The Carlton key-defender was an instrumental as the Blues made it four wins from six outings under the guidance of caretaker coach David Teague with his best outing of a season that as well as quality on-field output and a new three-year contract, has also included time on the sidelines due to concussion.

Jones, who started the contest on the Suns' Sam Day, finished his afternoon with 19 possessions (11 contested and 14 intercepts) at 82.4 per cent disposal efficiency, 11 marks (seven intercepts), two tackles, two rebound 50s, one inside 50 and one score involvement.

Jones last week committed to Carlton until at least the end of 2022, which prompted Carlton general manager of list management and strategy Stephen Silvagni to say: "Through sheer hard work and determination, Liam has become an integral part of our backline and has developed into a great leader among our defensive group.

"He shows such dedication to his defensive craft and it's a credit to Liam that he has become one of the best defenders in the competition."

Jones' performance to celebrate that fact came as another Tasmanian who has had his injury troubles this year also started to rediscover some of his best touch.

In his second game back from the knee injury that disrupted a lot of his year, Clarence's Jack Riewoldt played a big role in Richmond's win over Port Adelaide with 3.1 and six score involvements from 10 disposals, five marks, one tackle and two inside 50s. He combined well with with Tom Lynch (3.4, two goal assists and 12 score involvements) up front for the Tigers.

Riewoldt will likely be joined soon by fellow Tasmanian Toby Nankervis, who made his return from his adductor injury in the VFL with eight possessions, 13 hitouts and a goal playing a half against Box Hill.

At the Gabba on Saturday night, Lauderdale's Mitch Robinson warmed up for his latest trip to his home state with a quieter than usual outing as Brisbane downed North Melbourne in a thriller.

Playing a midfield role he had 12 disposals (seven contested), three clearances, three marks, 0.1, one goal assist and four score involvements.

Robinson, along with coach Chris Fagan, will be back in their home state on Saturday when Brisbane visits Launceston's UTAS Stadium from 1.45pm to take on Hawthorn, a club where Fagan has spent plenty of time at.

But the appearance of one of Hawthorn's on-field Tasmanian connections this weekend is not quite as clear just yet.

The comeback of Devonport's Grant Birchall only lasted the one game after he was a late out of the Hawthorn side that defeated Geelong on Sunday.

Birchall had 21 possessions on his return the previous week against Fremantle in Launceston at 81 per cent efficiency, eight marks and five rebounds 50s, from 66 per cent of game time.

The 31-year-old, who the previous week had played his first senior match since 2017, missed out due to what was later described as "delayed onset muscle soreness".

There was plenty of Tasmanian impact for the second week in a row in a North Melbourne comeback, with goals from Ben Brown and Tarryn Thomas momentarily giving the Roos the lead in the final term.

Brown's came from a controversial free-kick from a ruck contest, one of his 3.1 and five score involvements, from 11 touches, six marks, one clearance and two tackles.

He remains in second spot on the Coleman Medal table with 26.25, behind Greater Western Sydney's Jeremy Cameron (54.38).

Thomas, meanwhile, kicked 2.0 from eight possessions, one mark and four tackles.

Dodges Ferry's Jeremy Howe returned from injury as Collingwood fell to Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, and collected 18 disposals (nine contested and nine intercepts) at 100 per cent disposal efficiency, 10 marks (five intercepts), three tackles and two score involvements.

But his direct opponent, Cameron, more than matched him with a bag of 6.0.

It was a quieter outing for Brody Mihocek, who kicked just 0.1, had one goal assist and four score involvements for the Pies from eight touches, three marks and three tackles.

Out west, fellow former Burnie Docker Robbie Fox made his return to the Sydney side as the Swans fell in a thriller to Fremantle.

Fox finished his evening with 13 possessions, three marks, one clearance, three tackles, 1.0 and one score involvement.

The one Tasmanian in action on Sunday at the MCG after Birchall's late exit from the Hawks' win over Geelong was Launceston's Jake Kolodjashnij, who had nine touches, five marks, two rebound 50s, two inside 50s and two score involvements in defence for the Cats.

North Launceston's Jay Lockhart had minimal impact in Melbourne's loss to West Coast in Alice Springs, collecting just five touches and three tackles while failing to trouble the scorers.

The round started with Lauderdale's Hugh Greenwood bringing up the first personal milestone with the former basketballer playing his 50^th AFL match.

Playing midfield and forward, Greenwood had 13 possessions (nine contested), two marks, six clearances, two tackles 1.1 (with his goal putting the Crows back in front in the final term), four score involvements and two rebound 50s.