State leagues across the country are in full swing for the 2026 season, and it's been an exciting few weeks of action. From the VFL to the SANFL, the talent is on full display, with standout performances from young stars and seasoned veterans alike. Here's a wrap of some of the key moments and standout players from the recent round of matches.
Adelaide Crows (SANFL)
The Adelaide Crows dominated the field with a 44-point victory over South Adelaide, thanks in part to the stellar performance of Archie Ludowyke. The draftee kicked five goals from 12 disposals, showcasing his potential as a forward. Mark Keane, returning from a gruesome leg injury, had 17 disposals and six marks, while veteran ruck Reilly O'Brien dominated with 24 disposals, 10 marks, 43 hitouts, and a goal. Chayce Jones, Billy Dowling, and Charlie Edwards were also influential, with Hugh Bond, Luke Pedlar, and Mitch Hinge contributing solid performances.
Brisbane Lions (VFL)
The Brisbane Lions suffered a 17-point loss to the Gold Coast, but Luke Beecken stood out with 23 disposals. Key forward prospect Cody Curtin kicked two goals, while Zane Zakostelsky and Sam Marshall also contributed. Promising midfielder Sam Marshall was quiet with 10 disposals, while Koby Evans and Irish category B rookie Ben Murphy had four and nine disposals, respectively. The standout performer was Cooper Hodge, the son of former Lion and Hawk champion Luke, who gathered 15 touches.
Carlton Blues (VFL)
Carlton faced a tough match against Essendon, but the Blues emerged victorious with a 12-point win. Ned Long dominated as the leading clearance winner with 10, along with 33 disposals and seven tackles. Harry DeMattia and Jakob Ryan were also standouts with 23 and 26 touches, respectively.Lachlan Sullivan and Charlie West also had notable performances.
Peel Thunder (WAFL)
Peel Thunder secured a 62-point win over Swan Districts, with midfielder Jeremy Sharp having a massive day out. The ruckman Sean Darcy continued his comeback with a dominant game, while developing forward Charlie Nicholls booted four goals. Toby Whan, Jaren Carr, and Cooper Simpson were also influential, with Josh Draper, Bailey Banfield, and Adam Sweid contributing solid performances.
Geelong Cats (VFL)
Geelong dominated Sandringham with a 58-point thrashing, thanks to the all-round performance of George Stevens. The midfielder delivered 25 disposals, nine clearances, and two goals. James Worpel and Jhye Clark were also excellent, while veteran Rhys Stanley dominated in the ruck. Brad Close and Lennox Hofmann had 18 and 13 touches, respectively, and Jesse Mellor almost had a huge day with 2.4 goals from 10 disposals.
Other Matches
There were also notable performances in other matches, including the return of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan from an ankle injury, who kicked four goals for the Gold Coast. Sam Clohesy was the biggest ball-winner with 40 touches and 11 marks. Finn Maginness was the best of the senior-listed Hawks in action for Box Hill, while Max Heath and Joel Fitzgerald impressed in Casey's loss to Collingwood. Robert Hansen Jr. had a busy day as North Melbourne suffered a 14-point loss to Tasmania, and Jack Watkins led the way in the midfield for Port Adelaide, who lost to Glenelg.
The state leagues are a hotbed of talent, with young stars stepping up and seasoned veterans continuing to perform at a high level. As the season progresses, we can expect to see even more exciting performances and potentially some surprise packages emerging.
