Round 7 produced several statement-making performances, a major upset and the season’s first draw.

CASEY DEMONS       2.5   2.10   3.12     3.17 (35)
CARLTON                  3.4   9.8     14.11   24.13 (157)

Carlton produced a statement performance to jump into the top four for the first time this season, thrashing the Casey Demons by 122 points at Casey Fields. Leading by just five points at quarter time, the Blues piled on 21 goals to one across the final three quarters. It was the first time since Round 12, 2025 that Carlton had kicked more than 100 points in a VFL game and the highest score produced by the club since Round 11, 2015 when they were the Northern Blues. The result was also in great contract to the club’s last trip to Casey Fields, when they were thrashed by 108 points in Round 17 last year. Carlton’s dominant display came from a wide range of contributors, led by Blake Acres who amassed 31 disposals at 87% efficiency as well as eight marks, seven intercepts and two goals. Darcy Hogg was also terrific with 28 touches, six inside 50s and three goals, while Wade Derksen led the way up forward with a season-high five majors. Lewis Young stood tall in defence and had 16 marks, three of those contested. Trent Rivers (29 disposals, nine intercepts) and Tom McDonald (22 disposals, eight intercepts) were among the home side’s better players on a tough day.

BEST
Casey Demons: Jack Henderson, Jed Adams, Tom McDonald, Trent Rivers, Luker Kentfield, Luis D’Angelo
Carlton: Liam Reidy, Blake Acres, Darcy Hogg, Wade Derksen, Jordan Boyd, Lachlan Fogarty
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SOUTHPORT 2.2   4.6    6.11   9.15 (69)
COBURG         8.4   8.7   12.8   17.10 (112)

Coburg put together a mighty display at Fankhauser Reserve to defeat Southport by 43 points, creating history in the process with its first ever win over the Sharks. The previous two matches between sides were decided by an average of just seven points, but this game was far from close from the outset after the Lions made a blistering start with eight goals in the opening term. It set the tone for the remainder of the game, with the margin never dipping below three goals despite Coburg being restricted to just three behinds in the second term. Ball magnet Jack Bytel picked up a season-high 42 disposals, while also having seven score involvements and kicking a major. Jaidyn Stephenson made it 11 majors in his past three games with another four-goal haul, while Joel Trudgeon’s good form continued in a performance that included 25 touches, eight tackles, six inside 50s and a major. Jacob Dawson (30 disposals) and Campbell Lake (21 disposals, 10 tackles) were among Southport’s best, while Elijah Reardon toiled hard.

BEST
Southport Sharks: Elijah Reardon, Christian Webster, Campbell Lake, Jacob Dawson
Coburg: Maison Goodman, Jack Bytel, Will Hoare, Jaidyn Stephenson, Hugh Allison, Cooper Keogh
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COLLINGWOOD        3.1   5.2    6.4       8.7 (55)
GEELONG CATS         4.3   6.7   11.10   17.14 (116)

Geelong reinforced its place at the top of the Smithy’s VFL ladder with a commanding 61-point triumph over Collingwood at Victoria Park. The Cats slowly built their lead in tough conditions throughout the first half and held an 11-point advantage at the main break. They then caused maximum damage in the second half, kicking 11 goals to three to produce their third 100+ score of the season after only doing it four times last year. The Cats were led by another stellar performance from George Stevens, with the star midfielder finishing with 35 disposals, eight clearances and two goals. Stevens was assisted by Jack Costello (30 disposals, one goal) and Jamieson Ballantyne who slotted another four majors, making it the fourth-straight game he has kicked multiple goals. Sam Swadling (33 disposals) and Ed Allan (32 disposals) were promising for the Pies, as was Charlie West who kicked four of his side’s eight goals.

BEST
Collingwood: Tew Jiath, Charlie West, Ed Allan, Noah Howes, Ben De Bolfo, Brynn Teakle
Geelong Cats: George Stevens, Joe Pike, Lennox Hofmann, Kye Annand, Marcus Herbert, Jamieson Ballantyne
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WERRIBEE     4.2   9.8   11.12   14.13 (97)
TASMANIA      6.2   7.4   10.9     14.13 (97)

Werribee and Tasmania played out the season’s first draw at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, in a game that ebbed and flowed right throughout. A high-scoring opening term saw the Devils lead by 12 points at quarter time, before Werribee take control in the second term to open a 16-point half time advantage. That buffer extended to 21 points in the third term but was short-lived as Tasmania got rolling to get within single digits by the final change. Both sides had booted three goals entering time-on of the last quarter before the ball lived inside the Devils’ forward half across the final 10 minutes. Jaxon Artemis kicked a nice goal on the run to make it a two-point ball game and despite there being enough time to claim a win, two consecutive behinds from Sam Siggins resulted in a draw. Artemis was impressive all afternoon for the visitors, picking up 26 disposals and five rebound 50s to go with his crucial major, while Hugh Dixon kicked four goals from his seven scoring shots. For Werribee, Dom Brew was outstanding with a season-high 17 clearances and Ajang Kuol Mun was terrific in the ruck.

BEST
Tasmania: Ajang Kuol Mun, Dominic Brew, Xavier Ivisic, Sam Azzi, Charlie Lazzaro, Jesse Clark
Werribee: Jaxon Artemis, Hugh Dixon, Nick Williams, Joseph Chaplin, Jack Callinan, Harry Elmer
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NORTH MELBOURNE            2.4   3.8   6.10   10.15 (75)
SYDNEY SWANS                      1.3   4.6   7.9       9.9 (63)

North Melbourne and Sydney played out another close battle, with the Kangaroos prevailing by 12 points at Arden Street Oval to jump into the top 10. The margin only reached double digits for eight minutes until the early stages of the final term, as the teams exchanged goals in a low-scoring affair. Sydney kicked three of the last four goals of the third term to lead by five points at three quarter time before the Roos took charge of the last quarter with three straight majors to reach a game-high 17-point lead. Corey Warner then fired through back-to-back goals to make it a five-point game with minutes remaining before a late major to Patrick Fairlie sealed the home side’s third triumph of the year. Warner was outstanding despite his side’s four-game winning streak coming to an end, picking up 36 disposals, nine inside 50s, six intercepts and four goals. Mitch Mellis had his best game in Swans colours with 22 touches, eight tackles and two goals. Their efforts weren’t enough to get past a Kangaroos team led by Cooper Harvey who had 30+ disposals for a third-straight week, this time finishing with a season-high of 38.

BEST
North Melbourne: Cooper Harvey, Patrick Fairlie, Matthew Keast, Riley Hardeman, Bailey Scott, Hugo Mikunda
Sydney Swans: Corey Warner, Mitch Mellis, Peter Ladhams, Patrick Snell, Joel Hamling
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WILLIAMSTOWN       2.3        7.6        10.8     16.11 (107)
RICHMOND                 5.2        5.3        8.7        10.10 (70)

Williamstown’s winning ways continued on Saturday, with the Seagulls moving into second spot after picking up a 37-point victory over Richmond at DSV Stadium. It was tough going early again an undermanned Tigers outfit, with the visitors making a positive start with the breeze to hold an 18-point quarter time lead. Williamstown took back the advantage within 10 minutes of the second term, one it would not lose for the remainder of the game. The Tigers stayed within touching distance and reduced the margin to seven points with the first major of the final term. However, the home side would kick six of the last seven goals of the match to run away with the four points. Joel Fitzgerald maintained his excellent form in season 2026, amassing 37 disposals, nine clearances and six inside 50s. Damon Hollow was outstanding in a breakout performance up forward, kicking five goals while also laying five tackles. Harry Scott was a clear standout for the Tigers, ending the afternoon with a team-high 26 disposals and 11 tackles.

BEST
Williamstown: Ben Kennedy, Damon Hollow, David Cuningham, Joel Fitzgerald, Angus Seivers
Richmond: Harry Scott, Joel Garner, Liam George, Noah Roberts-Thomson, Sam Toner, Sam Philp
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GWS GIANTS               1.8   6.9   6.10   8.15 (63)
ESSENDON                  3.3   6.7   13.9   17.12 (114)

Essendon produced the upset of the round, picking up its third win of the season in convincing fashion with a 51-point win over the GWS Giants at Tom Wills Oval. The Giants, who were coming into the game off consecutive 50-point wins, didn’t have their kicking boots on in the opening term, booting 1.8 to trail by seven points at the first change. They would settle with five second-quarter majors to hold a two-point advantage at half time advantage, but it would be the third quarter that broke the game open. The Bombers piled on seven unanswered goals, their highest scoring term of the season, to put the game beyond doubt. The triumph was spearheaded by Jade Gresham, who booted four goals to go with 20 disposals. Hussien El Achkar’s goalkicking form continued with three goals, Elijah Tsatas again had the ball on a string with 34 disposals and a goal. Meanwhile for GWS, Jack Ough was influential with 36 touches, 15 contested possessions, eight tackles and eight clearances.

BEST
GWS Giants: Jack Ough, Harvey Hooper, Callum Brown, Louie Montgomery, Jaxon East, Ryan Hebron
Essendon: Jade Gresham, Hussien El Achkar, Jaxon Binns, William Setterfield, Kristian Ferronato, Jared Eckersley
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SANDRINGHAM         4.0        6.6        6.9        9.16 (70)
ST KILDA                       3.3        7.6        10.7     13.7 (85)

A historic afternoon at Trevor Barker Beach Oval concluded Round 7, with St Kilda recording a 15-point victory over Sandringham to secure the inaugural Trevor Barker Cup. In their first game since ending their affiliation last year, it was a tight contest throughout the first half, with no team able to gain clear ascendancy. The Saints held a one-goal lead at half time before keeping the Zebras goalless in the third term and extending their advantage to 22 points at the final change. The home side produced seven more scoring shots in the last term, but their inaccuracy was costly – finishing with 3.7 to 3.0 for the quarter to fall to their fourth-consecutive defeat. Angus Hastie (31 disposals, 14 rebound 50s) and Alex Dodson (51 hitouts) were instrumental for St Kilda, whilst the Zebras were led by a superb all-round performance from Darcy Chirgwin who had 29 disposals, 21 contested possessions and 10 clearances.

BEST
Sandringham: Darcy Chirgwin, Adrian Cole, Andreas Stefanakis, Jet Peckett, Owen Bater, Tom O’Rourke
St Kilda: Angus Hastie, Alex Dodson, Kye Fincher, Billy Richardson, Hugh Boxshall, Charlie Banfield
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