A recap and highlights of the Smithy’s VFL wildcard final action which saw Richmond and Williamstown advance to elimination finals.

RICHMOND       4.4    5.7   12.12   17.14 (116)
GWS GIANTS     2.1   5.5    8.8        14.14 (98)

Richmond broke their Wildcard finals hoodoo to earn a place in this week’s second elimination final, leading from start to finish to defeat the GWS Giants by 18 points at ETU Stadium.

The Tigers registered the first five scoring shots of the match and led by as much as 25 points in the early stages of the game before the Giants fought back and kicked three consecutive majors in the second term to trail by just two points at half time.

Ten goals were produced between the two sides across the third quarter, with seven of them going the way of Richmond. Jacob Koschitzke was responsible for three of them in just a 10-minute span, helping the Tigers take a 28-point lead into the final term.

After 16-year-old Giants Academy prospect Ethan Matthews kicked the first major of the last quarter, the home side put the game to bed in a scintillating eight-minute patch which produced four goals and blew the margin out to 46 points.

The Giants remained up for the fight and kicked five of the last six goals of the match, but it was too little too late, as Richmond prevailed to set up a big elimination final clash with the Brisbane Lions at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday.

Koschitzke finished with an equal game-high four goals for the afternoon, which was the second time he has achieved the feat in his 17 VFL matches this season. Liam Fawcett also contributed nicely inside 50 with a season-high three-goal haul.

Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal prospect Harry Scott maintained his good form and was terrific for the victors with 28 disposals, seven score involvements and five tackles, while Lachie Wilson also played a key role in his side’s triumph with a performance that included 19 disposals and six tackles.

Brent Daniels made a successful return to the field after missing the majority of the season with injury and was one of the Giants’ best. The speedy midfielder racked up 29 disposals, nine clearances, nine inside 50s and six tackles.

Josh Fahey kept the visiting side in the hunt with a season-high 36 disposals at 86% efficiency while Phoenix Gothard led the way on the scoreboard with four majors from his 20 disposals.

BEST
Richmond: Lachlan Wilson, Mutaz El Nour, Jacob Koschitzke, Kaleb Smith, Nicholas Girolami, Sam Toner
GWS Giants: Brent Daniels, Phoenix Gothard, Josaia Delana, Joshua Fahey, Harrison Oliver, Ollie Hannaford

GOALS
Richmond: Jacob Koschitzke 4, Liam Fawcett, Mohammed Yassine 3, Steely Green, Nicholas Girolami 2, Joel Garner, Massimo Raso, Sam Toner
GWS Giants: Phoenix Gothard 4, Hugo Birks, Oliver Hannaford 2, Jaiden Butson, Riley Hamilton, Perry Lewis-Smith, James Lugsdin, Ethan Matthews, Taine Moraschi

LEADING DISPOSALS
Richmond: Harry Scott 28, Kaleb Smith 24, Massimo Raso 19, Lachlan Wilson 19, Jacob Blight 18, Oliver Hayes-Brown 18
GWS Giants: Josh Fahey 36, Harry Oliver 31, Brent Daniels 29, Billy McGee-Galimberti 26, Phoenix Gothard 20

COLLINGWOOD     4.3   5.10   9.12   9.15 (69)
WILLIAMSTOWN     4.2   5.4     8.11    11.15 (81)

Williamstown produced a brilliant last quarter to upset Collingwood in their Wildcard Final at Victoria Park on Sunday, triumphing by 12 points.

Both sides kicked four majors in a free-flowing opening term in what looked set to be a high scoring affair.

However, the scoring slowed down in the second term. It didn’t stop the Magpies registering eight scoring shots to three in the quarter, but they could only muster one major in that time, leaving the door open for their opponents in the second half in what proved to be a costly let-off.

Collingwood maintained a slight buffer during the third term, but the Seagulls responded every time the hosts threatened to break the game apart and settled for a seven-point deficit to chase approaching the final term.

The highlight of the third term would prove to be a minute of magic by Collingwood siblings Harry and Max Mahoney, who each kicked miraculous goals from opposing pockets to keep their side ahead at the last change.

But with both teams’ season on the line, it was Justin Plapp’s men who rose to the occasion to kick the only three goals of the last quarter, while Collingwood could do no more than kick three behinds for the term.

The result ensured Williamstown won a final for the third successive year and set up a first elimination final showdown with the Casey Demons at Casey Fields.

It was an even spread of contributors that helped Williamstown get over the line. Jack Toner was arguably the Seagulls’ most influential player, finishing with 23 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances, 17 contested possessions and a goal.

Joel Fitzgerald led the disposal count with 24 but more importantly, produced eight rebound 50s to help set up multiple transition plays for his side.

After being contained in the opening three quarters, Brodie McLaughlin came alive in the final stanza and kicked the final goal of the match to seal his side’s win.

With the Frosty Miller Medal winner subdued early, it was Lachie Gollant who stepped up to the plate in arguably his best game for the club since joining from the Adelaide Crows. Gollant kicked an equal season-high four majors to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Ultimately, Collingwood were unable to convert opportunities when it mattered, with the Magpies missing critical chances on goal throughout the day which ensured Williamstown stayed in the contest.

Defenders Ben De Bolfo and Sam Glover were both resolute, Fin Macrae and Ed Allan each had 24 disposals, while Mason Cox was a constant threat in the ruck and inside 50, kicking a nice roving goal in the first term while also having 31 hitouts and three contested marks.

BEST
Collingwood: Fin Macrae, Sam Glover, Ed Allan, Mason Cox, Ben De Bolfo, Harry Mahoney
Williamstown: Lachlan Gollant, Jack Toner, Joel Fitzgerald, Toby Triffett, Jake Greiser, Luke Parks

GOALS
Collingwood: Harry Mahoney 2, Ed Allan, Mason Cox, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Ash Johnson, Max Mahoney, Oscar Steene, Tom Wilson
Williamstown: Lachie Gollant 4, Damon Hollow 2, Nathan Colenso, Jack McHale, Brodie McLaughlin, Cam Polson, Jack Toner

LEADING DISPOSALS
Collingwood: Ed Allan 24, Fin Macrae 24, Tom Mitchell 21, Sam Glover 19, Harry DeMattia 18
Williamstown: Joel Fitzgerald 24, Jack Toner 23, Toby Triffett 23, Mitch Cox 22, Jake Greiser 22