A review of all the action from the opening round of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season.
CARLTON vs GEELONG CATS
CARLTON 2.2 4.4 7.8 10.9 (69)
GEELONG CATS 5.4 7.8 11.10 12.13 (85)
GEELONG produced a blistering start and a gutsy finish to hand new coach Mark Corrigan a winning start with a 16-point defeat of Carlton in the Smithy’s VFL season opener at IKON Park on Friday night.
The Cats kicked the first five goals and never relinquished the lead, coming up with a crucial goal every time the Blues looked like mounting a challenge. The only real nervous moment for Corrigan coming when Carlton kicked the first three goals of the last term to draw within eight points.
Reigning Vic Fuller medallist Jye Chalcraft was best-on-ground for Geelong, racking up 30 disposals, seven marks, six clearances and a goal, while Brandan Parfitt (23, eight clearances) had a dominant first half in his first VFL game since 2017, Ben Lloyd had 20 disposals (all kicks) in defence, dual Geelong league best-and-fairest winner Harry Benson (19, six clearances) impressed on debut and Ollie Dempsey stepped up in all the big moments to kick three goals.
Lachie Plowman was massive in the first half for Carlton, keeping his team in the game with 22 disposals in defence on his way to 29 for the game, with ball magnet Paddy Dow (30, six marks, 10 clearances), Jack Carroll (25, seven marks, nine inside-50s), Alex Cincotta (23) and rookies Jaxon Binns (21, seven marks, five entries) and Archie Stevens (22) also impressing.
COLLINGWOD vs COBURG
COLLINGWOOD 5.1 9.2 14.7 22.9 (141)
COBURG 2.4 5.10 6.11 6.13 (49)
COLLINGWOOD blasted Coburg with 13 goals to one in the second half to give its percentage a huge start in a 92-point hammering at Victoria Park.
The Magpies had to work hard against a gallant Lions outfit in the first half, leading by 16 points at the main break – a margin that could have been reversed had the visitors kicked straight (5.10 to 9.2). However, it was all one-way traffic after that.
Fin Macrae (34 disposals, nine clearances, six tackles), Campbell Lane (31, eight marks), Campbell Hustwaite (31, five marks), Trent Bianco (27, nine marks, five entries) and Lachie Tardrew (29) had a field day among 10 players to have 20 or more. Meanwhile, Tom Wilson (five goals), Ash Johnson (four) and Sam Glover (four) cashed in up forward.
Flynn Gentile was Coburg’s best with 29 possessions, seven clearances, 10 tackles, six inside-50s and a goal, with help coming from Braedyn Gillard (26, five marks, 11 clearances), debutant Hugo McGlashan (23, eight clearances, six tackles, six entrances), Nathan Boucher (24, seven marks) and Luke Nelson (23, nine marks).
BRISBANE LIONS vs WERRIBEE
BRISBANE LIONS 4.2 4.5 8.7 10.10 (70)
WERRIBEE 5.1 8.4 10.7 10.9 (69)
PREMIERSHIP fancy Brisbane Lions drained their reserve tank of energy to come from 23 points down at half-time to make a winning start to life at Brighton Homes Arena in a one-point thriller against Werribee on Saturday.
The Tigers booted five unanswered goals from the 25-minute mark of the first quarter to half-time, but the home team snagged three in five minutes to start the third and set up a tense arm wrestle.
Werribee still led by 12 at the final change but as the rain teemed down the Lions came up with back-to-back majors to Harry Sharp and captain Wylie Buzza (his third) to grab the lead at the 12-minute mark.
The Tigers dominated the last 10 minutes but could only manage two behinds as the Lions held on desperately.
Rhys Mathieson again showed himself to be above the level with 28 disposals, 11 clearances, six inside-50s and two goals, while Buzza’s three goals were critical in the conditions. James Madden (18, 10 marks, six tackles), Jaxon Prior (22, seven marks) and Ryan Lester (21, seven marks) were critical down back.
Jack Henderson (28, six marks, five entries, two goals) and Shaun Mannagh (31, five marks, nine tackles, six clearances, eight entries) celebrated their elevation to vice-captaincy, dual Liston medallist Tom Gribble (28, six marks, five entries) dominated as usual, while Louis Pinnuck (27, five marks, five entries), Kye Declase (23, six marks) and Dom Brew (13 tackles) also impressed.
GOLD COAST SUNS vs WILLIAMSTOWN
GOLD COAST SUNS 2.2 5.6 7.10 12.12 (84)
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.2 3.2 4.7 7.10 (52)
GOLD COAST SUNS saw off a concerted challenge from Williamstown to kick off its season in the right way with a comfortable 32-point win at Austworld Centre Oval on Saturday.
The teams were reasonably evenly matched but the Suns extended their lead at every change to take the points on the back of strong performances from Rory Atkins (27 disposals, 10 marks, five entries), Jy Farrar (25, 10 marks), Jed Anderson (22, six tackles, six clearances, six entries) and Alex Davies (22 disposals, 1 goal), while No.6 draft pick Bailey Humphrey had 14 touches and Mabior Chol booted three goals.
Marty Hore starred on debut for the Seagulls with 20 disposals and 10 marks, evergreen veteran Ben Jolley proved he still has it with 24 touches and seven tackles, Oscar McDonald had 19 and nine marks, James Cousins topped the sheet with 28 disposals and Jack Toner got through his first game back from a knee reconstruction.
SOUTHPORT SHARKS vs SANDRINGHAM
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 7.2 9.5 13.10 17.16 (118)
SANDRINGHAM 0.3 0.6 3.8 4.8 (32)
SOUTHPORT showed it will be a contender again this season, crushing an undermanned Sandringham by 86 points at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.
The Sharks laid the smack down with seven goals in the first term and held the Zebras goalless until the second minute of the third quarter, as they raced to an ominous victory.
It’s not a Southport game without big Jacob Dawson numbers, and he returned 36 disposals, five marks and eight clearances, while recruit Jackson Edwards, the son of Adelaide great Tyson, produced one of the great VFL debuts. Edwards racked up 35 touches, seven marks, seven tackles, nine clearances and nine inside-50s in
Zac Foot (24, six marks, four goals), Jesse Joyce (28, seven clearances, six tackles, one goal), Max Pescud (25, 11 marks, two goals) and Mike Manteit (26, eight marks) also starred as the Sharks had a stunning 11 players pick up more than 20 touches, including 50th gamer Max Spencer.
Tom Highmore did his best to hold back the tide for Sandringham with 32 possessions and five marks, but nobody else was able to contribute more than Darby Hipwell’s 18 and five clearances.
CASEY DEMONS vs FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
CASEY DEMONS 1.7 4.10 10.11 13.16 (94)
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 1.1 4.2 7.5 8.9 (57)
CASEY Demons kicked off their premiership defence in the right way with a convincing 37-point win over Footscray Bulldogs at Casey Fields on Saturday.
The Demons lost to the same opponent by 71 points in the final practice match but never seriously looked like losing with points on the line, even though it took them longer than it should have to seal the deal.
The gallant Bulldogs, playing with just seven AFL-listed players to Casey’s 14, got within two points midway through the third term but couldn’t go on with it as the home team’s Melbourne contingent proved too classy.
Midfielders Bailey Laurie (29 disposals, seven marks, six entries) and James Jordan (28, seven marks) vied for best-on-ground honours. They had support from Luke Dunstan (29, six marks, seven clearances, six entries), while Michael Hibberd did as he pleased in defence with a game-high 36 touches and 10 marks.
Debutants Max Gregory and Oliver Sestan (three goals) impressed, Jacob van Rooyen was the best of an impressive group of big men with 19 possessions, 11 marks and Jimmy Munro’s remarkable 16 tackles outstripped his disposal count.
Skipper Lachlan Sullivan led Footscray with 26 disposals, six marks and nine clearances in his 50th VFL game, while Cooper Craig-Peters (19, five tackles, six entries) played his best game at the level and Joel Garner (23, six clearances, seven entries), Ewan Macpherson (20, six marks), Mitch Hannan (20, two goals), Luke Cleary (20) and Jason Johannisen (18, one goal) were all good.
NORTH MELBOURNE vs PORT MELBOURNE
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.2 6.6 9.10 9.12 (66)
PORT MELBOURNE 3.3 7.6 10.10 12.14 (86)
PORT MELBOURNE landed its first Round 1 win since its 2017 premiership year by outlasting North Melbourne by 20 points at Arden Street Oval on Saturday.
In a terrific contest that saw 10 lead changes, the Kangaroos led by 14 points early in the second term before the Borough worked their way back in a seesawing contest and then kicked the only two goals of the last term.
Port won despite having 63 less disposals than North. The Borough won the hitouts 57-21 on the back of a dominant display from Sam Naismith, with the former Sydney giant having 42 in a Borough debut that doubled as his 50th State league game and first match since Round 6, 2021.
Casey premiership hard-luck story Fraser Rosman starred in defence for the Borough with 20 touches and nine marks, Nash Holmes had 21, eight clearances and five entries, Ethan Phillips took nine grabs and Archi Manton was outstanding in attack with seven marks and four goals.
For North Melbourne, Sam Lowson kicked three of his five goals in the first quarter, Aaron Hall (38, seven marks) had his own footy, while Lachie Young, debutant Blake Drury, Flynn Perez and new captain Jack Watkins (21, five marks, six tackles, eight inside-50s) played well. Meanwhile, No.4 draft pick George Wardlaw (12 touches, six tackles, 1 goal) did some nice things.
SYDNEY vs BOX HILL HAWKS
SYDNEY SWANS 3.3 6.6 9.8 10.10 (70)
BOX HILL HAWKS 4.4 7.6 9.10 14.13 (97)
BOX HILL Hawks gave Zane Littlejohn the perfect start to his VFL coaching career when they ran away from Sydney in the last quarter for a head-turning 27-point win at Tramway Oval on Sunday.
Littlejohn was handed a daunting debut to go interstate in Round 1 against a team that finished fifth last year and had brushed the Hawks aside in Round 22. But they took the lead through unlikely hero Jed Rule entering time-on of the first quarter and held for most of the day, booting the last four goals.
Debutant Rule, 19, booted four crucial goals while Jaylon Thorpe came to the party with two of his three sealing the win and Tyler Brockman making a welcome return after missing last year with a shoulder injury to kick the first goal and finish with three.
Former Magpie Callum Brown fired in his first game for Box Hill with 30 disposals, while best-and-fairest winner Cal Porter (28, 12 clearances, six tackles), Ned Long (28, seven marks), Seamus Mitchell (26, seven marks), Denver Grainger-Barras (18, 10 marks), Cooper Stephens (22 and five tackles) and another debutant in Jack O’Sullivan (18, six marks, two goals) also starred. The returning Jack Scrimshaw had 14 and four marks after only coming on at half-time.
Sydney was best served by Angus Sheldrick (28, five clearances) and Hugo Hall-Kahan (21, eight marks, one goals), while Essendon signing Aaron Francis was good with 16 disposals, seven marks and three goals.
RICHMOND vs NORTHERN BULLANTS
RICHMOND 7.1 10.4 13.5 16.8 (104)
NORTHERN BULLANTS 1.1 1.4 5.6 8.9 (57)
KAELAN Bradtke turned in a stunning first half to put paid to any hopes of a Northern Bullants upset and lead Richmond to a 47-point win a Swinburne Centre on Sunday.
Supplemental Selection Period signing Bradtke, who beat Quinton Narkle to the last spot on the Tigers’ list, booted five goals as his team romped to a 54-point advantage at the main break.
Captain Lachlan Street dominated for Richmond with 30 touches, seven clearances, six tackles and a goal. Meanwhile, Jack Ross (29, 13 marks, six inside-50s, one goal) and Sam Banks (23, 10 marks) put their hands up for AFL selection, Garrett McDonagh (25, five marks, five entries) had plenty of it and Jacob Bauer bobbed up with six marks and three goals.
The new-look Bullants settled into their work and won the second half seven goals to six in a promising sign for debutant coach Brodie Holland. The Bullants were led by Tyson Young (33 disposals, eight marks) in his second VFL game and first since 2018, Jean-Luc Velissaris (31, eight marks, five clearances), SANFL recruit Patrick Fairlie (31, eight marks, six clearances), his cousin Liam Mackie (28, nine marks), and debutant Ethan Mantas (23, 10 marks, six inside-50s), while Brandon Ryan kicked three goals.
ESSENDON vs GWS GIANTS
ESSENDON 5.2 11.4 15.8 18.11 (119)
GWS GIANTS 0.5 1.7 5.8 5.9 (39)
ESSENDON enjoyed a perfect start to the year, crushing a disappointing GWS Giants by 80 points at NEC Hangar on Sunday.
Ben Hobbs (36 disposals, 10 marks, 11 clearances, 11 inside-50s, two goals) had a quadruple double and Nick Hind (42, 11 marks, five inside-50s) brought his own footy, while Jake Stringer did plenty of Jake Stringer things as he proved his fitness from a hamstring injury, finishing with 22 touches, five marks, five entries and a goal.
Stefan Rasinac (29, nine marks, five entries), Rhett Montgomerie (22, 11 marks) and Quinton Narkle (18, three goals) did as they pleased to set up Patrick Voss for five goals.
Josh Fahey (26) did his best to keep the Giants competitive, Jaelen Pavlidis impressed with 19, six clearances and an early goal of the year contender when he took four bounces down the wing and banged it home from 40m, Swans recruit Barry O’Connor had 19 and seven tackles and big man Kieren Briggs had 17, 25 hitouts, six clearances, five tackles and five inside-50s.
ROUND 2 FIXTURE
Thursday, March 30: Footscray Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions (3.45pm, Marvel Stadium). Friday, March 31: Frankston vs Williamstown, 7.05pm, Kinetic Stadium). Saturday, April 1: North Melbourne vs Southport Sharks (11.05am, Arden Street Oval); GWS Giants vs Carlton (12.55pm, Giants Stadium); Coburg vs Richmond (2.05pm, Piranha Park); Port Melbourne vs Collingwood (ETU Stadium, 7.05pm). Sunday, April 2: Gold Coast Suns v Geelong Cats (Heritage Bank Stadium, 10.25am); Casey Demons v Sydney Swans (11.05am, Casey Fields); Sandringham vs Essendon (Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 12.00pm). Bye: Box Hill Hawks, Northern Bullants, Werribee.
Click here to view full fixture and ladder.
Broadcast and streaming: All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website (AFL.com.au) and AFL Live Official App. Smithy’s VFL broadcast partner, the Seven Network, will continue to show one weekly game live and free on the Seven Network in Victoria and on 7Plus nationally. Casey Radio 97.7FM and 3WBC 94.1FM are also broadcasting matches.
Live scoring and stats: Live scoring and stats will be available via both the AFL Live Official App and VFL App. Download the VFL App from the Apple or Google Play stores.
Ticketing: Where Smithy’s VFL matches are ticketed, entry is $10 for adults, $5 for concession holders and kids under 15 are free. Some venues don't charge for entry. AFL ticketing prices will apply for VFL matches played as curtain-raisers and curtain-closers to AFL matches at AFL venues.
