NOTHING about this VFL season can be said to be normal, with some amazing results being put in the book and huge numbers being put up every week by the competition’s best players.
But the competition is enjoying a renaissance, especially among the clubs that have been struggling for many years, with Frankston sitting in the top eight after Round 12 for first time since 2005, Coburg winning three games and the Northern Bullants two in a row.
In fact, a clear sign of a healthy VFL comes in this stat – all of the Dolphins, Lions and Bullants scored impressive victories over AFL reserves teams on the weekend, the first time all three have won on the same weekend since Round 13, 2008, or July 6 to be exact – almost 13 years ago to the day.
Back then, Coburg defeated Box Hill at Box Hill (something it has not done at the venue since and only twice at home), Frankston edged Collingwood at Princes Park (only two wins since) and the Bullants beat Tasmania by five points at Bellerive Oval.
But back to the individual performances and it would be easy to keep including the same players each week, with Nathan Freeman (45), Charlie Constable (42) and Marcus Lentini (39) again putting up ridiculous numbers, so with apologies to those three guns, here are the stars of Round 12.
LUKE BUNKER (COBURG)
Another Lion quietly going about his business, Bunker was magnificent against the Blues, having 20 kicks, 12 handballs, 11 tackles and 15 clearances.
He hasn’t been below 20 touches this season and is now averaging 27.8 in eight games while adding 8.4 tackles and 7.1 clearances. Yet another one to watch at Piranha Park.
FERGUS GREENE (BOX HILL HAWKS)
Greene really could have had a day out against an undermanned Gold Coast defence, but still ended up as the best man on the ground after kicking 6.4 from 13 kicks, seven handballs and nine marks.
It was his second bag of the season after kicking five against Sandringham in round three and gives him 25.13 from his eight matches so far.
TOM WILSON (NORTHERN BULLANTS)
Death, taxes and the Ants’ skipper being one of the best men on the ground.
The tireless and inspirational leader was huge in his team’s stunning upset of reigning premier Richmond, knocking up 22 kicks, nine handballs, eight marks and seven clearances to top a stats sheet that featured just two Bullants in the top eight.
DARCY LANG (GEELONG)
Returning to the Cats’ VFL list after losing his AFL spot at Carlton, Lang was everywhere against Essendon on Friday, booting five goals for the first time in more than 100 games at both levels.
He picked up 21 kicks and five handballs also delivering five inside-50s and three clearances while laying eight tackles to shade Constable to top honours.
SAM LOWSON (COBURG)
Lowson has been flying under the radar, averaging just 10 disposals a game as Lentini and Charlie Thompson have been taking the headlines.
However, after failing to reach 10 disposals in his past three games, including a scoreless return against North Melbourne, he turned in his best game of the season to kick four goals and move to 15 majors at almost two per game. He could be ready to explode.
JACK GINNIVAN (COLLINGWOOD)
Taken in last year’s rookie draft, Ginnivan has exploded into AFL contention with seven goals in the Magpies’ two matches since lockdown, including a matchwinning haul of 4.1 from 15 disposals as his teammates missed many of their chances in a scoreline of 11.15.
Ginnivan also laid four tackles to keep the ball locked in and give his team extra chances to score, and now has kicked an efficient 12.3 in seven games.
FLYNN APPLEBY (NORTH MELBOURNE)
The Kangaroos’ captain led from the back as his team almost sprung the biggest upset of all against the undefeated Bulldogs, getting within three points midway through the last quarter.
Appleby had 15 kicks and eight handballs, took 11 marks, laid three tackles and held boom Footscray youngster Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to just six disposals, two marks and one goal.
COLIN O’RIORDAN (SYDNEY)
Another captain to shine in a losing team, the Irishman did everything in his power to hold off the more experienced Frankston line-up.
While Ryan Clarke (39) and Lewis Taylor (35) got more of the ball, O’Riordan was outstanding across half-back, having 20 touches and picking off nine marks in the first half on his way to 18 kicks, 16 handballs and 11 marks as he relished the chance to lead his team.
SPECIAL MENTION: WILL ARTHURSON (FRANKSTON)
Playing just his 10th VFL game, Arthurson enjoyed extra freedom and roamed around Avalon Airport Oval in his best performance at this level, finishing with 17 kicks, eight handballs and 11 marks as the Dolphins overwhelmed Sydney in the second half.
Brendan Rhodes' top 10 players after round 12
- Darcy Fort (Geelong) 59
- Jacob Dawson (Southport) 53
- Tom Wilson (Northern Bullants) 47
- Lewis Taylor (Sydney) 46
- Jai Newcombe (Box Hill Hawks) 42
- Eli Templeton (Port Melbourne) 40
- Corey Wagner (Port Melbourne) 37
- Callum Coleman-Jones (Richmond) 36
- Damien Mascitti (Box Hill Hawks) 36
- Nick Shipley (GWS) 36
Twitter: @BRhodesVFL
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