AFL recruiters believe a stint – under the 23rd player rule which allows top-age TAC Cup players to be added to a VFL team - is good measure for potential father-son selections and other young talent as they come up against mature-age bodies ahead of a new father-son bidding system, which will be live on draft night for the first time this year.

Josh Dunkley, the son of Sydney defender Andrew, had another stint for Richmond's VFL team in the 39-point loss to Box Hill on Saturday, in which he had a terrific opening term.

He is weighing up whether to nominate as a father-son selection or potentially stay in Victoria via the draft order.

Footscray will have a bonus in the run to the finals with father-son prospect Darcy McPherson, the son of former Bulldog Stephen, set to be blooded. It is likely McPherson, a 177 centimetre midfielder with the Northern Knights, will be tested during the VFL finals.

Bulldogs recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple said it will give the club "a chance to assess him against the AFL-listed players".

The Casey Scorpions have Tyler Roos, the son of Melbourne coach Paul, playing with them as he eyes an opportunity to impress as a top-age 19 year old.

The slim-framed midfielder had six touches in the Scorpions win over the Northern Blues a fortnight ago.

Ben Monkhorst, son of Collingwood's 1990 premiership ruckman Damian, has played with Collingwood's VFL team as a "second of third option in the forward half".

Of course, the family ties in the VFL extends to siblings with Aaron Heppell, the brother of Essendon's Dyson, on the list, and Ryan Pendlebury, the brother of Collingwood's Scott, has impressed as a mature-age player for the Pies as they press to follow their brothers footsteps.

The big one: It was a statement of some kind last week against Footscray, but the 35-point win against fellow VFL stand alone counterpart Port Melbourne showed the Coburg Lions belong.

In the process, it has knocked Port Melbourne out of the finals race for the first time since 2006; before the arrival of Gary Ayres as coach.

The Lions had transformed a largely inaccurate first half where they were 1.10 to finish with 12.12. Port were the early pace setters, but the Lions gained momentum, heading and club to a less than convincing 19-point lead at the last change.

When Jordan Lisle snapped brilliantly and cut the margin back to 12-points at the six minute mark, it was game on. But the Lions resisted Ports' charge, showing the maturity and faith in a game plan and the list.  The Borough had their opportunities and had a Josh Scipione attempt at goal got through, it may have been a much more severe challenge. But Daniel Cooper swooped and kicked a steadier followed by two last-quarter goals from Lachlan Johns to seal victory.

Ozgur Uysal dominated with 37 touches for the Lions. AFL recruiters would no doubt be circling around him and perhaps defender Michael Hartley, who shows enormous resilience against some of the best forwards in the competition. Johns finished with 26 touches and three goals, while Mitch Morton collected 25.

Tom O'Sullivan was among Port's best with 29 touches.

While the Lions are also likely to miss the finals at 5-9 – after stumbling mid-season – they now have a dream run home to provide the club with some solidarity and hope leading into next season.

Coach Peter German has spoken of a long-term vision at the club, requiring one step at a time. The Lions have taken a giant one this season.

Best of the rest: Box Hill midfielder Sam Iles said the team needed to "get back to basics" in the 39-point win over Richmond to regain top position until at least Williamstown's clash against Collingwood on Sunday.

We now know: Injuries have rocked and riddled the once-heralded flag contender Port Melbourne. Finals at North Port Oval won't be the same without them this year.

They said it: "We knew it was going to be a tough physical game and probably not too dissimilar to the blueprint we saw last night with Hawthorn and Richmond." Box Hill coach Marco Bello on the Hawks' win over the Tigers.

Man of the moment: Liam McBean (Richmond) – His team may have lost, but his five goal haul has put him clear in the race for the Frosty Miller Medal award for the VFL's leading goalkicker with 35 for the season.

Sunday watch: Footscray v Essendon, Whitten Oval, 11:42am

North Ballarat v Northern Blues, Eureka Stadium, 1:30pm

Williamstown v Collingwood, Burbank Oval, 2pm

Casey Scorpions v Werribee Tigers, Casey Fields, 2pm

Frankston v Geelong, Frankston Oval, 2pm