All the teams for Round 20 in the Smithy’s VFL.
Two contenders for this year’s prized No.1 selection in the Telstra AFL Draft will strut their stuff in the Smithy’s VFL when Levi Ashcroft and Finn O’Sullivan debut for Brisbane Lions and Richmond respectively this weekend.
Ashcroft, 17, the second son of triple premiership champion Marcus Ashcroft, will play in the Lions’ must-win clash with GWS Giants at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday and O’Sullivan, 18, will hope to help the Tigers secure their finals berth against Sandringham at Swinburne Centre on Sunday.
Ashcroft, whose dad played in the Lions’ historic 2001-03 threepeat among his 318 AFL matches, committed to following older brother Will to the Gabba as a father-son selection on Wednesday and has long been earmarked to get a taste of VFL footy beforehand.
He has a lot to live up to – Will had 24 disposals on VFL debut in his 2022 draft year before following it up with a pair of 32-disposal, one-goal games, but his 27.3 and 25.5 averages for Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro this year suggests he has the class.
Youngster Luke Lloyd and former AFL-listed trio Daniel Lloyd, Kyle Dunkley and Will Martyn return to the Lions’ team in place of injured trip Brandon Ryan, Carter Michael and James Tunstill, who was knocked out in an accidental clash with umpire Jordan Fry last week.
Fry was cleared of serious injury but has been ruled out of officiating this week to allow him to recover fully.
Talented young ruckman Nick Madden comes in alongside Ryan Angwin and Joe Fonti for the Giants, who must win to keep their finals hopes alive after narrowly failing to run down Box Hill Hawks last week, with Lachie Keeffe playing his first AFL game of the year.
O’Sullivan entered this season on top of a lot of phantom draft boards but finger and hand injuries have slowed his progress and he has split his time between the Oakleigh Chargers, Vic Country, the Marsh AFL National Academy and Xavier College.
He isn’t the only bright prospect to debut at Swinburne Centre, with Richmond finally getting to select last year’s No.43 pick in key forward Liam Fawcett, who has finally overcome a season-long back injury to get on the park, with a Tigers’ win locking up the top 10 barring an upset win to GWS in Queensland.
Sandringham will also unveil two potential new Saints in father-son prospect Elwood Peckett, the son of 200-gamer Justin Peckett, after he kicked five goals for Dandenong Stingrays last week, as well as NGA eligible intercept defender Lennox Hofmann, who received a terrific 18th birthday present with his selection.
As well as O’Sullivan and Fawcett, the Tigers have also regained midfielders Jack Ross, Chad Harris and Cam Olden, ruckman Oliver Hayes-Brown and tall forward Archie May, but lose the promoted Jacob Bauer and injured Marlion Pickett.
The Zebras will have goalkicker Jack Hayes, backman Riley Bonner and mid-season pick Max Hall at their disposal, but in-form big man Max Heath is injured and Ben Paton and possible debutant Angus McLennan have been promoted.
Gold Coast has again rung the changes as it tries to bust back into the top six against Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday.
The Suns trail sixth-placed Southport, which has a bye, by a win and roughly 11 goals of percentage, so will be looking for a big win to close the gap before their respective home games against Casey Demons and North Melbourne in the last round.
AFL selection changes mean Ned Moyle, Brayden Fiorini and Joel Jeffrey return in place of Jed Walter, Jake Rogers and Connor Budarick, while Will Rowlands returns from a three-week suspension to replace Jy Farrar on top of a couple of Academy swaps.
The Bombers regain Northern Bullants mid-season draftee Saad El Hawli from his syndesmosis injury alongside Suns premiership player Jared Eckersley, with Will Setterfield and Ben Hobbs into the AFL team.
It’s brother for brother at Coburg, with Sandringham Dragons teenager Luke Kennedy to debut for his second VFL club this year when he replaces older brother Max in the Lions’ team for the Battle of Bell Street at Genis Steel Oval on Sunday.
The first Battle to be held at Preston since 2019 will be missing the in-form older Kennedy with a hand injury, with little bro, who played a game for Sandringham earlier this season, getting his chance alongside returning key defender Rhys Galvin and midfielder George Belcher, who is in for ankle victim Josh Watson.
Ruckman Max Johnson, defender Ryan Gardner and former Lion Harry Andronaco come in for the Bullants, who have lost Sam Donegan to a hamstring injury.
Frankston has changed two key forwards due to injury as it attempts to make its first finals berth since 2008 official, with Noah Gown (concussion) and Harrison Coe (back) sidelined with injury and being replaced by Lachie Sharp and Justin Davies.
A huge crowd is expected at Kinetic Stadium on Sunday, with the Dolphins needing to create history by beating Footscray for the first time – and the Bulldogs won’t be relaxing given they need a win to consolidate a top two spot – with their team boosted by James Harmes, Ryan Gardner and Kelsey Rypstra as Joel Freijah returns to the AFL.
Carlton has given a debut to star Victoria Country defender Tobie Travaglia for its daunting trip to GMHBA Stadium to take on Geelong on Saturday.
The Sandhurst product, 17, had a brilliant game in the National Championships decider against Vic Metro and will relish the chance to show those who haven’t seen him play just how good he is.
Corey Durdin and young VFL lister Patrick Dozzi also return to the Blues team as they try to overturn a 101-point loss to the Cats back in April, and although Caleb Marchbank (concussion) will miss, they will be helped by the Cats losing Brandan Parfitt and Mark O’Connor to injury and Oisin Mullin to promotion, with Ted Clohesy and Connor O’Sullivan returning alongside Kade Chalcraft and Tanner Lovell.
All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
Smithy’s VFL broadcast partner, the Seven Network, will broadcast select matches live and free on the Seven Network in Victoria and on 7plus nationally. This week’s broadcast match will be Frankston vs Footscray Bulldogs.
GEELONG CATS vs CARLTON
Saturday 10 August, 11:05am, GMHBA Stadium
Head-to-Head: Geelong 26-11-4; At GMHBA Stadium: Geelong 15-2-2; Streak: Geelong 2; Last Time: Geelong Cats 23.18 (156) def Carlton 8.7 (55) – April 27, 2024, IKON Park
GEELONG CATS
B: E. Borys (68)*, D. Capiron (50), O. Murdoch (31)
HB: C. O'Sullivan (14), E. Jeka (43), M. Herbert (62)
C: G. Stevens (15), M. Hardie (41), T. Clohesy (40)
HF: J. Sarcevic (52), P. Foster (19), J. Willis (20)
F: H. Lucas (82), K. Bradtke (48), J. Clark (13)
R: J. Furphy (37), T. Lewis (66), M. Knevitt (10)
INT: K. Chalcraft (58), T. White (63), P. Hughes (64), T. Lovell (78), L. Antonac (79)
EMG: L. Bond (60), T. Murray (61), T. Norton (67), W. Sheahan (72), R. Eyers (75), R. Hutchins (76), J. Pike (84)
IN: K. Chalcraft, T. Clohesy, T. Lovell, C. O'Sullivan
OUT: O. Mullin (AFL), M. O'Connor (knee), B. Parfitt (injured), R. Eyers
CARLTON
B: M. Lewis (58), D. Akuei (41), L. Young (33)
HB: B. Wilson (35), H. Ramshaw (51), R. Monahan (34)
C: Z. Maher (50), J. Binns (25), W. White (77)
HF: C. Durdin (19), L. Nelson (57), N. Cahill (54)
F: A. Moir (43), H. Lemmey (31), L. McMahon (52)
R: A. Mirkov (45), C. Lord (36), J. Carroll (16)
INT: T. Travaglia (75)*, P. Dozzi (53), A. Stevens (64), H. Nosiara (69), H. Gill (62)
EMG: B. Lambert (80), C. Verrell (71), K. Ferronato (63), D. Hogg (70), O. Badr (72), J. Lefroy (79), T. Sruk (61), L. Young (55)
IN: P. Dozzi, C. Durdin, T. Travaglia
OUT: C. Marchbank (concussion), L. Prout (unavailable), J. Lefroy
NEW: Tobie Travaglia, 17, 187cm, Sandhurst/Bendigo Pioneers
ESSENDON vs GOLD COAST SUNS
Saturday 10 August, 1:05pm, Windy Hill
Head-to-Head: Gold Coast 2-1; At Windy Hill: 1-1; Streak: Gold Coast 1; Last Time: Gold Coast 16.15 (111) def Essendon 14.9 (93) – June 22, 2024, People First Stadium
ESSENDON
B: T. Wanganeen (40), W. Hoare (51), L. Hayes (18)
HB: N. Hind (19), S. Weideman (10), M. Foley (73)
C: S. El Hawli (41), J. Hately (50), X. O'Neill (55)
HF: J. Davey (36), J. Peris (53), L. Lual (34)
F: V. Visentini (39), P. Wright (20), J. Eckersley (58)
R: T. Goldstein (17), E. Tsatas (5), A. Perkins (16)
INT: R. Brodie (60), C. Nyko (65), B. Scott (77), O. Smartt (83), J. Shanahan (66)*
EMG: S. McKay (80), J. Jedwab (68), J. Barrat (67)
IN: R. Brodie, J. Eckersley, S. El Hawli
OUT: B. Hobbs, W. Setterfield (AFL), S. McKay
GOLD COAST SUNS
B: S. Brock (45), N. Beikoff-Smart (56), S. Lemmens (23)
HB: Z. Evans (57), R. Atkins (2), J. Jeffery (40)
C: H. Oea (47), B. Fiorini (8), T. Berry (16)
HF: W. Rowlands (36), J. Mahony (42), L. Gulbin (61)
F: F. Gray (60), M. Rosas (41), S. Day (12)
R: N. Moyle (49), O. Faulkhead (37), D. Macpherson (44)
INT: N. Francis (64), L. Lombard (54), Z. O'Brien (63), Z. Millane (58)*, B. Moyle (59)
EMG: C. Nancarrow (53), F. Hay (51), J. Frawley (62)
IN: S. Day, B. Fiorini, N. Francis, J. Jeffrey, Z. Millane, N. Moyle, W. Rowlands
OUT: C. Budarick, J. Rogers, J. Walter (AFL), J. Farrar (personal), B. Addinsall, J. Frawley, D. Patterson
BRISBANE LIONS vs GWS GIANTS
Sunday 11 August, 11:05am, Brighton Homes Arena
Head-to-Head: Brisbane Lions 18-11-1; At BHA: Never Met; Streak: Brisbane Lions 2; Last Time: Brisbane Lions 23.19 (157) def GWS 11.8 (74) – April 22, 2023, Blacktown International Sportspark
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Z. Zakostelsky (21), J. Madden (14), N. Answerth (43)
HB: C. McKenna (26), T. Abberley (48), R. Torrent (36)
C: D. Roberston (2), J. Lyons (17), L. Ashcroft (10)*
HF: H. Sharp (22), W. McLachlan (42), D. Craven (50)
F: L. Lloyd (19), B. Richardson (60), J. Manly (62)
R: D. Fort (32), K. Dunkley (52), L. Beecken (47)
INT: W. Greenaway (53), W. Martyn (55), E. Macpherson (54), D. Lloyd (66), L. Hude (59)
EMG: B. Thomas (61), Z. Derksen (56), J. Budarick (51)
IN: L. Ashcroft, K. Dunkley, D. Lloyd, L. Lloyd, W. Martyn
OUT: C. Michael (quad), B. Ryan (injured), J. Tunstill (concussion), T. Gillett, S. Marshall
NEW: Levi Ashcroft, 17, 179cm, St Kilda City/Sandringham Dragons
GWS GIANTS
B: A. Kennedy (40), H. Montgomery (50), W. Derksen (45)
HB: J. Fonti (37), L. Aleer (21), N. Haynes (19)
C: J. Leake (30), R. Angwin (9), C. Stone (18)
HF: N. Wardius (42), J. Bowne (59), P. Gothard (29)
F: C. Brown (46), C. Bell (63)*, R. Hebron (47)
R: N. Madden (41), J. Wehr (10), M. Sheather (48)
INT: N. Quigg (54), J. Delana (64), J. Creighton (51), B. Galimberti (62), L. Smith (55)
EMG: S. House, T. McCaffrey, D. Gauci, J. Rush, K. Gabila, W. Clark, E. Williams
IN: R. Angwin, J. Fonti, N. Madden
OUT: L. Keeffe (AFL), M. Harms, C. Hilton
RICHMOND vs SANDRINGHAM
Sunday 11 August, 11:05am, Swinburne Centre
Head-to-Head: Richmond 8-7; At Swinburne Centre: 3-3; Streak: Sandringham 1; Last Time: Sandringham 20.14 (134) def Richmond 3.6 (24) – May 19, 2024, WSTBBO)
RICHMOND
B: M. El Nour (57), J. Blight (51), T. Brindley (61)
HB: T. McCarthy (76), C. Harris (54), J. Garner (53)
C: A. Johnson (70), J. Ross (5), L. George (67)
HF: M. Coulthard (26), J. Smith (63), M. Rioli (10)
F: N. Cumberland (38), S. Davidson (73), L. Fawcett (37)
R: O. Hayes-Brown (47), T. Sonsie (40), K. McAuliffe (28)
INT: N. Guiney (62), M. Yassine (65), C. Olden (58), A. May (71), F. O'Sullivan (78)*
EMG: R. Cantwell (68), J. Pollocks (79), L. Wilson (82)
IN: L. Fawcett, C. Harris, O. Hayes-Brown, A. May, C. Olden, F. O'Sullivan, J. Ross
OUT: J. Bauer (AFL), M. Pickett (hamstring), R. Cantwell, M. Clarkson, J. Pollocks, H. White, L. Wilson
NEW: Liam Fawcett, 19, 197cm, Pooraka/Central District; Finn O’Sullivan, 18, 182cm, Koroit/Oakleigh Chargers
SANDRINGHAM
B: Z. Cordy (21), E. Peckett (77), L. O'Connell (45)
HB: R. Bonner (36), A. Hastie (24), A. Seaton (50)
C: D. Hipwell (51), B. Watson (70), T. Blamires (53)
HF: M. Allison (30), P. Dow (15), H. Hall-Kahan (55)
F: H. Garcia (34), V. Zagari (58), O. Hotton (37)
R: J. Hayes (18), O. Lowe (59), M. Hall (43)
INT: I. Keeler (17), T. Campbell (38), L. Hofmann (63)*, A. Cole (65), A. Schoenmaker (27)
EMG: B. Welsh (77), L. Ryan (76), Le. Young (64), W. Brown (54), J. Docking (85), L. Macnab (66), S. Latreille (67), T. O'Leary (60)
IN: R. Bonner, M. Hall, J. Hayes, L. Hofmann, E. Peckett
OUT: A. McLennan, B. Paton (AFL), M. Heath (injured), T. O'Leary, S. Latreille
NEW: Lennox Hofmann, 18 yesterday, 190cm, St Kilda City/Old Brighton/Sandringham Dragons; Elwood Peckett, 18, 187cm, Bonbeach/Dandenong Stingrays
FRANKSTON vs FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
Sunday 11 August, 12:00pm, Kinetic Stadium
Head-to-Head: Footscray 7-0; At Kinetic: Footscray 6-0; Streak: Footscray 7; Last Time: Footscray 15.10 (100) def Frankston 12.9 (81) – June 10, 2023, Kinetic Stadium
FRANKSTON
B: T. Milne (15), K. Stainthorpe (29), T. Barlow (3)
HB: J. Lloyd (18), J. Smith (25), B. O'Leary (10)
C: G. Grey (6), J. Newnes (14), N. Burke (17)
HF: T. Murphy (5), L. Sharp (47), T. Mynott (12)
F: J. Butland (8), J. Davies (35), M. Johnson (24)
R: A. Grant (19), L. Riley (21), S. Quirk (11)
INT: J. Stern (33), O. Moran (28), J. Voss (13), T. Campbell-Farrell (26), L. Reidy (2)
EMG: R. Jacobs (23), J. Burton (40), W. Kennedy (27), M. Nelson (32)
IN: J. Davies, L. Sharp
OUT: H. Coe (back), N. Gown (concussion)
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
B: H. Gallagher (12), L. Smith (40), R. Gardner (43)
HB: T. Bianco (58), D. Bedendo (26), J. Macrae (11)
C: C. Owen (62), A. Jones (32), C. Clarke (8)
HF: C. Craig-Peters (61), J. Busslinger (5), K. Rypstra (41)
F: J. Harmes (22), J. O'Donnell (18), R. Sanders (9)
R: A. Keath (42), L. Cleary (36), O. Baker (13)
INT: D. Orgill (50), J. Gilbee (69), E. Hunt (56), J. Kellett (57), J. Sparkman (51)*
EMG: C. Smith (55), C. Hargraves (72), T. Maple (65), B. Young (67)
IN: R. Gardner, J. Harmes, K. Rypstra
OUT: J. Freijah (AFL), C. Hargraves, C. Smith
NORTHERN BULLANTS vs COBURG
Sunday 11 August, 2:05pm, Genis Steel Oval
Head-to-Head: Northern Bullants 81-76-3; At Genis Steel Oval: Northern Bullants 46-32-1; Streak: Coburg 1; Last Time: Coburg 10.12 (72) def Northern Bullants 8.11 (59) – June 23, 2024, Genis Steel Oval
NORTHERN BULLANTS
B: F. Dreher (20), W. Wallace (12), M. King (10)
HB: E. Mantas (28), J. Chubb (44), J. Hamilton (15)
C: L. Mackie (4), P. Fairlie (45), T. Waack (47)
HF: M. Goodman (16), H. Grace (26), C. Kosmas (39)
F: J. Jorgensen (1), W. Elliott (6), H. Andronaco (35)
R: M. Johnson (33), J. Velissaris (3), R. McKenzie (42)
INT: S. Gilbert (43), K. Emery (30), C. Franks (13), R. Barry (46), R. Gardner (7)
EMG: I. Barry (40), C. McPherson (32), W. Wuol (19)
IN: H. Andronaco, R. Gardner, M. Johnson
OUT: S. Donegan (hamstring), I. Barry , W. Wuol
COBURG
B: G. Belcher (34), J. Corigliano (2), J. May (20)
HB: D. Kalpakis (38), L. Walker (25), L. Serong (17)
C: M. Thompson (42), R. Sturgess (9), R. Galvin (37)
HF: B. Gillard (11), J. D'Intinosante (7), B. Crick (41)`F: M. Podhajski (10), C. Ernst (40), D. Laurie (27)
R: C. Keogh (29), J. Trudgeon (18), F. Gentile (4)
INT: C. Beasley (8), H. Brown (22), D. Toohey (33), K. Weightman (26), L. Kennedy (46)
EMG: L. Bailey (1), T. McKenzie (3), I. Dammersmith (15), H. Nolan (6), B. Thomson (35), B. Cameron (13)
IN: G. Belcher, R. Galvin, L. Kennedy
OUT: M. Kennedy (hand), J. Watson (ankle), S. Grant
NEW: Luke Kennedy, 17, 180cm, Ormond/Sandringham Dragons/Sandringham
*denotes 23rd player
UMPIRES
SYDNEY SWANS vs COLLINGWOOD
FIELD: 10. Chris Brackenrig, 16. Joe O’Brien, 48. Brad Stewart. BOUNDARY: Sam Button, Ben Duce, Scott Hansford, Charlie Powell. GOAL: Nick Ford, Alex Strassberg.
GEELONG CATS vs CARLTON
FIELD: 1. Andrew Talbot, 8. Nick Scott, 19. Cam Williams. BOUNDARY: Adam Bell, Harry Bell, Lachlan Higgs, Greta Miller. GOAL: Brendan Moloney, Nelson Tucker.
ESSENDON vs GOLD COAST SUNS
FIELD: 2. Lachlan Coyne, 14. Luke Porter, 18. Jack Howard. BOUNDARY: John Cooper, Anthony Laughton, Madeleine Lum, Zach Mousaco. GOAL: Georgie Henderson, Jack Stammers.
BRISBANE LIONS vs GWS GIANTS
FIELD: 4. Sam Whetton, 11. Cam Manthey, 54. Jake Edgar. BOUNDARY: Ryan Hickey, Jacob Hudson, Ronin Mahony, Adrian Pretorius. GOAL: Zach Mabb, Darcie Rehbein.
RICHMOND vs SANDRINGHAM
FIELD: 13. Shamus Dundon, 31. Paul Rebeschini, 35. Peter Bailes, 40. Harry Birch. BOUNDARY: Wade Anderson, Lachlan Perdon, Lewis Spiker, Jesse Wilkie. GOAL: James Rizio, John Varker.
FRANKSTON vs FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
FIELD: 9. Seb Dalgleish, 23. Sam Ferguson, 24. Matt Mahoney. BOUNDARY: Kyle Fisher, Corey Malcolm, Lachlan Menara, Dan Urbans. GOAL: Brad Kellett, Luke Monea.
NORTHERN BULLANTS vs COBURG
FIELD: 26. Jordyn Pearson, 33. Kyle van Raay, 41. Tom Lyon. BOUNDARY: Sam Beer, Josh Blain, Jake D’Angelo, Dom Schiliro. GOAL: Matt Edwards, Emma Young.
