From a negative perspective, Grant Birchall's season seemingly came to a close when when his hamstring went in the third quarter of Hawthorn's loss to North Melbourne.

The injury is another cruel blow for the 31-year-old, who was in his third game back after his long layoff due to knee and calf problems, and is set to leave him stranded on 248 games.

But whether he has the opportunity to bring up game 250 in 2020 is yet to be confirmed, with the four-time premiership Hawk out of contract at the end of the season.

Before hurting himself, Birchall was again giving the footy world a nice reminder of his class from defence, with 17 possessions at 76.5 disposal efficiency, with 12 uncontested and three intercepts.

He also kicked his first goal since 2016, a running effort in the first term, had two rebound 50s, one inside 50, one clearance and one score involvement.

Birchall had been showing some positive signs in his three games back at the top level.

Two of those outings were in Launceston, and overall he averaged 20.7 touches, 5.3 marks, 1.3 inside 50s and 2.7 rebound 50s, although he did miss a game after suffering "delayed onset muscle soreness" in his first game back in round 17.

For the winning Kangaroos, Ben Brown played a key role his side's comeback after the Hawks kicked the first four goals of the night, and finished with 4.3 opposed to James Frawley.

Brown had 14 possessions, six marks, one clearance, four tackles, one goal assist and 10 score involvements.

With Greater Western Sydney spearhead Jeremy Cameron sidelined with injury, Brown is now just five behind the Coleman Medal leader with his season haul of 52.29.

It is the third season in succession he has managed 50 goals, the first Roo since Wayne Carey in 1998-2000.

Teammate Tarryn Thomas, who was drafted from North Launceston, again looked the goods at the top level, with 12 possessions, three marks, three clearances, one rebound 50, one inside 50, one goal assist and four score involvements.

Former Burnie Docker Robbie Fox had a role in defence in Sydney's loss to Greater Western Sydney, and responded with one of his best outings for the season.

Fox had 16 possessions at 81.3 disposal efficiency, with 11 uncontested and three intercepts.

He also had three marks, one clearance, two tackles, one inside 50, one rebound 50 and one score involvement.

Launceston defender Jake Kolodjashnij had nine possessions, three marks, one clearance, one tackle, one rebound 50, one inside 50 and one score involvement as Geelong fell to Fremantle.

On Saturday night, Clarence's Jack Riewoldt had a quiet night on the scoreboard, but still kept himself busy as Richmond defeated Melbourne.

He could manage just 0.3 opposed to Oscar McDonald in the wet at the MCG, but also had three goal assists, eight score involvements from his 14 possessions, six marks (four inside 50) and six inside 50s.

Dodges Ferry's Jeremy Howe had a slight injury scare in Collingwood's big win over Gold Coast after receiving treatment for a knee injury in the first term, but that didn't stop him from having a strong impact on the game.

Howe had 21 possessions at 81 per cent disposal efficiency from defence on Ben King, 11 marks, five inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

Ex-Burnie boy Brody Mihocek kicked 2.2 from 14 possessions and 10 marks (four inside 50s), two tackles and one goal assist.

Burnie's Lachie Weller had 20 possessions at 80 per cent disposal efficiency, six marks, three clearances, three rebound 50s, three inside 50s and two tackles.

Lauderdale's Andrew Phillips again competed strongly for Carlton, this time up against Tom Hickey was the Blues lost to West Coast.

Phillips won 30 hit-outs, while Hickey won 25, with the Tasmanian collecting 11 disposals, two marks, one tackle, three inside 50s and 0.1.

The round ended with Mitch Robinson continuing his fine 2019 campaign as Brisbane downed the Western Bulldogs.

Robinson was in absolutely everything as the Lions won their seventh game in a row.

After starting in the midfield, the Lauderdale product finished with 24 possessions (16 uncontested) at 66.7 disposal efficiency, eight marks, six tackles, two clearances, six tackles, two rebound 50s, four inside 50s and 2.1.

Robinson, who has spent more time on a wing this season in a move that has benefited both him and the Lions, is having a wonderful season, averaging 20.9 touches, five marks and 4.7 tackles a game, and has also kicked 15.9.

Meanwhile, Richmond big man Toby Nankervis had another hit-out at VFL level, putting in a strong performance as he looks to win back his spot in the Tigers' AFL side.

In what his third outing since returning from an adductor injury, the George Town product had 34 hit-outs, 20 disposals, seven marks and a goal in Richmond's 35-point win over Casey.

The Tigers play Carlton on Sunday, so a return in that game could see him come up against a fellow Tasmanian in Phillips.

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