A recap and highlights of all the Smithy’s VFL 19 action.

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS     4.1   7.6   10.10   13.13 (91)
GWS GIANTS                             4.2   5.2    6.2        7.8 (50)

Footscray’s impressive win streak continued on Friday, with the Bulldogs logging a ninth win on the trot with an impressive 41-point triumph over the GWS Giants at Misson Whitten Oval.

Following an early arm-wrestle, the Bulldogs controlled proceedings after quarter time to keep the Giants to just one major in each of the final three terms to consign the visitors to their third defeat from their past four matches.

James Harmes put in another solid performance to lead the hosts in midfield with 31 disposals, while Jordan Croft impressed up forward with three goals, seven marks and 17 touches.

Having moved six points clear of third placed Southport, the Bulldogs this week face an enormous battle with ladder-leader Box Hill at Box Hill City Oval. A win would put the Bulldogs equal on points with the Hawks at the top of the ladder and secure a top-two finish.

The Giants, who were on top of the ladder at Round 8, are now outside the top six for the first time since Round 2. That’s despite the best efforts of James Leake (28 disposals) and Josh Fahey (26 disposals) who fought on gamely in Friday’s loss.

The club will sweat on a knee injury suffered by Nathan Wardius, with the young forward going down during the second term in his first game back from a foot injury.

BEST
Footscray: Jordan Croft, Nick Coffield, Josh Dolan, Lachlan Smith, Dan Orgill, Cooper Craig-Peters
GWS Giants: James Lugsdin, Taine Moraschi, Josh Fahey, Nick Madden, Jace McQuade, Ryan Hebron

GOALS
Footscray: Jordan Croft, Josh Dolan 3, Buku Khamis 2, Cooper Hynes, Arthur Jones, Luca Muratore, Anthony Scott, Michael Sellwood
GWS Giants: Ryan Hebron 3, Taine Moraschi 2, Phoenix Gothard, Max Gruzewski

LEADING DISPOSALS
Footscray: James Harmes 31, Nick Coffield 25, Anthony Scott 25, Dan Orgill 22, Cooper Craig-Peters 21, Billy Crofts 21
GWS Giants: James Leake 28, Billy McGee-Galimberti 27, Josh Fahey 26, Nick Madden 24, Jacob Wehr 24

SOUTHPORT SHARKS     3.1   5.2   7.4   8.5 (53)
BOX HILL HAWKS             4.4    7.5   9.8   14.13 (97)

Box Hill Hawks didn’t run into too many issues on their trip to Southport, defeating the undermanned Sharks by 44 points at Fankhauser Reserve to maintain top of the ladder position.

With Jacob Dawson, Brayden Crossley and Hugh Dixon all sidelined for the top-three battle, the Sharks were up to the task early and stayed within three g oals heading into the final change.

However, Jasper Scaife’s third goal just 40 seconds into the final term set the tone for the visitors, who went on to kick the following four majors of the match to put the result beyond doubt.

Scaife, along with Jake Arundell and Max Ramsden each booted three goals for the victors, while Cam Mackenzie (28 disposals) and Trent Bianco (27 disposals) won their fair share of the footy.

Playing his 100th VFL match, Michael Manteit led the charge for the Sharks, finishing his milestone occasion with 27 disposals, 12 marks and a goal.

Despite the defeat, his side are still in the box seat to finish in the top four and could still squeeze into the top two if they win both their final two home and away matches and the Bulldogs drop both of their remaining games.

BEST
Southport: Finn Hay, Keegan Gray, Michael Manteit, Elijah Reardon, Jackson Edwards, Josh Gore
Box Hill Hawks: James Blanck, Jai Serong, Cam Mackenzie, Ned Reeves, Stu Horner, Max Ramsden

GOALS
Southport: Wylie Buzza, Taine Dawson 2, Riley Bowman, Josh Gore, Michael Manteit, Harry Sullivan
Box Hill Hawks: Jake Arundell, Max Ramsden, Jasper Scaife 3, Sam Frost 2, Changkouth Jiath, Ned Reeves, Blake Simondson

LEADING DISPOSALS
Southport: Michael Manteit 27, Will Sexton 26, Max Spencer 23, Keegan Gray 22, Boyd Woodcock 22
Box Hill Hawks: Cam Mackenzie 28, Trent Bianco 27, Jai Serong 25, Changkouth Jiath 24, Sam Butler 22

SYDNEY SWANS     7.3   10.5   13.9   15.10 (100)
ESSENDON               0.3   4.6      5.7      9.11 (65)

An opening-term blitz sparked the Sydney Swans as they registered their fifth win of the season by defeating Essendon by 35 points at Tramway Oval.

The Swans’ momentum from their upset victory over the GWS Giants last week continued into the first quarter, where they fired through seven goals to nil on their way to an impressive third-straight win.

Taylor Adams hit his strides as he continues to push for a senior recall following an injury-riddled season, producing a game-high 32 disposals along with six tackles and a goal.

Matt Roberts was also a big contributor to the victory with 31 disposals in his first VFL game of the season, while Aaron Francis booted three goals.

Despite being undermanned, Essendon fought on gamely when a huge defeat loomed. Jackson Hately stood out for the away side, with the star midfielder picking up 27 disposals and eight tackles.

BEST
Sydney: Aaron Francis, Matty Lloyd, Matt Roberts, Taylor Adams, Indhi Kirk, Corey Warner
Essendon: Jackson Hately, Rhys Unwin, Kayle Gerreyn, Zak Johnson, Vigo Visentini, Ryan Brodie

GOALS
Sydney: Aaron Francis, Matty Lloyd 3, Taylor Adams, Oscar Davis, Ben Edwards, Will Green, Tom Hanily, Indhi Kirk, Jack Kluske, Caleb Mitchell, Aidan McCartney
Essendon: Ryan Brodie, Riley Leedham, Tyler Sellers 2, Jordan Busuttil, Jared Eckersley, Rhys Unwin

LEADING DISPOSALS
Sydney: Taylor Adams 32, Matt Roberts 31, Riley Bice 23, Corey Warner 23, Ben Paton 21
Essendon: Jackson Hately 27, Rhys Unwin 24, Zak Johnson 21, Alwyn Davey 18, Kayle Gerreyn 18

GOLD COAST SUNS     1.5   7.9   7.14   10.18 (78)
RICHMOND                      2.1   2.3   5.5      9.7 (61)

Gold Coast put a massive dent in Richmond’s top six hopes, taking down the Tigers in a 17-point triumph at People First Stadium.

After trailing by two points at quarter time, the Suns kicked six goals to nil in the second term to take a commanding 36-point lead into half time.

Unlike last week’s fadeout defeat to Brisbane, the Suns were able to go on for victory. But it wasn’t without some tense moments.

The home side missed an opportunity to put the game to bed with a 0.5 third quarter, with Richmond closing the difference to 21 at the final change.

However, a goal to Malcolm Rosas in the opening minute of the last term put the Suns at ease and they ran away with their sixth win of the season.

David Swallow’s bid to return to the AFL side got an important boost after compiling 36 disposals and six tackles in his side’s triumph. Excitement machines Leo Lombard (31 disposals, eight tackles) and Malcom Rosas (four goals, eight marks) were others to standout for the Suns.

Josh Gibcus finished as Richmond’s best for the afternoon, as the key defender continues a successful recovery from ACL surgery, while Mohammed Yassine kicked three majors.

BEST
Gold Coast Suns: Malcolm Rosas, Caleb Lewis, Jed Walter, David Swallow, Leo Lombard, Jake Rogers
Richmond: Josh Gibcus, Mutaz El Nour, Nick Guiney, Joel Garner, Harry Scott, Jacob Koschitzke

GOALS
Gold Coast Suns: Malcolm Rosas 4, Caleb Lewis 3, Jed Walter 2, Zeke Uwland
Richmond: Mohammed Yassine 3, Nick Girolami 2, Jacob Blight, Joel Garner, Josh Pollocks, Massimo Raso

LEADING DISPOSALS
Gold Coast Suns: David Swallow 36, Leo Lombard 31, Asher Eastham 25, Jake Rogers 23, Lloyd Johnston 22
Richmond: Harry Scott 25, Lachlan Wilson 20, Mutaz El Nour 19, Sam Grlj 18, Lachlan Street 18

COBURG                       3.4   9.5   10.7   13.8 (86)
BRISBANE LIONS     5.2   7.4   10.7    17.10 (112)

Brisbane jumped to fifth position on the Smithy’s VFL ladder and put Coburg’s dreams in jeopardy with a runaway 26-point victory at Barry Plant Park.

Both sides had their moments across a topsy-turvy first three quarters.

Brisbane opened with a five-goal opening term before Coburg piled on six in the second quarter to take a 13-point advantage into the main break.

The visiting Lions took back the ascendancy in the third, before a goal to Coburg forward Ryan Valentine after the three quarter time siren set up an enthralling final period with both sides locked at 67 apiece

The hosts led by five points at the eight-minute mark after back-to-back majors, but as they did against Gold Coast a week earlier, Brisbane finished with all the run.

Ben Hudson’s side piled on five consecutive goals to quieten the Coburg faithful and prevail by 26 points to sit within percentage of a top-four spot.

Three goals each from Ty Gallop, Curtis McCarthy and Fergus McFayden kept the scoreboard ticking over for Brisbane all afternoon, while Deven Robertson was a difference maker for the visitors with 30 disposals and six tackles.

For a fourth successive game, Kyle Weightman booted three majors for Coburg, all of them coming in the second term, with teammates Jack Bytel and Flynn Gentile doing all they could.

BEST
Coburg: Kyle Weightman, Jack Bytel, Flynn Gentile, Ryan Valentine, Jesse Corigliano, Matt Allison
Brisbane Lions: Deven Robertson, Reece Torrent, Luke Lloyd, Ty Gallop, Sam Day, Shadeau Brain

GOALS
Coburg: Kyle Weightman 3, Matt Allison, Mitch Podhajski, Ryan Valentine 2, Jesse Corigliano, Josh D’Intinosante, Max Kennedy, Josh Walker
Brisbane Lions: Ty Gallop, Curtis McCarthy, Fergus McFadyen 3, Will McLachlan, Reece Torrent 2, Darcy Craven, James Creighton, Cooper Hodge, Brandon Ryan

LEADING DISPOSALS
Coburg: Donovan Toohey 31, Lachlan Walker 30, Jack Bytel 29, Flynn Gentile 29, Joel Trudgeon 25
Brisbane Lions: Deven Robertson 30, Daniel Annable 26, Luke Beecken 21, Reece Torrent 19, Will McLachlan 18

PORT MELBOURNE             4.4   6.5   12.8   17.13 (115)
NORTHERN BULLANTS     2.3   4.7    7.9     10.11 (71)

Port Melbourne picked up its first triumph since Round 12, proving too strong for the Northern Bullants to win by 44 points at ETU Stadium.

An 11-goal second half from the Borough was the difference in the match, having trailed when Caleb Franks put through a long-range goal in the 17th minute of the second term.

Archi Manton starred up forward with five majors – the third time in nine games this season he has achieved this feat, and the second time he has done so against the Bullants after booting 5.3 in Round 6.

Dyson Heppell and Charlie Lazzaro combined for 68 disposals to set the tone around the ground for the hosts, while former Bullant Felix Dreher impressed on his club debut with 19 disposals and a goal.

The Bullants were led by Jean-Luc Velissaris (33 disposals, one goal), John Jorgensen (21 disposals, two goals) and Patrick Farlie (21 disposals, seven tackles).

BEST
Port Melbourne: Tom Hird, Archi Manton, Lachlan Rankin, Dyson Heppell, Charlie Lazzaro, Tom Graham
Northern Bullants: John Jorgensen, Jean-Luc Velissaris, Sam Donegan, Chris Scerri, Liam Coghlan, Liam Mackie

GOALS
Port Melbourne: Archi Manton 5, Dom Bedendo, Charlie Clarke, Jimmy Miller 2, Felix Dreher, Patrick Farrant, Roy George, Tom Hird, Ajang Kuol Mun, James Van Es
Northern Bullants: John Jorgensen, Nathan Wright 2, Sam Donegan, Will Elliott, Caleb Franks, Rohan McKenzie, Kaden Schreiber, Jean-Luc Velissaris

LEADING DISPOSALS
Port Melbourne: Dyson Heppell 35, Charlie Lazzarro 33, Lachlan Rankin 31, Tom Hird 25, Harvey Hooper 25
Northern Bullants: Jean-Luc Velissaris 33, Sam Donegan 28, Patrick Fairlie 21, John Jorgensen 21, Caleb Franks 20

WILLIAMSTOWN     3.3   6.3     13.6      15.7 (97)
COLLINGWOOD      2.4   11.8   14.11   16.12 (108)

Collingwood rose back into the top six after holding off a determined Williamstown by 11 points at DSV Stadium.

An enormous nine-goal second term by the Magpies threatened to put the game to bed early as they led by 29 points at the main break. The highlight of the quarter was Noah Howes piling on three goals in five minutes.

However, the Seagulls responded with a seven-goal third term to peg the deficit back to 11 points by three quarter time.

The hosts got the margin to single figures twice in the final quarter and trailed by just four points at the 25-minute mark before Will Hayes booted the sealer for the Pies with minutes to go in the match.

Noah Howes finished with four majors from five kicks whilst Fin Macrae continued his strong return from injury to control things in the middle with 26 disposals.

Williamstown veteran Jake Greiser starred off half back with a season-high 38 disposals, while Brodie McLaughlin booted another five goals to march closer to a second Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal

Having lost their previous four games, Williamstown’s place in the finals is now in real jeopardy and the Seagulls will likely need to beat Richmond in Round 21 following a bye this week to play finals for the third year in succession.

BEST
Williamstown: Jake Greiser, Brodie McLaughlin, Joel Fitzgerald, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Toby Triffett, Finn O’Dwyer
Collingwood: Fin Macrae, Harry Demattia, Harry Mahoney, Wil Parker, Mason Cox, Noah Howes

GOALS
Williamstown: Brodie McLaughlin 5, Lachie Gollant, Toby Triffett 2, Jack Brown, Nick Ebinger, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Heath Ollington, Cam Polson, Jack Toner
Collingwood: Noah Howes 4, Chad Mulvogue 2, Christian Algeri, Josh Bennetts, Mason Cox, Harry DeMattia, Will Hayes, Ash Johnson, Fin Macrae, Harry Mahoney, Roan Steele, Oscar Steene

LEADING DISPOSALS
Williamstown: Jake Greiser 38, Joel Fitzgerald 33, Finn O’Dwyer 31, Toby Triffett 31, Hugo Hall-Kahan 26, Jack Toner 26
Collingwood: Fin Macrae 26, Wil Parker 24, Harry DeMattia 22, Harry Mahoney 18, Conor Willis 17

FRANKSTON     2.1   4.2   9.4   15.9 (98)
CARLTON           6.4   7.5   9.7   11.8 (74)

For the first time in nearly two decades, Frankston secured a sixth-straight win to jump into the top four, this time defeating Carlton by 24 points at Kinetic Stadium.

Having last achieved the feat in Round 16 to the Elimination Final in 2006, the Dolphins were forced to scrap tooth and nail to get past a plucky Blues outfit.

Jackson Kornberg’s side have been in scintillating form of late, but you wouldn’t have known it early, with Carlton racing to a 27-point lead at quarter time on the back of a six-goal first term before maintaining a 21-point buffer at the main break.

However, the home side responded well in the third with a five-goal to two quarter to trail by only three points at the final change before blowing Carlton away with a six-goal fourth term to extend their winning run.

Tom Blamires’ ball winning ability continued, having the most disposals on the ground with 28 while also laying seven tackles. George Grey returned to his best with three goals and 22 disposals.

2023 Northern Knights best and fairest Kristian Ferronato was superb for Carlton, finishing the game with 26 disposals and eight tackles, while Dane Harvey and Denver Grainger-Barras each slotted three goals.

BEST
Frankston: George Grey, Will Hamill, Noah Gown, Harrison Coe, Darby Hipwell, Tom Blamires
Carlton: Heath Ramshaw, Kristian Ferronato, Alex Cincotta, Harry Charleson, Ethan Phillips, Sam Paea

GOALS
Frankston: Noah Gown, George Grey 3, Corey Ellison 2, Nick Burke, Darby Hipwell, Matt Johnson, Bailey Lambert, Ollie Moran, Blake O'Leary, Lachlan Riley
Carlton: Denver Grainger-Barras, Dane Harvey 3, Oliver Badr, Darcy Hogg 2, Hudson O'Keeffe

LEADING DISPOSALS
Frankston: Tom Blamires 28, Will Hamill 25, Tyson Milne 23, George Grey 22, Ollie Moran 19
Carlton: Kristian Ferronato 26, Billy Wilson 25, Harry Charleson 22, Heath Ramshaw 21, Lucas Camporeale 19, Alex Cincotta 19

SANDRINGHAM                6.6   12.8   16.12   19.15 (129)
NORTH MELBOURNE     3.1   10.1   12.5      16.10 (106)

North Melbourne missed a golden opportunity to rise up the ladder and put pressure on the top 10 after falling to Sandringham by 23 points at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

The Zebras got off to a flyer and opened a seven-goal advantage in the 13th minute of the second term then had an answer every time the Kangaroos asked questions – kicking at least three goals in each quarter to record their most impressive performance of the season.

Darcy Wilson put on a show for the home side, racking up 37 disposals, 14 clearances and kicking 1.3. He was assisted by Paddy Dow (27 disposals) and Angus McLennan (25 disposals), while Jez Rigoni was a key contributor up forward with four goals.

Rigoni was outmatched as the game’s leading goal kicker at the other end however, with Geordie Payne finishing with six majors for North Melbourne to make it 10 goals in two games for the 19-year-old. Matthew Keast (27 disposals and nine tackles) also fought hard for the away side.

BEST
Sandringham: Darcy Wilson, Angus McLennan, Jez Rigoni, Paddy Dow, Mattaes Phillipou, Jonah Campigli
North Melbourne: Geordie Payne, Matt Keast, Taylor Goad, Darcy Macpherson, Will Phillips

GOALS
Sandringham: Jez Rigoni 4, Jonah Campigli 3, Lance Collard, Charlie Rozenes 2, Alex Dodson, Liam Henry, Ned Maginness, Mattaes Phillipou, Ben Seers, Lachlan Voss, Darcy Wilson
North Melbourne: Geordie Payne 6, Cooper Trembath, Matt Whitlock 2, Connor Downie, Taylor Goad, Oliver Lowe, Darcy Macpherson, Finnbar Maley, Bailey Scott

LEADING DISPOSALS
Sandringham: Darcy Wilson 37, Paddy Dow 28, Angus McLennan 25, Mattaes Phillipou 23, Arie Schoenmaker 22
North Melbourne: Matt Keast 27, Bailey Scott 24, Adam Tomlinson 23, Will Phillips 22, Ben Huggard 21