NORTH Melbourne will mark its 850th game at the State league level when it takes on one of the league’s oldest clubs, Williamstown, in an intriguing Smithy’s VFL season opener at Aegis Park on Sunday.
The Kangaroos, a VFA foundation club (as Hotham) who played in the competition from 1877-1924 before joining the then VFL and will reach their first milestone since returning in 2019.
They have a strong record of 444 wins, 336 losses and 69 draws in those 849 games, remembering behinds were not counted in the early days, meaning a lot more draws resulted, winning six premierships in 1903, 1904, 1910, 1914, 1915 and 1918.
North will play Williamstown for the 79th time on Sunday, holding a 45-25-8 win-loss record, but it has lost five in a row and nine of the past 10, having not won since Round 9, 1923.
The Box Hill Hawks are also chasing a significant milestone, having been stuck on 599 wins since the 2021 season ended abruptly in August – their record is 599-712-20.
Two club recruits will mark 50 VFL appearances at the weekend, with new Collingwood playing assistant coach Neville Jetta to reach the milestone against Box Hill Hawks in his first game for the Magpies after his AFL retirement from Melbourne, while Jesse Glass-McCasker’s return game for Carlton will also be his 50th in the competition when the Blues take on Brisbane Lions on Friday.
Casey Demons could possibly also mark a milestone as former captain Mitch White sits on 49 goals ahead of his team's clash with Sandringham at Casey Fields on Sunday.
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE SMITHY’S VFL TEAMS FOR ROUND 1
All Smithy’s VFL matches in 2022 except the Channel 7 game can be livestreamed through the below website or the VFL app.
Twitter: @BRhodesVFL
FOOTSCRAY v SYDNEY
Friday, March 25, 4.35pm @ VU Whitten Oval
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 4.20pm)
Prediction: Footscray by 15
CARLTON v BRISBANE LIONS
Friday, March 25, 5.05pm @ Ikon Park
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 4.20pm)
Prediction: Carlton by 22
GOLD COAST v NORTHERN BULLANTS
Saturday, March 26, 2.05pm local @ Metricon Stadium
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 1.50pm local, 2.50pm Victoria)
Prediction: Gold Coast by 10
GEELONG v ESSENDON
Saturday, March 26, 2.05pm @ GMHBA Stadium
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 1.50pm)
Prediction: Geelong by 29
FRANKSTON v WERRIBEE
Saturday, March 26, 7.05pm @ Skybus Stadium
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 6.50pm)
Prediction: Werribee by 14
RICHMOND v SOUTHPORT
Sunday, March 27, 11.35am @ Swinburne Centre
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 11.20am)
Prediction: Richmond by 6
COLLINGWOOD v BOX HILL HAWKS
Sunday, March 27, 12.10pm @ Victoria Park
(www.3wbc.org.au, 11am; Channel 7 and https://7plus.com.au, 12pm)
Prediction: Box Hill Hawks by 15
CASEY DEMONS v SANDRINGHAM
Sunday, March 26, 1.05pm @ Casey Fields
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 12.50pm)
Prediction: Casey Demons by 31
GWS v PORT MELBOURNE
Sunday, March 27, 2.05pm @ Blacktown International Sports Park
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 1.50pm)
Prediction: GWS by 35
NORTH MELBOURNE v WILLIAMSTOWN
Sunday, March 27, 4.05pm @ Aegis Park, Arden St
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 3.50pm)
Prediction: Williamstown by 25
Brendan Rhodes’ winners: Last Round: 0. Season: 0.
All Smithy’s VFL matches in 2022 can be viewed live and free. The VFL Match of the Round will be screened each week on Channel 7, with all other matches to be livestreamed via vfl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Radio stations Casey Radio, 3WBC and RPPFM will also again be broadcasting regular matches.
To access live scores, results, ladder, stats and to link to live streams/replays, download the VFL/W Official App from the Apple or Google Play app stores.
Keep track of your Smithy’s VFL team via our VFL Match Centre, which features live scores, team and player stats, match timeline, events summary and Fantasy points. Check it out here (https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/fixture)
