Williamstown made a late rush to secure a thrilling win, Essendon continued its charger for a finals place, while Sandringham and Southport produced the fourth draw of the season.

SYDNEY SWANS        5.3        6.4        8.7        11.12 (78)
BRISBANE LIONS      1.1        5.2        6.3        9.8 (62)

Sydney led from start to finish in their clash with Brisbane at Tramway Oval on Friday, winning by 16 points and make it five straight games without a loss. The Swans were excellent to start the match, kicking five goals to one in the opening term and getting out to a game-high 32 points midway through the second term before the Lions showcased their best period of football with four unanswered majors to make it an eight-point margin at half time. The Swans would then steady throughout the second half and after the 18-minute mark of the third term, their lead would not drop to single digits for the duration of the game, with both teams kicking 3.5 apiece to end with the 16-point result. Billy Cootee could not have been more influential in the attacking half for the home side, kicking a season-high five majors while laying 13 tackles, four of those inside 50. Harry Kyle was just as impactful at the other end of the ground with 30 disposals at 87% efficiency and also producing 11 intercepts and seven rebound 50s. The Lions were led well again by Dan Annable with 30 touches and seven clearances whilst teammate Sam Tilley impressed with 26 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals.

BEST
Sydney Swans: Billy Cootee, Jesse Dattoli, Thomas Hanily, Harry Kyle
Brisbane Lions: Sam Tilley, Daniel Annable, Sam Marshall, Luke Lloyd, Curtis McCarthy, Henry Smith
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SANDRINGHAM         3.6        8.9        9.12     14.14 (98)
SOUTHPORT               2.1        8.3        13.7     15.8 (98)

With both sides in the hunt to return to the winners list, Sandringham and Southport played out a thrilling draw at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday. The Zebras would generate plenty of scoring opportunities in the opening term but would manage just three goals from six scoring shots to settle for an 11-point quarter time advantage. The goals would then flow for both sides in the second term, with 11 majors kicked between the two teams to see the hosts take a six-point lead into the second half. For the Sharks, that goalkicking form would continue in the third term, booting the last four goals of the quarter, two of them coming in time on, to lead by 20 points at three quarter time. But despite hitting a game-high 26-point advantage early in the last quarter, and a 14-point lead at the 21-minute mark, Sandringham would surge in the last quarter with two quick majors, before two further shots on goal by Darcy Chirgwin which resulted in behinds, that would lead to a drawn contest at the full time siren. Both Ricky Theodoropoulos and Noah Yze each produced three goals and 20 disposals to help their side stay in the hunt throughout the morning, whilst Chrigwin finished with two majors as well as 30 disposals and nine inside 50s. Jacob Dawson could do no more for the away side after another monstrous performance that included 38 disposals, 26 contested possessions and 18 clearances.

BEST
Sandringham: Darcy Chirgwin, Noah Yze, Ricky Theodoropoulos, Owen Bater, Benjamin Hopkins, Jhett Haeata
Southport: Jacob Dawson, Zac Foot, Preston Cockatoo-Collins, Taine Dawson, Josh Gore
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ST KILDA                   2.1        2.5        5.8        6.9 (45)
GEELONG CATS         2.4        3.5        7.9        9.17 (71)

An inaccurate Geelong side continued their winning run as they close in on the minor premiership, defeating St Kilda by 26 points at RSEA Park. A low scoring opening half kept the Saints in the hunt as despite going goalless in the second term, they trailed by only six points at half time. They would also keep up with their opponents throughout the third term with three goals, and on three separate occasions, tied proceedings before two late majors from the Cats saw the visitors take a 13-point lead into the final term. Geelong would kick two goals from 10 scoring shots in the last quarter, but their advantage did not threaten to be lost throughout the term with the margin remaining at double figures from the six-minute mark onwards. Jack Bowes (25 disposals, seven tackles and a goal) as well as Mitch Knevitt (23 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal) were both influential in the win, whilst despite not hitting the scoreboard, Hunter Holmes had a game-high seven score involvements from 23 touches. Angus Hastie set the tone for the Saints with his aggression on the football, finishing with 24 disposals, 12 tackles and seven rebound 50s, meanwhile teammate Jack Macrae had plenty of the football in the middle with 26 touches at 85% efficiency as well as eight clearances.

BEST
St Kilda: Not submitted
Geelong Cats: Mitch Knevitt, Nicholas Driscoll, Lennox Hofmann, Jack Bowes, Jesse Mellor, Thomas Peirce
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WILLIAMSTOWN       4.3        7.8        9.12     13.14 (92)
TASMANIA                  2.5        5.13     9.17     11.20 (86)

Williamstown were on the right side of another heart stopper, this time in their clash with Tasmania at DSV Stadium as they held on for a six-point triumph to stay inside the top 10. The Devils were another side that looked to be out of the game due to their inaccuracy in the early stages as despite registering 18 scoring shots to half time, they would have just five majors to their name as they trailed the Seagulls by seven points. The home side would maintain their lead until the latter stages of the third quarter, as four unanswered majors saw them go five points to the good by three quarter time. In a tense final term, Tasmania would lead for much of the quarter until the Seagulls swarmed into action, with scores tied at the 31-minute mark thanks to the home side booting three of the last four majors. It was Angus Seivers who proved to be the hero for Williamstown, as he converted his set shot in the dying stages to help produce a brilliant come from behind win and help his side stay in the finals race. Nathan Colenso, who kicked two of his three majors in time on of the final term, was brilliant, also amassing 20 disposals and five inside 50s, whilst teammates Toby Triffett (37 disposals, 11 clearances) and Jack Toner (32 disposals, six score involvements) were also key to the Seagulls’ triumph. Bailey Boag enjoyed another solid performance with 29 disposals, 10 tackles and eight clearances for the Devils.

BEST
Williamstown: Not submitted
Tasmania: Aiden Begg, Robbie Fox, Bailey Boag, Hugh Dixon, Brandon Leary, Nick Williams
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ESSENDON                  4.3        8.5        13.8     17.11 (113)
COBURG                       1.7        4.9        7.11     8.12 (60)

Essendon produced a third straight win in the Smithy’s VFL competition for the first time since 2024 after taking care of Coburg by 53 points at Windy Hill on Sunday. The Bombers made more of their chances than their opponents to open up a 14-point quarter time lead with that advantage only increasing to 20 points at half time after an improved second term from the Lions. The game would remain in the balance until the 18-minute mark of the third quarter when the home side booted four majors in five minutes to balloon their lead out to 33 points by the final change. With a four-goal to one final quarter, Essendon secured their eighth win of the season to go level on points with 10th placed Coburg. It was Nik Cox’s afternoon as the Bombers forward kicked seven goals in the triumph, also taking six marks, three of those being contested. Others to impress for the hosts included Elijah Tsatas (36 disposals, six inside 50s, two goals) and Darcy Parish (10 inside 50s, nine clearances, nine tackles). Seb Murphy finished with three goals for Coburg and was one of their best for the afternoon as well as Ingo Dammersmith who had 11 marks and nine intercepts in defence.

BEST
Essendon: Nik Cox, Cillian Bourke, Darcy Parish, Ben McKay, Zak Johnson, Deacon Kalpakis
Coburg: Seb Murphy, Josh Walker, Lachlan Walker, Max Kennedy, Jaidyn Stephenson, Braedyn Gillard
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GOLD COAST SUNS               0.2        0.6        3.8        7.13 (55)
FOOTSCRAY                           2.5        7.9        12.11   12.11 (83)

Footscray got a much-needed win in the Sunshine State, defeating Gold Coast by 28 points at People First Stadium. The bottom placed Suns would be held goalless in the opening term but only trailed by 15 points at quarter time before remaining without a goal until half time as the reigning premiers extended their margin to 45 points after a five-goal quarter. It would take the sting out of the remainder of the game, with the Suns improving in the second half but unable to get close enough to challenge the Bulldogs. Cooper Craig-Peters was excellent in the triumph for the away side, finishing with 34 disposals, 13 clearances, 11 tackles and two goals to lead the way, with teammates Jack Billings (25 disposals, two goals) and Lachie Jaques (24 disposals, four tackles) also playing great games. The Suns, who have now lost their last five matches, saw solid performances from the likes of Sam Clohesy (35 disposals, nine intercepts, nine rebound 50s) and Caleb Graham (22 disposals, 12 intercepts and 11 marks).

BEST
Gold Coast Suns: Sam Clohesy, Isaac Mayne, Caleb Graham, Ben Jepson, Charlie Ballard, Zak Evans
Footscray: Cooper Craig-Peters, Jack Billings, Lachie Jaques, Oskar Baker, Lachlan Carmichael, Luke Cleary
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NORTH MELBOURNE            1.3        3.4        4.6        9.7 (61)
CASEY DEMONS                    1.1        7.3        9.6        14.8 (92)

Casey ended a three-game losing run with an impressive 31-point win over North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval. Both sides produced just one-goal apiece in the opening term before the Demons took control of the match with five goals in a nine-minute span to lead by 23 points at half time. The away side would remain with the momentum across the second half, highlighted by a five-goal final quarter to produce just their fifth score of 90 or greater in the 2026 season. Paddy Cross was excellent up forward, finishing with season highs in goals (three), disposals (23) and tackles (seven). Tom McDonald also finished with three majors whilst Christian Salem was terrific with 26 disposals, eight inside 50s and five clearances. Robbie Hansen Junior was one of the Roos’ better players with 23 disposals and 10 marks as well as 10 intercept possessions in defence, whilst Lachie Dovaston was a highlight also with a season-high of four majors after goaling goalless for the first time this year in last week’s loss to Collingwood.

BEST
North Melbourne: Griffin Logue, Oscar van Dam, Lachlan Gollant, Lachy Dovaston, Jacob Konstanty, Robert Hansen
Casey Demons: Paddy Cross, Max Mapley, Jack Henderson, Christian Salem, Ricky Mentha, Xavier Taylor
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FRANKSTON                8.3        10.5     13.9     20.11 (131)
GWS GIANTS               1.1        2.7        6.12     9.13 (67)

Frankston jumped into the top six for the first time since Round 11 after thumping GWS with a statement making 64-point win at Kinetic Stadium. The Dolphins conceded the opening goal of the match before proceeding to boot eight unanswered majors in a 23-minute span to already put the Giants on the backfoot by quarter time. They kicked the opening two majors of the second term as well to lead by 52 points at the main break and whilst the away side eventually started finding the goals on a more regular basis in the second half, a seven-goal final term helped Frankston produce their fourth score of 120 or more this season. Eleven of the 20 majors kicked by the hosts were shared between Kade Foster and Corey Ellison who kicked six and five majors respectively, Foster’s coming in his VFL debut for the club. Trent Mynott had no issues finding the footy, finishing with 34 disposals, seven score involvements and a goal whilst, for the Giants, who had a three-game winning run come to an end with the loss, Harvey Hooper was everywhere and ended the game with 27 disposals, 13 inside 50s, eight marks and a goal.

BEST
Frankston: Kade Foster, Corey Ellison, Trent Mynott, Sebastian Quirk, Will Hamill, Jackson Voss
GWS Giants: Not submitted
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WERRIBEE                 4.2        9.6        12.10   16.13 (109)
PORT MELBOURNE   4.1        4.4        8.8        10.11 (71)

Werribee broke away after quarter time to earn their eighth straight triumph and move one step closer to a top four finish, defeating Port Melbourne by 38 points at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval. Both sides were hard to split in the opening term with the Tigers holding a narrow one-point lead at quarter time before keeping the Borough goalless in the second term as they piled on five unanswered goals to take control of the contest by half time. Their advantage was never really threatened thereafter and kicked three majors in time on for the final term to hit the 100-point mark for the fifth time in 2026. The home side just had six individual goalkickers for their 16 majors on Sunday with Jay Dahlhaus (five) and Anthony Depasquale (four) leading the way inside 50, meanwhile Ajang Kuol Mun was dominant in the ruck and amassed 53 hit outs as well as 12 clearances from 17 disposals. Ben Hobbs didn’t slow down for Port Melbourne despite the defeat, again leading his side on a disposal front with 23 touches while also having 10 tackles and nine clearances.

BEST
Werribee: Jay Dahlhaus, Sam Azzi, Jesse Clark, Charlie Lazzaro, Ajang Kuol mun, Will Elliott
Port Melbourne: Kaine Baldwin, Thomas Hird, Thomas Graham, Lachlan Rankin, Ben Hobbs, Ned Hawkins
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RICHMOND                  1.1        4.4        7.8        8.9 (57)
BOX HILL HAWKS      4.3        5.6        7.8        10.9 (69)

Box Hill survived a scare to maintain their place in the top four to close out Round 17, defeating Richmond by 12 points at Box Hill City Oval. The Hawks looked set to cruise past a Tigers side who have not won since May after kicking four goals to one in the opening term, but Richmond would make a game of it across the next two terms, reducing the deficit to eight points at half time before hitting the lead at multiple stages of the third quarter prior to the final change which saw both sides locked on 7.8 apiece. In a low scoring last term, the Tigers were still right in the hunt when Sam Toner’s goal at the 21-minute mark saw them trail by only six points, but a Sam Butler major just minutes later would see Box Hill return to the winners list narrowly. Finn Maginness was superb with 35 disposals, 10 marks, seven clearances and seven inside 50s, whilst Butler had 27 disposals and six clearances to go with his major. Tyler Sonsie had a dominant afternoon for Richmond with the ball, finishing with 32 disposals, and Zane Peucker impressed in front of goal with three majors.

BEST
Richmond: Tyler Sonsie, Harry Scott, Olli Hotton, Zachary O'Keefe, Sam Philp, Zane Peucker
Box Hill Hawks: Aidan Schubert, Finn Maginness, Sam Butler, Calsher Dear, Bodie Ryan, Cameron Nairn
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