The return from the representative break produced some commanding performances, while some clubs got their season up and running.

GEELONG       3.1   5.3   7.7   7.9 (51)
FOOTSCRAY  2.1   4.2   7.8   12.12 (84)

Footscray maintained its unbeaten start to its premiership defence, doing the job over an in-form Geelong by 33 points at GMHBA Stadium on Friday afternoon. The Cats had piled on 43 goals across their opening two home games, but struggled to have the same freedom in their clash with the reigning premiers despite leading for the best part of three quarters. Trailing by one point at three-quarter time, the Bulldogs piled on five unanswered goals in the final quarter to continue on their merry way. Adam Treloar starred with 41 disposals at 82% efficiency, as well as 11 clearances. Cooper Craig-Peters also impressed with 27 disposals and eight clearances, while Josh Dolan and Laitham Vandermeer each booted three goals. Geelong’s best was led by Mitch Knevitt who had 30 touches to go along with a major and 10 marks, four of them contested.

BEST
Geelong: George Stevens, Mitch Knevitt, Lennox Hofmann, Jhye Clark, Marcus Herbert, Rhys Stanley
Footscray: Adam Treloar, Ryan Gardner, Josh Dolan, Lachlan Smith, Lachlan McNeil, Dan Orgill
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SYDNEY SWANS       3.0   8.1   12.2   15.6 (96)
GWS GIANTS            1.2   5.5   9.9     10.14 (74)

For the first time in two years, the Sydney Swans claimed consecutive VFL wins over crosstown rivals the GWS Giants, securing a 22-point triumph at the SCG. A lacklustre opening term ended with back-to-back majors for the Swans to open a 10-point advantage at the first change, before piling on four of the first six goals of the second quarter. The Giants mounted a response of their own with three of the opening four goals of the third term to take a slender advantage, before consecutive majors from Hayden McLean put the Swans back on track and restored the home side’s lead for the remainder of the match. The Giants did get the margin back to four points during the last quarter, but Sydney kicked the final three goals of the game to seal its second win of the season. McLean finished with a game-high four goals, while teammate Caiden Clearly also hit the scoreboard to go along with 28 disposals, five tackles and four tackles. Harrison Oliver and Jack Ough each had 30 touches for the Giants, while Kieren Briggs was excellent in the ruck while also amassing a game-high 11 clearances.

BEST
Sydney Swans: Hayden McLean, Will Edwards, Billy Cootee, Mitch Mellis, Nic Shipley
GWS Giants: Nicholas Kelly, Harrison Oliver, Conor Stone, Harvey Hooper, Louie Montgomery, Jack Ough
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CARLTON                   1.6   7.8   10.13   11.19 (85)
COLLINGWOOD        0.4   0.6   5.7        7.12 (54)

A dominant second quarter helped steer Carlton to its first win of the season at IKON Park on Friday night, proving too strong for arch-rival Collingwood in a 31-point result. After a low-scoring opening term which netted just one major, the Blues put on the afterburners in the second, booting six unanswered goals to blow the Magpies away. Goalless in the opening half, Collingwood rallied in the second half and won each of the final two quarters but the damage had been done. Blake Acres, George Hewett and Cooper Lord all finished with north of 30 disposals or more, with Acres recording 10 intercept possessions, Hewett producing nine clearances and Lord having 10 tackles. Sam Swadling was a clear standout on a night of struggle for the Pies and ended the match with 29 disposals, 10 intercepts and four tackles.

BEST
Carlton: Blake Acres, Adam Saad, Flynn Young, Cooper Lord, George Hewett, Harry Charleson
Collingwood: Harvey Harrison, Reef McInnes, Josh Browne, Sam Swadling, Brady Grey, Jack Buller
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GOLD COAST SUNS    2.4   8.10   9.15   16.21 (117)
ESSENDON                  8.3  11.3   17.7   19.9 (123)

A game with incredible momentum swings saw Essendon hold on for a six-point win over the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium. With a strong wind blowing to one end, the Bombers took full advantage with an eight-goal opening term, despite the Suns still managing six scoring shots. The hosts trimmed the margin to 11 points by the main break, thanks to a three-goal burst from Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. The goals would continue to come for the Bombers in the third quarter, as they booted six majors to one to take a 40-point lead into the last term. In a seesawing last quarter, the Suns would push hard for a result, but they would be unable to get the deficit to single figures until the final moment of the game when Max Knobel would convert a set shot just before the siren sounded. Four Essendon players kicked three majors, with Liam McMahon ending the game with 3.4, while Jaiden Nguyen also had 23 disposals and seven tackles to go along with his three majors. Meanwhile, Zak Johnson was one of the winning side’s best with a team-high 31 touches from half back. Ugle-Hagan would go on to kick five majors for the match as he continues his push for an AFL call-up, while teammate Alex Davies was brilliant in the middle with 33 disposals and nine clearances.

BEST
Gold Coast Suns: Jai Murray, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Ned Moyle, Ben Jepson, Caleb Lewis, Caleb Graham
Essendon: Xavier O’Neill, Zak Johnson, Jayden Nguyen, Archie Perkins, Liam McMahon, Cam Nyko
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WILLIAMSTOWN       7.5   14.7   14.11   19.13 (127)
SOUTHPORT              1.2   2.7      4.10     10.14 (74)

Williamstown made an enormous statement on its home deck, putting Southport to the sword in a 53-point victory at DSV Stadium. Whilst windy conditions are always the story of the day out at Williamstown, the Seagulls had no issues finding the big sticks regardless, kicking seven majors to one in each of the first two quarters to lead by an astounding 72 points at the main break. The visitors put some respectability on the board in the second half and did win both the third and fourth terms, but even so, the damage was well and truly done as Williamstown continued its unbeaten start to the season. Nathan Colenso (five goals) and Angus Seivers (four) led the way up forward for the home side, with Joel Fitzgerald outstanding around the ground with 35 disposals, 11 marks, 10 clearances and six inside 50s. Jake Greiser also led a strong defence for Williamstown in his first game of the year, recording eight intercepts and four rebound 50s from his 33 disposals. The Sharks were best represented by Ryan Burton (29 disposals), and Brayden Crossley (29 hitouts, seven clearances, six tackles).

BEST
Williamstown: Joel Fitzgerald, Angus Seivers, Nathan Colenso, Jake Greiser, Jack Toner, Luke Parks
Southport: Jesse Joyce, Hewago Oea, Brayden Crossley
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COBURG         2.1   7.5   7.9     12.13 (85)
ST KILDA       4.3   8.5   14.9   17.12 (114)

It was a momentous occasion for St Kilda on Saturday, who picked up its first triumph as a standalone side since 2000 after defeating Coburg by 29 points at Barry Plant Park. Besides from a second quarter burst from the Lions which saw them hit the front on two occasions, you could argue the Saints largely looked in control, particularly after half time when they kicked six third-quarter goals to reach a game-high lead of 42 points. Jack Macrae’s experience in the middle proved handy, amassing 22 touches as well as 10 tackles and six clearances, whilst Angus Hastie was also terrific in a performance that included 27 disposals at 85% disposal efficiency, as well as nine marks, six intercepts and six rebound 50s. Bailey McKenzie impressed up forward with five majors for the victorious Saints but was outscored by Coburg’s Mitch Podhajski who registered six majors to be a standout for the home side, along with Jack Bytel who had 33 disposals and eight tackles.

BEST
Coburg: Mitch Podhajski, Cooper Keogh, Lachlan Walker, Maison Goodman, Levy Tejones, Ryan Valentine
St Kilda: Angus Hastie, Bailey Mckenzie, Alex Dodson, Christian Algeri, Paddy Dow, Jack MacRae
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SANDRINGHAM                       3.1    4.4      8.6      10.9 (69)
NORTH MELBOURNE            3.5   10.6   14.11   22.17 (149)

North Melbourne posted their largest score since becoming a standalone VFL side in 2018, as they overpowered Sandringham to the tune of 80 points at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday. The result didn’t seem likely at quarter time with both teams locked in a strong battle and only four points separating the two teams. But it would be a seven-goal second term and then an eight-major final quarter that set the game apart and gave the Roos a mammoth 80-point victory away from home. Their huge effort was led by a massive game from Darcy MacPherson who finished with 38 disposals, 11 score involvements, nine clearances, eight tackles and two goals in what was a complete display. Others to dominate included Thomson Dow (31 disposals, 11 clearances) and Patrick Farlie (26 disposals, nine tackles, two goals). On a tough day for the Zebras, Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott (eight intercept possessions) and Jack Ferraro (three goals) were some to play well.

BEST
Sandringham: Adrian Cole, Tom O’Rourke, Owen Bater, Kyle Cooper, Mitchell Ryan, Jack Ferraro
North Melbourne: Thomson Dow, Darcy Macpherson, Zac Banch, Toby Pink, Cooper Harvey, Patrick Fairlie
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PORT MELBOURNE  1.0   4.1         8.2        11.4 (70)
BOX HILL HAWKS     7.9   10.13   14.15   21.17 (143)

Box Hill Hawks also returned to the winners list in a big way, responding from their back to back defeats with a commanding 73-point triumph over Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium. When the Hawks put 16 scoring shots on the Borough in the opening term, the result of this match seem a forgone conclusion and whilst the home side showed patches of promise, they were outclassed by a Box Hill team looking to prove they are still a contender in 2026. Brodie McLaughlin hasn’t taken too long to settle in to his new colours and that was highlighted by his seven-goal outing on the weekend, as he completely dominated the attacking 50. Finn Maginness’ excellent VFL form continued and was arguably best on ground in a 34-disposal, three-goal effort while 18-year-old Aidan Schubert also finished three goals but could’ve had a bigger afternoon if not for his five behinds. Josh Tovey was a standout for Port Melbourne all around the ground, he had 21 disposals but also kicked three goals, laid 11 tackles and produced four intercepts.

BEST
Port Melbourne: Josh Sparkman, Ben Hobbs, Josh Tovey, Connor Downie, Lachlan Rankin, Oli Sestan
Box Hill Hawks: Finn Maginness, Brodie McLaughlin, Noah Mraz, Tom Farrer, Harry Morrison, Henry Hustwaite
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WERRIBEE     3.4   10.7   12.8    15.12 (102)
FRANKSTON  3.4   5.7      8.11   11.14 (80)

Werribee put in one of their more complete performances of the year to defeat Frankston by 22 points at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday. The teams couldn’t be split after the opening term with scores level at quarter time before a huge seven-goal second term propelled the Tigers to an important 30-point half time advantage. The Dolphins chewed away at the deficit and made Werribee work for their goals, but could never get below the 15-point mark throughout the second half, allowing the Tigers to hold on for a much needed victory. Jake Smith backed up his Round 3 effort with a season-high 36 disposals to go with eight marks and five inside 50’s while Dom Brew was excellent again in the trenches, amassing nine clearances and five tackles to go along with his 21 disposals, and Noah Tullio enjoyed a great afternoon up forwards finishing with four goals. Trent Mynott was terrific for Frankston despite the loss after an effort which included 32 disposals and eight marks while Darby Hipwell also impressed with 23 disposals and seven clearances.

BEST
Werribee: Jake Smith, Noah Tullio, Ryan Eyers, Ajang Kuol mun, Louis Pinnuck, Jack Riding
Frankston: Trent Mynott, Seb Quirk, George Grey, Joe Lloyd, Bailey Lambert, Corey Ellison
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CASEY DEMONS       0.4   4.7      9.7     13.9 (87)
BRISBANE LIONS      5.2   11.2   17.4   20.5 (125)

In a standalone Sunday clash, the Brisbane Lions started their turnaround from a poor start to the season with a comfortable 38-point victory over Casey at Casey Fields. The Lions extended their lead at every change had 17 goals to their name by three quarter time on their way to a comprehensive win, their first in the 2026 Smithy’s VFL competition. Darragh Joyce came back into the side and didn’t miss a beat, collecting 33 disposals, 16 marks, 12 rebounds 50’s and 10 intercepts. He had a host of support throughout the afternoon, highlighted by Reece Torrent (30 disposals, nine tackles, two goals), Conor McKenna (22 disposals, four goals) and Will McLaughlan (15 disposals, four goals). For the Demons, Riley Bonner had no issues finding the footy, amassing 29 disposals and also having five rebound 50’s whilst Jack Henderson was another to impress after having 26 disposals as well as seven tackles.

BEST
Casey Demons: Jack Henderson, Tom McDonald, Ricky Mentha, Luke Cheffers, Jed Adams, Tairon Ah-Mu
Brisbane Lions: Reece Torrent, Darragh Joyce, Conor McKenna, Tahj Abberley, Tai Hayes, Will McLachlan
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