Only five sides remain unbeaten after Round 2 dished up some surprising results across the Smithy’s VFL.

Sandringham came from six goals behind to stun Werribee for its first win as a standalone in 26 years, while Coburg, Southport and Essendon bounced back in style after disappointing losses in the opening round.

COLLINGWOOD        7.2   8.3   10.9   11.13 (79)
GWS GIANTS               2.0   7.3   7.5     14.11 (95)

A seven-goal final term propelled the GWS Giants to a 16-point upset over Collingwood at KGM Centre on Friday. Fielding a side with just eight AFL-listed (compared to the Magpies’ 17), the Giants piled on five goals in the opening six minutes of the fourth quarter to turn the game on its head and improve their record to 2-0. In a wind-effected contest, a seven-goal to two opening term put the Magpies in a terrific position early before that advantage was reduced to just one major by the main break. Collingwood still held an ascendency at three quarter time with a 22-point lead before the Giants piled on 13 scoring shots to five in the last quarter to romp to victory. James Bell and Louie Montgomery continued their big starts to the year and led the disposal count for the visitors, while Ryan Hebron booted three majors for the second week in a row. Ed Allan was a highlight for Collingwood and finished with 31 disposals, eight inside 50s and seven tackles.

BEST
Collingwood: Ed Allan, Jack Buller, Ben De Bolfo, Oskar Faulkhead, Jakob Ryan, Sam Swadling
GWS Giants: James Bell, Louie Montgomery, Harry Rowston, Conor Stone, Nick Madden, Riley Hamilton
Click here for match stats and videos

GEELONG CATS         8.1   13.3   19.5   19.9 (123)
BOX HILL HAWKS      4.0   5.4      7.7     11.10 (76)

Geelong made another Friday night statement at GMHBA Stadium, downing 2025 preliminary finalists the Box Hill Hawks by 47 points. A week after thrashing Essendon by 85 points, the Cats’ early-season onslaught continued into Round 2 as they booted 19 goals across the first three quarters to open a 70-point lead. The Hawks put some respectability on the scoreboard in the last term, but the damage had been done, with the visitors conceding their highest score since Round 14, 2023. Defender-turned-forward Daniel Capiron set the tone Geelong, with four of the skipper’s five goals coming in an opening term that saw the hosts kick eight majors. Jack Bowes had the ball on a string and was a clear best on ground, racking up 38 disposals and kicking three majors. Will White also kicked three goals, while James Worpel put his hand up for AFL selection with 28 disposals and a game-high nine clearances. Finn Maginness was again Box Hill’s best with 29 touches and five tackles, while Brodie McLaughlin booted three majors in his first match for the Hawks after crossing from Williamstown

BEST
Geelong Cats: Jack Bowes, George Stevens, Jake Kolodjashnij, Daniel Capiron, Mitchell Knevitt, Joe Pike
Box Hill Hawks:  Max Ramsden, Bailey Macdonald, Finn Maginness, Harry Morrison, Brodie McLaughlin, Bodie Ryan
Click here for match stats and videos

FRANKSTON  4.5   6.9   9.11   10.13 (73)
ST KILDA          0.1   3.3   6.7      9.11 (65)

Frankston held off a fast-finishing St Kilda to record its first win of the season, getting over the line by eight points at Kinetic Stadium on Friday. The Dolphins led from start to finish and held a game-high lead of 30 points on four separate occasions across the second term. However, the Saints continued to chip away at the deficit throughout the second half before making a big run in the final term. The visitors kicked the first three majors of the last quarter to get within one point at the 25-minute mark before a late goal from Bailey Lambert sealed a nervy win for Frankston. Lambert finished with three majors, while skipper Trent Mynott was instrumental with 24 disposals and six tackles. Jayden Davey kicked a career-best five majors in his second game for the Saints, which included kicking four of his side’s first five majors. Angus Hastie led all ball winners on the ground with 32 touches.

BEST
Frankston: Trent Mynott, Patrick Dozzi, Bailey Lambert, Jackson Voss, William Papley, Taine Barlow
St Kilda: Jayden Davey, Angus Hastie, Blake Chambers, Patrick Said, Joshua Clarke, Christian Algeri
Click here for match stats and videos

RICHMOND   3.1   4.4     7.6      9.10 (64)
COBURG         3.6   5.10   8.14   12.15 (87)

Coburg banked its first victory of the 2026 season, and first over Richmond since Round 18, 2015, with a 23-point triumph at Beaconsfield’s Holm Park Recreation Reserve. The Lions held a five-point quarter time lead courtesy of two early goals from Jaidyn Stephenson and never lost the advantage, with the Tigers unable to close the margin to within a goal for the remainder of the match. Jack Bytel was superb again in the middle for Coburg with 39 disposals and 13 inside 50 entries, as was Donovan Toohey in defence with 34 touches, 11 marks and 10 rebound 50s. Mitch Podhajski was a threat in front of the big sticks and finished with four majors, while Stephenson ended his afternoon with a wayward 3.5. Richmond was led by Kaleb Smith (29 disposals, five intercepts and five rebound 50s) and Kane McAuliffe (24 disposals and nine clearances).

BEST
Richmond: Nick Collier, Mutaz El Nour, Zane Peucker, Thomas Burton, Patrick Retschko, Kane McAuliffe
Coburg: Jack Bytel, Deacon Kalpakis, Braedyn Gillard, Mitch Podhajski, Joel Trudgeon, Jaidyn Stephenson
Click here for match stats and videos

BRISBANE LIONS      5.5   7.9   10.11   15.11 (101)
SOUTHPORT                4.1   8.4   18.6     19.8 (122)

Southport responded to its upset Round 1 defeat with an important 21-point triumph over the Brisbane Lions at Brighton Homes Arena. In warm Queensland conditions, it was the third quarter that proved to be the difference for the Sharks. Having trailed by 22 points during the second term, the visitors fought back to lead by a point at half time before piling on 10 goals in the third quarter. The Lions went on to win the final quarter but never threatened. Jacob Dawson was simply brilliant with a 42 disposals at 83% efficiency, which also included 16 clearances, nine score involvements and a goal. Campbell Lake finished with four goals, while young gun Sam Marshall was Brisbane’s best with a team-high 26 disposals and two goals.

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Charlton Offermans, Shadeau Brain, Curtis McCarthy, Luke Lloyd, Reece Torrent, Samuel Marshall
Southport: Jacob Dawson, Campbell Lake, Boyd Woodcock, Hewago Oea, Riley Bowman, Jesse Joyce
Click here for match stats and videos

SANDRINGHAM         1.1   2.7   6.11   10.13 (73)
WERRIBEE                    4.3   8.5   8.5      8.9 (57)

Sandringham first win as a standalone in 26 years proved to be a famous one, defeating Werribee by 16 points at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval. The Zebras looked to be in for a long afternoon when they trailing by 34 points at the main break. But the hosts made a stirring comeback, keeping the Tigers scoreless in the third term and reducing the deficit to six points by the final change, before continuing to keep Werribee without a major across the final quarter while kicking four of their own to pull off a stirring triumph. Nathan Philactides continued his strong start to the season with 28 disposals, seven intercepts and six tackles, while Andreas Stefanakis was a fire-starter with 23 disposals, eight tackles and two goals. Charlie Lazzaro was Werribee’s best on a disappointing afternoon for his new clubs, while Jack Riding and Dom Brew found plenty of the ball with 30 and 29 disposals respectively.

BEST
Sandringham: Daniel Pinter, Nathan Philactides, Andreas Stefanakis, Adrian Cole, Kyle Cooper, Mitchell Ryan
Werribee: Charlie Lazzaro, Jaelen Pavlidis, Jesse Clark, Josh Kellett, Ryan Eyers
Click here for match stats and videos

TASMANIA                    3.2   7.4   12.8   15.11 (101)
PORT MELBOURNE  4.2   7.7   12.8   14.9 (93)

Tasmania remains undefeated after a gritty eight-point victory over Port Melbourne at UTAS Stadium on Saturday. The margin didn’t reach greater than three goals throughout the match and although the Devils led for much of the game, the Borough were always within touching distance. Scores were level at three quarter time and were so again at the 18-minute mark of the final term before consecutive behinds to Kai Cameron and a game-sealing fourth major from Jye Menzie secured Tasmania’s triumph. Menzie had six inside 50s and five clearances to go along with his four goals, while teammates Max Roney (25 disposals) and Jaxon Artemis (23 disposals and seven intercepts) also impressed. Both Connor Downie and Josh Tovey had 28 disposals and two goals for Port Melbourne, while Dominic Bedendo and Charlie Clarke both booted three majors.

BEST
Tasmania: Jye Menzie, Caleb Mitchell, Max Mapley, Jack Callinan, Zach Adams, Max Roney
Port Melbourne: Josh Tovey, Tom Hird, Connor Downie, Josh Sparkman, Sam Grant, Charlie Clarke
Click here for match stats and videos

ESSENDON                                 5.2   8.3   12.4   15.8 (98)
NORTH MELBOURNE            4.2   8.2   11.5   12.7 (79)

Essendon put together an excellent response from its heavy Round 1 defeat with a 19-point triumph over North Melbourne at the NEC Hangar. Things looked grim early for the Bombers, who conceded the first 26 points of the game in 11 minutes before fighting back with five unanswered goals to lead at the first change. The game stayed tight thereafter with the sides exchanging goals, but the home side was able to edge away in with a three-goal to one final term. The returning Tom Edwards led the way for the Bombers, booting five goals in his first match in over 12 months following an ACL injury. Sullivan Robey gave Bombers’ fans something to be excited about with four goals as well as 22 disposals, while Elijah Tastas and Jackson Hately each finished with 34 touches. The Roos were led by Darcy Macpherson (29 disposals) and Jack Darling (three goals, 18 disposals).

BEST
Essendon: Sullivan Robey, Tom Edwards, Jackson Hately, Cameron Nyko, Elijah Tsatas, Lachlan Monteath
North Melbourne: Jack Darling, Darcy Macpherson, Zac Fisher, James Tarrant, Wil Dawson, Robert Hansen
Click here for match stats and videos

CARLTON                      1.3   6.4    10.6     12.7 (79)
WILLIAMSTOWN       4.4   7.7   10.10   12.12 (84)

Williamstown prevailed in another thriller, this time downing Carlton by five points at IKON Park – its second win by less than a goal to start the 2026 season. The Seagulls had to survive a huge scare late, with Ashton Moir’s kick with the final touch of the day skewing out of bounds on the full. Williamstown had earlier made a fast start to race to a 16-point lead, before the Blues sharpened up to make a game of it and on four occasions got the margin to under a goal. But the away side always had an answer and found a way to hold on to go 2-0, a vast difference to their 0-2 start 12 months prior. Joel Fitzgerald excelled for the victors with 35 disposals, 11 marks and eight intercepts, with teammate Hugo Hall-Kahan also having a similar output with 34 touches, 11 marks and seven score involvements. Carlton best contributors in defeat were Nick Newman, Ben Camporeale (27 disposals) and Flynn Young (three goals).

BEST
Carlton: Nic Newman, Liam Reidy, Flynn Young, Nick Haynes, William Cookson, Billy Wilson
Williamstown: Not supplied
Click here for match stats and videos