AFL News

Former Bulldogs kicks bag in milestone, young Pies dominate: VFL wrap

See who performed well in Round 21 of the VFL.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Former Western Bulldog Billy Gowers put on a show in his 100th VFL game, kicking a massive bag for Port Melbourne in a strong victory over the Bullants.

Gold Coast trio Jack Lukosius, Alex Sexton and Williams Rowlands all hit the scoreboard heavily while Melbourne tall Ben Brown joined in on the party.

Collingwood youngsters finish the season off strongly while a young Bulldog puts his name up for selection once again.

See who performed well in Round 21 of the VFL.

BYES: Frankston Dolphins

Gold Coast (175) def. Casey Demons (87)

A host of Suns players were dominant in the 88-point rout on Saturday.

Jack Lukosius, Alex Sexton and Williams Rowlands all slotted five goals each in the thumping victory.

Rory Atkins gathered 40 disposals, 12 marks and four clearances while Brayden Fiorini and Hewago Oea both found plenty of the ball.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: Jack Lukosius during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session on November 26, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Ruckman Ned Moyle was dominant, slotting three majors from his 23 disposals and 29 hit-outs.

Veteran forward Ben Brown topped the trio of Suns players, kicking six goals in the big defeat.

Shane McAdam joined in on the act, slotting four of his own.

Andy Moniz-Wakefield was arguably Casey's best, collecting 36 touches and nine marks.

Sydney (70) def. by Footscray Bulldogs (107)

Ryley Sanders continues his stellar form in the VFL, registering another 30-plus possessions game.

Sanders recorded 35 disposals, seven clearances and five marks in the 37-point win.

Riley Garcia was equally impressive in the midfield while reserves-listed player Diesel Moloney kicked four goals.

Nick Coffield still proves to be an option for the senior side as untried defender Jedd Busslinger is ready when called upon.

The Swans battled manfully but were unable to get the job.

Axed midfielder Corey Warner responded with one goal and 27 touches while Joel Hamling kept the scoreboard ticking over, kicking a pair of majors.

Ruckman Peter Ladhams was serviceable.

Williamstown Seagulls (113) def. GWS (87)

Seagulls trio Nicholas Ebinger, Corey Ellison and Nathan Colenso were huge in the all-important victory over the Giants.

Kicking three goals, they led Williamstown to victory. However, Brodie McLaughlin did one better, slotting four majors in a match-defining performance.

Ex-AFL players James Cousins (one goal, 24 touches and eight clearances) and Riley Collier-Dawkins (one goal, 23 possessions and eight clearances) were also pivotal.

Wade Derksen led the way for GWS, kicking two goals from his 25 possessions.

Nick Haynes

Ruckman Nick Madden was instrumental while Nick Haynes was crucial on both ends of the field.

Xavier O'Halloran played well, gathering 26 disposals and seven clearances.

Southport Sharks (100) def. North Melbourne (83)

Keegan Gray had an almost day, kicking 3.4 in the 17-point victory over the Kangaroos.

Ruckman Brayden Crossley continues his impressive season, recording 51 hit-outs, 17 touches and six tackles in the win.

Jacob Dawson (32 touches, six tackles and four clearances) and Boyd Woodcock (one goal, 30 possessions and eight clearances) were the beneficiaries of Crossley's dominance.

While Zac Foot neared Gray's efforts, kicking 3.3 himself.

North Melbourne veteran Hugh Greenwood - who is understood to have retired from football - was arguably the club's best.

Greenwood registered one goal, 26 touches, 14 tackles and seven clearances.

Jaidyn Stephenson was pivotal in the team's chances, kicking two goals, 27 possessions and three marks.

Collingwood (77) def. Brisbane (69)

Collingwood's reserves side replicated its senior team's efforts with a narrow win over Brisbane, led by midfielder Finlay Macrae.

Macrae gathered 37 disposals, eight clearances and three marks in the victory.

He was joined by Joe Richards (two goals, 25 possessions and six marks), Lachie Sullivan (one goal, 23 disposals and six marks) and Ed Allan (27 touches and six clearances).

(L-R): Collingwood draftees Jakob Ryan, Ed Allan and Joe Richards (Image: Collingwood FC)

Reef McInnes was strong in defence in a new position while Charlie Dean was a brick wall down back, amassing 26 touches and 17 marks.

Jarryd Lyons was the Lions best, gathering 41 disposals, 10 clearances, nine marks and eight tackles.

Darcy Fort was equally as good, kicking two goals from his 26 possessions, 12 clearances and 30 hit-outs.

Port Melbourne Borough (87) def. Northern Bullants (60)

Milestone man Billy Gowers put on a show in his 50th VFL game, kicking seven goals and proving to be the difference between the two non-AFL affiliate clubs.

Ruckman Tom Hofert was instrumental in the win, amassing 21 touches, four marks and three tackles to go with his 42 hit-outs and one goal.

As for the Bullants, midfield pair Patrick Fairlie (31 touches and seven tackles) and Jean-Luc Velissaris (31 possessions and nine clearances) performed strongly once again.

Zane Anderson kept the scoreboard ticking over with three majors while ex-Saint Sam Gilbert was impressive.

Carlton (85) def. by Richmond (94)

A host of Tigers players were able to put goals on the board when it mattered most, leading to a nine-point win over rivals Carlton.

Tyler Sonsie led from the front in the midfield, gathering 26 disposals and five clearances in the victory.

Draft fancy Sam Davidson continued his impressive form, kicking two goals from 20 touches.

Thomson Dow responded strongly to his axing while Marlion Pickett and Samson Ryan made their cases for a late AFL recall.

As for the Blues, Will Hayes was arguably their best, recording a crazy stat line: two goals, 39 possessions, 10 tackles and nine marks.

Forward and ex-Pie Liam McMahon slotted two goals to be around the mark of the Coleman medal equivalent of the reserves competition.

Due to their injuries, Carlton was forced to call upon a host of local talent given the unavailability of many of their AFL-listed players.

Sandringham Zebras (59) def. by Geelong (72)

Mitch Hardie continues to give Chris Scott something to think about at the selection table after another standout performance.

Hardie kicked two goals from 26 touches, 10 tackles and six clearances.

His efforts were joined by Brandan Parfitt, who was equally as dominant through the midfield, recording 12 clearances and 10 tackles.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 17: Jayden Short of the Tigers and Brandan Parfitt of the Cats in action during the 2018 AFL round 13 match between the Geelong Cats and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 17, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Veteran Jed Bews was impressive while youngsters Jhye Clark and Connor O'Sullivan showed glimpses in the win.

Depth ruckman Tom Campbell was the Zebra's best, collecting 26 touches and recording 46 hit-outs in a dominant display.

Defender Arie Schoenmakers showed his elite ability with ball in hand while Saturday night sub Hugo Garcia returned to the VFL side and was tough in the contest.

Coburg Lions (73) def. by Essendon (111)

2024 draft prospect Jobe Shanahan's performance will be noted by recruiters after kicking five goals.

The young forward was a focal point for Essendon in the front half and didn't let them down.

Midfield duo Elijah Tsatas (one goal, 41 touches, eight clearances and seven marks) and Will Setterfield (one goal, 27 possessions, six clearances and five tackles) were pivotal in the win.

Axed forward Peter Wright was impressive in the ruck, slotting two majors and gathering 15 disposals.

Former Pies and Lions player Blake Caracella's son, Noah, played his first game at the level, amassing 11 touches in his debut.

Josh D'Intinosante was strong in the contest for Coburg, collecting 26 touches, nine clearances and nine tackles.

Joel Trudgeon and Flynn Gentile were equally as impressive.

Box Hill Hawks (63) def. by Werribee Tigers (74)

Despite dominating for most of the day, the Tigers were challenged late in the piece to round out the weekend of footy.

Dom Brew was dominant in the midfield, amassing 20 touches, nine clearances and nine tackles.

Brew was joined by Riley Bice (25 disposals and seven marks) and Jack Henderson (24 possessions and nine clearances) as standouts from the day.

Jay Dahlhaus slotted three majors while Zac Banch recorded a pair of goals.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: Seamus Mitchell of the Hawks in action during the 2023 AFL Round 06 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at UTAS Stadium on April 23, 2023 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Box Hill midfielder Seamus Mitchell was arguably the best afield, registering two goals, 37 possessions and 12 marks on the stat sheet.

Pre-season recruit Ethan Phillips was impressive down back while young rovers Josh Ward and Finn Maginness were strong in the contest.

Published by
Aidan Cellini