A review of all the action from Round 20 of the 2024 Smithy’s VFL season.
SYDNEY SWANS vs COLLINGWOOD
SYDNEY SWANS 3.4 3.6 9.7 11.8 (74)
COLLINGWOOD 2.2 5.3 6.5 6.9 (45)
SYDNEY kept its Smithy’s VFL finals hopes alive into the last round after a six-goal third quarter saw it claim a hard-fought 29-point win over an injury-crippled Collingwood at Tramway Oval on Friday.
The Swans started strongly with Peter Ladhams on fire to lead by eight points at the opening break before the Magpies found another gear to edge ahead by nine at the half.
But the visitors were three men down by that stage with Harvey Harrison having suffered a devastating ACL injury in the first four minutes before Josh Eyre was forced off before quarter-time and the dangerous Ash Johnson concussed just before the main break.
But the visitors were three men down by that stage with Harvey Harrison having suffered a devastating ACL injury in the first four minutes before Josh Eyre was forced off before quarter-time with a corked hip and Ash Johnson concussed just before the main break in a tackle that resulted in Sam Wicks being offered a four-match suspension by the MRP.
Sydney took full advantage of the extra rotations, kicking clear with the first five goals of the third quarter before cruising to the line in the last.
Gus Sheldrick (36 disposals, six marks, seven clearances) dominated at the coalface with support from Corey Warner (25 disposals, seven clearances), Caleb Mitchell (28 disposals) and Ben Edwards (23 disposals, one goal), while Aaron Francis (26 disposals, 10 marks) and Ladhams (24 disposals, six marks, 19 hitouts, three goals) picked up where they left off before their AFL stints.
Second-gamer Joe Harrison (22 disposals, one goal) and Indhi Kirk (21 disposals, eight marks) were others to shine.
Reigning Coaches MVP Lachie Sullivan starred on return to the State league for Collingwood with 26 touches (11 contested), five marks and five tackles.
Harry Demattia (23 disposals, 11 contested, seven tackles, one goal) continued to push for an AFL debut, Ed Allan (23 disposals, eight tackles) is in his best touch of the year and Fin Macrae (29 disposals, 14 contested, seven clearances), Wil Parker (19 disposals, 10 marks) and Jakob Ryan (2 disposals 1) also impressed, but they couldn’t avoid the Magpies suffering their 200th loss in the competition.
The result leaves Sydney needing to beat Footscray this week and hope Richmond loses to Carlton, with Sandringham’s result against Geelong also being in the conversation for 10th spot.
GEELONG CATS vs CARLTON
GEELONG CATS 4.4 8.8 10.11 11.12 (78)
CARLTON 3.0 6.1 10.3 16.5 (101)
LIAM McMahon put himself back into a share of the Frosty Miller Medal lead and Carlton knocked Geelong out of top two contention with a stunning 23-point upset triumph over the Cats at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues crashed to the Cats by 101 points in Round 5 – a defeat that sent them spiralling to a nine-match losing streak – but they redeemed themselves in the most satisfying fashion as they rose to the opportunity to shape the top 10.
McMahon was at the forefront with a brilliant seven-goal haul to terrorise the home team’s backline, with the Cats now left to rely on other results to secure the double chance in the finals.
Geelong looked the stronger team in the first half but only managed to eke out a 19-point lead despite having 16 scores to seven, with Mitch Knevitt running riot with 20 disposals and two goals for the half.
McMahon only kicked his second goal in the opening minute of the third quarter but sparked Carlton with three in the term to keep them in touch. However, the Cats still looked like holding on when Tanner Lovell gave them a 14-point lead early in the last.
But McMahon got it back immediately and the Blues exploded with five goals in 10 minutes to Luke Nelson, McMahon (two), Zavier Maher and Jack Lefroy to finish full of running.
McMahon’s 7.0 came from 12 disposals and eight marks and took him to 43 majors for the season, equal with Billy Gowers and Hudson Garoni heading into the final round.
Mid-season draftee Cooper Lord (30 disposals, 18 contested, nine tackles) starred for Carlton, as did Maher (30 disposals, 15 contested, one goal), Lefroy (14 disposals, three goals) and Alex Mirkov (13 disposals, nine clearances, 45 hitouts), while Dom Akuei was assured in defence alongside Lachie Young (17 disposals, eight rebounds).
Knevitt finished with 32 touches and two goals for Geelong, with Mitch Hardie (35 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances, six inside-50s) and Marcus Herbert (31 disposals, six marks) also outstanding.
Meanwhile, Lovell (24 disposals, two goals) had one of his best games at the level and Phoenix Foster (eight marks, three goals), Hamish Lucas and Patrick Hughes also impressed.
ESSENDON vs GOLD COAST SUNS
ESSENDON 1.6 4.13 6.20 11.25 (91)
GOLD COAST SUNS 4.4 6.9 7.11 11.13 (79)
ESSENDON’s reputation as the Gold Coast Suns’ bogey side was enhanced after it shocked the reigning premiers at Windy Hill for the second year in a row.
The Bombers prevailed by 12 behinds. Yes, that’s right, 12 behinds.
The Bombers peppered the sticks all day to boot a wayward 11.25 but the number of opportunities outweighed how many of them were wasted as they held the Suns to 11.13.
Essendon kicked 20 behinds in the opening three quarters but found their radar enough to boot 3.1 in eight minutes midway through the last term to break the game open, getting out by as far as 25 points before the Suns kicked the last two goals.
Gold Coast looked good early, racing out to a 23-point gap of their own when Jack Mahony kicked the first goal of the second quarter before the Bombers took over.
Defenders Lewis Hayes (15 disposals, eight marks) and Sam Weideman (12 disposals, eight marks) stood tall and Archie Perkins (28 disposals, 14 contested, seven clearances, 12 inside-50s) were brilliant through the middle.
Elijah Tsatas (27 disposals, 14 contested, seven clearances, seven entries), the returning Saad El-Hawli (21 disposals, six marks, eight entries, 1.3), Nick Hind (29 disposals, six marks), Matthew Foley (21 disposals) and Tex Wanganeen (21 disposals) also impressed, with Peter Wright kicking 3.2.
Rory Atkins again did as he pleased off half-back for the Suns, amassing 42 disposals, eight marks and 14 rebounds with support from Joel Jeffrey (26 disposals, 10 marks, seven rebounds, 1.2), Darcy Macpherson (24 disposals, nine marks, one goal), Brayden Fiorini (30 disposals, seven marks, 0.3) and Oskar Faulkhead (21, seven marks).
It wasn’t all good news for Essendon, with young tall Vigo Visentini offered a four-match suspension for a high bump on Suns Academy prospect Finlay Gray.
BRISBANE LIONS vs GWS GIANTS
BRISBANE LIONS 1.1 7.4 12.5 19.8 (122)
GWS GIANTS 4.3 7.5 10.10 10.12 (72)
AN unbelievable VFL debut from incoming father-son selection Levi Ashcroft outstripped the remarkable first game of his brother Will two years ago as the Brisbane Lions swamped GWS in the last quarter to win by 50 points at Brighton Homes Arena.
The result virtually ended the Giants’ season in the process, now needing a minor miracle in the final round to qualify for the Wildcard Round.
Ashcroft piled up 19 disposals and a goal in the first half and didn’t let up, finishing with 35 possessions (14 contested), eight marks, 11 clearances, five tackles, six inside-50s and a goal as the Lions kept the pressure on Footscray in the race for an all-important top two spot.
Will debuted with 24 disposals against Sydney in 2022 before following up with a consecutive games of 32 disposals, so he will still be telling Levi he has to back it up next week.
The Giants started strongly as they chased the upset win that would have put them on the brink of the top 10. They kicked five of the first six goals to lead by 25 points when Wade Derksen snagged his second in the seventh minute of the second term.
But the Lions then clicked into gear, slamming on six of the next seven majors to grab the lead before Logan Smith converted after the siren from a free kick and 50m penalty to restore the visitors’ advantage.
Derksen missed a set shot early in the third term to take a seven-point lead and the Lions capitalised, adding the next four goals. Although the Giants responded to stay within a kick turning for home, the signs were there for Brisbane.
The home team banged on 7.3 to 0.2 in the last quarter as Will McLachlan went berserk, bouncing back from a touchless third quarter to have nine disposals and kick four goals to finish with 16 and five for the day.
Ashcroft was best afield, but reigning Liston medallist Jarryd Lyons (26 disposals, 13 clearances, seven tackles, eight entries) and Deven Robertson (28 disposals, 15 contested) were also a class above in the midfield, capping off a powerhouse display from ruckman Darcy Fort (18 disposals, 52 hitouts, seven clearances).
Jaxon Prior (21 disposals, 10 marks, 11 rebounds) was brilliant in defence and Harry Sharp (25 disposals, two goals) too explosive off the wing.
James Leake (28 disposals, 16 contested) was the Giants’ best ahead of Nick Haynes (27 disposals, eight marks) and Conor Stone (21 disposals, 12 contested, one goal). Billy McGee-Galimberti (19 disposals) had his best game in the VFL and Callum Brown (15 disposals, two goals) put in a strong shift in his 50th State league match.
RICHMOND vs SANDRINGHAM
RICHMOND 0.0 4.7 7.8 10.11 (71)
SANDRINGHAM 5.7 6.9 10.11 15.14 (104)
SANDRINGHAM ensured the VFL finals race would go down to the wire after a first quarter obliteration allowed it to secure a 33-point win over Richmond at the Swinburne Centre.
A Tigers victory would have sealed the top 10 with a round to play, but the Zebras kicked out of the blocks, amassing 20 inside 50 entries to four and kicking 5.7 as Richmond was held scoreless in the first quarter of a VFA/VFL game for the first time since 1904.
Playing their 200th match in the VFL era, the Tigers fought back in the second quarter with 4.7 to 1.2 to get back within 14 points at half-time, but try as they might, they could get no closer.
The Zebras held firm on the back of a remarkable performance from Hugo Garcia, who had 34 disposals (16 contested), 12 tackles, nine clearances and three goals, including two classics from the railway station pocket.
Veteran ruckman Tom Campbell was also unstoppable, handing project ruckman Oliver Hayes-Brown a valuable lesson with 28 disposals, six marks, eight clearances and 50 hitouts, while Darby Hipwell (33 disposals, six marks, eight clearances) and Riley Bonner (29 disposal, seven marks, seven rebounds) also starred.
Matt Allison (26 disposals, eight marks, 2.3) was terrific, pushing up the ground and providing a dangerous option whenever the Zebras were moving up the ground, while Isaac Keeler (16 disposals, seven marks, three goals) caused plenty of headaches in attack.
The Tigers were a one-man show early, with Jacob Blight single-handedly trying to hold back the tide – he had 20 disposals and took nine marks at full back by the 15-minute mark of the second quarter – and finished with 32 touches, 13 marks and 13 rebounds.
Jack Ross returned from a long-term foot injury, putting together 27 touches and six inside-50s in three quarters. No.1 pick contender Jagga Smith (24 disposals, 17 contested) impressed for a third straight week, Austin Johnson (18 disposals, one goal) looked good when he went near the ball and Archie May (13 disposals, six marks, three goals) stood out with his attack on the footy.
Smith’s fellow No.1 contender Finn O’Sullivan made his debut and showed some amazing footwork, putting steps on much more experienced players as well as plenty of composure with the footy on his way to 12 touches and two goals.
Richmond’s hopes of staying the top 10 copped a hit with Joel Garner offered a one-match ban for a high bump on Max Hall.
FRANKSTON vs FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
FRANKSTON 4.0 7.1 9.4 11.8 (74)
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 5.1 8.2 12.4 16.5 (101)
HAVING endured a 16-year finals drought, Frankston booked its place in the Wildcard Round despite falling to Footscray by 27 points in a high-standard clash at Kinetic Stadium.
The Dolphins finished the home and away season with a 10-8 record, the first time they have had more wins than losses since 2006, and have done enough to avoid an agonising week ahead given they have the bye in the last round.
They took the contest right up to one of the premiership favourites in the Bulldogs, kicking three of the first four goals and keeping in step with them right up until Lachie Sharp levelled the scores with the first goal of the third term at the four-minute mark.
Two goals in 90 seconds from Ryan Gardner and 50th gamer Trent Bianco finally gave Footscray the upper hand and the visitors worked out to an 18-point break turning for home, sealing the points when Oskar Baker hit the target a minute into the last quarter.
Footscray’s matchwinners almost reads like a who’s who of AFL talent, with Jack Macrae (37 disposals, 17 clearances, two goals) and Ryley Sanders (35 disposals, 11 clearances, eight tackles) and Harvey Gallagher (27 disposals, three goals) doing as they pleased.
Baker (20 disposals, six marks, two goals), Alex Keath (21 disposals, nine marks), Luke Cleary (21 disposals, six marks), Jedd Busslinger (20 disposals, eight marks) and James O’Donnell (17 disposals, nine marks) were all influential, as were Josh Kellett (21 disposals) and Gardner (three goals).
George Grey (30 disposals, eight marks, seven entries, seven rebounds), Jackson Voss (26 disposals, eight marks) and Tom Murphy (23 disposals) were magnificent for Frankston, with Ollie Moran (18 disposals, 12 marks, one goal) and 50th gamer Taine Barlow (17 disposals, eight marks, one goal) also performing well.
NORTHERN BULLANTS vs COBURG
NORTHERN BULLANTS 3.0 9.2 11.4 13.10 (88)
COBURG 5.2 6.3 9.10 13.13 (91)
JOSH D’Intinosante kicked a goal at the 26-minute mark of the final quarter to complete a come-from-behind victory for Coburg to retain the Battle of Bell Street Cup in a thrilling three-point result at Genis Steel Oval.
The Lions trailed from the 19th minute of the second quarter until D’Intinosante received a free kick 35m out directly in front with just two minutes remaining and calmly slotted the goal.
Earlier, Coburg key forward Mitch Podhajski ran red hot, booting 4.1 from nine disposals and three marks in the first quarter before Tristen Waack hit back strongly, conceding just three more kicks and one last-quarter major for the rest of the game.
Trailing by 14 points at quarter-time, the Bullants exploded in the second with their best quarter of footy for the year, banging on 6.2 to 1.1 to grab a 17-point advantage at the main break and raise hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon.
Coburg captain Jesse Corigliano took a powerful mark and converted early in the third term as the Lions started to work their way back, levelling the scores when Podhajski kicked his fifth a minute after the final break.
But the Bullants responded through veteran gun Sam Gilbert, who turned back the clock with a starring role, but four consecutive behinds meant they didn’t put Coburg away and first Max Thompson and then D’Intinosante shattered their hopes at the death.
Joel Trudgeon won the Harold Martin Medal with a terrific performance for the Lions, picking up 26 disposals, 10 clearances and five marks. Cooper Keogh (22 disposals, 41 hitouts), Donovan Toohey (28 disposals, seven rebounds), Flynn Gentile (19 disposals, 10 clearances, eight entries) and D’Intinosante (16 disposals, six tackles, two goals) were also important.
Jean-Luc Velissaris (33 disposals, five clearances, eight entries) probably would have won the Medal had the Ants held on, while Gilbert (18 disposals, six clearances, two goals) also had claims, with Paddy Fairlie (33 disposals, eight clearances) and young talent Felix Dreher (29 disposals, seven marks, 10 rebounds) also outstanding for the home team.
