State of Play hosts Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani run their eyes over this weekend's Smithy's VFL action.

Premiership teammates go head-to-head

Sydney Swans premiership teammates Alex Johnson and Nick Malceski will face off in the coaches’ box for the first time when the Swans take on reigning premier Footscray at Mission Whitten Oval to open Round 5. Johnson, who took over the top job at the Bulldogs this year, will be keen to maintain his clean sheet as one of the last three undefeated sides, but will have his work cut out for him given the spate of injuries that has hit the club. Meanwhile Malceski, who stepped in after another member of that premiership side, Jarryd McVeigh, moved away from the role, has found some positive form with back-to-back wins against Port Melbourne and GWS Giants.

Frankston v Coburg, standalones striving for success

No one would have predicted 2025 preliminary finalist Frankston to sit second-last on the ladder after the opening month of the season. But that’s exactly where the Dolphins are, with just one win next to their name, which came against St Kilda in Round 2. Having gone through previous seasons under Jackson Kornberg as the hunters, this year the Dolphins are being hunted and opposition sides are coming hard at them. Coburg is finding the going just as challenging after narrowly missing finals action in 2025, with the Lions also registering just one win so far. Mitch Podhasjki has been the shining light in the forward line and Jack Bytel’s midfield work is strong but connecting for four full quarters has been an issue. The Dolphins have owned this fixture recently, winning the past five encounters, including a one-point victory in Round 7 last year.

Seagulls making themselves a nuisance by the Bay

In 2022, Williamstown couldn’t buy a win at home. But things have changed, and drastically, in the years since. From 2023 onward, they've won 26 of 32 matches at home, creating a fortress at DSV Stadium once more. The latest, a thumping win over last year’s runners up Southport, cemented them in the top four, and the Seagulls remain one of three sides undefeated heading into Round 5. With home games against Werribee and Richmond (Round 7) to come, a continuation of their home dominance could set them up for a big tilt at a top-four finish. Justin Plapp is coaching this side as well as he ever has, with positional changes for Hugo Hall-Kahan and Joel Fitzgerald paying dividends to kickstart 2026.

Tasmania returns

When Tasmania runs out for its sellout clash with Carlton under lights at Ninja Stadium on Saturday, it will be the Devils’ first VFL match in 22 days. The club has showed off some seriously impressive scoring power so far this season, with an average of 114 points per match. But will the long layoff cause a slow start in front of the big sticks against its first AFL-aligned opponent? Carlton will be determined to limit the likes of Hugh Dixon and Sam Siggins in front of goal, but it must do so for four quarters, because otherwise, it could be in for a long night.

Brodie McLaughlin’s golden boot

Despite concerns that new Box Hill recruit Brodie McLaughlin might miss some footy with a foot injury, the 2025 Frosty Miller Medal winner seems to only be gaining power. In his three matches for the Hawks this year, he has kicked a league-high 14 goals, including a haul of seven in the club’s 73-point win over Port Melbourne last week. Now, as Box Hill looks to consolidate its position on the ladder, McLaughlin will be crucial in Sunday’s clash with Sandringham.

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