ROUND 3 started off with a shock result, as Oakleigh Chargers knocked off the previously unbeaten Eastern Ranges in a grand final rematch.

Despite going in as favourites, Eastern went down by 16 points after leading by a point at half-time.

Oakleigh’s Lachlan Walker continued his fantastic early season form with 31 disposals, three marks, eight tackles and a goal, while Campbell Lane had a day out with 33 disposals, two marks and seven tackles.

Debutant James Sziller booted three goals, but with only two multiple goal kickers, Oakleigh showed it had plenty of avenues to goal, especially considering it has missed a number of players who are out with APS commitments.

Northern Knights were unable to get their first win of the season, losing to division two side Queensland by 15 points.

In the round preview, AFL Draft Central told watchers to keep an eye on Curtis Marsden, and he did not disappoint, racking up 39 disposals, five marks and four tackles, while Daniel Charlesworth collected 33 disposals, four marks and nine tackles.

For the Knights, the top ball winners were Matt Perry with 30 disposals, five marks and eight tackles, while Corey McKay finished on 32 disposals, accompanied by four marks, five tackles and a goal.

Western Jets continued their fall from grace after a superb round one performance, going down to Sandringham by 10 points.

The Jets were only a goal down at the main break, but lost the third quarter by 27 points.

Western stormed back into the contest in the last, but ultimately fell short.

Inside midfielder Goy Lock continued his good form for the Dragons, collecting 26 disposals, six marks and six tackles, while Oliver Florent continues to make draft watchers take notice with another 26 disposal, six mark, eight tackle and one goal game.

For the Jets, Connor Griffiths found plenty of the ball with 27 disposals, two marks and seven tackles, while Brodie Romensky had 25 disposals, three marks and a game-high nine tackles.

In one of the more entertaining games of the round, Calder Cannons almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, going down by six points to NSW/ACT Rams.

The Cannons trailed by 40 points at the last change, but stormed home in the final quarter to get within a kick, but it was a case of too little, too late.

Harry Perrryman was prolific for the Rams, while GWS Academy product Connor Owen-Auburn had 25 disposals, seven marks and two tackles.

For the Cannons, James Peters was the star for the Cannons, almost singlehandedly getting them up with four goals to go with his 21 disposals, five marks and six tackles.

There was never any sign of a comeback in the next game, when Geelong Falcons blitzed Gippsland Power at Simonds Stadium.

The Falcons led by 46 points at the half-time break and 72 points by the last change.

Had Gippsland not kicked the last two goals of the game, the 93-point final margin would have been more than three figures.

Geelong’s talls stood above the rest in the game, with Brett Blair booting five goals to go with his 25 disposals, 10 marks and three tackles, while Zachary Zdybel stood above all others with 24 disposals, six marks, 16 hitouts, six tackles and two goals in a strong all-round performance.

It was a dismal day for the Power with no-one collecting more than 18 disposals, however defender Tyrone Hayes showed a bit of dash with his 15 disposals and three marks, which included a running goal outside 50.

Dandenong Stingrays flexed their muscles against Bendigo Pioneers with a 61-point win at Shepley Oval.

Thomas Glen stood up with 22 disposals, six marks and six tackles, while first round prospect Myles Poholke had 17 disposals and seven marks, as Dan Allsop booted five goals.

For the Pioneers, once again it was hard to look past Bendigo’s leaders with Kobe Mutch collecting 35 disposals, nine marks and a tackle, while Joe Atley had 30 disposals, one mark and six tackles.

In the final match of the round, North Ballarat Rebels took it right up to the unbeaten Murray Bushrangers but fell 13 points short.

Both sides were inaccurate, booting 12.33 between them for the match.

For Murray, James Cousins had 27 disposals, six marks and six tackles, while Ryan Garthwaite found the ball 22 times from his 11 marks and laid nine tackles.

Rebels’ midfielder Hugh McCluggage had 25 disposals, five marks, one tackle and one goal in the loss, while academy prospect Jarrod Berry had 21 disposals, five marks and four tackles.

Match pages:

Eastern Ranges vs. Oakleigh Chargers

Northern Knights vs. Queensland

Western Jets vs Sandringham Dragons

Calder Cannons vs. NSW/ACT Rams

Geelong Falcons vs. Gippsland Power

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Bendigo Pioneers

Murray Bushrangers vs. North Ballarat Rebels