A review of all the action from Round 2 of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS vs BRISBANE LIONS
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 7.1 11.4 12.7 13.7 (85)
BRISBANE LIONS 2.1 7.2 9.6 14.9 (93)
FOR the second week in a row, Brisbane Lions were in all sorts of trouble against a strong opponent in the Smithy’s VFL.
And for the second week in a row, they franked their premiership credentials with a stirring comeback to remain undefeated.
In Round 1 the Lions trailed Werribee by 23 points at half-time and won by a point, but on Thursday at Marvel Stadium they went even better, overcoming a 33-point deficit in the ninth minute of the third quarter to beat Footscray by eight points.
The Bulldogs were outstanding early, piling on seven goals to two in the first quarter as Sam Darcy responded to his AFL omission with three goals in the first 21 minutes and Mitch Hannan split them with two of his own.
The Lions kicked the first three goals of the second term but still trailed by 26 at the main break after Rhylee West booted two of his three majors deep into time-on in what could have been a dagger blow.
That margin became 33 when Buku Khamis hit the target, but it was all one-way traffic after that as the visitors piled on 5.3 to 1.0 in the final term, including the last eight scores of the game.
Jarrod Lyons (33 disposals, five marks, nine clearances, seven tackles) was unstoppable and Rhys Mathieson (24 disposals, nine clearances, nine tackles, one goal), Harry Sharp (23 disposals, nine marks, eight inside-50s, one goal) and Deven Robertson (23 disposals, 12 tackles) outstanding, while father-son Jaspa Fletcher had 17 disposals, six marks and a goal on debut.
Jordon Sweet monstered young Lion Kalin Lane with 52 hitouts, providing opportunities to Ewan Macpherson (23, six marks, eight inside-50s, five tackles), skipper Lachie Sullivan (25 disposals, 12 tackles), Caleb Poulter (22 disposals, five tackles), Toby McLean (21 disposals, five marks, seven tackles) and Joel Garner (20 disposals, five marks, six tackles, five clearances, six entries).
Darcy and West finished with 18 touches and three goals apiece in response to being dropped from the AFL team.
FRANKSTON vs WILLIAMSTOWN
FRANKSTON 0.5 1.12 1.15 5.17 (47)
WILLIAMSTOWN 3.1 4.3 8.6 11.8 (74)
PROFESSIONAL v wasteful.
That was the story as Williamstown recorded its first victory of the 2023 season with a 27-point win over Frankston at Kinetic Stadium on Friday night.
The Dolphins dominated long stretches of their first game of the season but booted 0.5, 1.7 and 0.3 in the first three quarters to have the miserable score of 1.16 early in the last term.
In fact, their only goal was to Kai Owens from the goal square after a 50m penalty for an off-the-ball push and shove he wasn’t even involved in.
Williamstown simply went about their business, holding back the onslaught and throwing the odd counterpunch.
When they kicked 4.3 to 0.3 in the third term to lead by 33 points it looked like they had done enough, but when Josh Butland snapped a terrific goal the Dolphins banged on 4.1 in nine minutes to cut the margin to seven with the momentum and a boisterous crowd behind them.
But Williamstown finally landed the knockout punch – and what a punch – with Noah Gadsby drilling a 55-metre bullet onto the chest of Joel Ottavi, who snapped the set shot to break Frankston’s resolve.
Marty Hore was outstanding, finishing with 25 disposals and 12 marks, while James Cousins (23, seven clearances, nine tackles), Harry Jones (22, five clearances, five tackles) and Fin O’Dwyer (16, nine marks) did their jobs.
Former Dolphin Mitch Cox buzzed around for 18 touches, five marks and a goal and Darby Henderson and Ottavi kicked three goals apiece.
Frankston would feel it should have won given it had 22 scoring shots to 19 and won disposals, hitouts, inside-50s and clearances despite being in its first game of the year and fielding eight club debutants, but the goal kicking and odd poor decision proved fatal.
The Dolphins also had the best player on the ground in Owens (24 possessions, seven tackles, five clearances), with Ryley Stoddart (22, five marks) and Jackson Voss (23) also very good.
NORTH MELBOURNE vs SOUTHPORT SHARKS
NORTH MELBOURNE 1.3 7.5 8.10 9.12 (66)
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 2.3 3.6 7.6 8.10 (58)
GEORGE Wardlaw showed his undoubted class with a blistering display as North Melbourne landed the biggest shock of the weekend with an eight-point upset of grand finalist Southport at Arden Street Oval on Saturday.
The Kangaroos stunned the Sharks with six goals to one in the second quarter and desperately held on in the second half as the visitors threw everything at them.
Southport cut the margin to 10 points at three quarter-time and continued to press, getting within two when Tom Fields landed a long set shot into the wind after 13 minutes for his third major in his 50th game in black and white.
But the visitors’ radar deserted them, with four shots going out of bounds on the full in the last term and when Louis Butler squeezed a checkside home entering time-on it gave North Melbourne the impetus to hang on.
No.4 draft pick Wardlaw was brilliant in close, particularly with his hands, as he amassed 24 disposals, six clearances, six tackles and a goal, while captain Jack Watkins (30, seven clearances, six inside-50s), Aaron Hall, Charlie Lazzaro and Lachie Young also shone. Sam Lowson starred for the second week in a row with 18 touches and four goals and Ben Bath chipped in with two goals on debut.
Zac Foot was Southport’s best, picking up 21 touches, five inside-50s and three goals in a lively performance, while Jacob Dawson (30, 11 clearances), Mackenzie Willis (23, five marks), Jackson Edwards (22, six clearances, six entries) and Boyd Woodcock (20, six tackles) also did well.
GWS GIANTS vs CARLTON
GWS GIANTS 3.3 7.8 8.8 12.11 (83)
CARLTON 0.6 1.6 3.11 5.14 (44)
JOSH Fahey turned in a career game as GWS Giants bounced back from last week’s disappointing performance against Essendon with a convincing 39-point win over a wayward Carlton at Giants Stadium on Saturday.
The Giants eked out a 15-point lead at the first break, with the Blues booting 0.6 and had the game won at half-time at seven goals to one.
While Carlton had the better of the third term, its wayward kicking cost it any chance of getting back in the game and the Giants consolidated to cruise home.
Draftees Max Gruzewski (15 disposals, nine marks, four goals) and No.1 pick Aaron Cadman (10 touches, three goals) had too much for the Blues to handle, cashing in on a remarkable display from Fahey, who blitzed the midfield to finished with 43 disposals and 12 marks.
That tally almost doubled his support acts in Cam Fleeton (22, 13 marks), Barry O’Connor (22, six clearances), skipper Ryan Hebron (21, eight marks, nine entries, one goal), Mitchell Conn (21, six marks) and ruckman Kieren Briggs (16, six marks, six clearances, 28 hitouts).
SSP promotion Alex Cincotta was a standout for the Blues with 35 possessions and five marks, with Paddy Dow (28, five clearances, one goal), Brodie Kemp (26, seven marks), Lachie Fogarty (23, six tackles, nine clearances, five entries) and No.32 draft pick Jaxon Binns (22, 10 marks, five tackles) impressing through the middle.
Lachie Plowman (27, six marks) put in a big shift down back, while David Cuningham got through his first game in nearly two years, picking up nine touches for Carlton.
COBURG vs RICHMOND
COBURG 1.3 3.6 3.9 4.12 (36)
RICHMOND 2.0 7.3 9.7 11.12 (78)
RICHMOND remains undefeated after easing to a 42-point win over Coburg at Piranha Park on Saturday.
The Tigers were never seriously challenged despite being -31 in disposals, -17 in marks and -7 in clearances, taking advantage of the Lions’ struggles in front of goal to extend their lead at every change.
Tyler Sonsie had a field day in the middle for Richmond, grabbing 37 possessions, seven clearances, six tackles, with support coming from Thomson Dow (29, nine clearances), skipper Lachlan Street (23, seven marks, five entries) and Angus Hicks (17, five marks, eight tackles, two goals), while Jacob Bauer kicked three goals and last week’s hero Kaelan Bradtke two.
Mitch Podhajski (27, 11 marks) was tireless in defence for the Lions, while Braedyn Gillard (29, six clearances, two goals), second gamer Hugo McGlashan (29, six marks, five clearances), Flynn Gentile (32, six clearances, five tackles) and Luke Nelson (26, six marks, five clearances, eight entries) did their best to keep their team in it.
PORT MELBOURNE vs COLLINGWOOD
PORT MELBOURNE 2.3 7.5 9.6 12.10 (82)
COLLINGWOOD 7.2 9.3 14.7 21.8 (134)
A FREE-flowing Collingwood slapped down another challenger, booting more than 20 goals for the second consecutive week to beat Port Melbourne by 52 points at ETU Stadium on Saturday night.
The Magpies grabbed the initiative with a blistering seven-goal first quarter. While the Borough gamely fought back to get within four points when Matt Signorello kicked truly early in the third quarter, the Magpies were able to steady and kick away with 12 of the final 16 goals.
Following Signorello’s goal, a brain fade handed a 50m penalty and goal to young ruckman Oscar Steene in the seventh minute and the Magpies blew the game open with four goals in seven minutes to regain control.
Trent Bianco was best on ground for Collingwood with a classy four-quarter performance that yielded 32 disposals and six tackles, while draftees Ed Allan (25, six marks, five tackles, six inside-50s) and Jakob Ryan (27, 10 marks) were everywhere.
Trey Ruscoe had 27 touches, eight marks and five tackles, Fin Macrae (25, six tackles, five clearances, two goals), Oleg Markov (25, eight marks) and late inclusion Campbell Lane (23, six marks) also sparkled.
Jack Ginnivan was lively at times in his first game back from suspension, kicking the first goal and adding another in the last quarter in a solid if unspectacular return.
Port Melbourne captain Harvey Hooper (26, seven marks, eight entries) led from the front, while ruckman Sam Naismith was not far behind in a behemoth display that brought 16 possessions, seven clearances and an amazing 62 hitouts.
Marcus Lentini (32, 12 clearances, 10 tackles) got better as the game went on, Nash Holmes (20, nine clearances, six entries) was tireless through the middle, Angus Hanrahan did a good job on Ginnivan and Ethan Phillips pulled in 11 marks.
GOLD COAST SUNS vs GEELONG CATS
GOLD COAST SUNS 9.3 15.5 22.8 28.14 (182)
GEELONG CATS 3.1 8.5 10.8 11.9 (75)
IT WAS a record-breaking day at Heritage Bank Stadium as Gold Coast Suns kicked the sweep in an unthinkable 107-point belting of Geelong on Sunday.
The Suns exploded from the first bounce to the final siren, piling on 28 goals to record their highest score at State league level, beating the 26.24 (180) they put up in a NEAFL game against Labrador in 2013 and the 20.11 (131) they kicked against Northern Bullants in March last year for their highest VFL tally.
The winning margin beat the 69 points they defeated Port Melbourne by last July for their biggest VFL win but fell short of the 145 points they belted Labrador by on that day in 2013.
Gold Coast bombarded the Cats’ defence with a whopping 419 disposals and 70 inside-50s, and its forwards took full advantage, led by Brodie McLaughlin amassed 20 disposals and six goals.
Sam Day and Frosty Miller medallist Chris Burgess were also unstoppable with 15 disposals, seven marks and five goals each, while ruckman Ned Moyle (21, six marks, 36 hitouts, eight clearances, eight entries, one goal) gave an armchair ride to Brayden Fiorini (29, six marks, seven clearances, three goals) and Charlie Constable (30, six marks, one goal), who put their hands up for quick AFL recalls.
Fremantle recruit Connor Blakeley (30, eight marks, six clearances ), Rory Atkins (27, eight marks), Jeremy Sharp (23, eight marks) and No.6 draft pick Bailey Humphrey (20, five entries, one goal).
Geelong still managed 11 goals despite the bombardment, with dual Geelong league best-and-fairest winner Harry Benson (27, five marks, five tackles, six clearances) the Cats’ best in only his second VFL game, with help coming from Brandan Parfitt (24, 10 tackles, one goal), Ollie Dempsey (22, seven marks, five entries, one goal) and Jye Chalcraft (22, five clearances).
CASEY DEMONS vs SYDNEY SWANS
CASEY DEMONS 4.2 8.3 10.5 13.11 (89)
SYDNEY SWANS 3.2 4.6 4.9 6.11 (47)
REIGNING premier Casey Demons passed another test with relative ease, breezing past Sydney by 42 points at Casey Fields on Sunday.
The Demons trailed by a goal late in the first quarter but kicked 11 of the next 12 to leave the Swans in their wake, with two late majors to the visitors only adding a bit of respectability to the score.
Defenders Blake Howes (34 possessions, 16 marks) and Adam Tomlinson (34, 13 marks) had a field day picking off wayward Swan attacks. Luke Dunstan (33, five marks, six clearances, eight inside-50s) and Jimmy Munro (28, nine tackles, five clearances, one goal) did as they pleased in the middle and Tom McDonald (20, 11 marks, two goals) and top draft pick Matt Jefferson (five marks, four goals) cashed in up forward.
Sydney was brushed aside despite winning inside-50 count 57-48, managing a woeful 1.8 from the 20-minute mark of the first quarter to the same point of the last, despite the efforts of Angus Sheldrick (34, five marks, nine clearances, six entries), captain and former Demon Will Collis (27, 12 marks). Nick Shipley (27, nine clearances), Corey Warner (22, eight marks, six entries), Lachie Rankin (20, eight marks, five tackles) tried hard, while Balwyn goal ace Charlie Haley kicked three in his second game at the level.
SANDRINGHAM vs ESSENDON
SANDRINGHAM 5.4 10.6 12.8 19.12 (126)
ESSENDON 3.1 5.1 10.3 14.5 (89)
LAST week Sandringham lost by 86 points and Essendon won by 80.
On Sunday it was proven just how quickly form can be turned around in an even competition when the Zebras led almost all the way for a season-launching 37-point win over the Bombers at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
The Zebras, helping St Kilda celebrate its 150th birthday, kicked five goals to three in the first term and never looked back, responding to a Bomber challenge in the third term to boot seven majors in the last, with young forward-ruck Max Heath dominant with four marks, 23 hitouts and five goals.
Saints pair Jack Bytel (35 disposals, 10 clearances, two goals) and Tom Campbell (20, 37 hitouts, five clearances) were outstanding for Sandringham. Noah Gown cashed in against his former AFL club with 23 touches and three goals, Darby Hipwell stepped up with 25, eight tackles and seven clearances, Tyson Milne (21, five marks) was good down back and second-gamer Jordan Segar, Jack Peris and Oliver Lowe kicked three goals each.
Patrick Voss took six marks for Essendon and added four goals to the five he kicked in Round 1 and Stefan Rasinac added three, while Quinton Narkle (23, 10 tackles, nine clearances, one goal), Rhett Montgomerie (21, 12 marks), Joel Fitzgerald (24, five marks, five entries), Brad Bernacki (22, seven clearances, one goal) and Will Snelling (19, 10 tackles) played well.
BYE: Box Hill Hawks, Northern Bullants, Werribee
ROUND 3 FIXTURE
Thursday, April 6: Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood (1:05pm, Brighton Homes). Friday, April 7: North Melbourne vs Carlton (12:30pm, Arden Street Oval); Williamstown vw Port Melbourne (2:05pm, DSV Stadium). Saturday, April 8: Coburg vs GWS Giants (11:45am, Piranha Park); Southport Sharks vs Werribee (12:05pm, Fankhauser Reserve); Richmond vs Footscray Bulldogs (1:05pm, Swinburne Centre). Sunday, April 9: Sandringham vs Gold Coast Suns (11:05am, RSEA Park); Northern Bullants vs Essendon (1:05pm, Preston City Oval); Casey Demons vs Frankston (2:05pm, Casey Fields). Monday, April 10: Geelong Cats vs Box Hill Hawks (11:45am, MCG). Bye: Sydney.
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.
