Aidan Johnson celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2025 VFL Round 17 match between the Casey Demons and Carlton at Casey Fields. Picture: Rob Lawson\/AFL Photos<\/p>\n
A recap and highlights of all the Smithy\u2019s VFL 17 action.<\/p>\n
ESSENDON\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4.1\u00a0\u00a0 8.2\u00a0\u00a0 11.4\u00a0\u00a0 12.8 (80)
GWS GIANTS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4.4\u00a0\u00a0 8.6\u00a0\u00a0 11.8\u00a0\u00a0 15.11 (101)<\/p>\n
A four-goal to one final term was the difference in the GWS Giants\u2019 picking up a 21-point triumph over Essendon at Windy Hill on Friday.<\/p>\n
Both sides were almost identical across the opening three terms, and despite both kicking 11 goals apiece approaching three quarter time, the Giants held the slender four-point lead at the final break.<\/p>\n
That advantage was still at only seven points when time on began in the last quarter before majors to Harvey Thomas and Louie Montgomery secured the Giants\u2019 tenth win of the season and a top-four spot by round\u2019s end.<\/p>\n
James Leake was immense for the visitors, with the 19-year-old producing a 35 disposal, eight tackle performance in his return to the side. Harvey Thomas also booted three majors in his first VFL match since Round 3.<\/p>\n
An effort of 30 disposals, six marks and eight tackles saw Jackson Hately standout for the Bombers, while Saad El-Hawli and Noah Scott kicked three goals apiece.<\/p>\n
BEST
Essendon: Jackson Hately, Floyd Burmeister, Noah Scott, Will Hoare, Saad El-Hawli, Tyler Sellers
GWS Giants: James Leake, Phoenix Gothard, Nick Madden, Harry Rowston, Lachlan Keeffe, Jacob Wehr<\/p>\n
GOALS
Essendon: Saad El-Hawli, Noah Scott 3, Floyd Burmeister 2, Ryan Brodie, Jared Eckersley, Jye Menzie, Lachlan Monteath
GWS Giants: Harvey Thomas 3, Phoenix Gothard, James Lugsdin, Nick Madden, Louie Montgomery 2, Mitchell Blow, Josaia Delana, Sam McMeeken, Logan Smith<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Essendon: Jackson Hately 30, Xavier O\u2019Neill 24, Noah Scott 22, Solomon McKay 19, Will Hoare 18
GWS Giants: James Leake 35, Nick Madden, Harry Rowston 26, Josh Fahey, Louie Montgomery 25<\/p>\n
PORT MELBOURNE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0.2\u00a0\u00a0 1.5\u00a0\u00a0 3.5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8.8 (56)
GOLD COAST SUNS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4.2\u00a0\u00a0 4.6\u00a0\u00a0 8.9\u00a0\u00a0 10.9 (69)<\/p>\n
Gold Coast led from start to finish to return to the winners\u2019 list with a 13-point victory over Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Suns kicked three goals in six minutes to jump out of the blocks and led by as much as 26 points halfway through the second term before the Borough finally found their first goal of the match.<\/p>\n
But Gold Coast never let the margin reach single figures, with another haul of four majors from mid-season recruit Caleb Lewis securing his side\u2019s win.<\/p>\n
Alex Davies and Nick Holman were superb for the visitors, combining for 56 disposals and 19 tackles, while Ned Moyle had a terrific outing in the ruck.<\/p>\n
Tom Hird maintained his solid season for Port Melbourne and finished with 27 disposals, as did Charlie Lazzaro, while Harvey Hooper had an equal season-high 11 tackles.<\/p>\n
BEST
Port Melbourne: Tom Hird, Tobe Watson, Josh Green, Dyson Heppell, Harvey Hooper, Sam Grant
Gold Coast Suns: Alex Davies, Caleb Lewis, Ned Moyle, Alex Sexton, Nick Holman, Jy Farrar<\/p>\n
GOALS
Port Melbourne: Patrick Farrant, Roy George 2, Dom Bedendo, Charlie Clarke, Drew Lloyd, Jimmy Miller
Gold Coast Suns: Caleb Lewis 4, Jy Farrar, Alex Sexton 2, Ned Moyle, Malcolm Rosas<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Port Melbourne: Tom Hird 27, Charlie Lazzaro 27, Josh Green 24, Dyson Heppell 24, Harvey Hooper 19
Gold Coast Suns: Nick Holman 29, Alex Davies 27, Ned Moyle 23, Alex Sexton 21, Lloyd Johnston 20<\/p>\n
SYDNEY SWANS\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a03.2\u00a0\u00a0 7.5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12.5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14.8 (92)
NORTH MELBOURNE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8.5\u00a0\u00a0 9.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10.12\u00a0\u00a0 11.15 (81)<\/p>\n
Sydney claimed its first VFL win since Round 13, overcoming a 37-point deficit during the opening term to run out 11-point victors over North Melbourne at Tramway Oval.<\/p>\n
The Swans conceded eight opening term goals and 13 total scoring shots from the Roos, with a fourth straight loss looking well and truly on the cards.<\/p>\n
But the hosts rallied hard to reduce the margin to 15 points at half time before hitting the front at the 21-minute mark of the third term.<\/p>\n
And when Tom Hanily regained the Swans\u2019 lead late in the third quarter, they maintained the advantage for the remainder of the match to win their third game of season 2025.<\/p>\n
Hanily finished with a game-high four goals for Sydney, with Jesse Dattoli and Matt Lloyd each kicking three majors, while Caiden Cleary was terrific with ball in hand once again and led the game\u2019s disposal count with 30.<\/p>\n
In his first VFL game since Round 3, George Wardlaw led the way for the Roos with 29 disposals and six tackles.<\/p>\n
BEST
Sydney Swans: Caiden Cleary, Oli Florent, Tom Hanily, Jesse Dattoli, Matty Lloyd, Caleb Mitchell
North Melbourne: George Wardlaw, Darcy Macpherson, Matthew Keast, Zane Duursma, Taylor Goad, Robert Hansen<\/p>\n
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Tom Hanily 4, Jesse Dattoli, Matty Lloyd 3, Aaron Francis, Will Green, Jack Kluske, Kaiden McNamara
North Melbourne: Robert Hansen, Darcy Macpherson, Finnbar Maley 2, Brayden George, Matt Keast, Oli Lowe, James Tarrant, Cooper Trembath<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Sydney Swans: Caiden Cleary 30, Ben Paton 25, Caleb Mitchell 24, Oli Florent 23, Indhi Kirk 23
North Melbourne: George Wardlaw 29, Darcy Macpherson 26, Matt Keast 23, Josh Goater 19<\/p>\n
BRISBANE LIONS\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2.0\u00a0\u00a0 6.2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8.6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12.16 (88)
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8.2\u00a0\u00a0 13.5\u00a0\u00a0 15.11\u00a0\u00a0 17.12 (114)<\/p>\n
Footscray jumped up to second place on the Smithy\u2019s VFL ladder after a comprehensive 26-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Brighton Homes Arena.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs looked to be the better of the two sides from the opening bounce and raced to a 38-point lead at quarter time following an outstanding eight-goal first term \u2013 the first five of which came inside just 15 minutes of play.<\/p>\n
Controlling things thereafter, and despite an inaccurate 4.10 from the Lions in the last quarter, the visitors produced a seventh-consecutive triumph to move inside the top two heading into the final month of the regular season.<\/p>\n
Jedd Busslinger and Taylor Duryea were ball magnets for Footscray, each having 28 disposal, while Buku Khamis gave AFL selectors something to think about following a four-goal display.<\/p>\n
Reece Torrent was a highlight for the Lions, having an equal season-high 25 disposals along with five tackles in a midfield that was without regulars Deven Robertson and James Tunstill, while Conor McKenna finished with 3.4, with all his scores coming in the second half.<\/p>\n
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Conor McKenna, Reece Torrent, Shadeau Brain, Henry Smith, Fergus McFadyen, Tyan Prindable
Footscray: Oskar Baker, Cooper Craig-Peters, Buku Khamis, Nick Coffield, Anthony Scott, Jordan Croft<\/p>\n
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Fergus McFadyen, Conor McKenna 3, Jack Manly, Brandon Ryan 2, Will McLachlan, Henry Smith
Footscray: Buku Khamis 4, Jordan Croft 3, Luca Muratore 2, David Cuningham, Cooper Hynes, Lachie Jaques, Josh Kellett, Luke Kennedy, Will Lewis, Laird Ramshaw, Anthony Scott<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Brisbane Lions: Reece Torrent 25, Luke Beecken 21, Darragh Joyce, Conor McKenna, Tyan Prindable 20
Footscray: Jedd Busslinger 28, Taylor Duryea 28, Nick Coffield 27, Cooper Craig-Peters 25, Anthony Scott 24<\/p>\n
GEELONG CATS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0.3\u00a0\u00a0 5.8\u00a0\u00a0 6.9\u00a0\u00a0 8.12 (60)
COLLINGWOOD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3.1\u00a0\u00a0 4.4\u00a0\u00a0 9.5\u00a0\u00a0 11.9 (75)<\/p>\n
Collingwood have moved four pounts clear inside the top six after getting the better of Geelong in the second half of their Saturday night clash at Mission Whitten Oval.<\/p>\n
The Pies kicked three goals to nil in the opening term but found themselves down by 10 points at the main break after a terrific second quarter from the Cats, which was led by Keighton Matofai-Forbes who booted two of his team\u2019s five goals for the term.<\/p>\n
Collingwood picked themselves up however, with a five-goal third term breaking the game open before the Magpies did what they needed to in the last to secure back-to-back wins.<\/p>\n
Returning to the side after two games at AFL level, Roan Steele might be in for a short VFL stint after kicking a goal in every quarter, while Brady Grey was enormous in the midfield with a season-high 37 disposals.<\/p>\n
Jed Bews and Ted Clohesy both impressed for the Cats, Toby Conway showed good signs in the ruck in his comeback game, while Patrick Kelly had a season-high 10 tackles.<\/p>\n
BEST
Geelong Cats: Jed Bews, Jhye Clark, Patrick Kelly, Tobyn Murray, Ted Clohesy, Toby Conway
Collingwood: Brady Grey, Oscar Steene, Roan Steele, Sam Glover, Harry Demattia, Joel Cochran<\/p>\n
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Oliver Henry, Keighton Matofai-Forbes 2, Lennox Hofmann, Tobyn Murray, Jay Polkinghorne, Oscar Pollock
Collingwood: Roan Steele 4, Liam Hude, Ash Johnson 2, Christian Algeri, Noah Howes, Harry Mahoney<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Ted Clohesy 31, Jed Bews 29, Jhye Clark 29, Xavier Ivisic 24, Patrick Retschko 24
Collingwood: Brady Grey 37, Harry DeMattia 28, Harry Mahoney 23, Wil Parker 23, Oscar Steene 20<\/p>\n
CASEY DEMONS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5.4\u00a0\u00a0 11.7\u00a0\u00a0 17.10\u00a0\u00a0 22.18 (150)
CARLTON\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2.3\u00a0\u00a0 3.3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5.4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6.6 (42)<\/p>\n
Carlton had no answers for a powerful Casey Demons outfit, who finished 108-point winners at Casey Fields.<\/p>\n
After starting the year with two thrillers, the Demons have since produced two triple-digit wins, as well as victories 94, 76 and 71 to boast the third-highest percentage in the league (133.9) despite sitting in 10th spot on the ladder.<\/p>\n
The Demons kicked no less than five goals in each quarter against the Blues on their way to producing their sixth score of 100 points or more in 2025, which helped them move one-game clear of 11th-placed North Melbourne<\/p>\n
Six Demons booted multiple goals, with Aidan Johnson leading all comers with five and Luker Kentfield kicking four to make it goals in four of his previous five matches.<\/p>\n
Riley Bonner had no problems finding the footy once again, finishing with 32 disposals and eight marks, while Jack Billings also bobbed up with a 32-disposal effort.<\/p>\n
For the Blues, who continued to lose touch with the top ten on the back of a second-straight loss, Oliver Warburton was a standout, kicking two of his team\u2019s six goals for the match.<\/p>\n
BEST
Casey Demons: Aidan Johnson, Mitch Hardie, Jack Billings, Jai Culley, Bailey Laurie, Deakyn Smith
Carlton: Oliver Warburton, Ethan Phillips, Harry Charleson, Cooper Vickery, Denver Grainger-Barras<\/p>\n
GOALS
Casey Demons: Aidan Johnson 5, Luker Kentfield 4, Mitch Hardie 3, Tom Campbell, Jack Ferraro, Harry Petty 2, Jack Billings, Jai Culley, Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott, Bailey Laurie
Carlton: Oliver Warburton 2, Denver Grainger-Barras, Dane Harvey, Harry Lemmey, Flynn Riley<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Casey Demons: Jack Billings 32, Riley Bonner 32, Mitch Hardie 26, Jai Culley 25, Deakyn Smith 25
Carlton: Billy Wilson 26, Harry Charleson 22, Will Hayes 22, Kristian Ferronato 21, Jordan Boyd 20, Ethan Phillips 20<\/p>\n
COBURG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.4\u00a0\u00a0 5.5\u00a0\u00a0 5.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10.9 (69)
WERRIBEE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3.0\u00a0\u00a0 7.2\u00a0\u00a0 11.7\u00a0\u00a0 13.11 (89)<\/p>\n
Werribee snapped a five-game losing streak to keep their slim hopes of defending their VFL premiership alive with a 20-point victory over Coburg at Barry Plant Park.<\/p>\n
The Tigers led from start to finish to put a major dent in the Lions\u2019 finals aspirations.<\/p>\n
Holding a nine-point advantage at the main break, the reigning premiers broke the game open with a four-goal to nil third term on their way to a crucial victory.<\/p>\n
Daly Andrews, Dom Brew and Jack Riding each finished with north of 30 disposals to help the visitors control the match, while club leading goal kicker Hudson Garoni produced multiple goals in a match for the first time since Round 13, finishing with 4.1 in a strong performance.<\/p>\n
Jack Bytel again led the way for the Lions with a terrific performance consisting of 27 disposals, six marks and eight tackles, while Mitch Podhajski jumped into second on the Jim \u2018Frosty\u2019 Miller Medal leaderboard after kicking four majors.<\/p>\n
BEST
Coburg: Donovan Toohey, Jack Bytel, Ryan Valentine, Kyle Weightman, Braedyn Gillard, Max Kennedy
Werribee: Daly Andrews, Jack Riding, Dom Brew, Liam Kershaw, Harrison Miller, Louis Pinnuck<\/p>\n
GOALS
Coburg: Mitch Podhajski 4, Kyle Weightman 3, Daniel Johnston, Max Kennedy, Max Thompson
Werribee: Hudson Garoni 4, Harry Miller 2, Daly Andrews, Harry Grintell, Angus Hicks, Wil Kliszewski, Myles McCluggage, Jack Riding, Reuben Rode<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Coburg: Jack Bytel 27, Donovan Toohey 25, Joel Trudgeon 24, Max Kennedy 20, Lachlan Walker 20
Werribee: Daly Andrews 34, Dom Brew 32, Jack Riding 32, Jake Smith 25, Emerson Jeka 20<\/p>\n
NORTHERN BULLANTS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1.3\u00a0\u00a0 5.5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6.5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10.9 (69)
FRANKSTON\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5.3\u00a0\u00a0 12.5\u00a0\u00a0 15.6\u00a0\u00a0 22.9 (141)<\/p>\n
The Northern Bullants\u2019 winning run came to a sudden halt after going down to Frankston in convincing fashion at Genis Steel Oval.<\/p>\n
Frankston\u2019s fourth-straight win came off the back of an excellent 12-goal opening half that put the game beyond doubt, with the Dolphins recording 31 scoring shots to produce their highest score of the season.<\/p>\n
It was the Corey Ellison show inside 50 for the Dolphins, as the star forward finished with 10.4 in an absolute dominant display. He also hauled in 11 marks as he had his way with the Bullants defence.<\/p>\n
Others to impress for Frankston included Tom Blamires (30 disposals), Blake O’Leary (29 disposals) and Bailey Lambert (two goals), with their efforts helping to propel the Dolphins into seventh spot ahead of a huge Saturday night clash with Collingwood at Kinetic Stadium in Round 18.<\/p>\n
Despite the heavy defeat, Patrick Fairlie was still able to back up his match-winning performance against Williamstown the week prior, finishing with 37 touches and six tackles for the Bullants.<\/p>\n
BEST
Northern Bullants: Patrick Fairlie, Jean-Luc Velissaris, Liam Mackie, Sam Donegan, Jaden Collins, Brody Glenn
Frankston: Corey Ellison, Blake O’Leary, Bailey Lambert, Tom Blamires, Harrison Coe, Jackson Voss<\/p>\n
GOALS
Northern Bullants: Brody Glenn 3, Jean-Luc Velissaris 2, Sam Donegan, Caleb Franks, John Jorgensen, Kaden Schreiber, Charlie Faubel
Frankston: Corey Ellison 10, Noah Gown, Matthew Johnson, Harrison Jones, Bailey Lambert 2, Nick Burke, Clayton Gay, George Grey, Blake O’Leary<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Northern Bullants: Patrick Fairlie 37, Jean-Luc Velissaris 31, Sam Donegan 25, Liam Mackie 18, Kane Emery 16
Frankston: Tom Blamires 30, Blake O\u2019Leary 29, Jackson Voss 22, Corey Ellison 21, Tom Murphy 18, Lachlan Riley 18<\/p>\n
WILLIAMSTOWN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3.2\u00a0\u00a0 7.3\u00a0\u00a0 12.3\u00a0\u00a0 13.4 (82)
BOX HILL HAWKS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4.4\u00a0\u00a0 6.7\u00a0\u00a0 8.11\u00a0\u00a0 13.14 (92)<\/p>\n
Leader-leaders the Box Hill Hawks made it six straight wins, but they had to come from 17 points down at three quarter time to achieve the feat in their first trip to DSV Stadium since 2018.<\/p>\n
Williamstown led for much of the opening three quarters and still held a 15-point lead at the 16-minute mark of the last quarter as the hunted desperately for a win in Jake Greiser\u2019s 150th match.<\/p>\n
However, Ned Reeves stood tall for the Hawks in a clutch 10-minute period, kicking 2.1, including the go-ahead goal at the 27-minute mark to help his side continue their winning ways.<\/p>\n
Reeves finished with three goals and 40 hitouts in his side\u2019s comeback triumph, while Luke Breust also kicked three important majors and Cam Mackenzie excelled with 27 disposals and five tackles.<\/p>\n
Greiser starred for the home side in his milestone game, Brodie McLaughlin maintained his goal kicking form with another three majors along with Lachie Gollant while Luke Parks was a rock in defence.<\/p>\n
BEST
Williamstown: Lachie Gollant, Jake Greiser, Jack Toner, Joel Fitzgerald, Luke Parks, Riley Collier-Dawkins
Box Hill Hawks: Ned Reeves, Jai Serong, Cam Mackenzie, Cody Anderson, Bodie Ryan, Henry Hustwaite<\/p>\n
GOALS
Williamstown: Lachie Gollant, Brody McLaughlin 3, Nathan Colenso 2, Jack Brown, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Heath Ollington, Max Philpot, Cam Polson
Box Hill Hawks: Luke Breust, Ned Reeves 3, Jai Serong 2, Cody Anderson, Trent Bianco, Matt Hill, Henry Hustwaite, Jasper Scaife<\/p>\n
LEADING DISPOSALS
Williamstown: Jake Greiser 25, Joel Fitzgerald 23, Luke Parks 22, Jack Toner 21, Riley Collier-Dawkins 19
Box Hill Hawks: Cam Mackenzie 28, Jai Serong 25, Bodie Ryan 23, Changkouth Jiath 22, Cody Anderson 20, Sam Butler 20, Henry Hustwaite 20<\/p>\n
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