AFL News

Potential No.1 Picks dominate as host of Bulldogs push for senior recall: VFL wrap

See who performed well in Round 20 of the VFL.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

A host of potential No.1 Picks were on show in the VFL, with Levi Ashcroft leading the charge.

Alongside Ashcroft, Jagga Smith and Finn O'Sullivan featured in the reserves level as they stake their claims for the prized pick at the end of the year.

Western Bulldogs will have selection headaches throughout the week as multiple stars had days out.

See who performed well in Round 20 of the VFL.

BYES: Werribee Tigers, Brisbane, Southport Sharks, Williamstown Seagulls, North Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Casey Demons

Sydney (74) def. Collingwood (45)

Swans ruckman Peter Ladhams responded to his axing with a three-goal, 24-disposal performance.

Ladhams was joined by Joel Hamling, who slotted three majors up forward while Aaron Francis (26 touches and 10 marks) and Angus Sheldrick (36 possessions and seven clearances) found plenty of the ball.

Sam Wicks kicked a goal while young tall Lachlan McAndrew was strong in the ruck.

The youthful Pies were impressive despite the defeat, with Harry DeMattia leading the way in the black and white.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 27: Harry DeMattia of the Magpies trains during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session at Gosch's Paddock on November 27, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

DeMattia gathered 23 disposals and kicked a goal. At the same time, Lachie Sullivan (26 touches and five tackles), Finlay Macrae (29 possessions and seven clearances) and Ed Allan (23 touches and eight tackles) had no issues finding the ball.

Geelong (78) def. by Carlton (101)

Carlton's efficiency in front of goal proved the difference, while former Pie Liam McMahon's seven-goal haul assisted proceedings.

Cooper Lord and Zavier Maher gathered 30 disposals each as Jack Lefroy slotted three goals.

Jaxon Binns was crucial in the contest as ruckman Alex Mirkov continues to take strides in his development.

As for the Cats, the Mitch's (Hardie and Knevitt) combined for 67 disposals, 10 clearances, 10 tackles and two goals in the loss.

Jhye Clark proved his toughness while Connor O'Sullivan showed glimpses of his talent.

Essendon (91) def. Gold Coast (79)

Essendon had five players kick three behinds each in its 12-point win over the Suns, with the club registering 11.25 on Saturday.

Archie Perkins was too good in the midfield and will be in line for a senior recall while Elijah Tsatas continues to dominate VFL level.

Peter Wright kicked three goals from his nine touches as Nick Hind found plenty of the ball.

Mid-season recruit Saad El-Hawli returned from injury and was impressive, with a late-year debut potentially on the cards.

Gold Coast's Rory Atkins had his own footy on the park, collecting 42 possessions and eight marks.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Brayden Fiorini of the Suns handballs during the round two AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium, on March 26, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Brayden Fiorini wished he kicked straighter, missing three opportunities while also gathering plenty of possessions.

Small forwards Jack Mahony and Malcolm Rosa kicked two goals each, as did Sam Day.

Brisbane (122) def. GWS (72)

A slow start for the Lions didn't deter a massive comeback as potential No.1 Pick Levi Ashcroft dominated.

The son of a gun collected 35 touches, 11 clearances and eight marks, whilst also slotting a nice goal from the boundary.

His efforts were joined by Will McLachlan (five goals and 16 touches), Darcy Fort (52 hit-outs, one goal and 18 disposals) and Harry Sharp (two goals and 25 possessions).

Deven Robertson and Jarryd Lyons had the football on a string as defenders Conor McKenna and Noah Answerth could come into senior consideration.

Nick Haynes continues to prove that he's above the reserve grade standard, gathering 27 touches and eight marks for the Giants.

James Leake was pivotal in the contest as Callum Brown and Wade Derksen both kicked a pair of goals.

Richmond (71) def. by Sandringham Zebras (104)

Young Saint Hugo Garcia made massive recall claims after his three-goal, 34-disposal performance over the weekend.

Garcia was helped by Tom Campbell's ruck dominance, recording 50 hit-outs, 28 touches and eight clearances.

Riley Bonner was elite across the half-back line as untried tall Isaac Keeler proved he can perform strong up forward.

Jack Hayes also continued to take strides from his injury.

Tigers key defender Jacob Blight was arguably the club's best, gathering 32 touches and 13 marks in the defeat.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Jagga Smith of Victoria Metro in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships match between U18 Boys Western Australia and Victoria Metro at Optus Stadium on June 23, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Jack Ross returned from injury and will be looking at a late AFL recall while 2024 draftee Jagga Smith continues to put together an impressive resume after his 24 touches.

Finn O'Sullivan joined Smith in his AFL audition, kicking two goals from 12 disposals.

Frankston Dolphins (74) def. by Footscray Bulldogs (101)

Luke Beveridge could look to his reserves side to bring in some in-form players, starting with Jack Macrae.

The veteran Bulldog kicked two goals from 27 touches and 17 clearances, while Ryley Sanders (35 touches, 11 clearances and eight tackles) and Harvey Gallagher (three goals, 27 possessions and six clearances) will also be in the frame.

Key defenders Jedd Busslinger and Alex Keath were instrumental in the victory while Ryan Gardner's forward deployment proved to be a success, slotting three majors.

As for the Dolphins, George Grey was in the best for his 30 disposals and five clearances.

Ruckman Angus Grant was impressive as Thomas Murphy had the ball on a string.

Northern Bullants (88) def. by Coburg Lions (91)

Five goals from Mitch Podhajski led the Lions to a stoic three-point victory to complete the weekend of football.

Ruckman Cooper Keogh was pivotal in the narrow win, amassing 22 touches and nine clearances to go with his 41 hit-outs.

Joel Trudgeon continues to impress, collecting 26 possessions and 10 clearances while Donovan Toohey was instrumental.

Despite the loss, the Bullants had plenty of winners on the field, with Jean-Luc Velissaris (33 touches and five clearances) and Patrick Fairlie (33 touches and eight clearances) leading the way.

Caleb Franks wished he kicked straighter (2.3) in front of goal while former Saint Sam Gilbert showed he still has it.

Published by
Aidan Cellini