and four score involvements.

Saturday's outing continued a fine start to the year for the 29-year-old, who is averaging 23.3 touches, 4.7 marks and 4.0 tackles a game in 2019. 

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