BOX HILL 12.15 (87)
WERRIBEE 11.14 (80)
BOX HILL produced one of the most remarkable finishes of the season on Saturday, coming from 20 points down in time-on of the final quarter to stun Werribee by seven points and give their Smithy’s VFL finals hopes a significant boost.
Wearing their traditional Mustangs guernsey in front of a buzzing crowd of club legends celebrating their inaugural Hall of Fame inductions, the home team looked dead and buried when former player Ollie Hanrahan kicked his fourth goal of a near best-on-ground performance to put the Tigers more than three goals up with the clock reading 19:38 in the last term.
But Jaylon Thorpe pulled in a strong mark and kicked truly at the 22-minute mark to spark some hope, and the Mustangs exploded with Fergus Greene kicking his fifth at 25:40 before a previously quiet Ben Cavarra snapped a stunning left-foot goal over his right shoulder to take the lead at 28:50.
When Greene booted his sixth less than a minute later the Mustangs had secured a remarkable result in their 500th game of the VFL era, breaking a three-match losing run and moving briefly back into the top eight before Collingwood reclaimed the spot the following day.
Ruckman Max Lynch, who lost his AFL spot with Hawthorn captain Ben McEvoy’s return from injury, quickly put his hand up for a recall by monstering the Tigers with 43 hitouts to go with 16 disposals, five marks, six clearances, five inside-50s and five rebounds, while veteran star Liam Shiels also dominated with 27 disposals, six marks, six tackles and two goals.
Mustang Tom Phillips led all comers with 29 touches, 12 marks, seven clearances and six tackles, while Emerson Jeka was also brilliant in an unfamiliar role in defence, picking up 22 possessions, six marks and seven rebounds while keeping Hudson Garoni goalless, Damian Mascitti had 24 and laid 11 tackles and Greene finished with 6.1 from 11 disposals and five marks to put some pressure on Gold Coast’s Chris Burgess at the top of the Frosty Miller Medal leaderboard.
Hanrahan was clearly Werribee’s best, winning 24 disposals, six marks and five clearances and kicking 4.2, including a couple of spectacular goals, while Nick Coughlan (18, six marks, 10 tackles) was outstanding in defence, keeping Jackson Callow goalless.
Kye Declase (26, eight marks), Louis Pinnuck (23, seven marks, seven rebounds), Tom McCaffrey (20, five inside-50s) and Noah Gribble (20, five inside-50s) all performed strongly and Tom Gribble (21, six marks) and Matt Hanson (20, eight clearances) worked hard but weren’t able to find their usual space.
Nick Hayes was lively at half forward, taking nine marks and booting 2.2, but faces missing the Round 19 clash with Footscray after being offered a one-week suspension by the MRP on a charge of kicking Mason De Wit in the first quarter.
ESSENDON 11.12 (78)
GOLD COAST 12.9 (81)
JOSH Corbett pulled in a crucial pack mark and kicked the winning goal with less than a minute on the clock to hand Gold Coast a thrilling three-point win over Essendon at Windy Hill on Sunday to stay in the thick of the finals race.
The Suns looked like they were going to do it comfortably when they kicked five of the first six goals, but the Bombers slammed on the next six and grabbed a two-goal advantage by half-time.
Gold Coast took its second turn with the wind to boot four goals to one in the third, but led by just five points and with Essendon having that breeze it looked like the home team’s game to lose.
The Bombers were up by nine points at the 28-minute mark of the last term, but Jeremy Sharp gave the Suns hope before Corbett’s heroics as the clock ticked to 32.
Sharp was hard to top for best-on-ground honours after picking up 27 disposals, seven inside-50s and three goals, with challengers including prolific midfielders Charlie Constable (35, seven marks, seven clearances, eight entries, five tackles) and James Tsitas (25, six marks, five entries, seven tackles, one goal).
Defenders Darcy Macpherson (30, seven marks, nine rebounds), Elijah Hollands (23, 11 rebounds) and Jez McLennan (23, seven tackles), while Corbett (nine and three) and Burgess (five and three) took 14 marks and kicked six goals between them.
Stefan Rasinac (29, eight marks, five clearances, eight inside-50s) and Joel Fitzgerald (26, six rebounds) continued their outstanding debut seasons, with Billy Cootee (21, 11 clearances, one goal), Brad Bernacki (20, six clearances, five entries, five rebounds), James Stewart (seven marks, four goals) and Patrick Voss (four goals) also impressing.
Michael Hurley lined up at centre half-forward in his first game for nearly two years, facing off against another player to have had a horror run with injury in Rory Thompson.
He was cheered raucously by the healthy crowd every time he went near the ball and seemed to get through the game well, picking up five disposals and two marks.
CARLTON 10.10 (70)
GEELONG 9.5 (59)
CARLTON climbed back into the top four and ended Geelong’s finals hopes with a come-from-behind 11-point win at Ikon Park on Saturday.
Carlton kicked the first five goals of the game but the Cats fought back and led by eight points when Mitchell Chafer goalled 13 minutes in the final term kicking with the wind, but the Blues rallied with three of the last four majors, sealing victory through captain Jesse Glass-McCasker’s second goal with less than two minutes to play.
Carlton dominated inside-50s (58-34) and clearances (53-36) to eventually overwhelm the Cats, led by an outstanding display from Will Setterfield (40 disposals, eight marks, seven clearances, nine entries, five rebounds), with Paddy Dow (31, five clearances, five entries), Lachie Fogarty (26, five marks, five clearances, five entries), David Handley (23, six clearances, five entries, seven tackles) and Zavier Maher (20, 10 clearances).
Marc Pittonet (15 touches, 22 hitouts, nine clearances) and Mitch McGovern (17, five rebounds and the go-ahead goal) made successful returns from long-term injuries for Carlton, but lost Ed Curnow to injury in the first quarter.
Nick Stevens starred in defence for Geelong with 36 possessions, nine marks and 11 rebounds, Sam Simpson was also terrific in his first game of the season with 24 touches and seven marks and while skipper Jackson McLachlan (24, six tackles, one goal) was also influential.
Jye Chalcraft (21, nine clearances), Ollie Dempsey (18, six marks, one goal), late inclusion Ben Lloyd (21, one goal) and ruckman Jon Ceglar (16, five marks, 21 hitouts) played their roles, but the visitors dropped their sixth game in a row to fall two games and a hefty percentage outside the eight with four games to go.
GWS 8.10 (58)
BRISBANE LIONS 10.16 (76)
BRISBANE Lions claimed their fifth win in a row and consolidated third spot on the ladder after outclassing GWS in a top-four showdown at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday.
The Lions kicked the opening two goals and were never seriously threatened, gapping the Giants with the first three goals of the second term to lead by as much as 30 points.
GWS did pull back within seven points at the final change, but the Lions took over again, with only inaccuracy (3.7 to 2.2) stopping them winning by more.
Ryan Lester starred at centre half-back for the visitors with 31 disposals, 13 marks and five rebounds, with Tom Berry (28, seven marks, 10 inside-50s, five tackles, one goal) and Deven Robertson (29, seven marks, seven clearances), eight tackles) was also brilliant.
Charlie Bowes (23, 14 marks, one goal), Connor McFadyen (22, 13 marks), Harry Arnold (20, 10 marks, five rebounds), Carter Michael (27, five entries, six rebounds), Toby Triffett (26, seven tackles), Tahj Abberley (25, five marks, six rebounds), James Tunstill (22, six marks), Luke O’Sullivan (19, five marks, two goals) and Darcy Wilmot (25) also won a lot of the footy as the Lions enjoyed a huge 457-336 disposal advantage.
Braydon Preuss was a goliath in the ruck for the Giants, winning 23 disposals, six clearances, eight entries and 44 hitouts while pulling in 11 marks, with Jake Stein (25, seven marks, 14 rebounds) brilliant in defence and Leyton Chisholm (25, seven marks, six entries, one goal), second ruckman Kieren Briggs (18, seven marks, 19 hitouts, five clearances, six tackles, one goal), Jarrod Brander (22, nine marks), 50th gamer Bailey Stewart (20, five entries), Billy Barnes (20, five entries) and Leek Aleer (16, nine marks, five rebounds, seven tackles) also playing well.
SOUTHPORT 9.12 (66)
SYDNEY 6.8 (44)
SOUTHPORT saw off a concerted challenge from Sydney to protect its undefeated VFL record at Fankhauser Reserve, winning by 22 points on Friday night.
After a desperate start saw neither team kick a goal until Mitch Johnson found the target at the 20-minute mark and the Swans held scoreless until 10 minutes into the second quarter, Sydney rallied with three quick goals to actually take the lead into half-time despite the Sharks having had four more scoring shots.
Southport kicked four goals to two in the third term to lead by 11 turning for home before being challenged again when Sam Wicks booted the opening major of the last quarter just 97 seconds in, but it proved to be the visitors’ last goal as the home team added the last three.
Ruckman Brayden Crossley was best on ground for the Sharks after they lost No.1 ruck Fraser Thurlow to a hamstring injury at the opening bounce, picking up 23 disposals, 10 marks, 34 hitouts, five clearances, eight tackles and a goal in a matchwinning display.
He gave an armchair ride to Boyd Woodcock (25, six marks, eight clearances, two goals), who took a huge mark in the last quarter and kicked the goal that broke the Swans’ backs, Jacob Dawson (29, seven clearances, five entries), former Swan Zac Foot (23, six marks, one goal) and Billy Gowers (21, two goals), while Sydney product Ryan Davis (16, nine marks), Tom Fields (17, seven marks, one goal) and Jesse Joyce (18, six clearances, one goal) were also important.
Swans great Josh Kennedy enjoyed a successful return to action after eight weeks out with his own hamstring problem, picking up 29 disposals and seven clearances while laying 10 tackles in a typical Kennedy performance, with Will Gould (29, eight marks, 11 rebounds) again brilliant in defence and top 2021 NAB AFL Draft pick Angus Sheldrick (31, eight clearances, five tackles) having a breakout game.
Callum Sinclair (21, four marks, 25 hitouts) also had a strong game, while Logan McDonald pulled in 12 marks and kicked two goals from 19 disposals and Lewis Taylor had 21 touches.
NORTH MELBOURNE 8.8 (56)
RICHMOND 8.10 (58)
RICHMOND clung onto a desperate two-point win over North Melbourne in a desperate finish at Aegis Park on Saturday to keep its own position on the edge of the top eight.
The Tigers kicked the first four goals and looked in total control, but the Kangaroos gradually worked their way back into the contest in Tom Lynch’s first game in charge, drawing within three points at half-time and fighting back from 20 down early in the final term to fall just short after Matt McGuinness got them within two points in the dying minutes.
Richmond dominated in the clearances 46-27 as captain Lachlan Street put in a best-afield shift with 27 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles and even 10 hitouts as a makeshift second ruckman, while getting forward to kick three goals.
Matt Parker (27, six marks, seven entries, five rebounds, six tackles), Tom Brown (26, nine rebounds), Riley Collier-Dawkins (25, six clearances, five entries, one goal), Jason Castagna (24, seven clearances) and Sam Banks (20, six inside-50s, one goal) also stood up for the Tigers, while Biggie Nyuon filled in as the No.1 ruck and had 20 hitouts in a solid effort.
Marty Hore was again wonderful in defence for the Kangaroos, winning 32 disposals, taking nine marks and delivering 14 rebounds, with Dom Tyson (28, five marks, eight clearances, eight inside-50s, six tackles) and Josh Walker (22, eight marks, six rebounds) showing their experience, while Jack Mahony (22, five marks, one goal) and Harry Jones (24, five entries) were also good.
COBURG 9.7 (61)
SANDRINGHAM 12.17 (89)
DAN Hannebery made a starring return as Sandringham broke a four-game losing run and kept its season alive in accounting for Coburg by 28 points at Piranha Park on Saturday.
It loomed as a danger game for the Zebras but they started perfectly with the wind, kicking 5.6 to 1.1 before the Lions matched that in the second term to get within six points at the main break.
Sandringham kicked clear again with 4.6 to 0.1 in the third term and held firm in the last for the crucial first victory of the five it needs to make the finals.
Hannebery had 29 disposals and seven clearances in a successful return, with fellow comeback star Jack Bytel picking up 27 touches, five marks, six clearances and six entries, but Tom Campbell was a clear best-on-ground with 26 possessions, 45 hitouts, 14 clearances, six inside-50s and a goal while being involved in a remarkable 13 free kicks (eight for, five against), just ahead of Oliver Lowe (19, eight marks, four goals).
Cody Henness (27, seven clearances, six tackles, one goal), Darby Hipwell (27, six tackles), Jarrod Lienert (21, five marks), and Leo Connolly (20) also shone for Sandringham, but it lost Max Heath to injury early.
Braedyn Gillard (29, five clearances, five inside-50s, one goal) and Luke Nelson were Coburg’s best, kicking three goals from 21 possessions and laying five tackles, while Flynn Gentile and Lachlan Walker (19 disposals, six marks each) were also good.
PORT MELBOURNE 11.9 (75)
COLLINGWOOD 16.12 (108)
COLLINGWOOD kept pace with Carlton in the race for fourth spot, leaping to fifth with a convincing 33-point win over Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium on Sunday.
The Magpies cruised out to a 35-point advantage late in the second quarter before a late Jake Gasper goal changed the momentum and the Borough barrelled back into the contest with the first six goals of the third term to make it seven in a row and grab an eight-point gap.
But Viv Blackmore-Moore hit back with two of his three goals to regain the lead and the Magpies steadied with six goals to one in the last term to run away with the win.
The Brown brothers were everywhere for Collingwood, racking up 71 possessions between them with Callum (37, five clearances, seven inside-50s, five rebounds) just shading Tyler (34, 10 clearances, seven tackles), while co-captains Lachie Tardrew (27, five clearances, seven rebounds) and Campbell Hustwaite (26, six clearances, eight entries, one goal) led from the front, Arlo Draper (21, eight marks), Caleb Poulter (22) and fourth-game ruckman Tom Roberts (54 hitouts) performed strongly and Ollie Henry (four), Blackmore-Moore (three) and Sam Glover (three) finished off with 10 goals between them.
Eli Templeton (32 disposals, six marks, nine inside-50s, one goal), Corey Wagner (30, seven marks, five tackles) and Ethan Phillips (23, 14 marks) were outstanding for Port Melbourne, with support coming from captain Tom O’Sullivan (24, nine clearances, six entries, seven tackles), Harvey Hooper (23, five clearances, five entries, six tackles, one goal), Tom Cameron (21, eight rebounds, five tackles), Marcus Lentini (27, one goal), Nash Holmes (25, six tackles) and Jake Gasper (three goals).
FRANKSTON 13.13 (91)
NORTHERN BULLANTS 5.9 (39)
FRANKSTON cruised to a comfortable 51-point win over Northern Bullants at Skybus Stadium on Friday night.
In a scrappy contest where both teams struggled with their ball skills, the Dolphins edged to a 23-point lead at half-time before a goalless third quarter gave way to a burst of four goals in six minutes that left the Bullants with their lowest score against Frankston.
Blake O’Leary (17 disposals, six marks, four goals) and Brodie McLaughlin (18, five marks, four goals) created havoc up forward for the Dolphins, Austin Bradtke (18, four marks, 14 hitouts, five clearances) produced close to his best game at VFL level and Josh Newman (28, 12 marks), Will Fordham (31, five marks, six inside-50s), Connor Riley (20, eight tackles) also put in four-quarter efforts.
Skipper Tom Wilson (30 disposals, 11 marks) was in everything for the Bullants, with Matt King (24, seven marks, five tackles), Will Mitchell (23, seven clearances, six tackles), Liam Podhajski (16, five marks, 21 hitouts, five entries) also pitching in, while debutants Ben Nikolovski and John Roumeliotis had their moments and kicked a goal each.
BYE: Casey Demons, Footscray, Williamstown
SMITHY’S VFL LADDER, ROUND 17 – click here
THIS WEEK
ROUND 18: Saturday, July 23: Sydney v Frankston (Lakeside Oval, 10.05am); Footscray v Casey Demons (Victoria University Whitten Oval, 2.05pm); Richmond v Williamstown (Swinburne Centre, 2.05pm); Carlton v GWS (Ikon Park, 6.05pm). Sunday, July 24: Northern Bullants v Box Hill Hawks (Genis Steel Oval, Preston, 12.01pm); Southport v Essendon (Fankhauser Reserve, 12.05pm); Sandringham v Port Melbourne (Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 1.05pm); Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast (Red Rooster Park, Moreton Bay, 1.05pm). Bye: Coburg, Collingwood, Geelong, North Melbourne, Werribee.
NEXT WEEK: ROUND 19: Saturday, July 30: Collingwood v Southport (Victoria Park, 10.35am); Casey Demons v Northern Bullants (Casey Fields, 1.05pm); Werribee v Footscray (Avalon Airport Oval, 2.05pm); Williamstown v Carlton (Williamstown Oval, 2.05pm); Sydney v GWS (SCG, 5.35pm). Sunday, July 31: Gold Coast v Port Melbourne (Metricon Stadium, 9.05am); Richmond v Brisbane Lions (Swinburne Centre, 11.05am); Essendon v North Melbourne (Windy Hill, 12.05pm); Geelong v Coburg (GMHBA Stadium, 12.35pm). Bye: Box Hill Hawks, Frankston, Sandringham.
THEN: ROUND 20: Saturday, August 6: GWS v Essendon (Giants Stadium, 10.35am); Brisbane Lions v Werribee (Red Rooster Park, Moreton Bay, 11.05am); Footscray v Coburg (Victoria University Whitten Oval, 12.05pm); Collingwood v Williamstown (AIA Centre, 12.35pm); Frankston v Box Hill Hawks (Skybus Stadium, 1.01pm); Geelong v Sandringham (GMHBA Stadium, 3.50pm). Sunday, August 7: North Melbourne v Sydney (Aegis Park, 11.05am); Northern Bullants v Richmond (Genis Steel Oval, 2.05pm). Bye: Carlton, Casey Demons, Gold Coast, Port Melbourne, Southport.
Twitter: @BRhodesVFL
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