A BALL-BURSTING after-the-siren goal from Bulldogs swingman Fletcher Roberts has delivered Footscray a home final in the VFL next week.

 

The goal, Roberts' only major for the afternoon in a three-point win over Richmond at Punt Road Oval, capped a superb game for the 21-year-old.

 

Others to shine for the Dogs included rookie Alex Greenwood (26 possessions), defender Tom Young and the pacy Jason Tutt (23 and a goal).

 

Demoted ruckman Will Minson kicked a goal for the winners but was not named among his team's best players.

 

Tory Dickson and Jarrad Grant slotted two goals apiece.

 

The best for the Tigers were Sam Lloyd, who slotted a game-high three goals, Matthew McDonough and Brad Helbig, while each of Aaron Edwards, Liam McBean and rookie Cadeyn Williams kicked two goals.

 

Melbourne-listed midfielder Aidan Riley had the ball on a string despite playing a losing side for Casey against Coburg at Casey Fields.

 

Other Demons to perform well included rookies James Harmes and Alex Georgiou, and Jay Kennedy-Harris.

 

Hawthorn forward  Sam Grimley looks set to take out shared honours for the VFL's goal-kicking title following a seven-goal performance in Box Hill's 129-point win over the Northern Blues on Saturday.

 

Grimley entered the final round of the VFL season with 31 goals to his name, four behind competition leader, former Tiger Daniel Connors, now at Port Melbourne.

 

Connors, started strongly kicking two goals in the opening half against North Ballarat, but left the field in the third term with a hamstring injury.

 

He came back on to kick one more goal, taking his tally to 38 goals, alongside Grimley, but was taken from the field again with the injury.

 

The injury did little to stop Port Melbourne as it romped to a 111-point win.

Connors and the Hawks forward are now tied at the top of the goal kicking table and will be joint winners of the Jim "Frosty" Miller medal unless Richmond forward Liam McBean (35) or Coburg's Lech Featherstone (34) can spoil the party when they play on Sunday.

 

Grimley admitted after the game he didn’t actually know he had moved to the top of the goal-kicking table.

 

It is set to be the lowest tally since Footscray's Lew Dally kicked 32 goals in 1900 to secure the honours.

 

Hawthorn midfielder Alex Woodward put in yet another solid performance for Box Hill, while key position Hawk Ryan Schoenmakers pressured hard and used his strength and height well up forward.

 

Mitch Hallahan and Kyle Cheney were among the best for the Hawks, while dropped ruckman Ben McEvoy played but didn't appear to do enough to demand a recall.

For the Northern Blues, Matthew Watson was excellent in attack, kicking three goals, while midfielder Dennis Armfield was one of the Blues' best with 24 disposals.

 

Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer's return from a long-term injury was stalled with Northern Blues coach Luke Webster confirming before the game, the 25-year-old had been struck down by a bout of gastro overnight.

 

Meanwhile at Trevor Barker Oval, Tom Simpkin was among the best players for Sandringham in its loss to Williamstown, while Saints forward Trent Dennis-Lane was well held in the second half after kicking a couple of goals in the opening two quarters.

 

On Friday night, Collingwood youngster Matthew Scharenberg ruptured his ACL during the Magpies' VFL win over Bendigo.

 

The injury occurred in the second term of the game, with the 18-year-old finishing the game on the bench.

 

It was the recycled players for the Pies that had the most impact up forward, with former Eagle Quentin Lynch (five) and former Lion Patrick Karnezis (four) booting nine goals between them.

 

Geelong midfielder Jackson Sheringham earned best on ground honours in the Cats' 54-point win over Essendon on Friday night.

 

Billie Smedts and Jordan Schroeder were also among the best players for Geelong, while Corey Dell'Olio was the best for Essendon with three goals.

 

SANFL

Teenage midfielder Matt Crouch produced a dominant best-afield performance for Adelaide, despite being part of a Crows side that suffered a 55-point belting from Norwood at Coopers Stadium.

The 19-year-old, who has played seven AFL games in his debut season, amassed a game-high tallies of disposals (38), clearances (12) and inside 50s (10).

Crouch's only blemish was his inability to capitalise on the scoreboard, registering just three behinds.

Also prominent for the Crows were Sam Kerridge (29 disposals, six clearances and 1.3), 200-game veteran Brent Reilly (25), Jason Porplyzia (23), Jared Petrenko (21) and Rory Atkins (21).

 

Port Adelaide's Kane Mitchell has put his hand up for selection with a solid hit out in the SANFL on Saturday.

 

The 24-year-old midfielder had 24 touches, three clearances, five inside 50s and kicked a goal in a well rounded performance, while Power forward John Butcher booted two goals and took 11 marks.