The top-eight sides sit equal on points while every side in the competition has now tasted victory following an intriguing Round 5 which threw up some shock results.

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS     4.2   5.4      9.8     12.9 (81)
SYDNEY SWANS                      2.2   12.6   14.7   22.8 (140)

Footscray’s unbeaten run came to an end in surprising fashion, with the reigning premier handed a 59-point thumping from the Sydney Swans at Mission Whitten Oval on Friday. The Bulldogs had won their past 17 matches heading into the encounter and started the game in typical fashion to hold a 12-point quarter time advantage before the Swans ripped the game open with a mesmerising 10-goal second quarter. The home side did reduce a 44-point half time deficit to 29 points by three quarter time to give themselves a glimmer of hope, but the Swans romped to their third-straight win with a blistering eight-goal final term. Sydney’s final tally of 22.8 (140) was its highest score since Round 20, 2023. The 22-goal effort was led by five majors apiece from Jevan Philippou and Hayden McLean, whilst big man Peter Ladhams had a day out with 40 disposals, 18 clearances, 47 hitouts and a goal. An undermanned Footscray’s best players were Cooper Craig-Peters (36 disposals, 12 clearances) and Nick Coffield (22 disposals, 13 intercept possessions).

BEST
Footscray: Cooper Craig-Peters, Jack Billings, Laitham Vandermeer, Nick Coffield, Luke Cleary, Luca Muratore
Sydney: Peter Ladhams, Joel Hamling, Tom Hanily, Mitch Mellis, Jevan Phillipou, Hayden McLean
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COLLINGWOOD        4.2   9.4   13.7   17.12 (114)
ESSENDON                  5.2   8.5   13.8   15.13 (103)

Collingwood returned to the winners list with an 11-point triumph in a great battle against Essendon at the KGM Centre on Friday afternoon. In a high-scoring contest, the Bombers hit a game-high lead of 21 points halfway through the second quarter before the Magpies pegged them back, taking the lead at the main break following a goal after to Jack Buller after the half-time siren. The second half had several momentum shifts, but the Bombers looked like they might secure a second-straight tight away when they led by two points entering time-on. Step up Charlie West, who kicked back-to-back goals to lead Collingwood to victory. West finished with four majors to take his season tally to 10, teaming up wonderfully with Buller, who booted five goals. Ed Allan was a standout with ball in hand, amassing 32 disposals and a game-high 10 inside 50s while Harvey Harrison continues to push his case for AFL selection with 21 touches and 12 tackles. Jackson Hately and Kristian Ferronato impressed for the Bombers, as did Hussien El Achkar who kicked four goals.

BEST
Collingwood: Jack Buller, Edward Allan, Lachie Sullivan, Noah Howes, Charlie West, Brynn Teakle
Essendon: Hussien El Achkar, Jackson Hately, Kristian Ferronato, Tyler Sellers, Jayden Nguyen, Xavier O’Neill
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FRANKSTON  6.1   9.5   12.7   16.8 (104)
COBURG         2.4   4.7   6.8      10.11 (71)

Frankston recorded a much-needed win with a comfortable 33-point triumph over Coburg at Kinetic Stadium on Friday night. The Dolphins set the tone early in front of their home fans with a six-goal to two opening term. The Lions never really threatened thereafter despite the margin never truly blowing out. Blake O’Leary was a livewire up forward with five majors as Frankston hit 100 points for the first time this season. Tyson Milne was superb once again in the back half, leading the Dolphins in disposals (28), while also having 13 rebound 50s and eight intercepts. Coburg, who have now lost-three straight matches to sit bottom of the ladder, had some strong contributors despite the defeat. Donovan Toohey amassed 25 disposals at 88% efficiency while also having six intercepts and Mitch Podhajski booted four majors in his 100th game.

BEST
Frankston: Tyson Milne, Blake O'Leary, Corey Ellison, Patrick Dozzi, Darby Hipwell, Oscar Lewis
Coburg: Heath Ramshaw, Donovan Toohey, Max Kennedy, Mitch Podhajski, Ingo Dammersmith, Levy Tejones
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CASEY DEMONS       2.3   6.5   7.6     11.14 (80)
RICHMOND                  2.7   4.9   7.10   7.11 (53)

Casey Demons broke away from Richmond late in their on ANZAC Day clash at Casey Fields to record their second win of the season. The match was tight from the start, in part due to the Tigers’ early inaccuracy in front of goal, with the margin at four, eight and four points at quarter time, half time and three quarter time respectively. But the Demons were in charge of the final term, keeping Richmond to one major while registering 12 scoring shots of their own to run out 27-point victors. Andy Moniz-Wakefield impressed with 31 touches at 90% efficiency, while also claiming 12 intercepts and nine rebound 50’s. Four Demons kicked two goals, highlighted by Paddy Cross who also amassed 22 disposals and nine marks. Tyler Sonsie got plenty of the ball for the Tigers and finished with 31 disposals, meanwhile Sam Philp impressed with 21 touches, two goals and seven inside 50s.

BEST
Casey Demons: Jed Adams, Tom McDonald, Tyson Sruk, Paddy Cross, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Riley Onley
Richmond: Joel Garner, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Luke Trainor, Harry Scott, Tyler Sonsie, Nick Collier
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WILLIAMSTOWN       3.0   6.0    8.2       11.6 (72)
WERRIBEE                    3.3   7.5   11.10   14.13 (97)

Werribee claimed bragging rights and ended Williamstown’s unbeaten start to the season in with a 25-point triumph over its close rival at DSV Stadium. In their traditional Anzac Day encounter, the Seagulls made the better start with three of the first four goals of the match. But once the Tigers gained the lead at the 22-minute mark of the opening term, they were not headed for the remainder of the night. Jack Riding had a team-high 26 disposals but could’ve had a better match if it wasn’t for finishing with 1.3 on the scoreboard. Teammates Dom Brew (15 tackles, eight clearances) and Louis Pinnuck (25 disposals, 10 marks) were also influential for the visitors, whilst Will Elliott kicked a season-high of four goals. Hugo Hall-Kahan continued his good form despite his side’s loss and had 26 touches as well as nine inside 50s and Luke Parks was kept busy in defence for the Seagulls, finishing with 14 marks and 11 intercepts while going at 84% disposal efficiency.

BEST
Williamstown: Joel Fitzgerald, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Angus Seivers, Luke Parks, Alex Mirkov
Werribee: Ajang Kuol Mun, Sam Donegan, Will Elliott, Jack Riding, Louis Pinnuck, Dom Brew
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TASMANIA      1.3   2.7   6.11   9.14 (68)
CARLTON        0.4   5.6   10.8   14.9 (93)

Tasmania saw its flawless start to the season come to an end, falling to Carlton by 25 points at Ninja Stadium on Saturday night. In front of more than 14,000 fans, a low scoring first half saw the Devils lead by five points at quarter time before a five-goal second term from the Blues put the hosts on the back foot at the main break. Tasmania came hard again in the third term with a four-goal run reducing the deficit to two points at the 20-minute mark, before the Blues went up another gear to end the penultimate quarter with a 21-point advantage. They held their lead throughout the final term to claim a second-straight win and jump into the top 10. George Hewett (40 disposals) and Billy Wilson (41) were outstanding in the middle of the ground, with Hewett also having 11 clearances. Jack Ison was at his best inside 50 with four goals and Flynn Riley controlled the air, amassing 40 hitouts as well as having 23 disposals. The Devils best included skipper Robbie Fox (25 disposals) and Caleb Mitchell (10 clearances, seven score involvements).

BEST
Tasmania: Zach Adams, Robbie Fox, Hugh Dixon, Nick Williams, Caleb Mitchell, Max Roney
Carlton: Billy Wilson, George Hewett, Adam Saad, Campbell Chesser, Wade Derksen, Jordan Boyd
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GWS GIANTS                             2.10   7.16   13.22   20.22 (142)
NORTH MELBOURNE            2.2     7.3       8.4       12.7 (79)

The GWS Giants made a powerful statement to move to second on the Smithy’s VFL ladder, cruising past North Melbourne with a 63-point win at Tom Wills Oval. Inaccuracy looked set to haunt the Giants in the first half, kicking 2.10 in the opening term and 5.6 in the second quarter to only lead by 13 points at the main brew despite having 13 more scoring shots than their opponents. But they maintained the rage in the third term to open a 48-point three quarter time advantage before kicking 7.0 in the fourth quarter to put the result beyond doubt. Max Gruzewski led the scoring charge with five majors, and teammate Callum Brown ended up with four goals. Keiren Briggs was excellent in the ruck, picking up 26 disposals, 32 hitouts and a goal, while Conor Stone also starred with 34 disposals, nine intercept possessions, eight score involvements and seven inside 50s. Cooper Harvey was one of the Roos’ brightest with 35 disposals, while Thomson Dow finished with 28 touches and a game-high 10 clearances.

BEST
GWS Giants: Kieren Briggs, Conor Stone, Toby McMullin, Callum Brown, Nicholas Kelly, Oskar Taylor
North Melbourne: Thomson Dow, Matt Whitlock, Zac Banch, Oliver Lowe, James Tarrant, Riley Hardeman
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BRISBANE LIONS                     2.5        3.5        5.7        6.8 (44)
PORT MELBOURNE                2.0        5.4        7.6        13.11 (89)

Port Melbourne stormed home late to pick up their first win outside of Victoria since Round 9, 2025, defeating Brisbane by 45 points at Brighton Homes Arena. The Lions only managed three majors in each half but did lead for much of the opening half and as late as the 13-minute mark of the third term. But the Borough quickly extinguished Brisbane’s chances of victory by kicking eight of the final nine goals of the game, including five unanswered to end the match. Ben Hobbs’ good form continued on Sunday with a performance that included 29 disposals, nine inside 50s and six clearances whilst teammate and young gun Josh Tovey has now booted eight majors in his past two games after a five-goal haul for the visitors. Brisbane, who was kept to its lowest score since the 2022 qualifying final defeat to Southport, had solid contributions from Darragh Joyce (29 disposals) and Reece Torrent (27 disposals, 13 tackles).

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Reece Torrent, Liam Jones, Darragh Joyce, Charlton Offermans, Luke Beecken, Tai Hayes
Port Melbourne: Josh Tovey, Lachlan Rankin, Riley Polkinghorne, Matt Gahan, Ben Hobbs, Tom Hird
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SANDRINGHAM         2.4   6.7    9.8     12.11 (83)
BOX HILL HAWKS     3.5   7.7   12.9   15.13 (103)

Box Hill Hawks was made to work hard to secure its third victory of the season at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, defeating Sandringham by 20 points. The Zebras were up to task against last year’s preliminary finalists, despite never holding the lead throughout the afternoon. Holding a six-point half time advantage, the Hawks would produce a defining five-goal third term to create enough distance for the remainder of the match. The Hawks held the upper hand in the midfield despite in-form Finn Maginness’ elevation to the AFL side this week, led by Henry Hustwaite who was excellent with 31 disposals, 11 clearances and nine tackles. Trent Bianco also impressed with 28 touches and a goal while Will McCabe booted three goals. Some of those to standout for Sandringham included Daniel Pinter (14 contested possessions, eight clearances) and Adrian Cole (12 intercept possessions), while Jack Ferraro kicked a season-high four goals and now has 13 for the season.

BEST
Sandringham: Will Johnson, Adrian Cole, Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott, Jack Ferraro, Ben Stephenson, Lachlan Voss
Box Hill Hawks: Henry Hustwaite, Matt Hill, Bailey MacDonald, Max Ramsden, Will McCabe, Sam Sofronidis
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ST KILDA                        3.2   5.4   7.8   8.13 (61)
GOLD COAST SUNS 3.2   6.5   9.8   14.12 (96)

Gold Coast picked up their first win of the season to conclude Round 5, getting the job done over St Kilda by 35 points at RSEA Park. The game was still up for grabs at the last change with that margin only 12 points in the Suns’ favour. But it would be the final term that delivered the away side a maiden victory in 2026, as they kicked five goals to one, including the last four majors of the game. Alex Davies starred again with 31 disposals, six clearances and a goal. Alex Sexton was also terrific, amassing 30 touches, 11 marks and six rebound 50s, along with Sam Clohesy (29 disposals, eight inside 50s, two goals) and Ned Moyle (40 hitouts, six clearances). For the Saints, Angus Hastie and Kye Fincher both had plenty of the footy with 32 disposals apiece. Key forward Max King made his long-awaited return to football and got through the match unscathed, finishing with one behind from eight disposals.

BEST
St Kilda: Angus Hastie, Kye Fincher, Jackson MacRae, Paddy Dow, Hugh Boxshall, Bailey Mckenzie
Gold Coast Suns: Alex Davies, Sam Clohesy, Cooper Bell, Edward Moyle, Charlie Ballard, Caleb Graham
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