All the teams for the Week One of the Smithy’s VFL Finals Series.

Two of the biggest names in the Smithy’s VFL will be missing when the finals ramp up on Saturday, with standalone clubs Werribee and Williamstown each copping a significant blow to their chances in the injury-forced omissions of Michael Sodomaco and Ben Jolley.

But forgotten Collingwood defender Charlie Dean will make a surprise appearance to play his first match in more than a year and only his third in two seasons when he lines up against his former club at DSV Stadium.

VFA/VFL games record holder Ben Jolley has been ruled out of the Seagulls’ elimination final against the Magpies due to his troublesome calf, while star Tigers half-back Michael Sodomaco will miss his qualifying final against Box Hill Hawks at Avalon Airport Oval with a hamstring problem.

Dean, who won the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal for Williamstown in 2021 before being taken by Collingwood at No.2 in the AFL Rookie Draft that year, has struggled with a foot injury ever since, managing only two games in Rounds 14-15 last season, and being previously ruled out for the season.

The news isn’t all bad for Werribee though, with key midfielder Jack Henderson returning from injury, while Keegan Gray and Jesse Clark also force their way back in for the unlucky Michael Selsby and Jack Riding.

Box Hill has made ten changes to the team that beat Frankston in Round 22, with late withdrawal Callum Brown and Jack O’Sullivan returning from injury and Ned Long, Jacob Koschitzke, Denver Grainger-Barras, Jai Serong, Brandon Ryan, Max Ramsden and Henry Hustwaite eligible to return from AFL duty due to having played six or more VFL and less than 13 AFL games for the season.

The Hawks lose Cam Mackenzie, Lloyd Meek and Seamus Mitchell under the eligibility criteria, with Joel Trudgeon and Jake Arundell the unluckiest of the VFL-listed players dropping out.

Williamstown also has some good news to offset Jolley’s absence, with captain Cam Polson and the experienced Josh Pickess back from injury along with Jack Noonan, while Will Jury will miss with concussion and Matt Gaul has been omitted.

Collingwood has lost Josh Carmichael to concussion and Reef McInnes to a collarbone injury among three changes, with Jedd Longmire and Chad Mulvogue getting their chance.

The Casey Demons’ premiership defence has received a vicious blow due to Melbourne also playing on Thursday night, with six of their AFL-listed stars being held over in case they are required for the MCG games.

As well as losing gun midfielder Luke Dunstan to a season-ending knee injury, Casey had to find replacements for Brodie Grundy, Tom McDonald, Charlie Spargo, James Jordan, Taj Woewodin and Josh Schache, while they also chose not to recall Dan Turner or Bailey Laurie, putting their backs firmly against wall against Footscray in their elimination final at Box Hill City Oval.

Talented youngsters Ziggy Toledo-Glasman and Finn Emile-Brennan will play their second VFL games in the cut-throat final, with talls Jack Bell, Ryan Valentine and Kyah Farris-White also recalled alongside three-game midfielder Heath Briggs for his first game of the year and defender Tommy McRae.

The Bulldogs, who don’t have AFL commitments, have rushed back Rhylee West, Robbie McComb and Caleb Poulter alongside young forward Connor Smith, but they lose Rourke Smith to a recurrence of his foot injury.

Gold Coast has stocked up for its QClash qualifying final against Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, with forwards Mabior Chol, Joel Jeffrey and Alex Sexton rejoining joint Frosty Miller medallists Chris Burgess and Brodie McLaughlin inside forward 50.

The suspended, but ineligible, Ben Long is the only AFL-listed player to make way.

The Lions made just one change, with gun midfielder Jarryd Lyons replacing Academy member Brad McDonald.

Kai Lohmann played in Round 22 and last week in the AFL and is clear to play against the Suns.

BROADCAST: All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season are live streamed free via the AFL website and AFL Live Official App. Smithy’s VFL broadcast partner, the Seven Network, will broadcast both elimination finals live and free on the Seven Network in Victoria and on 7Plus nationally. The coverage begins with Footscray Bulldogs vs Casey Demons at 12:00pm, followed by Williamstown vs Collingwood at 3:00pm

TICKETING: For all matches during Week One to Week Three of the Smithy’s VFL Finals, admission prices will be adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and children under 15 free. Tickets for this weekend’s matches can be pre-purchased at www.intix.com.au/org/vfl. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate, subject to capacity. Spectators purchasing at the gate are advised the payment method is EFTPOS only.

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS vs CASEY DEMONS

Second Elimination Fial
Saturday 2 September, 12:00pm, Box Hill City Oval
Head-to-head: Footscray 7-5. At Box Hill City Oval: Never Met. Record at venue: Footscray 1-1. Casey Demons 13-18. Streak: Casey Demons 2

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
B: H. Crozier (9), J. Busslinger (5), N. Drummond (51)
HB: L. Cleary (36), T. O'Brien (22), R. Gardner (43)
C: R. Garcia (38), L. Sullivan (53), C. Poulter (25)
HF: H. Gallagher (12), C. Clarke (8), R. West (14)
F: C. Raak (40), E. MacPherson (67), B. Khamis (24)
R: J. Sweet (41), R. McComb (27), T. McLean (16)
INT: L. Goater (58), J. Chatfield (52), E. Hunt (72), C. Craig-Peters (61), C. Smith (74)*
EMG: D. Orgill (50), C. MacIsaac (56), J. Gilbee (69), C. Lewis (70), S. Willoughby (73)

IN: R. McComb, C. Poulter, C. Smith, R. West
OUT: R. Smith (foot), H. Bromell, D. Orgill, S. Willoughby

CASEY DEMONS
B: K. Turner (33), J. Adams (26), M. Buntine (71)
HB: N. Moodie (74), T. Freeman (67), D. Smith (34)
C: G. Grey (68), J. Harmes (4), T. Edwards (58)
HF: R. Steele (54), R. Valentine (65), H. Neocleous (75)
F: A. Moniz-Wakefield (45), M. Jefferson (21), W. Verrall (28)
R: J. Bell (73), M. White (52), J. Munro (47)
INT: T. McRae (76), H. Briggs (51), F. Emile-Brennan (69), Z. Toledo (48)*, K. Farris-White (43)
EMG: C. Peters (63), M. Gregory (57), R. Galvin (79), C. MacDonald (59), C. Muley (49)

IN: J. Bell, H. Briggs, F. Emile-Brennan, K. Farris-White, T. McRae, Z. Toledo, R. Valentine                    
OUT: L. Dunstan (knee), B. Grundy, J. Jordon, T. McDonald, J. Schache, C. Spargo, T. Woewodin (AFL)

WERRIBEE vs BOX HILL HAWKS

Second Qualifying Final
Saturday 2 September, 2:05pm, Avalon Airport Oval
Head-to-head: Werribee 52-41. At Avalon Airport Oval: Werribee 29-14. Streak: Box Hill Hawks 1

WERRIBEE
B: W. Lual (12), N. Cooper (18), L. Rocci (30)
HB: L. Pinnuck (9), N. Coughlan (5), S. Clohesy (35)
C: K. Declase (15), M. Hanson (11), B. Malual (22)
HF: S. Mannagh (6), H. Garoni (1), J. Henderson (8)
F: N. Hayes (7), S. Paea (32), N. Lever (28)
R: K. Annand (36), T. Gribble (4), D. Brew (29)
INT: K. Gray (13), J. Porter (21), J. Clark (27), H. Grintell (16), M. Keast (57)
EMG: B. Henderson (2), E. Ajang (39), C. Thar (45), J. Boyd (10), S. Azzi (19), C. McLeod (31), M. Selsby (14), J. Riding (34)

IN: J. Clark, K. Gray, J. Henderson
OUT: M. Sodomaco (hamstring), J. Riding, M. Selsby

BOX HILL HAWKS
B: J. Morris (35), E. Jeka (39), J. Thorpe (57)
HB: L. Bramble (16), J. Serong (29), C. Porter (55)
C: D. Mascitti (50), N. Long (27), M. Ramsden (38)
HF: S. Butler (30), C. Brown (66), J. Bennetts (41)
F: B. Ryan (46), D. Granger-Barras (24), F. Greene (26)
R: J. Koschitzke (23), H. Hustwaite (44), C. Stephens (21)
INT: C. Tucker (45), B. Macdonald (42), J. O'Sullivan (43), E. Phillips (60), M. Sruk (80)*
EMG: T. Waack (64), L. Coghlan (74), J. Arundell (70), M. Hall (61), J. Trudgeon (54), S. Horner (62)

IN: C. Brown, D. Granger-Barras, H. Hustwaite, J. Koschitzke, N. Long, J. O'Sullivan, M. Ramsden, B. Ryan, J. Serong, M. Sruk
OUT: C. Mackenzie, L. Meek, S. Mitchell (ineligible), L. Bryce (injured), K. Agosta, J. Arundell, L. Coghlan, M. Hall, J. Trudgeon, L. Wynd

WILLIAMSTOWN vs COLLINGWOOD

First Elimination Final
Saturday 2 September, 3:00pm, DSV Stadium
Head-to-head: Williamstown 18-11. At DSV Stadium: Williamstown 9-5. Streak: Williamstown 1

WILLIAMSTOWN
B: J. Greiser (18), F. O'Dwyer (17), M. Hore (3)
HB: M. Philpot (19), O. McDonald (8), C. Polson (5)
C: N. Gadsby (13), T. Triffett (23), J. Pickess (22)
HF: M. Cox (21), J. Ottavi (20), J. Toner (14)
F: M. Ktona (33), C. Ellison (24), D. Andrews (7)
R: T. Downie (11), H. Jones (12), C. Preston (15)
INT: N. Ebinger (26), J. McHale (32), J. Noonan (31), N. Colenso (35), L. Conway (34)
EMG: M. Gaul (30), J. Lipscombe (6), Z. Banch (47), Z. Pritchard (46), W. Mayhood (28)

IN: J. Pickess, C. Polson, J. Noonan
OUT: B. Jolley (calf), W. Jury (concussion), M. Gaul

COLLINGWOOD
B: W. Kelly (20), C. Dean (43), T. Ruscoe (21)
HB: A. Draper (19), N. Jetta (54), T. Bianco (8)
C: C. Lane (48), E. Allan (16), C. Murley (27)
HF: J. Richards (29), H. Harrison (36), T. Wilson (12)
F: N. Kreuger (15), S. Glover (50), A. Johnson (40)
R: A. Begg (39), F. Macrae (18), C. Hustwaite (55)
INT: C. Mulvogue (68), O. Steene (44), L. Tardrew (51), T. Wilson (56), J. Longmire (57)*
EMG: Y. Ashwin (70), L. Purcell (65), B. Silvagni (60), J. Tomasiello (61), J. Raines (64), V.Blackmore-Moore (49), E. Delany (63), J. Booth (53)           

IN: C. Dean, J. Longmire, C. Mulvogue
OUT: J. Carmichael (concussion), R. McInnes (collarbone), Y. Ashwin

GOLD COAST SUNS vs BRISBANE LIONS

First Qualifying Final
Saturday 2 September, 6:05pm, Heritage Bank Stadium
Head-to-head: Brisbane Lions 21-13. At Heritage Bank Stadium: Brisbane Lions 9-5. Streak: Gold Coast Suns 2 

GOLD COAST SUNS
B: J. Stein (42), C. Graham (46), B. Uwland (32)
HB: L. Johnston (38), J. Farrar (50), C. Constable (33)
C: J. Sharp (20), O. Faulkhead (37), E. Hollands (36)
HF: H. Oea (47), C. Burgess (19), A. Sexton (6)
F: M. Chol (1), S. Day (12), B. McLaughlin (43)
R: N. Moyle (49), A. Davies (5), J. Tsitas (21)
INT: S. Brock (45), J. Jeffrey (40), C. Blakely (26), C. Lake (61)*, J. Eckersley (56)
EMG: F. Hay (62), N. Williams (57), W. Derrington (58), B. O'Brien (51)

IN: M. Chol, J. Jeffrey, L. Johnston, A. Sexton, B. Uwland
OUT: B. Long (suspended), F. Hay, W. Graham, L. Lombard, N. Williams

BRISBANE LIONS
B: J. Prior (20), D. Gardiner (27), B. Reville (49)
HB: D. Joyce (41), T. Fullarton (21), T. Abberley (48)
C: S. Brain (34), J. Lyons (17), H. Sharp (22)
HF: B. Coleman (13), N. Cockatoo (12), K. Lohmann (1)
F: D. McDowell-White (50), D. Fort (32), W. Buzza (59)
R: H. Smith (25), R. Mathieson (36), J. Tunstill (29)
INT: K. Lane (45), K. Dunkley (52), R. Greene (53), W. Barry (54), J. Manly (62)*
EMG: B. Gordon (47), J. Budarick (51), J. Hille (55), Z. Derksen (56), L. Rayner (57), O. Collins (61)

IN: J. Lyons
OUT: B. McDonald

UMPIRES

Footscray Bulldogs vs Casey Demons
FIELD: 7.Sam Nippress, 37.Sam Whetton, 48.Cam Manthey. Emergency: 32.Michael Willcox. BOUNDARY: Sam Beer, Trent Bowes, Sam Button, Ben Duce. GOAL: Jake Marnie, John Varker. Emergency: Adam Steger.

Werribee vs Box Hill Hawks
FIELD: 1.Andrew Talbot, 14.Luke Porter, 27.Nick Jankovskis. Emergency: 9.Seb Dalgleish. BOUNDARY: James Brayshaw, John Cooper, Mitch O’Neill, Jesse Wilkie. GOAL: Brad Kellett, Luke Monea. Emergency: Chris Doyle.

Williamstown vs Collingwood
FIELD: 18.Jack Howard, 23.Sam Ferguson, 34.Joel Clamp. Emergency: 6.Alex Murray. BOUNDARY: Anthony Laughton, Lachlan Menara, Dom Schiliro, Lewis Spiker. GOAL: Matt Edwards, Brendan Moloney. Emergency: Callum Thornton

Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions
FIELD: 8.Nick Scott, 28.Josh Ball, 33.Kyle Van Raay. Emergency: 5.Oliver Pye. BOUNDARY: Blake Anderson, Harry Hansford, Will Morris, Adrian Pretorius. GOAL: Zach Mabb, James Rizio. Emergency: Kane Miller.