Hawthorn found some form for the first time this pre-season with a thumping 19.8 (122) to 5.11 (41) win over North Melbourne at Craigieburn with Richmond beating St Kilda 14.8 (92) to 12.11 (83) at Visy Park, Port Adelaide downing Sydney 15.12 (102) to 10.12 (72) at AAMI Stadium and the Giants beating St Kilda 16.6 (102) to 12.14 (86) at Blacktown.
Hawthorn demolished North Melbourne by 81 points for their first win of the pre-season, but key defender Josh Gibson was helped off the field by trainers at halftime and he did not return for the rest of the match.
They are confident he will be fit for the round-one Easter Monday blockbuster against Geelong.
Star Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell was best afield with 26 possessions and David Hale kicked four goals as the Hawks belted the 'Roos.
Kangaroos youngster Taylor Hine was booked in the third term for high contact on Jack Gunston.
Hale also was reported for a clash of heads with Leigh Adams and he should be cleared of the charge.
The two teams agreed to call the practice match off midway through the final term because of driving rain.
The Hawks had doubled North's score at halftime and then went into top gear with nine goals to one in the third term.
Hawthorn had a near full-strength side, while the 'Roos played several youngsters as they try to settle on a line-up for their round-one clash with Collingwood.
Greater Western Sydney gave their fans hope for the coming AFL season as they produced a stirring final quarter to run over the top of St Kilda by 16 points at Blacktown.
GWS trailed by one point at the final change, but kicked six goals to three in the final term.
Giants' key forward Jeremy Cameron set the tone early with three goals in the first term which ended with GWS three points up.
They led by 10 at the long break, but St Kilda hit back to lead by a single point heading into the last term.
Both sides took turns in front, in a closely contested game in which the lead changed several times.
The industrious Giants midfield was sparked by Toby Greene with 32 possessions and Adam Treloar 28.
Jack Steven tallied 32 touches for the Saints but Beau Maister, with two goals, was their only multiple goalkicker.
Richmond finished the fastest on a rare recent wet day in Melbourne to beat the Western Bulldogs by nine points.
The Bulldogs led by 13 points in time-on in the third quarter only for the Tigers to pull within a single point at the final change following late goals to Matt White and Luke McGuane.
Richmond carried that momentum into the final term, kicking four goals to two to win 14.8 (92) to 12.11 (83).
Ruckman Ivan Maric capped a good all-round display with a game-high three goals, while midfielders Brett Deledio and Shane Tuck were also among the Tigers' better players.
The Bulldogs were best served by experienced hands Robert Murphy and Ryan Griffin.
Bulldogs defender Dale Morris continued his impressive comeback after more than a year out with a badly broken leg, having the better of his key match-up with Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt.
But it was Riewoldt who iced the win for the Tigers, kicking his second goal of the match in the dying minutes.
Much of the match was played in wet conditions, a rarity after a long hot Melbourne summer.
Richmond play Carlton in their traditional round-one clash on March 28 while the Bulldogs square off against pre-season cup premiers Brisbane in their home-and-away season opener.
Port Adelaide upset reigning premiers Sydney by 30 points with the Power storming home in the last quarter with four goals to Sydney's one.
Port, who last week downed West Coast, were inspired by captain Travis Boak, who kicked three goals in a best-afield display.
His teammates Kane Mitchell and Aaron Young each kicked two majors while on-baller Brad Ebert and Justin Westhoff were influential.
Sydney stalwart Adam Goodes and Luke Parker both potted two goals while Josh Kennedy and Jarrad McVeigh were standouts in the midfield.
The Power, who haven't made the finals since 2007, lost John Butcher to a suspected hand injury as the key forward made his first AFL appearance this year after hip surgery.
Port controlled the early stages with Boak kicking two goals and gathering 14 disposals to halftime and his teammates Hamish Hartlett and Brad Ebert prominent.
Port led 7.5 to 4.7 at the main break as Sydney lacked spark and managed just one goal in the second term.
The Swans clicked into gear in the third quarter, reducing the margin to one point by booting three quick goals.
Port midfielder Mitchell then pushed his claims to be elevated from the rookie list in time for the premiership season with two goals in 60 seconds, and Daniel Stewart kicked another, to restore the Power's advantage.
Two late goals to Sydney, by Ben McGlynn and Parker, reduced their deficit to seven points at three-quarter time but Port sealed their victory with the initial three goals of the last term.