The Smithy’s VFL teams for Round 20.
Geelong and Essendon both have key players returning from injury when they clash at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Jake Kolodjashnij headlines Geelong's inclusions following groin surgery, while Kyle Langford has been named by the Bombers for his first game since hurting his hamstring in Essendon's Round 11 AFL win over Richmond.
Carlton has brought in six players from its AFL list for Sunday's clash with the Gold Coast Suns at IKON Park, with Mitch McGovern, Elijah Hollands, Orazio Fantasia, Marc Pittonet, Jaxon Binns and Jordan Boyd all included as the Blues look to end a three-match losing streak.
The Suns have named Academy prospect Dylan Patterson for his first VFL game since Round 13, however they'll make the trip without promoted in-form forward Malcom Rosas and injured trio Ben Jepson, Will Graham and Zak Evans.
Oscar McInerney will line-up for the Brisbane Lions in their top-ten clash with the Casey Demons at Brighton Homes Arena.
Box Hill Hawks will take a powerful side into its top-of-the-table clash with Footscray at Box Hill City Oval.
Ben Cavarra and Sam Durdin return from injury, alongside Seamus Mitchell, while Billy Hicks has earned a recall and Eastern Ranges and Victoria Metro goal sneak Lachy Dovaston selected for the VFL debut.
The Bulldogs have lost James Harmes to illness, with Ewan Macpherson his replacement.
The ruckman is one of five changes for the Lions, with Tom Doedee named for his club AFL debut alongside Will McLachlan, while James Tunstill is in concussion protocols.
Casey has included three AFL-listers among four changes, with Jack Henderson returning from injury and Charlie Spargo and Taj Woewodin also included.
Werribee premiership hero Bior Malual will play his 100th game when the Tigers host Southport at Melbourne Avalon Airport in the second Grand Final rematch of the 2025 season.
The Tigers also regain Jaelan Pavlidis and have handed a club debut to Geelong Falcons draft prospect Hugo Mikunda.
Southport has received a welcome boost as it looks to avenge last week's loss to Box Hill, with superstar midfielder Jacob Dawson returning after being a late withdrawal last week.
Frankston will take an unchanged line-up into its trip to Arden Street Oval to take on North Melbourne. A win would see the Dolphins move another step closer to a top-four finish and a double chance in the finals.
Their task will be aided by the Kangaroos losing three players to the AFL team, with Geordie Payne and Cooper Trembath set to make their AFL debut and Bailey Scott recalled.
Sandringham has included speedster Angus Hastie and Isaac Keeler for its showdown with Richmond at Kinetic Stadium on Saturday night, with the Tigers regain AFL-listed youngsters Tom Sims and Kaleb Smith.
Deacon Kalpakis has been recalled among three changes for Coburg for its must-win game against Port Melbourne at Barry Plant Park. A win would propel the Lions into the top-ten ahead of their final round bye next week.
The Borough have lost Fraser Rosman to a knee injury, while Felix Dreher goes out with a calf issue after impressing in his club debut last week.
BROADCAST AND STREAMING: All matches in the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App. The Seven Network will broadcast a match live and free on 7mate in Victoria and 7plus Sport nationally every Saturday night. This week’s broadcast match will be Richmond vs Sandringham.
BRISBANE LIONS vs CASEY DEMONS
Saturday 9 August, 11:05am, Brighton Homes Arena
BRISBANE LIONS
B: L. Lloyd (19), D. Joyce (41), Z. Zakostelsky (21)
HB: B. McDonald (55), S. Brain (34), L. Beecken (17)
C: J. Creighton (57), R. Torrent (36), T. Abberley (48)
HF: T. Gallop (22), F. McFadyen (58), D. Craven (45)
F: S. Day (14), B. Ryan (24), C. McCarthy (64)
R: O. McInerney (46), D. Annable (63), D. Robertson (2)
INT: T. Meekin (52), C. Offermans (56), W. Greenaway (59), T. Prindable (67), T. Wason (68)
23rd Player: T. Prindable
EMG: H. Bertoli-Simmonds (49), R. Gilder (60), H. Ronchi (62), J. Fazldeen (47), D. Lloyd (66), B. Thomas (53)
IN: W. Greenaway, O. McInerney, T. Meekin, C. Offermans, T. Wason
OUT: T. Doedee, W. McLachlan (AFL), J. Tunstill (concussion), C. Hodge, C. Murray (U17 Futures)
CASEY DEMONS
B: R. Bonner (52), T. Freeman (67), D. Smith (54)
HB: T. Woewodin (40), T. Fullarton (33), W. Duursma (70)
C: K. Brown (41), J. Billings (14), P. Cross (64)
HF: C. Spargo (9), A. Johnson (42), M. Hardie (55)
F: R. Mentha Jnr (39), M. Jefferson (21), L. Kentfield (44)
R: T. Campbell (29), K. Tholstrup (12), B. Laurie (16)
INT: A. Lual (74), R. Baldi (56), W. Verrall (28), J. Henderson (43), K. White (50)
23rd Player: W. Duursma (70)
EMG: T. Sruk (53), J. Craven (75), M. Kirkwood-Scott (51), B. Laplanche (68)
IN: T. Freeman, J. Henderson, C. Spargo, T. Woewodin
OUT: J. Adams, H. Sharp (AFL), M. Kirkwood-Scott, T. Sruk (omitted)
Head-to-head: Brisbane Lions 4-1; At Brighton Homes Arena: Brisbane Lions 1; Streak: Brisbane Lions 3; Last time: Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) def Casey Demons 11.11 (77) – Round 15, 2024, Brighton Homes Arena
GEELONG CATS vs ESSENDON
Saturday 9 August, 12:05pm, GMHBA Stadium
GEELONG CATS
B: X. Ivisic (25), D. Capiron (50), J. Molier (20)
HB: C. Burke (41), J. Pike (37), K. Matafoi-Forbes (31)
C: P. Retschko (27), L. Hofmann (23), J. Kolodjashnij (8)
HF: J. Polkinghorne (2), T. Conway (6), O. Wiltshire (21)
F: J. Clark (13), N. Kreuger (69), T. Clohesy (40)
R: M. Edwards (11), G. Stevens (15), J. Bews (24)
INT: M. Herbert (62), K. Annand (59), P. Kelly (74), T. Murray (61), J. Mellor (49)
23rd Player: J. Mellor (49)
EMG: P. Hughes (64), T. Wyburd (54), K. George (67), O. Pollock (70), D. Madigan (65), W. Sheahan (72), J. Ballantyne (57), J. Sarcevic (52)
IN: M. Herbert, J. Kolodjashnij, N. Kreuger
OUT: M. Knevitt (AFL), O. Henry (concussion), T. Wyburd
ESSENDON
B: M. Foley (73), W. Hoare (51), A. Davey (33)
HB: S. El-Hawli (41), K. Gerreyn (19), Z. Johnson (40)
C: S. McKay (80), R. Unwin (38), D. Uerata (59)
HF: O. Smartt (47), K. Langford (4), A. Day-Wicks (44)
F: R. Brodie (60), T. Sellers (75), J. Eckersley (58)
R: V. Visentini (39), X. O'Neill (55), J. Hately (50)
INT: L. Monteath (71), C. Nyko (65), J. Busuttil (68), N. Scott (57), R. Leedham (61)
23rd Player: R. Leedham (61)
EMG: M. Taha (62), N. Quigg (83), D. Akuei (64), K. Gallagher (69)
IN: K. Langford, N. Scott, O. Smartt
OUT: K. Gallagher, D. Iacovone, M. Taha (omitted)
Head-to-head: Geelong 28-20-6; At GMHBA Stadium: Geelong 8-2; Streak: Essendon 1; Last time: Geelong 7.12 (54) def by Essendon 9.10 (64) – Round 16, 2023, GMHBA Stadium
WERRIBEE vs SOUTHPORT SHARKS
Saturday 9 August, 12:05pm, Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval
WERRIBEE
B: L. Pinnuck (9), S. Azzi (5), J. Clark (27)
HB: M. Cousins (14), E. Jeka (25), F. Gardiner (52)
C: J. Smith (35), D. Andrews (2), B. Malual (22)
HF: J. Dahlhaus (24), C. Whyte (4), A. Hicks (21)
F: H. Grintell (16), H. Garoni (1), J. Lohmann (13)
R: S. Conway (50), D. Brew (29), J. Riding (33)
INT: H. Mikunda (56), H. Miller (46), B. Wright (28), W. Kliszewski (59), J. Pavlidis (34)
23rd Player: H. Mikunda (56)
EMG: J. Grundy (20), A. Gardiner (39), I. Nixon (42), L. Preece (54), H. Maguire (17), C. Wild (6), J. Longmire (12), R. Rode (48), H. Gill (26)
IN: B. Malual, H. Mikunda, J. Pavlidis, B. Wright
OUT: L. Kershaw (hamstring), M. McCluggage (managed), L. Preece, R. Rode (omitted)
NEW: Hugo Mikunda, 18, 180cm, Geelong Falcons/Bell Park
SOUTHPORT SHARKS
B: F. Hay (39), M. Spencer (6), J. Kennedy (36)
HB: B. Woodcock (1), N. Williams (30), W. Sexton (11)
C: M. Manteit (4), E. Reardon (26), T. Hayes (37)
HF: J. Edwards (21), M. Pescud (42), J. Gore (19)
F: H. Oea (8), W. Buzza (15), C. Lake (33)
R: R. Bowman (7), J. Dawson (3), Z. Foot (2)
INT: J. Krok (44), K. Gray (17), M. Khoo (41), J. Sexton (16), B. Aston (32)
EMG: C. Webster (22), H. Sullivan (31), M. Field (35), O. Collins (27), C. Rowe (40), W. Derrington (18), D. Scott (38)
IN: J. Dawson, J. Kennedy, J. Sexton
OUT: T. Dawson (thumb), M. McGuinness (hamstring), H. Sullivan (omitted)
Head-to-head: Tied 3-3; At Avalon Airport Oval: Southport 2-0; Streak: Southport 1; Last time: Southport 13.11 (89) def Werribee 10.11 (71) – Round 1, 2025, Fankhauser Reserve
BOX HILL HAWKS vs FOOTSCAY BULLDOGS
Saturday 9 August, 2:05pm, Box Hill City Oval
BOX HILL HAWKS
B: S. Mitchell (40), S. Durdin (50), J. Blanck (36)
HB: B. Macdonald (42), W. McCabe (27), S. Horner (62)
C: B. Simondson (74), T. Bianco (58), M. Hill (41)
HF: C. Mackenzie (28), N. Reeves (7), L. Ward (54)
F: J. Serong (29), J. Scaife (39), B. Ryan (26)
R: M. Ramsden (38), H. Hustwaite (44), S. Butler (30)
INT: B. Cavarra (52), B. Hicks (63), E. Stanley (65), J. Arundell (70), L. Dovaston (76)
23rd Player: L. Dovaston (76)
EMG: D. Wood (68), G. Julian (75), W. Kellar (80), N. Philactides (51), J. Sammartino (67), B. McCormack (79)
IN: B. Cavarra, L. Dovaston, S. Durdin, B. Hicks, S. Mitchell
OUT: C. Jiath (AFL), S. Frost (injured), W. Kellar, N. Philactides, J. Sammartino (omitted)
NEW: Lachy Dovaston, 18, 177, Eastern Ranges/Blackburn
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
B: Z. Walker (41), N. Coffield (17), M. Sellwood (37)
HB: T. Duryea (15), L. Jones (19), B. Khamis (24)
C: C. Hynes (6), S. Davidson (42), D. Orgill (50)
HF: L. Jaques (11), R. Gardner (43), L. Kennedy (35)
F: C. Craig-Peters (61), L. Smith (40), A. Jones (32)
R: J. Croft (16), J. Dolan (26), A. Scott (28)
INT: J. Kellett (57), B. Crofts (54), E. Macpherson (59), L. Muratore (68), L. Ramshaw (60)
23rd Player: L. Ramshaw (60)
EMG: W. Lewis (64), D. Cuningham (51), E. Hunt (56), T. Maple (65)
IN: E. Macpherson
OUT: J. Harmes (illness)
Head-to-head: Box Hill Hawks 6-5-1; At Box Hill City Oval: Box Hill Hawks 2-1; Streak: Footscray 1; Last time: Footscray 10.13 (73) def Box Hill Hawks 9.6 (60) – Round 6, 2024, Mission Whitten Oval
RICHMOND vs SANDRINGHAM
Saturday 9 August, 7:10pm, Kinetic Stadium
RICHMOND
B: N. Guiney (62), J. Blight (46), J. Gibcus (18)
HB: K. Smith (49), N. Collier (63), M. El Nour (57)
C: L. George (67), H. Scott (74), A. Johnson (51)
HF: T. Ferguson (73), M. Yassine (52), L. Wilson (56)
F: N. Girolami (59), J. Koschitzke (20), M. Raso (77)
R: T. Sims (38), T. McKenzie (60), J. Garner (53)
INT: J. Pollocks (79), S. Grlj (54), L. Street (55), S. Phillips (81), S. Toner (68)
23rd Player: S. Grlj (54)
EMG: P. Moimoi (58), S. Lai (76), J. Feneley (64)
IN: T. Sims, K. Smith
OUT: R. Hanson (injured), S. Lai (omitted)
SANDRINGHAM
B: A. Schoenmaker (27), Z. Cordy (21), T. Travaglia (5)
HB: J. Barrat (28), E. Armstrong (46), A. McLennan (41)
C: W. Johnson (60), A. Hastie (24), J. Carroll (18)
HF: N. Maginness (52), L. Collard (4), C. Orchard (76)
F: J. Rigoni (79), I. Keeler (17), B. Richardson (83)
R: A. Dodson (30), P. Dow (15), L. O'Connell (45)
INT: B. Seers (72), E. Williams (53), B. McKenzie (57), B. Martin (77), C. Rozenes (78)
23rd Player: B. Martin (77)
EMG: M. Ryan (74)
IN: A. Hastie, W. Johnson, I. Keeler, B. Martin, C. Orchard, B. Richardson
OUT: L. Henry, M. Phillipou, D. Wilson (AFL), H. Boyd, J. Campigli (unavailable), L. Voss (ankle)
Head-to-head: Richmond 9-8; At Kinetic Stadium: Never Met; Streak: Richmond 1; Last time: Sandringham 11.8 (74) def by Richmond 11.14 (80) – Round 2, 2025, RSEA Park
CARLTON vs GOLD COAST SUNS
Sunday 10 August, 11:05am, IKON Park
CARLTON
B: M. McGovern (11), E. Phillips (55), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: A. Cincotta (39), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: D. Hogg (70), L. Nelson (57), C. Vickery (59)
F: O. Fantasia (14), E. Hollands (20), S. Phipps-Parsons (69)
R: M. Pittonet (27), W. Hayes (54), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: Z. Harding (60), O. Badr (62), S. Paea (66), K. Ferronato (50), D. Harvey (73)
23rd Player: Z. Harding (60)
EMG: L. Farrar (67), O. Poole (75), T. Logan (68), N. King (63), J. Polkinghorne (76), A. Stevens (77), C. Hamilton (80), P. Dozzi (53)
IN: J. Binns, J. Boyd, O. Fantasia, Z. Harding, W. Hayes, E. Hollands, M. McGovern, M. Pittonet
OUT: H. O'Keeffe, B. Wilson (AFL), P. Dozzi, D. Grainger-Barras, T. Gresham, F. Riley, A. Stevens, O. Warburton (omitted)
NEW: Zac Harding, 19, 199cm, Murray Bushrangers, Wodonga Bulldogs
GOLD COAST SUNS
B: C. Graham (46), S. Lemmens (23), C. Bell (31)
HB: D. Patterson (47), A. Eastham (42), N. Beikoff-Smart (55)
C: Z. Uwland (51), B. Addinsall (52), L. Johnston (38)
HF: L. Lombard (30), A. Sexton (6), T. Berry (16)
F: C. Lewis (45), J. Walter (4), H. Heathcote (57)
R: N. Moyle (21), D. Swallow (24), J. Rogers (29)
INT: C. Collins (56), L. Gulbin (39), L. Chapman (64), J. Tsitas (43), L. Cramp (60)
23rd Player: H. Heathcote (57)
EMG: H. Greenwood (61), C. Nancarrow (54), M. Hudson (49), J. Harris (58), G. Turner (53)
IN: L. Chapman, L. Cramp, H. Heathcote, D. Patterson, J. Tsitas
OUT: M. Rosas (AFL), Z. Evans (injured), W. Graham (injured), B. Jepson (injured), K. Coulson (managed)
NEW: Harry Heathcote, 18, 194cm, Gold Coast Suns Academy/Palm Beach Currumbin
Head-to-head: Gold Coast Suns 2-1; At IKON Park: Gold Coast Suns 1; Streak: Gold Coast 2; Last time: Carlton 7.10 (52) def by Gold Coast Suns 15.12 (102) – Round 9, 2024, IKON Park
COBURG vs PORT MELBOURNE
Sunday 10 August, 1:05pm, Barry Plant Park
COBURG
B: L. Walker (25), R. Sturgess (9), I. Dammersmith (15)
HB: T. Barnett (50), D. Toohey (33), B. Gillard (11)
C: M. Kennedy (24), J. Bytel (6), H. Bromell (5)
HF: J. Lefroy (30), L. Kelvie (47), L. Bailey (1)
F: K. Weightman (26), M. Podhajski (10), J. Corigliano (2)
R: J. Furphy (34), J. Trudgeon (18), F. Gentile (4)
INT: R. Valentine (3), J. Walker (39), D. Kalpakis (38), J. Tomasiello (21), M. Allison (23)
EMG: B. Major (36), D. Wilmore (28), R. Galvin (37), M. Thompson (42), J. D'Intinosante (7), J. Andrew (40)
IN: L. Bailey, D. Kalpakis, L. Kelvie
OUT: S. Mason (knee), J. D'Intinosante, L. Serong (omitted)
NEW: Luke Kelvie, 23, 181, Old Carey
PORT MELBOURNE
B: J. Van Es (6), M. Gahan (32), T. Graham (28)
HB: J. Johnston (20), T. Watson (11), D. Heppell (59)
C: T. Hird (4), L. Rankin (15), C. Lazzaro (1)
HF: R. Polkinghorne (24), A. Manton (16), D. Bedendo (12)
F: R. George (34), J. Miller (23), P. Farrant (22)
R: A. Kuol Mun (27), H. Hooper (37), J. Green (14)
INT: C. Clarke (52), J. Skinner (42), N. Cahill (45), H. Stubbings (31), S. Grant (38)
EMG: A. Anastasio (19), T. Hofert (10), M. Rider (21)
IN: M. Gahan, J. Skinner
OUT: F. Dreher (calf), F. Rosman (knee)
NEW: Jack Skinner, 19, 190cm, Colac
Head-to-head: Port Melbourne 99-71; At Piranha Park: Coburg 39-37-1; Streak: Coburg 2; Last time: Port Melbourne 8.19 (67) def by Coburg 11.11 (77) – Round 13, 2025, ETU Stadium
NORTH MELBOURNE vs FRANKSTON
Sunday 10 August, 2:05pm, Arden Street Oval
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: M. Whitlock (35), K. Dawson (42), W. Dawson (18)
HB: B. Hopkins (53), A. Tomlinson (80), B. Huggard (48)
C: J. O'Sullivan (71), W. Phillips (29), C. Downie (73)
HF: N. Sulzberger (65), A. Noblet (56), J. Tarrant (79)
F: S. Linder (67), F. Maley (39), R. Stevens (36)
R: T. Goad (22), L. Urquhart (14), D. Macpherson (50)
INT: M. Keast (64), O. van Dam (74), B. Stevens (51), M. Clarkson (57), O. Lowe (70)
23rd Player: O. van Dam (74)
EMG: W. Lambert (76), L. Gunson (69)
IN: B. Hopkins, S. Linder, J. Tarrant
OUT: G. Payne, B. Scott, C. Trembath (AFL)
FRANKSTON
B: B. O'Leary (10), J. Smith (25), A. McComb (20)
HB: T. Barlow (3), J. Lloyd (18), W. Hamill (9)
C: T. Milne (15), T. Blamires (23), G. Grey (6)
HF: B. Lambert (22), C. Ellison (4), N. Burke (17)
F: N. Gown (1), H. Jones (39), T. Campbell-Farrell (26)
R: H. Coe (16), D. Hipwell (14), L. Riley (8)
INT: O. Moran (28), M. Nelson (32), K. Askew (42), T. Owens (7), M. Johnson (24)
EMG: C. Gay (34), T. O'Leary (41), N. Moodie (27), R. Mihailovic (38)
No change
Head-to-head: Frankston 4-2; At Arden Street Oval: Tied 1-1; Streak: Nort Melbourne 1; Last time: North Melbourne 20.11 (131) def Frankston 9.2 (56) – Round 8, 2023, Arden Street Oval
UMPIRES
BRISBANE LIONS vs CASEY DEMONS
FIELD: Cameron Manthey (11), Sam Bridges (22), Henry Harris (51), Jake Edgar (54); BOUNDARY: Jacob Hudson, Harrison Hansford, Ryan Hickey, Cooper Ranie; GOAL: Zachary Mabb, Kane Miller
GEELONG CATS vs ESSENDON
FIELD: Alexander Murray (6), Emiel Morvell (3), Sam Hurford (44); BOUNDARY: Oliver Pratt, Mitchell O'Neill, Nicholas Bahr, Samuel Beer; GOAL: Tayla Manning, James Rodwell
WERRIBEE vs SOUTHPORT SHARKS
FIELD: Scott Simpson (15), Joseph O'Brien (16), Samuel Ferguson (23); BOUNDARY: Corey Malcolm, Bailey Wilson, Mitchell Dorling, Joshua Blain; GOAL: Joshua Hickman, Callum Thornton
BOX HILL HAWKS vs SOUTHPORT SHARKS
FIELD: Nick Jankovskis (1), Jack Howard (18), James Strybos (43), Joel Clamp (34); BOUNDARY: Daniel Urbans, Lachlan Higgs, Melissa Sambrooks; GOAL: Georgie Henderson, John Varker
RICHMOND vs SANDRINGHAM
FIELD: Connor Hawes (12), Cameron Williams (19), Jordyn Pearson (26); BOUNDARY: Harrison Bell, Lachlan Perdon, Lachlan Wright, Lewis Spiker; GOAL: Josh Dudman Doyle, James Rizio
CARLTON vs GOLD COAST SUNS
FIELD: Jack Cannon (18), Michael Willcox (32), Kyle Van Raay (33); BOUNDARY: Cody Tuder, Daniel Mortlock, Solomon Miesen, Dominic Schiliro; GOAL: Jack Stammers, Joon-Yip Wong
COBURG vs PORT MELBOURNE
FIELD: Andrew Talbot (1), Lachlan Coyne (2), Liam Dye (24); BOUNDARY: Luke Myatt, Kaitlin Barr, Benjamin Rofe, Andrew Van Keulen; GOAL: Christopher Doyle, Thomas Gath
NORTH MELBOURNE vs FRANKSTON
FIELD: Samuel Whetton (4), Luke Porter (14), Thomas Lyon (41); BOUNDARY: Wade Anderson, Greta Miller, Jake D'Angelo; GOAL: Bradley Kellett, Brendan Moloney
