AFL News

Bulldogs trio, forgotten Bomber, Hawks midfielders dominate: VFL wrap

See who performed well in Round 19 of the VFL.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Footscray were dominant to open the VFL weekend.

Jack Macrae was instrumental in the win and was joined by a host of significant Dogs.

Former Bulldog Billy Gowers hit the score sheet heavily with seven goals for Port Melbourne while Hawthorn's mid-season recruit impresses.

See who performed well in Round 19 of the VFL.

BYES: Geelong, Richmond, Sandringham Zebras, Sydney, Collingwood

Footscray Bulldogs (124) def. Casey Demons (68)

Luke Beveridge would be extremely impressed with his reserve side's performance.

Jack Macrae (43 disposals, 10 clearances and six tackles), Oskar Baker (two goals, 31 touches and 13 marks) and Ryley Sanders (three goals, 39 possessions and seven clearances) were all instrumental in the 56-point win.

Harvey Gallagher was equally as good with two goals and 25 touches while Jedd Busslinger continues to prove he's ready for an AFL debut.

Matthew Jefferson kept things ticking over for Casey, slotting four goals.

Axed midfielder Bailey Laurie was strong, gathering 29 touches and eight clearances while Tom Fullarton should be recalled after yet another impressive outing.

Frankston Dolphins (112) def. Port Melbourne Borough (85)

The Dolphins managed to hold onto a much-needed victory but the efforts from Thomas Murphy won't go unnoticed.

Murphy recorded one goal from his 24 touches and 10 clearances, whilst teammates Trent Mynott (two goals and 27 disposals) and Sebastian Quirk (21 possessions and nine tackles) were equally as crucial.

Matt Johnson kicked three goals to keep the scoreboard ticking over while ex-Blue and Saint Jack Newnes slotted a pair himself.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Billy Gowers of the Bulldogs kicks on goal during the 2019 AFL round 11 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on June 02, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

Port Melbourne's Billy Gowers will likely take the three votes as he put seven goals through the big sticks to give his club a chance.

Jimmy Miller was strong in the ruck for the Borough while Josh Green and Lachlan Rankin found plenty of the ball.

Gold Coast (108) def. Coburg Lions (74)

Gold Coast forward Malcolm Rosas did his recall chances no harm after slotting four goals in the VFL.

2024 draft prospect and Suns academy player Leonardo Lombard proved he is AFL-ready after kicking three goals from 22 disposals.

Rory Atkins had a ball on a string, gathering 36 touches and nine marks while Thomas Berry and Jake Rogers performed strongly in the win.

As for the Lions, Jesse Corigliano slotted four goals to put the club in reaching distance while working in tandem, with Mitch Podhajski, who kicked three majors.

Joel Trudgeon did his thing (as he does most weeks), registering 27 touches and a goal in the defeat.

Flynn Gentile also continued his high-level form.

Carlton (71) def. by Brisbane (94)

Brisbane duo Jarryd Lyons (two goals, 36 touches, 13 clearances and nine tackles) and Deven Robertson (36 possessions, 13 clearances and seven marks) stuffed the stat sheet in the 23-point win over the Blues.

Darcy Fort was strong in the ruck while defenders Noah Answerth and Conor McKenna made strong claims for a senior recall.

James Tunstill also proved to be a ready option when called upon, gathering 20 disposals and two goals in the victory.

Brisbane Lions defender Conor McKenna (Image: Brisbane Lions)

Untried Blue tall Harry Lemmey had an almost day, kicking 3.2 from 16 possessions and nine marks.

Axed defender Lewis Young responded strongly while Jack Carroll was pivotal through the midfield.

Werribee Tigers (55) def. Southport Sharks (61)

Southport ruckman Brayden Crossley's season goes from strength to strength and Saturday was no different.

His stats looked like this: 66 hit-outs, 10 tackles, six clearances, 16 disposals and four marks in a narrow victory.

Midfielders Jacob Dawson (34 touches, 12 tackles and seven clearances) and Boyd Woodcock (31 possessions, 11 clearances and 11 tackles) made use of Crossley's dominance.

Jacob Heron was arguably best afield, slotting three goals from 27 disposals.

As for the Tigers, Dom Brew once again stood tall when the going got tough, recording 34 disposals, 10 tackles and nine clearances, nearly dragging his side over the line.

Aidan Johnson kicked three goals while Hudson Garoni was kept to a modest pair of majors.

Northern Bullants (77) def. Essendon (121)

Multiple Essendon players have once again put themselves on the radar of Brad Scott.

Will Setterfield gathered 43 disposals and eight clearances, while Ben Hobbs (one goal, 34 touches, eight tackles and six clearances), Nick Hind (one goal, 27 possessions and four marks) and Elijah Tsatas (32 disposals and six clearances) were dominant.

Peter Wright during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media

Peter Wright kicked three goals and should've had more while Archie Perkins responded strongly to his axing.

As for the Bullants, club star Jean-Luc Velissaris was crucial in their chances and his stats would say that also.

The midfielder recorded 39 touches, eight marks, five clearances and three goals.

Patrick Fairlie continued his impressive form while Harrison Grace slotted three majors of his won.

GWS (77) def. by Box Hill Hawks (78)

Box Hill managed to hold onto a one-point win despite dominating for the majority of Sunday's clash.

Finn Maginness was arguably the Hawks' best, recording two goals, 31 touches and nine marks.

Cam Mackenzie was equally as good with 33 possessions of his own while Henry Hustwiate found plenty of the ball.

Mid-season recruit Jasper Scaife kicked four crucial goals as veteran forward Chad Wingard returned from injury.

GWS defender Nick Haynes continues to give list managers something to consider as he impresses in the VFL once again.

Youngster James Leake was impressive through the midfield, gathering 34 touches, eight clearances and six tackles.

Wade Derksen and Nathan Wardius both kicked two goals.

Williamstown Seagulls (67)  def. by North Melbourne (75)

Charlie Lazzaro was impressive for the Kangaroos in their eight-point win over the Seagulls, gathering 24 touches and 11 tackles to go along with his goal.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Charlie Lazzaro of North Melbourne chases Elijah Tsatas of Essendon during the round 11 VFL match between Essendon Bombers and North Melbourne Kangaroos at The Hangar on June 04, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Miller Bergman continues to build his game nicely while forwards Tyler Sellars and Geordie Payne slotted two majors each.

Williamstown Ruckman Tow Downie was arguably the club's best, giving the midfielders first use from his 56 hit-outs.

Corey Ellison slotted three goals while ex-Hawk James Cousins gathered 18 possessions.

Published by
Aidan Cellini