A review of all the action from Round 8 of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season.
From history-making firsts, rollicking comebacks, a Battle of Bell Street heartstopper, a nine-goal masterclass and even the season’s first draw.
Round 8 of the Smithy’s VFL had it all as the two undefeated Queensland clubs put a gap on the rest of the competition. Here’s what happened.
SYDNEY SWANS vs WILLIAMSTOWN
SYDNEY SWANS 1.2, 2.3, 3.5, 4.10 (34)
WILLIAMSTOWN 2.3, 3.5, 6.11, 9.13 (67)
WILLIAMSTOWN had played Sydney or South Melbourne 17 times before Saturday’s game at Tramway Oval outside the SCG – and it had never won.
In fact, the only positive result the club now known as the Seagulls had had against the then Blood-Stained Angels was a draw on August 9, 1884, under the old scoring system where behinds were not counted.
But that all changed on Saturday morning as Williamstown kept the Swans winless in 2023 with a 33-point victory to move into a share of third spot on the ladder.
To be fair, it wasn’t a match that will make any highlight reels, but it was crucial for the Seagulls’ chances of making the finals this year and they never trailed against a Sydney team that is struggling in every facet of the game without the depth created by AFL injuries.
Williamstown kept the Swans in the game for two and a half quarters through poor finishing (Sydney suffered from the same problem and couldn’t take advantage), but blew the game open with three goals in five minutes late in the third term before repeating the dose in the last .
Marty Hore cashed in on Sydney bombing the ball inside-50, taking 11 marks in the first half on his way to 26 disposals, 13 marks and eight rebounds, with fellow defenders Fin O’Dwyer (28 disposals, 11 marks, five rebounds) and Jack Toner (21 disposals, seven marks) also dominant. Corey Ellison was dangerous in attack, finishing with 16 disposals six marks, seven tackles and two goals.
Midfielders Ben Jolley (26 disposals, 13 marks), Mitch Cox (26 disposals, eight marks, one goal), skipper Cam Polson (23 disposals, five marks, seven clearances) and Corey Preston (23 disposals) had too much for the Swans to handle apart from Angus Sheldrick (36 disposals, six marks, nine clearances, one goal), with no support coming apart from Dylan Stephens’ 26 possessions, forward Charlie Haley (13, eight marks, one goal) and Lachlan McAndrew, who had a 35-26 hitouts advantage against the best ruckman in the league in Tom Downie.
RICHMOND vs GEELONG CATS
RICHMOND 2.2, 5.5, 7.7, 11.9 (75)
GEELONG CATS 3.4, 5.7, 8.11, 10.15 (75)
RICHMOND fought back from 13 points down into time-on of the last quarter to secure the season’s first draw in a thrilling finish against Geelong at Swinburne Centre.
The Tigers looked in all sorts of trouble when an even first half gave way to a dominant 23-minute patch in the third quarter when the Cats kicked 3.4 to 0.2 to go 22 points to the good and again when Will Christie and Osca Riccardi goalled in the space of two minutes midway through the last after the home team had fought back to within a point.
But the Tigers wouldn’t be denied, with Cam Olden giving them hope and Noah Cumberland’s third goal setting up a big finish before the former missed a chance at being the hero to tie things up in the 27th minute.
In the most dramatic of finishes, Geelong’s Ben Lloyd had a shot after the final siren, which fell just short and left the sides to share the points.
Summing up the tight nature of the contest, both teams had 325 disposals, but Richmond had its defence to thank as it held out a 48-36 inside-50 advantage to the visitors.
Tooradin-Dalmore produce James Trezise was mentioned as a possible mid-season draft candidate last week and he responded with a game-high 29 disposals, 10 marks and six rebounds, while vice-captain Brad Melville also impressed with 26 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and a goal and Tyler Sonsie (23 disposals, five marks), captain Lachlan Street (22 disposals, five marks, six tackles) and Garrett McDonagh (20 disposals, seven marks, six entries, one goal).
Matthew Clarkson, the son of four-time AFL premiership coach Alastair, made his VFL debut and picked up a solid 19 touches and seven marks, with second ruck Tom Brindley (16 disposals, eight marks, 12 hitouts, one goal) also played well.
Geelong was led by the Chalcraft brothers in best-and-fairest winner Jye, who should be a huge chance on May 31, adding 26 disposals, seven marks and two goals to another impressive season, and Kade, who had his best game at the level with 26 disposals, 12 clearances and seven entries
Rookie Hamish Lucas (21 disposals, five marks, nine tackles) and Marcus Herbert (20 disposals, five marks) also shone for the Cats, while Ted Clohesy laid 11 tackles and kicked a goal.
SOUTHPORT SHARKS vs GOLD COAST SUNS
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 0.1, 2.4, 4.6, 10.14 (74)
GOLD COAST SUNS 6.2, 9.3, 11.4, 12.4 (76)
GOLD COAST preserved its undefeated record by the skin of its teeth, holding off a crazy finish from Southport to win their 15th game out of 16 and claim the Mackenzie Cup for the first time in a two-point result at Fankhauser Reserve.
Despite missing a handful of their best team on AFL duties in Perth, the Suns dismantled their Coast Clash neighbours for three quarters, blasting six unanswered goals in the first term and blowing out by as much as 47 points early in the third term.
There was no sign of what was to come as the visitors still led by 40 points turning for home after Chris Burgess booted his third goal in the shadows of the three-quarter time siren, with Southport having managed only four goals to that point.
But three goals early in the last quarter gave the Sharks a spark and they completely dominated down the stretch – in fact they will feel they should have won after kicking 6.8 to 1.0 for the quarter.
They still trailed by 22 points 25 minutes in, but goals to Jesse Joyce, Brayden Crossley and Tom Fields quick succession set up a grandstand finish before a flying shot on the run from 45 metres from Jacob Heron narrowly missed in what turned out to be the final play of the game.
Sam Flanders (35 disposals, eight marks, nine clearances) set up Gold Coast’s big lead, alongside fellow mids Charlie Constable (28 disposals, six tackles, five clearances) and Jed Anderson (28 disposals, five tackles).
Defenders Jy Farrar (28 disposals, eight marks, 11 rebounds), regular forward Joel Jeffrey (22 disposals, eight marks, six rebounds) and Bodhi Uwland (22 disposals, six marks, five rebounds) were impassable for three quarters, while Jeremy Sharp (22 disposals, 14 marks, two goals) and Burgess (five marks, three goals) got it done in attack.
But the Sharks are too good to hold out for four quarters, with Boyd Woodcock (38 disposals, nine marks, 10 clearances, nine entries, one goal) and Jacob Dawson (37, five marks, 13 clearances, six entries) once again screaming “draft me” to AFL clubs to pull their team back into the game.
Jesse Joyce (30 disposals, six tackles, five clearances, two goals) and Fraser Thurlow (20 disposals, five marks, five clearances, two goals) were also brilliant, alongside Max Spencer (21 disposals, six marks, six rebounds).
NORTH MELBOURNE vs FRANKSTON
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.4, 9.7, 15.9, 20.11 (131)
FRANKSTON 0.0, 4.0, 6.1, 9.2 (56)
CALLUM Coleman-Jones exploded with the most outstanding performance of the season so far, kicking nine goals to single-handedly obliterate Frankston in a 75-point win for North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval.
Coleman-Jones was in a world of his own as he gathered 22 disposals, pulled in 12 marks and even had to time to win 12 hitouts on his way to kicking 9.2 – the same score the Dolphins managed as a team, brutalising the visitors’ inexperienced backline.
The writing was on the wall early as a Kangaroos’ team bolstered by the inclusion of the tall forward among six AFL-listed additions had the game won by quarter-time with 5.4 to 0.0, a lead that blew out to 54 points before Trent Marotta finally gave Frankston its first score with a goal in the 19th minute of the second quarter.
The visitors kicked four of the last five goals before half-time in a mini-revival but North Melbourne responded with six goals to two in the third quarter and five to three in the last to complete an important percentage-boosting win.
North conceded just 29 inside-50s for the game while racking up 68 of its own and even won tackles 43-40.
Captain Jack Watkins (21 disposals, eight marks, five entries, two goals), Daniel Howe (28 disposals, nine marks, seven entries), Aaron Hall (30 disposals, six entries), and Tarryn Thomas (27 disposals, eight inside-50s, one goal) did as they pleased and No.4 draft pick George Wardlaw (19 disposals, five tackles, five entries, two goals) also put his hand up for an AFL debut.
Club great Ben Cunnington responded to his AFL omission in a positive way with 24 touches, six marks and seven clearances.
For Frankston, mid-season draft fancies Will Fordham (30 disposals, 11 marks, seven clearances) and Ryley Stoddart (24 , six rebounds) did their best to stem the flow, while Taine Barlow (23 disposals, six marks) and Colby Nayna (20 disposals, eight marks, five rebounds) also worked hard but they didn’t get enough support as the Kangaroos had 11 of the top 15 ball winners on the ground.
COBURG vs NORTHERN BULLANTS
COBURG 3.3, 6.3, 9.7, 12.8 (80)
NORTHERN BULLANTS 3.0, 7.6, 8.10, 12.15 (87)
THE Battle of Bell Street threw up another epic as Northern Bullants (or Preston, as it is known for the time-honoured Battles) claimed their second win of the season in a heart-stopping seven-point win over Coburg on Vicki Cleary Memorial Day at Piranha Park.
The first half was no battle for the faint-hearted as the neighbours and rivals threw everything into the contest only to let themselves down with countless disposal errors under red-hot pressure.
But as a rare four points and a memorable victory went on the line, not only did the intensity blow through the roof but the skills also found a new level.
In a match where the lead changed hands a crazy 16 times, including three occasions when the teams were locked together, the Lions and Bullants went goal for goal virtually all day, although the visitors eked out a nine-point lead at half-time and extended that to a game-high 17 points in the 18th minute of the third term.
But Coburg then roared to life on the back of a purple patch from Will Bella, booting three goals in five minutes to take the lead at the final change.
Kyle Weightman kicked the first goal of the last quarter get out by nine points and the teams traded three goals each, with the Bullants’ adding a handful of behinds to pinch the lead before Jean-Luc Velissaris made himself the hero.
Just five minutes earlier Velissaris had been helped off the ground with a shoulder injury, but he bravely returned to the fray and took a courageous mark going back with the flight of the ball before calmly kicking the sealer from 35m out.
Velissaris was good playing behind the ball for three quarters but Brodie Holland moved him into the engine room for the last term and he proved the matchwinner, kicking both his goals in that quarter and finishing with 26 disposals, eight clearances and seven inside-50s as well.
But the best story of the day belonged to Cam Wild, the Bullant playing just his third VFL game in his third season on a list.
Proudly wearing the No.32 of his famous Preston grandfather, premiership player and century goalkicker Len Clark, Wild was absolutely dominant with 32 disposals, 12 marks, seven clearances, six tackles, five inside-50s and a goal to win the Harold Martin Medal for best-on-ground, an award named after a legend of both clubs who played with Clark during his career.
Matthew King also had claims with his 26 touches, 13 marks and one goal including several crucial intercept possessions, while Patrick Fairlie (24 disposals, five marks, five clearances, five tackles), big forward Tyson Young (21 disposals, five marks, three goals) and key defenders Baker Smith (18 disposals, nine marks) and Spencer Johnson (17 disposals, five marks, seven rebounds) also starred.
Mitch Podhajski was brilliant down back for Coburg with 25 possessions, 14 marks and six rebounds in an effort that would have won the medal had his team got up.
Hugo McGlashan (25 disposals) playing his best game at the level and Lachlan Walker (22 disposals, seven marks, five entries), Braedyn Gillard (23 disposals, six clearances), Ben Jepson (20 disposals, five rebounds) and Max Thompson (18 disposals, five marks, two goals) also impressed, while Aaron Clarke and repurposed attacker Jhye Baddeley-Kelly each kicked three goals.
COLLINGWOOD vs GWS GIANTS
COLLINGWOOD 1.3, 10.5, 13.7, 17.9 (111)
GWS 4.1, 6.3, 10.6, 17.11 (113)
TOBY and last-minute match winners, they just go hand-in-hand.
Only this time it was a teenage first-year Giant who proved ice-cool when the moment presented itself as GWS bounded home from 30 points down 12 minutes into the last quarter to stun Collingwood by two points in an AIA Centre classic on Sunday.
18-year-oldToby McMullin from Port Fairy via Sandringham Dragons’ 2022 NAB League premiership team, was taken by the Giants at pick 34 in last year’s AFL National Draft as the son of 1980s Magpie and Bomber Ian McMullin, had played five VFL games for two goals.
He had 0.1 to his name deep into the last quarter but stood up to give the Giants the lead on 25 minutes and did it again from a 35m set shot with the last kick of the game after best-on-ground Josh Carmichael had rescued the lead for the Magpies.
Earlier, GWS had looked the good when it kicked the first four goals with the wind in the first quarter only to be left shellshocked when Collingwood launched a stunning second-term blitz.
Having been gifted their first goal just before the break to Sam Glover due to ill-discipline, the Magpies slammed on nine goals to two and had turned a 23-point deficit into a game-high 33-point advantage when Trent Bianco kicked the first of the third term.
It seemed to be all one-way traffic, especially with Carmichael running roughshod over the Giants with 28 disposals, five clearances, six inside-50s and four goals, defenders Neville Jetta (23 disposals, nine marks, eight rebounds), Campbell Lane (25 disposals, seven rebounds) and Lachie Tardrew (26 disposals, five rebounds) in control.
But with another rookie in No.16 Academy pick Harry Rowston keeping the Giants in it and then sparking the comeback, the visitors found a way. Rowston racked up a game-high 33 touches and a stunning 19 clearances, plus eight inside-50s and a crucial last-quarter goal.
His side kicked majors in the 13th, 14th, 17th and 21st minutes to set the scene for McMullin’s heroics.
Wade Derksen (seven marks, five goals) also starred for GWS, as ruckman Kieren Briggs (25 disposals, eight marks, 41 hitouts, seven clearances, one goal) monstered the home team to give first use to former Swan Barry O’Connor (23 disposals, five clearances, six tackles, two goals) and Josh Fahey (26 disposals, five marks, six entries, seven rebounds).
BRISBANE LIONS vs ESSENDON
BRISBANE LIONS 4.3, 8.4, 12.6, 16.13 (109)
ESSENDON 0.2, 2.4, 5.4, 6.5 (41)
TOM Fullarton kicked six goals as Brisbane Lions had little trouble continuing their undefeated start to the season, breezing past Essendon by 68 points at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday.
It took 14 minutes for Jarryd Lyons to get the Lions on the board but that was the end of the section as they took the upper hand in wet conditions and remained consistent throughout, adding four goals in each term for an easy win.
The home team racked up 71 inside-50s to 35 to keep the Bombers defence under siege and the margin could have been a lot greater if not for the efforts of Will Snelling, who had 28 disposals plus five each of marks, clearances, tackles, inside-50s and rebounds.
Essendon had no answer to the brilliant Lyons as he dominated with 36 possessions, nine clearances, six entries, eight tackles and two goals, with Callum Ah Chee (29 disposals, eight marks, five rebounds, one goal), Rhys Mathieson (28 disposals, seven clearances, five entries, one goal), Deven Robertson (26 disposals, six clearances) and Jaxon Prior (23 disposals, seven marks, five entries) doing as they pleased.
Fullarton made a mockery of conditions that were unsuitable for big forwards, taking five marks, laying five tackles and booting 6.1, while Kai Lohmann played the support act with three.
Nick Bryan worked back to grab six rebounds for the Bombers to go with 20 touches, 29 hitouts and seven clearances, while Rhett Montgomerie (23 disposals, nine marks, seven rebounds) also impressed and Quinton Narkle starred in the middle with 29 disposals, five clearances and two goals.
SANDRINGHAM vs PORT MELBOURNE
SANDRINGHAM 4.1, 7.5, 9.7, 11.14 (80)
PORT MELBOURNE 3.1, 4.5, 6.9, 8.11 (59)
SANDRINGHAM claimed its second win of the year and put a dent in Port Melbourne’s finals hopes with an upset 21-point victory at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Led by outstanding youngster Marcus Windhager, the Zebras took control late in the first quarter and never took their feet off the Borough throat, working to a three-goal lead midway through the second quarter and never letting the visitors get any closer.
In fact, they could even have won by a lot more, booting 2.7 in the last quarter, including five consecutive behinds to finish the day.
Windhager was the single difference between the teams, running the stats man’s ink well dry with game highs in disposals (36), clearances (nine), inside-50s (11) and goals (three), plus six marks and six tackles, in a performance that should ensure Sandringham doesn’t see him again for a while to come.
Jimmy Webster made a successful return from a broken cheekbone with 28 touches Darby Hipwell (22 disposals, five clearances, six tackles) did a great job under the packs to give opportunities to Jack Billings (24 disposals, six marks, six rebounds) and Tyson Milne (21 disposals, seven marks, six tackles, eight rebounds) and Tom Highmore (20 disposals, seven rebounds) kept Port at bay in defence.
Ethan Phillips took 15 marks on his way to 21 possessions to be Port’s best, just ahead of Tom Cameron (23 disposals, 10 rebounds, one goal), with Aiden Fyfe (23 disposals, nine marks, five rebounds), Fraser Rosman (21 disposals, nine marks, five rebounds), skipper Harvey Hooper (21 disposals, 11 tackles, two goals) and Anthony Anastasio (20 disposals, five entries, one goal) also impressing.
Tom Campbell and Sam Naismith waged a ding-dong battle in the ruck, with the former taking the honours with 18 touches and 31 hitouts to 10 disposals and 25 taps.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS vs WERRIBEE
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 1.2, 2.4, 3.7, 8.9 (57)
WERRIBEE 2.5, 4.11, 9.12, 13.13 (91)
WERRIBEE claimed its first win over Footscray at Avalon Airport Oval and only its second over the Bulldogs in their 10-match head-to-head history with a scrappy 34-point triumph.
In a match that won’t make any highlight reels, the Tigers and Bulldogs traded control of the match but missed opportunities in front of goal and turnovers around the ground, but it was the pseudo away team (this was a Footscray home game) that tidied itself up sooner to run away with the points.
The Bulldogs looked like gaining momentum when they got within 17 points midway through the third quarter but the experienced Michael Sodomaco stopped the rot as Werribee kicked the last four goals of the term without a miss to lead by 41 at the last change.
Footscray did kick five of the first six goals of the last quarter to five itself a fleeting hope, but that was quickly snuffed out with the Tigers booting the last three.
Dual Liston medallist Tom Gribble and star Bulldog Rhylee West waged a tough battle through the midfield, with the brilliant Tiger coming out a winner with 31 disposals, eight clearances and five tackles.
Dom Brew loves the tough stuff and proved it again with 27 touches, 10 clearances, 11 tackles, six entries and five rebounds, allowing Shaun Mannagh (21 disposals, 10 tackles, seven entries, one goal), Jack Henderson (24 disposals, seven tackles, one goal) and Kye Declase (23 disposals, five marks) the space to run, while skipper Nick Coughlan (21 disposals, nine marks, seven rebounds) patrolled the backline with aplomb and Hudson Garoni took six marks and kicked three goals but should have had six.
Tim O’Brien was outstanding at centre half-back for Footscray with 19 touches, 12 marks and five rebounds, while Ewan Macpherson (22 disposals, eight clearances, one goal), Luke Cleary (20 disposals, five marks, six rebounds) and Jedd Busslinger (18 disposals, eight marks, five rebounds) did their best to keep their team in it as captain Lachie Sullivan and Robbie McComb were kept unusually quiet.
The biggest downside for Werribee was a lower leg injury to Connor Thar in the first quarter, with the luckless local product finishing the game in a moonboot.
BYE: Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons, Carlton.
ROUND 9 FIXTURE
Saturday, May 20: Brisbane Lions vs Coburg (12:05pm, Brighton Homes Arena); Box Hill Hawks vs Southport (12:05pm, Box Hill City Oval – VFLW double header); Werribee vs Gold Coast Suns (12:05pm, Avalon Airport Oval); Casey Demons vs North Melbourne (1:35pm, Casey Fields – VFLW double header); Northern Bullants vs Frankston (2:05pm, Genis Steel Oval); Essendon vs Richmond (2:35pm, MCG – AFL curtain raiser); Port Melbourne vs Sydney Swans (7:05pm, ETU Stadium – VFLW double header). Sunday, May 21: Williamstown vs Carlton (12.00pm, DSV Stadium); GWS Giants vs Sandringham (12.55pm, Giants Stadium – AFL curtain raiser). Bye: Collingwood, Footscray, Geelong.
Click here to view full fixture and ladder.
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