A review of all the action from Round 1 of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season.
CARLTON 4.1, 4.3 6.4 12.4 (76)
BOX HILL HAWKS 4.6, 6.8 9.11 11.14 (80)
BOX Hill Hawks saw off a determined comeback from Carlton to hang on for a four-point win in a quality opening to the Smithy’s VFL season at IKON Park on Friday night.
The Hawks gradually worked their way into a strong position and looked like cruising to victory when the otherwise quiet Hawthorn champion Luke Breust kicked his third goal in 15 minutes to give his team a commanding 32-point advantage midway through the last quarter.
The Blues came to life, slamming on five majors in nine minutes to draw within a kick with three minutes still to play when new captain Liam McMahon slotted his fourth goal in an impressive start to the year.
And they may well have found a way to win, but Box Hill’s experienced heads managed to pull themselves together and shut the contest down between the arcs.
New recruit Trent Bianco was best afield for the Hawks with outstanding support from Henry Hustwaite and the returning Ethan Stanley, while Kye Declase slotted in well in his first Box Hill and 99th VFL game.
Former Hawk Ethan Phillips starred in defence for Carlton with 10 marks, finding support from Jordan Boyd and Cooper Vickery.
The evergreen Will Hayes had another prolific game, Darcy Hogg had one of his best games at VFL level and Ben Camporeale enjoyed a strong display on debut, coming on after half-time to pick up 13 disposals, four marks and four tackles.
BEST
Carlton: Ethan Phillips, Darcy Hogg, Jordan Boyd, Cooper Vickery, Flynn Riley, Francis Evans
Box Hill Hawks: Trent Bianco, Henry Hustwaite, Seamus Mitchell, Max Ramsden, Kye Declase, Jai Serong
GOALS
Carlton: Liam McMahon 4, Oliver Badr, Darcy Hogg, Ashton Moir 2, Harrison Lemmey, Will White
Box Hill Hawks: Luke Breust 3, Jake Arundell, Max Ramsden 2, Matthew Hill, Callum Porter, Corey Preston, Jasper Scaife
LEADING DISPOSALS
Carlton: Will Hayes 31, Jordan Boyd 23, Ethan Phillips 22
Box Hill Hawks: Trent Bianco 31, Henry Hustwaite 30, Kye Declase 25
DETAILS: Friday 21 March at IKON Park
BRISBANE LIONS 4.2 7.5 12.8 16.10 (106)
PORT MELBOURNE 2.3 5.5 8.12 11.15 (81)
BRISBANE Lions got their campaign off to a strong start with a 25-point win over a new-look Port Melbourne at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday.
The Borough have copped some bad defeats in their seemingly regular Round 1 trips interstate but took the contest right up to the early premiership favourites, taking a lead early in the second quarter and being within 12 points at the main break as they won the hitout, clearance and inside-50 counts.
And when the Lions kicked five of the first six goals of the third quarter to break out to a 33-point advantage in the 24th minute, Port was able to respond, kicking the next three to draw within 15 points nine minutes into the last term.
But that would be as close as it got as the Lions steadied four majors in quick succession to put the contest to bed and protect their home fortress.
James Tunstill put in a powerful display that featured 17 contested possessions among 31 touches, while Academy draftee Sam Marshall and recruit Charlie Offermans also impressed and regular AFL defender Darcy Gardiner enjoyed a run up forward with three goals.
Paddy Farrant was terrific for the Borough in his first game since crossing from Collingwood, finishing with a round-high five goals from eight kicks.
He capped off the outstanding work of North Melbourne signing Charlie Lazzaro, captain Harvey Hooper and Josh Green at the coalface, while superstar addition Dyson Heppell had 21 touches on VFL debut in what was Jimmy Miller and Matt Signorello’s 100th State league games.
BEST
Brisbane Lions: James Tunstill, Charlton Offermans, Darcy Gardiner, Darcy Craven, Darcy Fort, Zane Zakostelsky
Port Melbourne: Harvey Hooper, Charlie Lazzaro, Patrick Farrant, Riley Polkinghorne, Tom Highmore, Thomas Hird
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Darcy Gardiner 3, Darcy Craven, James Tunstill 2, Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds, Ty Gallop, Wyatt Greenaway, Jack Manly, Fergus McFadyen, Charlton Offermans, Brandon Ryan, Henry Smith, Benjamin Thomas
Port Melbourne: Patrick Farrant 5, Drew Lloyd 2, Josh Green, Charlie Lazzaro, Archi Manton, Jimmy Miller
LEADING DISPOSALS
Brisbane Lions: James Tunstill 31, Sam Marshall 24, Charlton Offermans 22
Port Melbourne: Charlie Lazzaro 28. Riley Polkinghorne 23, Harvey Hooper 22
DETAILS: Saturday 22 March at Brighton Homes Arena
COLLINGWOOD 2.0 3.3 9.3 13.6 (84)
SYDNEY SWANS 0.3 2.4 5.8 8.11 (59)
COLLINGWOOD outlasted Sydney by 25 points in an error-riddled match dominated by poor forward entries at Victoria Park.
Magpies Billy Frampton and Charlie Dean and their Swans counterparts Aaron Francis and Will Edwards did as they pleased in defence in the first half as both teams bombed the ball forward with no system, leading to just five goals being kicked in perfect conditions.
Francis in particular had 18 disposals and seven marks at the main break to keep Sydney in the contest.
However, Collingwood worked its system out at the main break and managed to avoid Francis a lot better, holding him to just eight touches and one mark in the second half as it took control.
The Magpies slammed on six straight goals to 3.4 in the third quarter to make their decisive break, taking their opportunities as the Swans botched theirs, and the home team was able to cruise to the line.
Goulburn Valley league debutants Riley Mason and Max Mahoney enjoyed wonderful steps up to the higher level, the former booting a crucial 4.0 and the latter buzzing around and causing plenty of headaches with his 17 disposals, seven marks and a goal.
Ed Allan and Lachie Sulliivan put their hands up for AFL recalls with strong performances for Collingwood, Allan in particular crucial with 12 possessions in the match-winning third quarter.
Sydney had no trouble winning the ball. Caiden Cleary starred in his first game of the year with 37 touches and new captain Nick Shipley racked up 35, with the duo combining for 31 contested possessions.
Ben Paton also won a heap of the ball and Jack Buller looked dangerous up forward but let himself down with 1.3.
BEST
Collingwood: Billy Frampton, Charlie Dean, Ed Allan, Riley Mason, Brady Grey, Iliro Smit
Sydney Swans: Caiden Cleary, Aaron Francis, Nicholas Shipley, Max Geddes, Benjamin Paton, Will Edwards
GOALS
Collingwood: Riley Mason 4, Harry Mahoney, Charlie West 2, Edward Allan, Will Hayes, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Max Mahoney, Joshua Tovey
Sydney Swans: Thomas Longmire 2, Ned Bowman, Jack Buller, Jack Kluske, Matty Lloyd, Willem Smit, James Tidemann
LEADING DISPOSALS
Collingwood: Ed Allan 31, Lachlan Sullivan 23, Wil Parker 21
Sydney Swans: Caiden Cleary 37, Nicholas Shipley 35, Ben Paton 32
DETAILS: Saturday 22 March at Victoria Park
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 1.6 2.9 8.9 13.11 (89)
WERRIBEE 1.2 4.7 5.9 10.11 (71)
STAR Southport recruit Sam Lowson’s season is over after the gun small forward suffered a torn ACL in first quarter of the Sharks’ tense 18-point victory over Werribee in the Grand Final rematch at Fankhauser Reserve.
Lowson had three early touches and kicked a goal before his knee buckled in a tackle from Louis Pinnuck, with scans revealing the horrible news.
Southport was able to put Lowson’s injury behind him to break its hoodoo of never having beaten Werribee at Fankhauser and gain the smallest modicum of satisfaction.
Despite there being 18 players between the two teams who did not play in last year’s premiership decider, the match followed a similar path to the Grand Final with high pressure and skill errors making for a scrappy first half of momentum swings.
The intensity lifted again in the third quarter and the teams traded a goal each until the Sharks finally broke it open with five goals in 13 minutes and a sixth from best afield Zac Foot at the start of the last to move 24 points in front.
Werribee lifted on the back of Bior Malual and Dom Brew, hitting back with five of the next six goals to draw within a point at the 15-minute mark, but unlike the Grand Final, Southport was able to steady and goals to Hugh Dixon, Mike Manteit and Foot sealed the Sharks’ first victory over Werribee at Fankhauser Reserve.
Foot’s four second-half goals were the decisive contribution, but Southport’s biggest stars were also on fire, with Brayden Crossley running rampant in the ruck and giving first use to Jacob Dawson and Boyd Woodcock. Meanwhile, West Adelaide recruit Josh Gore impressed with three goals and defenders Nick Williams and Matt McGuinness had the better of their opponents.
Brady Wright had an eye-catching debut for the Tigers with five marks and three goals. There were also strong performances from fellow recruit Ryan Eyers and Malual, while Jake Smith, Brew and Jack Riding worked hard around the footy,
BEST
Southport Sharks: Zac Foot, Jacob Dawson, Nick Williams, Joshua Gore, Wylie Buzza, Matt McGuinness
Werribee: Brady Wright, Ryan Eyers, Bior Malual, Harry Grintell, Flynn Young, Jake Smith
GOALS
Southport Sharks: Zac Foot 4, Joshua Gore 3, Brock Aston, Wylie Buzza, Jacob Dawson, Hugh Dixon, Sam Lowson, Michael Manteit
Werribee: Brady Wright 3, Bior Malual, Flynn Young 2, Zac Banch, Hudson Garoni, Jake Smith
LEADING DISPOSALS
Southport Sharks: Jacob Dawson 35, Boyd Woodcock 25; Michael Manteit 22; Werribee: Jack Riding 28, Dom Brew 26, Jake Smith 24
DETAILS: Saturday 22 March at Fankhauser Reserve
ESSENDON 2.2 7.5 9.7, 14.10 (94)
WILLIAMSTOWN 2.4 4.6 11.9 12.11 (83)
ESSENDON produced a magnificent last-quarter salvo to overrun Williamstown by 11 points at the NEC Hangar and get its season off to the perfect start.
The Seagulls are expected to be a major player in the premiership race this season, and they looked like securing a comfortable victory when they slammed on six out of seven goals from the eighth minute of the third quarter to turn an 18-point deficit into a 14-point lead turning for home with all the momentum.
But Cam Nyko kicked two majors in two minutes early in the last term to spark the Bombers on a five-goal run to re-establish their lead and Brodie McLaughlin’s second goal in the dying stages wasn’t enough to save the visitors.
Recruit Tyler Sellers booted three goals before the main break, while debutant tall Kayle Gerreyn and Nyko also nailed three, but it was key defender Lewis Hayes who really stood out in plucking 16 marks on his way to 27 disposals.
New signing Hugo Hall-Kahan impressed for Williamstown with 25 touches and 10 entries, Tom Downie worked hard in the ruck against Todd Goldstein, key back Fin O’Dwyer was hard to get past and Nathan Colenso kicked three goals.
BEST
Essendon: Cameron Nyko, Lewis Hayes, Angus Clarke, Jared Eckersley, Tyler Sellers, Jayden Nguyen
Williamstown: Nathan Colenso, Tom Downie, Finn O’Dwyer, Jack Toner, Jake Greiser, Hugo Hall-Kahan
GOALS
Essendon: Kayle Gerreyn, Cam Nyko, Tyler Sellars 3, Archer Day-Wicks, Jared Eckersley, Luamon Lual, Jack Peris, Rhys Unwin
Williamstown: Nathan Colenso 3, Brodie McLaughlin 2, Noah Gadsby, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Lucas Impey, Jack Noonan, Jovan Petric, Cameron Polson, Jack Toner
LEADING DISPOSALS:
Essendon: Jackson Hately 29, Lewis Hayes 27, Xavier O’Neill 25
Williamstown: Hugo Hall-Kahan 25, James Cousins 24, Luke Parks 19
DETAILS: Saturday 22 March at NEC Hangar
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 2.3 9.9 16.12 22.16 (148)
NORTHERN BULLANTS 1.2 2.3 2.4 3.4 (22)
FOOTSCRAY flexed its ample muscle lay down an early 2025 marker with a 126-point thumping of the Northern Bullants at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs were challenged early, leading by just seven points at the 12-minute mark of the second quarter as the Bullants threw everything at them.
However, Connor Smith’s goal opened the floodgates and the home team piled on six more goals before half-time and another 13 to one in the second half.
Luca Muratore had a sparkling debut for Footscray with 15 disposals and four goals, matched by fellow youngsters Diesel Moloney and Jordan Croft, while Chan Hargraves added three.
They cashed in on the dominance of ruckman Lachlan Smith, draftee Luke Kennedy, skipper Dan Orgill and gutsy midfielder Cooper Craig-Peters further up the ground.
Jean-Luc Velissaris, Josh Hamilton and Caleb Franks never gave up for the Bullants, who actually won clearances 40-35, but Footscray’s system was simply too strong for a team missing coach Rohan Welsh, with Rocky Iannello standing in for the unwell boss.
BEST
Footscray Bulldogs: Luca Muratore, Lachlan Smith, Josh Kellett, Cooper Craig-Peters, Luke Kennedy, Caleb Poulter
Northern Bullants: Jean-Luc Velissaris, Liam Mackie, Joshua Hamilton, Will Elliott, Patrick Fairlie, Kaden Schreiber
GOALS
Footscray Bulldogs: Jordan Croft, Diesel Moloney, Luca Muratore 4, Chan Hargraves 3, Phoenix Spicer 2, Cooper Hynes, William Lewis, Caleb Poulter, Connor Smith, Lachlan Smith
Northern Bullants: Patrick Fairlie, Sam Green, Josh Hamilton
LEADING DISPOSALS
Footscray Bulldogs: DanOrgill 30, Luke Kennedy 29, Cooper Craig-Peters 28
Northern Bullants: Jean-Luc Velissaris 30, Josh Hamilton 27, Caleb Franks 27
DETAILS: Saturday 22 March at Mission Whitten Oval
CASEY DEMONS 2.9 3.11 6.13 10.16 (76)
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 4.4 7.7 11.10 (76)
CASEY Demons and North Melbourne were both left to wonder what might have been for different reasons after their opening round battle ended in a draw at Casey Fields on Sunday.
The Demons dominated the early exchanges but blew the opportunity to build a significant lead with some ordinary kicking for goal leaving them with just 2.9 at quarter-time and 3.11 at the main break.
They straightened things up in the second half with 7.5, but the Kangaroos looked like they had made them pay when they kicked the last goal of the third term and the first three of the last to pinch what looked like a decisive 18-point lead.
Casey answered the challenge with three of their own to hit the front, before Zane Duursma took the advantage from a free kick to take it back for North Melbourne.
Caleb Lewis then missed a set shot before Tom Fullarton took a strong mark and kicked truly to regrab the lead for the home side in the 28th minute.
But there was yet more drama as a Geordie Payne snap under pressure missed to the right before he got one last chance with a clearer look, only to hook it left and out of bounds on the full with less than a minute to play.
Zac Fisher was imperious for North Melbourne with 40 disposals across half-back as former Demon Adam Tomlinson and debutant Matt Whitlock also impressed down back for the Roos with 27 marks and 21 rebounds between them.
For Casey, Riley Baldi made a strong return to the VFL with 16 contested possessions and 10 clearances among 32 disposals, Riley Bonner racked them on club debut and Fullarton and Tom Campbell proved a strong tall man combination.
BEST
Casey Demons: Riley Baldi, Tom Fullarton, Riley Bonner, Thomas Campbell, Max Gregory, Kai Windsor
North Melbourne: Zac Fisher, Adam Tomlinson, Louis Butler, Darcy Macpherson, Finnbar Maley, Matt Whitlock
GOALS
Casey Demons: Tom Fullarton, Caleb Lewis 2, Tom Campbell, Jesse Craven, Chance Doultree, Tyler Edwards, Harvey Langford, Noah Yze
North Melbourne: Zane Duursma, Finnbar Maley 2, Louis Butler, Connor Downie, Eddie Ford, Cooper Harvey, River Stevens, James Tarrant, Brynn Teakle
LEADING DISPOSALS
Casey Demons: Riley Bonner 35, Riley Baldi 32, Harvey Langford 23, Tom Campbell 23
North Melbourne: Zac Fisher 40, Adam Tomlinson 24, Matt Whitlock 20
DETAILS: Sunday 23 March at Casey Fields
RICHMOND 4.4 4.7 10.9 13.10 (88)
COBURG 2.1 7.2 8.6 11.9 (75)
TYLER Sonsie and Kane McAuliffe staked a claim for AFL recalls with destructive performances as Richmond held off Coburg by 13 points in a high standard encounter at Beaconsfield’s Holm Park.
Sonsie had 20 contested possessions, 10 clearances and a goal in his 34 disposals while McAuliffe set up several scoring opportunities as their class came to the fore.
The Lions worked hard to hold the Tigers’ lead to 15 points against the wind in the first term and then took control in the second quarter with five unanswered goals to grab a 13-point advantage at the main break.
Star recruit Jack Bytel was in terrific touch, Josh D’Intinosante did some great work around the contest an Donovan Toohey (40 disposals), Flynn Gentile and Joel Trudgeon all got off the chain.
Richmond answered the challenge with six goals to one in the third quarter as Samson Ryan and draftees Tom Sims, Jasper Alger and Jonty Faull threw themselves into marking contests and dragged down some strong grabs.
Tom McCarthy, Lachlan Wilson and Austin Johnson linked up well and debutant Massimo Raso showed some terrific footwork in an eye-catching first game.
Trailing by 15 points turning for home, Coburg had the misfortune of seeing the three-goal wind evaporate and the Tigers finished the game full of running to claim a fifth straight win at Holm Park and eighth straight over the Lions.
BEST
Richmond: Thomas McCarthy, Kane McAuliffe, Tyler Sonsie, Lachlan Wilson, Austin Johnson, Massimo Raso
Coburg: Not supplied
GOALS
Richmond: Samson Ryan 3, Austin Johnson, Massimo Raso, Thomas Sims 2, Jasper Alger, Joel Garner, Kane McAuliffe, Tyler Sonsie
Coburg: Mitch Podhajski 3, Matthew Allison 2, Hugo Bromell, Jack Bytel, Josh D'Intinosante, Max Kennedy, Max Thompson, Joel Trudgeon
LEADING DISPOSALS
Richmond: Tyler Sonsie 34, Kane McAuliffe 29, Tom McCarthy 24
Coburg: Donovan Toohey 40, Jack Bytel 33; Flynn Gentile 30
DETAILS: Sunday 23 March at Holm Park Recreation Reserve
SANDRINGHAM 0.4 2.6 6.9, 8.12 (60)
GEELONG CATS 3.1 6.8 12.12 12.19 (91)
GEELONG started the 2025 home and away season the way it finished the 2024 version with a convincing 31-point victory over Sandringham at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
The Cats gained control with three goals in the first 12 minutes and never relinquished the advantage, easing to a 32-point lead before Max Heath kicked the Zebras’ second goal on the half-time siren.
With Marcus Herbert, George Stevens and debutant Patrick Retschko racking up tough possessions and Charlie McCartin patrolling the backline with 11 marks, Geelong kicked six of seven goals to open the third term and blow the margin out beyond 50 points.
The only disappointing part for coach Mark Corrigan would be the radar deserting his team late. Geelong’s last 10 scoring shots were behinds as they gave up a golden opportunity to land a big percentage booster, with Sandringham fighting hard and putting respectability on the board.
Veteran star Mitch Duncan had 24 touches and eight marks for the Cats in a performance that should see him get the chance to chase the four AFL games he needs to reach 300.
Arie Schoenmaker and draftee Tobie Travaglia impressed for the Zebras with 56 disposals between them, recruit Jack Carroll was tireless in the middle and SSP ruckman Harry Boyd won the aerial battle.
BEST
Sandringham: Not supplied
Geelong Cats: Marcus Herbert, Mitchell Duncan, George Stevens, Oliver Wiltshire, Tobyn Murray, Paddy Hughes
GOALS
Sandringham: Patrick Said 2, Jonah Campigli, Max Heath, Liam Henry, Josh Hutchings, Tobie Travaglia, Blake Watson
Geelong Cats: Tobyn Murray, Oliver Wiltshire 3, Paddy De Grandi 2, Darcy Edmends, Paddy Hughes, Jay Polkinghorne, Patrick Retschko
LEADING DISPOSALS
Sandringham: Arie Schoenmaker 31, Jack Carroll 26, Tobie Travaglia 25
Geelong Cats: Marcus Herbert 27, George Stevens 26, Patrick Retschko 24, Mitch Duncan 24
DETAILS: Sunday 23 March at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval
