All eyes will be on ETU Stadium on Saturday night when Collingwood livewire Jack Ginnivan makes his return to football in the Magpies’ Smithy’s VFL showdown against Port Melbourne.
It will be the 20-year-old’s first VFL game since Round 13, 2021 after he established himself as a key part of Collingwood’s run to the 2022 AFL preliminary final with 40 goals in 22 matches.
The Magpies thrashed Coburg by 92 points last week and have also had the luxury of including AFL omission Reef McInnes, Josh Carmichael and Gold Coast recruit Oleg Markov, with Ash Johnson being promoted, Jake Long suffering a hamstring injury and Campbell Lane and Ben Silvagni being unlucky omissions from a team that features 15 AFL-listed players.
Prized Borough recruit, former Essendon speedster Dylan Clarke, will play his first game for the club alongside fellow signing Bryce Milford from Casey Demons.
The reigning premier Casey Demons are in an even more enviable position than the Magpies, coming off a convincing 37-point win over Footscray and adding six AFL-listed players to their squad to meet Sydney at Casey Fields on Sunday, although the AFL team is still to be finalised.
Tom McDonald, Jake Bowey, Jake Melksham and Judd McVee are still in both teams along with last week’s VFL stars Michael Hibberd and Bailey Laurie, while James Jordan and AFL debutant Jacob van Rooyen will go out of the Casey Demons.
Fellow AFL-listers Adam Tomlinson (Melbourne omission) and Dan Turner (injury) return to the VFL team.
Sydney has selected Hayden McLean and Matt Roberts, who remain on the AFL extended bench, while Angus Sheldrick and Hugo Hall-Kahan could be called up to the MCG, but North Melbourne VFL recruit Tom Howard will play his first game in red and white, with Lewis Melican, Caleb Mitchell and Jake Veale either injured or ill.
Luckless Carlton midfielder David Cunningham (shoulder) has been named to make his latest comeback from injury, but the Blues have suffered a major blow with newly-appointed vice-captain Zavier Maher ruled out for the season with a knee injury and key defender Sam Durdin to miss with a hamstring.
Their opponent on Saturday, GWS Giants, has added six AFL-listed players and a former one to its team for the clash at Giants Stadium, including inaugural AFL co-captain Phil Davis, key defender Lachie Keeffe, half-back Adam Kennedy, who has been dropped a week after playing his 150th AFL game and No.21 draft pick Darcy Jones, who makes his VFL debut.
Richmond made five changes to the team which beat North Bullants, with draftees Steely Green and Seth Campbell to make their VFL debuts alongside Bachar Houli Academy graduate Mohammed Yassine and 194-AFL gamer Robbie Tarrant to face Coburg at Piranha Park.
The Lions have lost recruit Charlie Beasley to a serious hamstring injury while Tom McKenzie also has a hamstring problem, with star full-back Harry Nolan and smalls Tom Jepson and Ben Reddick play their first games of the year.
Tom Campbell and Jack Bytel are among four inclusions for Sandringham’s first home game of the year against Essendon, which regains Will Snelling in a straight AFL swap with Jake Stringer.
Geelong premiership player Jake Kolodjashnij will play his first game for the season when the Cats meet Gold Coast in the curtain raiser at Heritage Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Last week’s AFL debutant Cooper Whyte also returns to the team, while Gary Rohan and Rhys Stanley have been named at VFL level despite being listed as managed out of the AFL team, with Jon Ceglar making his first AFL appearance since Round 23 last year.
The Suns have made eight changes to the team that beat Williamstown last week, with Mac Andrew back, Fremantle recruit Connor Blakely playing his game for the club, Alex Sexton, Bodhi Uwland, Brayden Fiorini and Charlie Constable dropped from the AFL team, Sean Lemmens in for his first game of the year and Yeppoon Swans youngster Ben O’Brien to debut.
Wil Powell, Jy Farrar and Hewago Paul Oea were promoted to the AFL, while AFL-listed pair Oskar Faulkhead and Brodie McLaughlin are surprise omissions but would be front of the line to replace the held-over AFL emergencies.
All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.
Smithy’s VFL broadcast partner, the Seven Network, will show one weekly game live and free on the Seven Network in Victoria and on 7Plus nationally.
Casey Radio will also broadcast Port Melbourne vs Collingwood and Casey Demons vs Sydney Swans.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS vs BRISBANE LIONS
Thursday 30 March, 3:45pm, Marvel Stadium
Footscray Bulldogs
B: R. Gardner (43), B. Khamis (24), S. Darcy (10)
HB: J. Rantall (59), J. Busslinger (5), L. Cleary (36)
C: T. McLean (16), L. Sullivan (53), C. Poulter (54)
HF: J. Garner (55), T. O'Brien (22), C. Clarke (8)
F: R. West (14), M. Hannan (29), C. Raak (40)
R: J. Sweet (41), L. McNeil (30), R. McComb (27)
INT: L. Goater (58), E. MacPherson (67), C. Craig-Peters (61), D. Orgill (50), T. Maple (65)*
IN: Busslinger, Darcy, Gardner, Maple, McComb, McLean, McNeil, O'Brien, West
OUT: Chatfield, Harris, Hunt, Johannisen, Kellett, Macisaac, Stretton, Willoughby, Young
NEW: Jedd Busslinger, 19, Coolbinia/East Perth; Tristan Maple, 19, Ballarat/GWV Rebels
Brisbane Lions
B: W. Buzza (59), L, Rayner (57), H. Arnold (60)
HB: R. Lester (35), J. Madden (14), J. Prior (20)
C: J. Fletcher (28), R. Mathieson (36), C. Ah Chee (4)
HF: B. Coleman (13), N. Cockatoo (12), K. Lohmann (1)
F: D. McDowell-White (50), T. Fullarton (21), S. Brain (34)
R: K. Lane (45), N. Answerth (43), J. Lyons (17)
INT: D. Robertson (2), H. Sharp (22), J. Tunstill (29), K. Dunkley (53), O. Collins (61)*
IN: D. Robertson
OUT: T. Abberley
FRANKSTON vs WILLIAMSTOWN
Friday 31 March, 7:05pm, Kinetic Stadium
Frankston
B: A. Grant (19), J. McManus (43), J. Voss (13)
HB: C. Nayna (9), J. Smith (25), R. Stoddart (15)
C: C. Riley (22), W. Fordham (7), K. Owens (5)
HF: J. Florent (29), J. Butland (36), T. Small (6)
F: R. Stone (26), J. Rendell (16), M. Johnson (24)
R: N. Minchin (45), L. Riley (21), T. Mynott (12)
INT: R. Jacbos (31), P. Roseby (23), M. Szybkowski (2), S. Quirk (11), T. Barlow (3)
EMG: J. Stern (42), M. Cuthbert (27)
NEW: Matt Johnson, 22, Casey Demons; Ryan Jacobs, 19, Seaford; Jesse McManus, 18, Seaford; Nic Minchin, 26, Glenelg; Seb Quirk, 21, GWS VFL; Josh Smith, 21, Casey Demons; Riley Stone, 19, Gold Coast VFL; Mitch Szybkowski, 19, Beaconsfield/Dandenong Stingrays
Williamstown
B: J. Greiser (18), F.O'Dwyer (17), M. Hore (3)
HB: J. Pickess (22), O. McDonald (8), M. Philpot (19)
C: D. Henderson (36), J. Cousins (10), J. Lipscombe (6)
HF: D. Andrews (7), C. Ellison (24), T. Triffett (23)
F: N. Ebinger (26), B. Woodful (16), H. Jones (12)
R: T. Downie (11), B. Jolley (4), C. Preston (15)
INT: M. Cox (21), N. Gadsby (13), J. Toner (14), J. Ottavi (20), C. Weightman (42)
EMG: M. Ktona (33), M. Walker (9), J. McHale (32), J. Pongracic (1), N. Colenso (35)
IN: M. Cox
OUT: N. Colenso
NEW: Mitch Cox, 26, Brisbane Lions
NORTH MELBOURNE vs SOUTHPORT SHARKS
Saturday 1 April, 11:05am, Arden Street Oval
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: J. Archer (34), A. Hall (43), A. Bonar (16)
HB: K. Dawson (42), B. Drury (41), L. Young (17)
C: C. Downie (47), J. Watkins (56), F. Perez (39)
HF: C. Harvey (37), C. Lazzaro (35), P. Spicer (36)
F: T. Sellers (62), E. Ford (40), J. Mahony (1)
R: J. Edwards (32), H. Free (45), G. Wardlaw (6)
INT: L. Butler (49), N. Stevens (55), B. Bath (58)*, S. Lowson (60), J. Lienert (66)
EMG: J. Hope (54), A. Noblett (57), H. Murphy (59), T. O'Sullivan (80)
IN: B. Bath, L. Butler
OUT: J. Hope, D. Tucker (AFL emergency)
NEW: Ben Bath, 20, Euroa; Louis Butler, 21, Western Bulldogs AFL
SOUTHPORT SHARKS
B: M. Willis (10), M. Spencer (6), D. Charlesworth (23)
HB: C. Joyce (34), M. McGuinness (14), M. Gahan (32)
C: J. Heron (5), J. Dawson (3), M. Manteit (4)
HF: Z. Foot (2), T. Fields (11), J. Lockhart (12)
F: J. McQueen (29), B. Crossley (20), M. Pescud (13)
R: M. Conroy (8), J. Joyce (25), B. Woodcock (1)
INT: Z. Molloy (26), C. Offermans (30), J. Edwards (21), R. Banks-Smith (24), M. Shannon (16)
EMG: J. Foon (18), R. Bowman (31), J. Foggo (22), J. Sexton (28)
IN: J. McQueen
OUT: F. Thurlow (leg)
NEW: Jake McQueen, 24, Wangaratta Rovers
GWS GIANTS vs CARLTON
Saturday 1 April, 12:55pm, Giants Stadium
GWS GIANTS
B: C. Brown (46), L. Keeffe (25), P. Davis (1)
HB: J. Fahey (34), C. Fleeton (29), A. Kennedy (40)
C: J. Gillbee (42), J. Pavlidis (48), R. Angwin (9)
HF: C. Stone (18), A. Cadman (5), M. Gruzewski (35)
F: D. Jones (2), W. Derksen (45), T. McMullin (31)
R: K. Briggs (32), J. Creighton (54), M. Conn (57)
INT: R. Hebron (47), B. O'Connor (52), M. Ryan (49)*, D. Edmends (50), W. Shaw (55)
EMG: T. McCaffrey (53), B. Romensky (59), B. Rauter (61), A. Mathieson (58), R. Fejo (62)
IN: P. Davis, W. Shaw, L. Keeffe, C. Brown, A. Kennedy, D. Jones, C. Stone
OUT: J. Anderson (concussion), J. White (neck), A. Mathieson, T. McCaffrey, T. Pratt, B. Rauter, B. Romensky
NEW: Darcy Jones, 18, Kalamunda/Swan Districts
CARLTON
B: D. Akuei (41), L. McMahon (52), B. Kemp (17)
HB: H. Ramshaw (51)*, L. Plowman (20), A. Cincotta (39)
C: J. Binns (32), L. Fogarty (8), L. O'Brien (4)
HF: J. Honey (36), H. Lemmey (31), B. Crocker (57)
F: H. O'Keeffe (35), T. Leiu (55), B. Ronke (67)
R: A. Mirkov (45), P. Dow (2), J. Carroll (16)
INT: D. Cuningham (28), P. Dozzi (53), N. Cahill (54), L. Parks (63), A. Stevens (64)
EMG: M. Lewis (58), A. Mills (66), M. Moschetti (68), J. Lefroy (79), L. Swaney (76)
IN: D. Cuningham, P. Dozzi
OUT: S. Durdin (hamstring), Z. Maher (knee)
COBURG vs RICHMOND
Saturday 1 April, 2:05pm, Piranha Park
COBURG
B: L. Nelson (1), J. Corigliano (2), F. Gentile (4)
HB: R. Exon (5), H. Nolan (6), J. D'Intinosante (7)
C: M. Podhajski (10), B. Gillard (11), A. Clarke (12)
HF: H. McGlashan (15), N. Boucher (17), A. Lukic (18)
F: T. Jepson (46), B. Jepson (21), S. Mason (22)
R: L. Podhajski (14), M. Kennedy (24), L. Walker (25)
INT: K. Weightman (26), W. Bella (31), B. Reddick (33), G. Belcher (34), B. Andrews (36)
EMG: N. Quigg (13), J. Bowne (16), J. Marsh (29), D. Owen (39)
IN: H. Nolan, T. Jepson, B. Reddick
OUT: C. Beasley (hamstring), T. McKenzie (hamstring), D. Owen
RICHMOND
B: M. El Nour (57), R. Tarrant (6), T. Brindley (61)
HB: J. Trezise (68), S. Green (48), G. McDonagh (53)
C: S. Banks (41), L. Street (55), A. Johnson (51)
HF: B. Cooper (78), A. Hicks (52), S. Campbell (44)
F: K. Bradtke (37), J. Bauer (43), B. Miller (46)
R: B. Nyuon (47), T. Dow (27), T. Sonsie (40)
INT: F. Elliot (67), M. Yassine (80)*, H. White (56), M. Faimalo (64), T. Bracher (74)
EMG: M. Clohesy (76), B. Tedcastle (63), J. Nathan (65)
IN: R. Tarrant, S. Green, S. Campbell, M. Yassine, T. Bracher, B. Cooper
OUT: J. Clarke, N. Cumberland, H. Ralphsmith, J. Ross (AFL), L. Johnson (concussion), B. Tedcastle (omit)
NEW: Seth Campbell, 18, North Launceston/Tasmania Devils; Steely Green, 19, Jandakot/South Fremantle; Mohammed Yassine, 19, West Preston-Lakeside/Bachar Houli Academy
PORT MELBOURNE vs COLLINGWOD
Saturday 1 April, 7:35pm, ETU Stadium
PORT MELBOURNE
B: J.Weidemann (39), E.Phillips (30), H.Stubbings (12)
HB: J.Cucinotta (15), F. Rosman (3), C. Walker (29)
C: T. Hird (4), D. Clarke (2), M.Lentini (6)
HF: H. Bennell (13), M. Signorello (17), H. Hooper (37)
F: A.Manton (16), P. Hunter (23), A. Curry (36)
R: S. Naismith (10), J. Green (14), N. Holmes (5)
INT: A. Anastasio (19), B.Milford (42), J .O'Sullivan (18), A. Fyfe (1), A.Hanrahan (25)
EMG: T.Hofert (21), C. Bowes (8), J. Lane (34), N.Stuhldreier (31), J.Wilkinson (40), Z. Adams (33)
IN: D. Clarke, B.Milford
OUT: T. Cameron (calf), J. Gasper (hip)
NEW: Dylan Clarke, 24, Woodville-West Torrens; Bryce Milford, 21, Casey Demons
COLLINGWOOD
B: J. Ryan (24), K. Schreiber (52), T. Ruscoe (21)
HB: N. Jetta (54), L. Tardrew (51), O. Markov (37)
C: T. Bianco (8), E. Allan (16), W. Kelly (20)
HF: C. Murley (27), J. Ginnivan (33), H. Harrison (36)
F: R. McInnes (26), T. Wilson (12), S. Glover (50)
R: O.Steene (44), F. Macrae (18), J. Carmichael (45)
INT: C. Hustwaite (55), L. Purcell (65), C. Lane (48), J. Longmire (57)*, J. Richards (29)
EMG: B. Silvagni (60), V. Blackmore-Moore (49), E. Delany (63), C. Maxted (66), Y. Ashwin (70), C. Mulvogue (68), J. Tomasiello (61)
IN: O. Marko, J. Ginnivan, R. McInnes, J. Carmichael
OUT: A. Johnson (AFL), J. Long (hamstring), C. Lane, B. Silvagni (omit), T. Wilson
NEW: Oleg Markov, 26, Gold Coast AFL
GOLD COAST SUNS vs GEELONG CATS
Sunday 2 April, 10:25am, Heritage Bank Stadium
GOLD COAST SUNS
B: S. Lemmens (23), C. Graham (46), J. Stein (42)
HB: C. Constable (33), M. Andrew (31), B. Uwland (32)
C: T. Berry (16), B. Fiorini (8), J. Sharp (20)
HF: A. Sexton (6), S. Day (12), J. Tsitas (21)
F: M. Chol (1), C. Burgess (29), B. Humphrey (19)
R: N. Moyle (49), J. Anderson (17), A. Davies (5)
INT: C. Blakely (26), L. Johnston (38), S. Brock (45), R. Atkins (2), B. O'Brien (51)*
EMG: B. McLaughlin (43), O. Faulkhead (37)
IN: M. Andrew, C. Blakely, C. Constable, B. Fiorini, S. Lemmens, B. O’Brien, A. Sexton, B. Uwland
OUT: J. Farrar, H. Oea, W. Powell (AFL), C. Harrington (knee), W. Derrington, O. Faulkhead, M. Ferres, B. McLaughlin
NEW: Ben O’Brien, 18, Yeppoon
GEELONG CATS
B: H. Lucas (82), B. Van De Heuvel (55), B. Lloyd (74)
HB: D. Capiron (50), J. Kolodjashniij (8), O. Murdoch (31)
C: M. Knevitt (10), B. Parfitt (3), O. Dempsey (28)
HF: T. Clohesy (40), A. Byrne (81), O. Riccardi (21)
F: M. Cousins (69), S. Neale (33), B. Ham (47)
R: W. Christie (71), J. Clark (13), J. Chalcraft (57)
INT: T. Feely (68), T. Lewis (66)*, M. Lloyd (52), H. Benson (59), S. Simpson (37)
EMG: K. Chalcraft (58), D. Schilder (51), R. Eyers (75)
IN: W. Christie, J. Kolodjashnij, H. Lucas
OUT: J. Ceglar (AFL), O. Mullin (undisclosed injury), B. Worme
CASEY DEMONS vs SYDNEY SWANS
Sunday 2 April, 11:05am, Casey Fields
CASEY DEMONS
B: D. Smith (34), A. Tomlinson (20), M. Hibberd (14)
HB: J. Bowey (17), D. Turner (42), J. McVee (41)
C: B. Howes (22), L. Dunstan (27), M. Buntine (71)
HF: G. Grey (68), M. Jefferson (21), A. Moniz-Wakefield (45)
F: O. Sestan (38), T. McDonald (25), J. Melksham (18)
R: T. Bell (73), B. Laurie (16), J. Munro (47)
INT: J. Adams (26), R. Steele (54), K. Turner (33), R. Valentine (65), P. Cross (64)*
EMG: M. Gregory (57), R. Baldi (56), M. Shepherd (77), L. Goonan (78), C. Muley (49), T. Edwards (58), T. McRae (76), T. Sheridan (53)
IN: A. Tomlinson, D. Turner, T. McDonald, R. Valentine, J. Bowey, J. McVee, J. Melksham
OUT: J. Jordan, J. van Rooyen (AFL), J. Schache, J. Smith (injured), T. Burgoyne, M. Gregory, M. Shepherd
SYDNEY SWANS
B: W. Edwards (28), W. Gould (17), M. Geddes (61)
HB: C. Vickery (25), L. Rankin (41), J. Brown (50)
C: W. Collis (51), M. Roberts (34), N. Shipley (52)
HF: M. Sheather (33), H. McLean (2), H. Hall-Kahan (45)
F: C. Owen (40), A. Francis (10), C. Haley (53)
R: L. McAndrew (46), A. Sheldrick (29), C. Warner (37)
INT: J. Magor (32), J. Bartholomaeus (47), T. Howard (56), H. Morrison (55), T. Longmire (58)*
EMG: T. Alker (63), E. Grace (65), N. McGill (68), J. Endemann (59)
IN: T. Howard, H. McLean, M. Roberts
OUT: L. Melican (groin), C. Mitchell (illness), J. Veale (finger)
NEW: Tom Howard, 19, North Melbourne VFL
SANDRINGHAM vs ESSENDON
Sunday 2 April, 12:00pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
SANDRINGHAM
B: J. Van Es (31), T. Highmore (34), O. Adams (28)
HB: A. Seaton (50), T. Milne (61), W. Dunne (79)
C: C. Sharman (43), D. Hipwell (51), V. Zagari (58)
HF: J. Segar (71), J. Lohmann (64), J. Peris (45)
F: N. Gown (65), M. Heath (42), O. Lowe (59)
R: T. Campbell (38), J. Bytel (23), B. Watson (70)
INT: L. Connolly (37), R. Virtue (53), D. Frampton (77), T. Blamires (76)*, F. Bayne (56)
EMG: L. Macnab (66), I. Wallace (52), T. Lafituanai (74), B. Mansfield (78)
IN: V. Zagari, J. Peris, T. Campbell, J. Bytel
OUT: J. Haidon, M. Hawkins, B. Mansfield, I. Wallace
ESSENDON
B: R. Montgomerie (38), K. Baldwin (26), C. McBride (41)
HB: A. Lord (28), L. Hayes (18), N. Hind (19)
C: T. Phillips (55), J. Fitzgerald (77), S. Conforti (53)
HF: B. Cootee (57), P. Voss (39), W. Snelling (11)
F: T. Wanganeen (40), J. Jorgenssen (56), A. Munkara (45)
R: J. Hotchkin (64), B. Bernacki (59), Q. Narkle (67)
INT: B. Lynch (50), S. Rasinac (58), J. Cleaver (60), B. Laguda (62), J. Brown (63)*
EMG: A. Phillips (34), W. Hoare (51), M. Foley (73), R. Loton (70)
IN: W. Snelling
OUT: B. Hobbs, J. Stringer (AFL)
*23rd player
UMPIRES
Footscray Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
FIELD: 19.Cameron Williams, 29.Thomas Chrystie, 32.Michael Willcox. BOUNDARY: James Brayshaw, Kyle Fisher, Riley Guerin, Chris Williams. GOAL: Chris Doyle, Matt Edwards
Frankston vs Williamstown
FIELD: 1.Andrew Talbot, 2.Lachlan Coyne, 8.Nick Scott. BOUNDARY: Jake D'Angelo, Corey Malcolm, Lachlan Menara. GOAL: Tayla Manning, Jack Stammers
North Melbourne vs Southport Sharks
FIELD: 9.Sebastian Dalgliesh, 24.Matthew Mahoney, 34.Joel Clamp. BOUNDARY: Lachlan Higgs, Greta Miller, Andrew van Keulen. GOAL: Georgie Henderson, James Rizio.
GWS GIANTS vs Carlton
FIELD: 7.Sam Nippress, 16.Joseph O'Brien, 40.Dean Garroway. BOUNDARY: Sam Button, Scott Hansford, Charles Powell. GOAL: Nick Ford, Morgan Lee.
Coburg vs Richmond
FIELD: 26.Jordyn Pearson, 27.Nick Jankovskis, 44.Sam Hurford. BOUNDARY: Blake Anderson, Adam Coote (AFL), Anthony Laughton, Jesse Wilkie. GOAL: Jake Marnie, Joon-Yip Wong.
Port Melbourne vs Collingwood
FIELD: 40.Harry Birch, 41.Cam Jones, 44.James Strybos, 47.Peter Bailes (All AFL). BOUNDARY: Sam Beer, Adam Bell, Caleb Garraway. GOAL: Thomas Gath, Callum Thornton.
Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats
FIELD: 11.Cameron Manthey, 30.Chris Melin, 42.Sam Somerville. BOUNDARY: Alex Donoghue, William Morris, Adrian Pretorius. GOAL: Jesse Baird (AFL), Darcie Rehbien.
Casey Demons vs Sydney Swans
FIELD: 6.Alex Murray, 14.Luke Porter, 41.Thomas Lyon. BOUNDARY: Joshua Blain, Trent Bowes, Lewis Spiker. GOAL: Luke Monea, John Varker.
Sandringham vs Essendon
FIELD: 18.Jack Howard, 28.Josh Ball, 31.Matt Pongracic. John Cooper, Tim Lougoon (AFL), Zach Mousaco, Dom Schiliro. GOAL: Josh Hickman, Brad Kellett
