{"id":26245,"date":"2025-07-28T00:51:26","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T00:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/26245\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T00:51:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T00:51:26","slug":"sydney-forward-lays-claim-for-afl-debut-as-draft-fancies-dominate-reserves-vfl-wrap-round-18-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/26245\/","title":{"rendered":"Sydney forward lays claim for AFL debut as draft fancies dominate reserves: VFL Wrap \u2013 Round 18 – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

A Sydney livewire could be handed an AFL<\/a> debut after dominating in the reserves.<\/p>\n

Multiple draft prospects featured in the reserves over the weekend, with some staking their claims for the coveted top pick.<\/p>\n

A Bulldogs swingman is proving valuable up forward with another bag of goals.<\/p>\n

Read up on all the best performers from Round 18 of the 2025 season…<\/p>\n

Byes: Box Hill Hawks<\/a>, Carlton and Port Melbourne Borough<\/a><\/p>\n

GWS (71) def. by Sydney (99)<\/p>\n

Sydney draftee Jesse Dattoli<\/a> is nearing an AFL<\/a> debut after kicking three goals from 16 touches as the Swans claimed bragging rights over their younger brother.<\/p>\n

Corey Warner<\/a> impressed through the midfield, gathering 28 possessions and six tackles, while Peter Ladhams<\/a> and William Green both hit the scoreboard from the ruck.<\/p>\n

Veterans Taylor Adams<\/a> and Robbie Fox<\/a> are making their way back to full strength, while Oiver Florent, Riley Bice<\/a> and Ben Paton<\/a> were significant contributors.<\/p>\n

\"DoGWS Giants<\/a>‘ Max Gruzewski<\/a> (Image: GWS Giants<\/a> Twitter)<\/p>\n

Giants forward Max Gruzewski<\/a> slotted five goals to continue applying pressure to his fellow teammates in the senior side.<\/p>\n

Josh Fahey<\/a> and Jacob Wehr<\/a> found plenty of the ball, combining for 56 touches, 14 tackles and nine clearances.<\/p>\n

Gold Coast (73) def. by Brisbane (82)<\/p>\n

Lions ruckman Henry Smith<\/a> has shown there is life after Oscar McInerney<\/a> after dominating in the VFL, recording 21 touches, 23 hit-outs, 10 marks and six tackles.<\/p>\n

Draft prospect Daniel Annable dominated with 28 possessions, four clearances and a goal as Keidean Coleman<\/a>, Tom Doedee<\/a> and Sam Day<\/a> continue their progress from injury.<\/p>\n

Suns veteran David Swallow<\/a> led the club for clearances with nine after amassing 28 disposals, while small forward Jake Rogers<\/a> was busy with 22 touches and nine tackles.<\/p>\n

\"TheGold Coast Academy talent and draft prospect Jed Walter<\/a> (Image by Rookie Me Central)<\/p>\n

Dropped forward Jed Walter<\/a> responded with two goals, as cricketer-turned-footballer Zak Evans<\/a> slotted three.<\/p>\n

Fellow draft prospect Zeke Uwland also featured.<\/p>\n

Southport Sharks (112) def. Williamstown Seagulls (90)<\/p>\n

A four-goal effort from former Sun now Shark Hewago Oea proved the difference in the tight contest with Williamstown.<\/p>\n

Zac Foot<\/a> bobbed up with three majors to go with his 25 possessions and eight marks, while Boyd Woodcock<\/a> was dominant through the midfield.<\/p>\n

\"SSPCANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – JULY 23: Hewago Oea of the Suns warms up before the round 19 AFL<\/a> match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Gold Coast Suns<\/a> at Manuka Oval, on July 23, 2023, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan\/AFL<\/a> Photos\/via Getty Images )<\/p>\n

Ruckman Brayden Crossley<\/a> recorded 41 hit-outs, which Jacob Dawson<\/a> benefited from, amassing 12 clearances and 25 touches.<\/p>\n

Seagulls forward Brodie McLaughlin<\/a>‘s form continues after another five-goal performance.<\/p>\n

Ex-Swan Hugo Hall-Kahan<\/a> was arguably the visitor’s best, collecting 29 possessions, eight marks, six clearances and two goals.<\/p>\n

Toby Triffet and Jake Greiser were equally influential.<\/p>\n

Essendon (32) def. by Footscray Bulldogs (95)<\/p>\n

A switch forward for Buku Khamis<\/a> has reaped many rewards as the utility slotted five goals in the big win over Essendon.<\/p>\n

Josh Dolan<\/a> had an almost day, kicking 1.4, while veterans James Harmes<\/a> (28 possessions, seven clearances and five tackles) and Liam Jones<\/a> (17 touches and 12 marks) were a class above.<\/p>\n

MSD prospect Michael Sellwood<\/a> was impressive across half back, while Sam Davidson<\/a>‘s powerful running was on show.<\/p>\n

\"TrioPERTH, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Buku Khamis<\/a> of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the round 11 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles<\/a> and the Western Bulldogs<\/a> at Optus Stadium on May 28, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Not many highlights from the Bombers in this contest, but emerging ruckman Vigo Visentini<\/a> battled willfully all day.<\/p>\n

Ex-Eagle Xavier O’Neill<\/a> was impressive with 29 disposals, eight marks, seven tackles and a goal.<\/p>\n

Werribee Tigers (53) def. by Richmond (99)<\/p>\n

Jacob Blight<\/a> was thrown into the ruck for Richmond to good effect, collecting 21 touches, 24 hit-outs and five marks in the strong victory.<\/p>\n

Harry Armstrong<\/a> slotted two goals as he looks to return to the senior side, while Josh Gibcus<\/a> also swung forward for a major.<\/p>\n

VFL-listed players Joel Garner<\/a> (18 touches, 12 tackles and six clearances) and Lachlan Street (20 possessions, 11 clearances and five tackles) were immense in the win.<\/p>\n

Sam Conway’s 60 hit-out performance saw his stat sheet full, while also adding 12 clearances, 18 disposals and a goal.<\/p>\n

\"RichmondJosh Gibcus<\/a> during Richmond’s open training on December 20, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes\/Zero Digital Sports)<\/p>\n

Jack Riding also had himself a big putting, amassing 35 touches, seven marks, seven tackles, six clearances and a goal.<\/p>\n

Dom Brew was his usual dominant self for Werribee, as Hudson Garoni was the sole shining light up forward with four goals.<\/p>\n

Frankston Dolphins (106) def. Collingwood (70)<\/p>\n

Dolphins forward Corey Ellison and Harrison Jones<\/a> both contributed four goals each in the 36-point win over Collingwood.<\/p>\n

Tom Blamires recorded a whopping 44 possessions along with six tackles and four clearances.<\/p>\n

Thomas Murphy<\/a> and Jackson Voss both had plenty of football, while Alex McComb contributed two goals.<\/p>\n

\"AttentionMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 16: Billy Frampton<\/a> of the Magpies marks the ball during a Collingwood Magpies<\/a> AFL training session at AIA Centre on December 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Pies fans were privy to seeing some familiar faces as Jordan De Goey<\/a>, Bobby Hill<\/a>, Billy Frampton<\/a> and Finlay Macrae<\/a> featured in the reserves.<\/p>\n

Hill kicked three goals as De Goey collected 19 touches.<\/p>\n

Macrae was arguably Collingwood’s best with 29 possessions and five tackles, while ruck duo Mason Cox<\/a> and Oscar Steene<\/a> combined brilliantly in the loss.<\/p>\n

Casey Demons (123) def. Sandringham Zebras (60)<\/p>\n

Matthew Jefferson<\/a> will rue the chances he missed (2.5) for the Demons as his club ran riot on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Harry Sharp<\/a>‘s five-goal performance will definitely put him in consideration for a senior recall, while Jack Billings<\/a>‘ 36 touches and two majors were a notable effort.<\/p>\n

\"10PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Willem Duursma of VIC Country kicks the ball during the Marsh AFL National Championships match between U18 Boys Western Australia and Victoria Country at Revo Fitness Stadium on June 29, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Draft prospect Willem Duursma pulled on the boots for Casey, gathering 17 touches and 10 marks in the heavy win.<\/p>\n

Kalani White also featured but was much quieter.<\/p>\n

Tobie Travaglia<\/a> gathered 31 possessions for the Saints, and also took six marks as he looks to return to Ross Lyon<\/a>‘s side.<\/p>\n

Ruckman Max Heath<\/a> was impressive, registering 11 clearances, 24 touches and 19 hit-outs, while Paddy Dow<\/a> benefited from his work.<\/p>\n

North Melbourne (102) def. by Geelong (104)<\/p>\n

A late Tobyn Murray goal for Geelong gave the Cats an important victory over North Melbourne in a Sunday shoot-out.<\/p>\n

Jay Polkinghorne<\/a> led the way with three goals, while Jhye Clark<\/a>, Oliver Henry<\/a>, Oliver Wiltshire<\/a> and Xavier Ivisic<\/a> all kicked two.<\/p>\n

\"GEELONG,GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 19: Lawson Humphries<\/a> and George Stevens<\/a> of the Cats train during a Geelong Cats<\/a> AFL training session at GMHBA Stadium on February 19, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

George Stevens<\/a> dominated in the midfield with 12 clearances, as did project ruckman Toby Conway<\/a>. Ted Clohesy<\/a>‘s performance also would have pleased coach Chriss Scott.<\/p>\n

Kangaroos youngsters Geordie Payne<\/a> and Matt Whitlock<\/a> both kicked four goals to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Cooper Trembath<\/a> slotted three.<\/p>\n

George Wardlaw<\/a> featured again in the reserves, amassing 19 possessions, 12 tackles and five clearances.<\/p>\n

Zac Fisher<\/a> and Bailey Scott<\/a> were relatively quiet in the narrow loss.<\/p>\n

Northern Bullants (70) def. by Coburg Lions (85)<\/p>\n

Kyle Weightman’s three-goal effort proved to be the difference as the Lions held on to win by 15 points over the Bullants.<\/p>\n

Donovan Toohey (30 possessions and six marks) and Joel Trudgeon (29 touches, nine clearances, seven tackles and a goal) were immense, as were Flynn Gentile and ex-Pie Jack Bytel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jesse Corigliano and Mitch Podhajski both bobbed up with two majors.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n

Inaccuracy from Caleb Franks and Will Elliott prevented Northern from claiming the win, but they weren’t without impressive performers.<\/p>\n

Jean-Luc Velissaris was a strong contributor, as was Sam Donegan, who kicked two goals from 31 disposals.<\/p>\n

Patrick Fairlie amassed a whopping 39 touches and nine clearances in the close defeat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Sydney livewire could be handed an AFL debut after dominating in the reserves. Multiple draft prospects featured…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":26246,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-26245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26245"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26245\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}