A review of all the action from Round 3 of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season.
BRISBANE LIONS vs COLLINGWOOD
BRISBANE LIONS 5.5 8.9 11.13 17.16 (118)
COLLINGWOOD 2.2 5.4 6.5 7.9 (51)
BRISBANE LIONS put together four quarters of footy for the first time this season and showed exactly what they were capable of when they smacked fellow undefeated team Collingwood by 67 points in their Smithy’s VFL clash at Brighton Homes Arena on Easter Thursday.
After an early arm-wrestle, the Lions broke the game open with three goals in four minutes to lead by 21 points at the first break and weren’t seriously threatened from then on, kicking 9.7 to 2.5 in the second half for a surprisingly easy win.
The Lions finished +48 in disposals and +51 in marks, piling up 424 and 122 for the match respectively, and their forwards enjoyed a 63-35 inside-50 advantage.
Darcy Fort (20 disposals, 34 hitouts, 11 clearances, three goals) was unstoppable in the ruck in ensuring similarly lopsided counts in hitouts (53-14) and clearances (49-28), although new coach Ben Hudson would prefer they’d laid more than their 28 tackles.
Rhys Mathieson (42 disposals, seven marks, 10 clearances) and Jarryd Lyons (40, eight marks, 12 clearances, one goal) took full toll, with Noah Answerth (31 disposals, eight marks, five clearances, five tackles, one goal) similarly dominant and Ryan Lester (21 disposals, seven marks) and Callum Ah Chee also had the better of their match-ups.
Collingwood had nine players record at least 20 possessions, led by Fin Macrae (28 disposals, six tackles), Campbell Hustwaite (26 disposals, five clearances), Campbell Lane and Neville Jetta (23 disposal, five marks each) and Trey Ruscoe. However, six of the bottom eight on the stats sheet were Magpies as the home team put up a more even contribution.
NORTH MELBOURNE vs CARLTON
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 2.6 3.9 6.10 (46)
CARLTON 2.5 5.8 12.10 14.14 (98)
CARLTON broke through for its first win of the year, overturning a disappointing North Melbourne by 52 points at Arden Street Oval on Good Friday.
The Kangaroos were riding a wave after sinking Southport at the same venue last week but were not in the contest after quarter-time as the Blues kicked 12 goals to four, including seven in the third term, for an important win.
The Blues were +80 in disposals and +72 in marks as they controlled possession throughout, with Brodie Kemp (32 touches,13 marks), Lachie Plowman (27 disposals, 10 marks) and Liam McMahon (22 disposals, 12 marks) impassable in defence.
Paddy Dow (32 disposals, five tackles, five clearances, nine inside-50s, two goals), draftee Jaxon Binns (31 disposals, nine marks, six inside-50s) and Heath Ramshaw (27 disposals, six marks) starred in the middle and Ben Ronke (20 disposals, six marks, nine inside-50s, four goals) cashed in up forward.
Flynn Perez (29 disposals) put his hand up for North Melbourne, with skipper Jack Watkins (26 disposals, five tackles), Charlie Lazzaro (22 disposals, six tackles, six clearances), Connor Downie (21 disposals, eight inside-50s, two goals), Jarrod Lienert (21 disposals, five marks) and Aaron Hall (25 disposals) providing support.
WILLIAMSTOWN vs PORT MELBOURNE
WILLIAMSTOWN 4.4 7.6 15.7 19.10 (124)
PORT MELBOURNE 2.3 3.4 6.5 7.5 (47)
MAKE no mistake, Williamstown is back in town.
The Seagulls laid down an ominous marker in their first home game of the season, destroying arch-rival Port Melbourne by 77 points at DSV Stadium on Good Friday to regain the Johnson-Callahan Cup and celebrate stalwart Jake Greiser’s 100th VFL game in style.
It was a competitive battle throughout the first half, but Williamstown’s midfield pressure forced the Borough into mistakes, particularly going forward, as the home team built a 26-point lead at the main break.
It was all one-way traffic after that, with the Seagulls kicking eight goals to three in the third quarter and four to one in the last as the Borough missed GWS recruit Josh Green, who was out of the game early due to injury.
James Cousins (32 disposals, 12 clearances, eight tackles, eight inside-50s), Harry Jones (26 disposals, five clearances, seven tackles, eight inside-50s, one goal) and Mitch Cox (23 disposals, seven marks, five inside-50s) won the midfield battle underneath a rollicking ruck match-up between Tom Downie (14 disposals, eight tackles, 34 hitouts) and Sam Naismith (16 disposals, 30 hitouts).
Their dominance allowed the Seagulls’ high-flying forwards to make their mark, with Nick Ebinger and Mat Walker kicking five goals each, while Marty Hore (24 disposals, 11 marks), Fin O’Dwyer (20 disposals, eight marks, 11 tackles), Greiser (23 disposals, seven marks), Oscar McDonald and Jack Toner picked off everything at the other end with 39 grabs between them.
Nash Holmes (23 disposals, six marks, six tackles, seven inside-50s), Harvey Hooper (21 disposals, five inside-50s) and Dylan Clarke (21 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances) tried hard in the midfield for Port, while Ethan Phillips (22 disposals, six marks), Tom Cameron (20 disposals, five marks) and Fraser Rosman (17 disposals, seven marks) tried to turn back the tide in defence.
COBURG vs GWS GIANTS
COBURG 2.1 6.5 6.9 9.13 (67)
GWS GIANTS 4.5 10.6 15.9 17.11 (113)
GWS took a while to settle in, but once it did it always looked likely to claim the points as it worked its way to a 46-point win over Coburg at Piranha Park on Easter Saturday.
The Lions rocked the Giants with a two-goal sucker punch to lead 13-0 after just five minutes, but the visitors slowly worked their way on top, having the next 12 scoring shots to lead by 29 points when Wade Derksen kicked truly 10 minutes into the second.
Three of the next four goals to Coburg cut the margin to 14 entering time-on of the second quarter, but that was as close as the Lions got as the Giants steadied and then cruised to victory in the second half, despite losing club great Phil Davis (groin) at half-time and James Peatling at the final change.
Callum Brown had strong claims to being the best man on the ground with an outstanding display in defence, picking up 27 disposals and taking 13 marks, most of them intercepts as he set up countless attacks.
Josh Fahey (37 touches, nine marks, six inside-50s), Kieren Briggs (25 disposals, six marks, 27 hitouts, 16 clearances), Jason Gillbee (24 disposals, nine marks) and Derksen (five goals) could all raise an argument in their favour, while Xavier O’Halloran (25 disposals, seven tackles, 11 clearances, one goal), Tom McCaffrey (18 disposals, three goals), Cam Fleeton (21 disposals, eight marks) and Barry O’Connor (24 disposals, five inside-50s) were also good.
Mitch Podhajski (23 disposals, six marks) and Harry Nolan (16 disposals, 10 marks) tried hard down back for the Lions, while Flynn Gentile (24 disposals, six clearances), Nathan Boucher (22 disposals, seven marks), Braedyn Gillard (21 disposals, five clearances) and Luke Nelson tried hard through the middle.
SOUTHPORT SHARKS vs WERRIBEE
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 2.2 5.5 6.10 8.15 (63)
WERRIBEE 3.5 6.7 7.13 12.14 (86)
SHAUN Mannagh produced one of the best Smithy’s VFL games in recent memory as Werribee finally claimed the big scalp it had been promising for more than two years, downing grand finalists Southport by 23 points at Fankhauser Reserve
The Tigers saw their 2021 and 2022 seasons derailed before they started with poor starts and playing the first two games this year in Queensland looked to be a daunting task. However, Mannagh went on a tear with 40 disposals, six marks, five clearances, six inside-50s and four goals as his team took control with three of the first four goals and answered every challenge the wayward Sharks could throw at them.
Werribee started each quarter stronger but Southport kept coming and should have mounted a significant challenge when it dominated a 15-minute patch in the last quarter only to spray 2.5 and kick away its chances of pinching the win.
Southport had 41 more touches than Werribee, but they were all handballs as the home team succumbed to the brilliance of Mannagh and the pressure of Connor Thar (19 disposals, five marks, three goals) in his first game since 2021.
Other key contributors included Kye Declase (27 disposals, nine marks, seven entries, two goals), Bior Malual (28 disposals, 11 marks), Tom Gribble (27 disposals, seven marks, six clearances), Jack Henderson (22 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances), Louis Pinnuck (23 disposals, eight marks), and Hudson Garoni (16 disposals, nine marks, three goals).
Fraser Thurlow kept Southport in it early playing deep forward, finishing with 13 touches, seven marks and four goals, while Mackenzie Willis (31 disposals, nine marks), Jesse Joyce (29, disposals, eight marks, seven clearances), Boyd Woodcock (28 disposals, eight clearances), Jacob Dawson (28 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances), Jackson Edwards (26 disposals, nine inside-50s) and Max Spencer (21 disposals, nine marks) won plenty of the ball.
RICHMOND vs FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
RICHMOND 1.2 3.2 6.6 8.9 (57)
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 6.3 9.6 11.7 12.8 (80)
ON FACE value 2-0 Richmond went in as favourites against 0-2 Footscray at Swinburne Centre on Easter Saturday.
But while the Tigers had beaten two of last year’s bottom three in Northern Bullants and Coburg, the Bulldogs had gone down to the top two entering last year’s finals in Casey Demons and Brisbane Lions, and their form wasn’t that bad.
And that’s how it turned out as the Bulldogs blew the Tigers out of the water in the first quarter and held them at arm’s length for the rest of the day on their way to a 23-point victory which will become known as the Toby McLean show.
Footscray slammed on six goals to one in the first quarter to lead by 31 at the break and won disposals (+101), marks (+28), hitouts (+25) and clearances (+24) as the home team didn’t get within five goals until kicking the last two goals at the death.
McLean demanded a recall into Luke Beveridge’s AFL team with a ridiculous 47 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles, 19 clearances and seven inside-50s, putting Lachie Sullivan’s usually BOG effort of 31, six tackles and eight clearances in the shade.
Jordon Sweet (14 disposals, nine tackles, 55 hitouts), Joel Garner (25 disposals, two goals, seven tackles, seven clearances, seven entries), Jay Rantall (20 disposals, five clearances), Caleb Poulter (19 disposals, eight marks, one goal) also starred while Luke Goater bobbed up with three goals.
Richmond had winners in captain Lachlan Street (24 disposals, five tackles, seven clearances, one goal), Jack Ross (22 disposals), Jacob Bauer (18 disposals, five marks, one goal) and Garrett McDonagh (18 disposals, five tackles), while Ben Miller (15 disposals, six tackles, five clearances, 33 hitouts) did well in an unfamiliar role.
SANDRINGHAM vs GOLD COAST SUNS
SANDRINGHAM 5.8 5.9 6.13 6.14 (50)
GOLD COAST SUNS 1.0 4.6 6.9 9.13 (67)
GOLD COAST didn’t turn up until quarter-time, but once it did it was a class above Sandringham, coming from 32 points down to win by 17 at RSEA Park on Easter Sunday.
The Zebras looked in total command when they banged on 5.8 to 1.0 with the wind in the first quarter, but they managed only 1.6 for the rest of the day as the Suns turned up the heat and wore them down, taking the lead three minutes into the last quarter through Mabior Chol and going on with the job.
Gold Coast won disposals 405-298 and marks 121-63 but that slow start meant it had to work all day to get the points.
Charlie Constable dominated again off half-back with 36 disposals, five marks and five inside-50s, but it was hard to go past Fremantle recruit Connor Blakely (29 disposals, eight marks, six tackles, nine clearances, two goals) and Brodie McLaughlin (25 disposals, six marks, six inside-50s, three goals) as best afield.
Jeremy Sharp (23 disposals, seven marks, two goals), James Tsitas (27 disposals, six marks, five tackles, six entries), Caleb Graham (20 disposals, 16 marks), Jy Farrar (26 disposals, seven marks) and Alex Davies (26 disposals, six tackles, five clearances) all put their hands up for AFL selection.
Darby Hipwell (31 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances, two goals) and Tom Highmore (21 disposals, 12 marks) led the way for Sandringham, while Cooper Sharman (22 disposals, seven marks), Leo Connolly and Jordan Segar did their best.
NORTHERN BULLANTS vs ESSENDON
NORTHERN BULLANTS 1.4 5.6 8.7 9.11 (65)
ESSENDON 2.3 5.5 9.12 12.16 (88)
ESSENDON was forced to fight all the way to see off a determined Northern Bullants by 23 points at ETU Stadium.
The Bombers kicked the first two goals and looked like being able to enjoy a percentage builder, but the Bullants again fought out of their weight division, taking the lead with the first goal of the second quarter and holding it until the early part of the third, before remaining in touch until the final siren.
Sam Conforti was Essendon’s best with 25 touches, six marks and three goals. Ben Hobbs showed his class again with 27 disposals, seven tackles, 10 clearances and a goal, while Will Snelling (25 disposals, nine tackles, two goals) capped a strong day with the sealer. Brad Bernacki (22 disposals, nine tackles) and Rhett Montgomerie (21 disposals, nine marks) were strong and Josh Hotchkin (50 hitouts) was far too big for debutant Henko Cronje in the ruck.
Jean-Luc Velissaris (28 disposals, one goal) and Saad El-Hawli (26, 10 marks, five inside-50s) were huge for the Bullants, while Patrick Fairlie (24 disposals, six tackles, six clearances), Liam Mackie (23 disposals, five marks), Tyson Young (21 disposals, six marks, six entries) and Brandon Ryan (16 disposals, six marks, two goals) could also hold their heads high.
CASEY DEMONS vs FRANKSTON
CASEY DEMONS 1.1 7.7 10.13 16.13 (109)
FRANKSTON 3.1 3.3 3.6 7.7 (49)
CASEY DEMONS brushed aside a third consecutive opponent on their home patch, accounting for a gallant but outclassed Frankston by 60 points at Casey Fields to move ominously to the top of the ladder.
The Dolphins were outstanding at the coalface early and were rewarded with a 12-point lead at quarter-time, but the Demons sharpened their tridents after that and wore their opponents down before blowing the margin out in time-on of the last.
Casey kicked nine unanswered goals through the middle two quarters and after Frankston finally broke a 70-minute drought with the first three of the last, the home team flexed its muscles again with seven goals in the next 20 minutes to blow the margin out.
Bailey Laurie was magnificent for the Demons with 35 disposals, five marks, six tackles, eight clearances and a goal, doing the hard work inside alongside Jimmy Munro (21 disposals, 11 tackles) to set up Andy Moniz-Wakefield (27 disposals, seven entries), Luke Dunstan (27 disposals, one goal), George Grey (23 disposals, six tackles, five clearances, five entries) and Roan Steele (22 disposals, seven marks), while big forwards Josh Schache, Matt Jefferson and Tom Sheridan kicked three goals each.
Will Fordham (33 disposals, six marks, eight clearances, six inside-50s), Trent Mynott (29 disposals, nine clearances, six entries), Jackson Voss (30 disposals, eight marks), Ryley Stoddart (31 disposals, 10 marks) and Kai Owens (27 disposals, five tackles, nine clearances, six entries) worked themselves to a standstill for Frankston, while Connor Riley (26 disposals, seven marks) and Seb Quirk (22, seven tackles, one goal) weren’t far behind.
GEELONG CATS vs BOX HILL HAWKS
GEELONG CATS 1.4 1.8 2.9 7.10 (52)
BOX HILL HAWKS 4.2 6.7 13.8 16.11 (107)
BOX HILL Hawks showed no signs of ring rust from their Round 2 bye, producing a powerful 55-point belting of Geelong at the MCG on Easter Monday.
The Hawks were a long way from overawed by their opportunity to play a game at the home of football, snatching control of the contest with the first four goals and never letting the Cats gain a foothold.
Geelong’s only goal of the first half came to skipper Angus Byrne after the quarter-time siren and its 29-point deficit at the main break became decidedly ugly when Box Hill piled on seven goals to one in the third term to spark fears of a second consecutive 100-point hiding.
The Cats lifted to win the last term and put some respectability on the scoreboard with four goals to three, but the Hawks won every statistical category comfortably to remain undefeated.
Max Lynch was a powerhouse in the ruck for Box Hill, kicking two goals and winning 34 hitouts to provide first use to class midfielders Ed Phillips (31 disposals, 10 marks, seven tackles, one goal), Callum Brown (30 disposals) and Lachlan Bramble (30 disposals).
Draftees Ned Long (21 disposals, eight tackles) and Bailey Macdonald (20 disposals, six marks) also impressed, while Jaylon Thorpe and Sam Butler finished off their good work with four goals apiece.
Tanner Bruhn responded to his AFL omission with 36 disposals and seven clearances for the Cats and former Essendon player Brayden Ham had his best game for his new club with 34 disposals and five marks.
Ollie Dempsey (27 disposals, 10 marks), Jye Chalcraft (24 disposals, one goal), Harry Benson (22, five clearances, five tackles) and Sam Simpson (25 disposals) put in strong efforts, and Will Christie fought hard against Lynch to finish with 15 touches, five marks and 23 hitouts.
BYE: Sydney Swans
ROUND 4 FIXTURE
Round 4: Friday, April 14: Carlton vs Richmond (7:05pm, IKON Park). Saturday, April 15: Brisbane Lions vs Southport Sharks (12:05pm, Brighton Homes Arena); Sydney vs North Melbourne (12:35pm, Blacktown International Sports Park); Werribee vs Geelong Cats (1:05pm, Avalon Airport Oval); Port Melbourne vs Northern Bullants (2:05pm, ETU Stadium); Williamstown vs Coburg (3:05pm, DSV Stadium). Sunday, April 16: Box Hill Hawks vs Collingwood (12.00pm, Box Hill City Oval); Sandringham vs Frankston (1:45pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval); Essendon vs Casey Demons (2:05pm, NEC Hangar). Bye: Footscray Bulldogs, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS.
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.
