Geelong’s 12-game winning streak came to a crashing halt at the hands of Collingwood, Werribee secured a top-two finish, while Tasmania was unstoppable in the third quarter to stun Sydney.

GEELONG CATS         3.1        8.2        8.5        12.12 (84)
COLLINGWOOD        3.4        5.6        13.8     17.10 (112)

Round 19 began with one of the upsets of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL season, as Collingwood defeated top of the ladder Geelong by 28 points at GMHBA Stadium on Friday. The Cats, who were looking for their 13th consecutive victory were on task to do that by half time when following an even opening term, they kicked five goals to two in the second quarter to lead by 14 points. But the Pies would be simply unstoppable in the third term, going on an eight-goal run, whilst keeping the Cats to just three behinds, their lowest scoring quarter since Round 4, to create a 33-point three quarter time advantage. Their lead would reach as high as 45 points in the final term and whilst conceding the last five behinds of the game, the visitors would end Geelong’s winning run. Sam Swadling was a clear standout with a brilliant display that included 39 disposals at 80% efficiency as well as eight clearances and eight score involvements whilst up forward, Max Mahoney and Mitch Podhajski each booted three majors. Jack Bowes had 41 touches and 11 score involvements for the home side, with George Stevens also playing well with 32 disposals and 11 tackles.

BEST
Geelong: George Stevens, Jack Bowes, Daniel Capiron, Jake Kolodjashnij, Zach Stevens, Jamieson Ballantyne
Collingwood: Sam Swadling, Lachie Sullivan, Max Mahoney, Oskar Faulkhead, Jakob Ryan, Brady Grey
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FRANKSTON                2.3        5.5        9.9        11.13 (79)
PORT MELBOURNE     3.4        4.7        5.11     6.13 (49)

Frankston remained in the top four hunt following a 30-point victory over Port Melbourne at Kinetic Stadium. The Borough got going immediately with a goal inside 15 seconds of play and two majors after the first four minutes to put the home side on the back foot. But the Dolphins would turn it around after trailing by seven points at quarter time, kicking three consecutive majors to take a narrow four-point advantage into the main break. The second half would be where Frankston broke the game open, as they made the most of an inaccurate Port Melbourne outfit by kicking four goals in the third term and two majors in the final quarter to prevail for the seventh time at the ground this year. Darby Hipwell had a terrific game, finishing with 28 disposals, nine inside 50s and six clearances whilst teammates Corey Ellison and Kade Foster each booted three majors with Ellison now taking his tally to 49 majors to be the current leading goalkicker in the competition. Ben Hobbs’ claims of being the recruit of the year took another step in the right direction with a massive game for the Borough that included 29 touches, 11 clearances and 10 inside 50s.

BEST
Frankston: Darby Hipwell, Lochie Reidy, Seb Quirk, Joe Lloyd, Taine Barlow, Tomoya Owens
Port Melbourne: Ben Hobbs, Tom Hird, Matthew Gahan, James Vanes, Michael Rudd, Josh Sparkman
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CARLTON                    5.0        8.1        13.3     19.6 (120)
BRISBANE LIONS      2.1        5.3        8.6        9.6 (60)

Carlton jumped inside the top 10, after a comfortable 60-point victory over the Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park. The Blues were firing early, kicking three majors in the first 10 minutes of the game and five goals total to lead by 23 points at quarter time. The Lions would win the second term but only by two points before Carlton would all but see off their opponents with a five-goal third term before putting the foot down with a six-goal to one last term to earn their fourth straight win in the lead up to finals. Hudson O’Keefe played a dominant forward-ruck role for the home side, kicking a season-high five majors and taking four contested marks. The Blues would have a host of contributors alongside O’Keefe that would help them cruise to victory, with five players recording 30 disposals or a greater whilst three further players reached double digits in intercept possessions led by Sam Paea with 11. Luke Beecken was one of Brisbane’s better performers for the afternoon, having 25 disposals at 88% efficiency, 10 intercepts and six rebound 50s.

BEST
Carlton: Adam Saad, Hudson O'Keeffe, Oliver Warburton, Lucas Camporeale, Lachie Fogarty, Harry Charleson
Brisbane Lions: Lincoln McCarthy, Ben Murphy, Reece Torrent, Cody Curtin, Sam Marshall, James Tunstill
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SYDNEY SWANS        1.4        4.8        4.8        12.14 (86)
TASMANIA                 4.1        5.7        14.13    17.14 (115)

Tasmania are back in the top six with a vitally important 30-point triumph over Sydney at Tramway Oval. Both sides would share periods of dominance in a wind-affected affair, with the Devils beginning the game with a four-goal to one first term before seeing their lead reduce to just five points at the main break after a three-goal second term from the Swans. The visitors would then do their best to put the game out of reach in the third quarter, with a massive nine-goal quarter all whilst keeping Sydney scoreless to create a game-high 65-point advantage at three quarter time. The Swans would then get their turn with the win advantage and did kick eight majors in the last term, however they wouldn’t get close enough to challenge Tasmania, eventually resulting in a 30-point margin. Jed Hagan and Jye Menzie produced nine majors between in the win, with the latter now kicking majors in seven consecutive games for the Devils. Robbie Fox dominated against his old side, finishing with game high’s in disposals (32) and intercept possessions (seven), whilst the Swans were led by Caiden Cleary who had 32 touches, nine clearances and kicked two goals.

BEST
Sydney Swans: Not submitted
Tasmania: Robbie Fox, Lachlan Hay, Geordie Payne, Jed Hagan, Nick Williams, Bailey Boag
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SOUTHPORT SHARKS           3.6        5.7        16.11   17.12 (114)
GWS GIANTS                         1.4        3.13      4.14     9.19 (73)

Back-to-back wins have inched Southport closer to a top 10 finish after defeating GWS Giants by 41 points at Fankhauser Reserve. The Giants, who are clinging on to a top 10 spot themselves, would concede three of the first four goals of the game to trail by eight points at quarter time. But they would have an abundance of opportunities to turn the corner in the second term, registering 11 scoring shots to three, however they would only manage two goals to still fall behind by six points at the main break. The Sharks would reap the rewards of the away side’s inaccuracy in the third term with a mammoth 11-goal quarter which proved to be the catalyst in their eight victory of the season. Jacob Dawson’s feats with ball in hand reached new heights after producing a performance that included a season-high 49 disposals as well as 20 contested possessions and 15 clearances. Zac Foot was also very busy throughout the game with 31 disposals, eight score involvements and two goals, whilst teammates Josh Gore and Noah Casalini kicked three majors apiece. Mitch Szybkowski was a standout for GWS with 19 touches, 12 inside 50s and seven clearances and Hugo Birks finished with four goals.

BEST
Southport: Jacob Dawson, Elijah Reardon, Zac Foot, Max Spencer, Thomas Berry, Joshua Gore
GWS Giants: Not submitted
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WERRIBEE     4.1        7.2        13.3     16.6 (102)
FOOTSCRAY   5.2        9.6        9.9       11.16 (82)

Werribee came from behind at half time to defeat Footscray by 20 points at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval and secure a top four finish in the process. A high scoring opening term that saw both teams trade the lead ended with the Bulldogs leading by a narrow seven points before building a bit of a buffer in the second term as they kicked four goals to three to create a 16-point half time advantage. The Tigers would then blitz the reigning premiers to start the third term, kicking four goals inside the first nine minutes of game time to suddenly lead by eight points, before going on to kick a further three majors whilst keeping Footscray to just one behind to go 20 points ahead at the final break. The margin would hit a game-high 34 points in the last term all but ending the away side’s hopes of a comeback. After going goalless last week, Brady Wright responded with a massive seven-goal haul to propel his side to victory. Others to perform included Jack Riding who had 36 disposals and six intercepts as well as Ajang Koul Mun who finished with 31 hit outs, 18 disposals and 10 clearances. Cooper Craig-Peters played well for the Bulldogs with 28 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles and a goal.

BEST
Werribee: Brady Wright, Jack Riding, Tom Simpson, Xavier Ivisic, Cooper Whyte, Mace Cousins
Footscray: Cooper Craig-Peters, Harvey Gallagher, Lachlan McNeil, Luke Kennedy, Oskar Baker
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BOX HILL HAWKS                 1.5        7.6        8.12     14.19 (103)
NORTH MELBOURNE            2.3        7.6        9.8        10.12 (72)

Box Hill got a much-needed triumph to return to the winners list and remain in the top four following a 31-point victory over North Melbourne at Box Hill City Oval. The Hawks would again be made to work hard for the four points, in an even contest across the first three terms that included scores being tied at 48 apiece at the main break and with them trailing the Roos by two points at three quarter time. The home side would still be one point behind at the 14-minute mark of the fourth term before a surge of scores saw them produce five majors in a 14-minute span to finish the afternoon victorious. Sam Butler, Brodie McLaughlin and matt Hill each kicked three goals for Box Hill, with Butler also having 24 disposals and a team-high five clearances. Stu Horner was also brilliant for the Hawks in another strong game in defence that included 28 disposals at 93% efficiency, as well as 12 marks and 10 intercepts. Thomson Dow had a great all round performance for North Melbourne after having 28 disposals, five clearances and a goal with Tom Powell also solid with 24 touches and seven clearances.

BEST
Box Hill Hawks: Stu Horner, Max Beattie, Sam Butler, Matthew LeRay, Lane Ward, Calsher Dear
North Melbourne: Thomson Dow, Tom Powell, Oliver Griffin, Matthew Keast, Darcy Macpherson, Lachlan Gollant
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GOLD COAST SUNS               4.1        8.5        11.9     15.11 (101)
CASEY DEMONS                    6.3        9.3        12.5     14.8 (92)

Gold Coast won their first match since Round 11, ending a seven-game losing run with a nine-point triumph over Casey at People First Stadium on Sunday. After giving up the opening goal, the Demons would lead for the remainder of the second half and hit a game-high lead of 30 points at the 13-minute mark of the second half which capped off a run of five straight majors for the visitors. The Suns would then boot four unanswered goals of their own to reduce the deficit to two points at half time before furthering that streak by an extra two majors to hit the front at the start of the third quarter. That would term would be tight before the home side created a mini gap in the last quarter that saw them hit a 16-point advantage just as time on began, which allowed them to hold on thereafter. Nick Holman was outstanding in midfield, amassing 37 disposals and 12 clearances while also having 10 tackles and seven score involvements, whilst teammate Ben Jepson was also influential with 36 touches, nine inside 50s and a goal. Up forward, Caleb Lewis booted four majors, only to be outdone at the other end by Luker Kentfield who produced a season-high five goal effort. Xavier Taylor was another to play well for Casey, finishing with 24 disposals and 12 intercept possessions.

BEST
Gold Coast Suns: Nick Holman, Ben Jepson, Luke Chapman, Alex Davies, Jarrod Witts, Avery Thomas
Casey Demons: Luker Kentfield, Xavier Taylor, Aidan Johnson, Ethan Stanley, Ricky Mentha, Xavier Lindsay
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SANDRINGHAM                       1.0        3.2        7.3        9.8 (62)
WILLIAMSTOWN                      3.6        7.6        14.10   17.11 (113)

A third straight game unbeaten for Williamstown saw them end the round back inside the top 10, as they defeated Sandringham by 51 points at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. The Seagulls made their intent known from the opening siren, registering nine scoring shots to one in the opening term before increasing their 18-point quarter time advantage to 28 points at the main break. They would then ensure the Zebras weren’t given the ability to make a run in the second half when they booted seven goals to four in the third quarter, on their way to conceding their lowest score of the season to produce a comprehensive win. There a plethora of contributors for the visitors including Jake Greiser (33 disposals, seven rebound 50s), Jack Toner (27 disposals, eight inside 50s) and Nathan Colenso (26 disposals, 10 score involvements) whilst Braydon Preuss kicked a season-high three goals up forward. Darcy Chirgwin was a standout for the Zebras who finished with 24 disposals and four goals, as was Owen Bater who had 20 disposals and seven intercept possessions.

BEST
Sandringham: Owen Bater, Darcy Chirgwin, Daniel Pinter, Kynan Brown, Charlton Harrop, Nathan Philactides
Williamstown: Not submitted
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