A review of all the action from Round 3 of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season.
GEELONG CATS 3.3 7.7 11.11 16.13 (109)
CASEY DEMONS 3.5 9.6 13.7 14.9 (93)
GEELONG produced another strong finish to overrun Casey Demons by 16 points at GMHBA Stadium to maintain its undefeated start to the Smithy’s VFL season on Friday and claim its first win over the Demons in six years.
With league champion Tom Campbell marking his 150th VFL match and Tom Fullarton continuing his impressive start to the season, the Demons made a strong break by kicking four unanswered goals either side of quarter-time.
They led by 18 points when Fullarton booted his third at the eight-minute mark of the second term and the teams traded the next nine goals as an epic encounter developed, but Campbell had departed his milestone match before half-time with a hamstring issue for the second week in a row.
The Cats took the lead late in the third but back-to-back majors from Paddy Cross and Fullarton re-established Casey’s lead and the visitors were looking good, only for the home team to find another gear in the last term, as it did against the Northern Bullants, to slam on five of the last six goals.
Jhye Clark answered his AFL omission in style for Geelong with 32 disposals (14 contested), eight clearances and 11 inside-50s. Oli Wiltshire starred in attack with 24 and two goals, George Stevens had 16 contested possessions and 11 clearances as he pushes for an AFL debut, Marcus Herbert keeps putting himself on the mid-season draft radar, Jay Polkinghorne stood out with three goals and Nathan Kreuger and Charlie McCartin clunked nine marks each in defence.
Fullarton finished with five goals from 19 disposals and eight marks for Casey, Mitch Hardie was strong with 26 disposals, nine tackles and a goal on club debut against his old team and Blake Howes and Riley Bonner used the ball beautifully coming out of defence.
Campbell reached his milestone in his 14th year at the level after starting his VFL career at Bendigo in 2011, also kicking 97 goals as a resting forward through stints at the Gold, Williamstown, Footscray, North Melbourne, Sandringham and now Casey, adding 58 AFL games so far as well.
BEST
Geelong Cats: Oli Wiltshire, Jhye Clark, Nathan Kreuger, Jay Rantall, George Stevens, Marcus Herbert
Casey Demons: Tom Fullarton, Jed Adams, Will Verrall, Paddy Cross, Kynan Brown, Oliver Sestan
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Jay Polkinghorne 3, Kye Annand, Paddy De Grandi, Jay Rantall, Patrick Retschko, Oli Wiltshire 2, Tanner Lewis, Hamish Lucas, Tobyn Murray
Casey Demons: Tom Fullarton 5, Jack Billings, Paddy Cross, Jai Culley, Tyler Edwards, Mitchell Hardie, Aidan Johnson, Will Verrall, Kai Windsor, Noah Yze
DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Jhye Clark 32, George Stevens 27, Marcus Herbert 25, Oli Wiltshire 24, Mitch Duncan 21, Jay Rantall 21
Casey Demons: Blake Howes 26, Mitch Hardie 26, Riley Bonner 23, Ollie Sestan 22
DETAILS: Friday 4 April at GMHBA Stadium
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.4 3.6 6.7 10.11 (71)
FRANKSTON 3.4 4.6 7.9 8.12 (60)
WILLIAMSTOWN broke through for its first win of the season with a hard-fought 11-point win over Frankston in a bruising encounter at DSV Stadium on Friday night.
The Dolphins controlled the contest for three quarters, leading for 79 of the 110 minutes played. But the Seagulls hung around all night and then ran home the better with four goals to one in the last quarter as both teams had to deal with key injuries that left them two short on the bench.
Frankston led by as much as 18 points when Noah Gown kicked the opening goal of the second term, but it proved to be the only one between himself and last year’s leading goalkicker Matt Johnson as Seagulls defender Zac Pritchard put the clamps on to allow best afield Luke Parks to dominate the air while also giving little away.
In a contest that was a lot better than the low scoring would suggest, Williamstown edged back and drew level on the back of Jovan Petric’s second goal, only for ex-teammate Corey Ellison to break free with two third-term goals against his old team to put Frankston eight points up turning for home.
But with ruckman Tom Downie (18 disposals, 38 hitouts) dominating in the middle to give clear looks to contested beast Riley Collier-Dawkins and 50-gamer Hugo Hall-Kahan, Parks leading a defence that also featured outstanding contributions from Joel Fitzgerald, Jake Greiser and Harry Minton-Connell and Petric in terrific touch with three goals, the Seagulls were able to avoid falling to 0-3, which no team has recovered to make the finals from since North Ballarat in 2014.
Jackson Voss was huge for Frankston and got better as the game progressed to end with 26 touches and 11 marks, while Will Hamill started slowly but was ever dangerous with his dash and willingness to take the game on from half-back.
Ollie Moran had the better of Seagull star Brodie McLaughlin (two goals), Blake O’Leary and Darby Hipwell did some nice things all night and Tarkyn O’Leary (two goals) was ever dangerous in attack.
Williamstown had luckless midfielder James Cousins and key defender Aiden Bonar sitting it out due to injuries, while Frankston lost Joe Lloyd early before Taj Campbell-Farrell joined him after playing well in the first half.
BEST
Williamstown: Jovan Petric, Jack Toner, Luke Parks, Zac Pritchard, Jake Greiser, Harrison Minton-Connell
Frankston: Jackson Voss, Ollie Moran, Darby Hipwell, Blake O'Leary, Thomas Murphy, Harrison Coe
GOALS
Williamstown: Jovan Petric 3, Brodie McLaughlin 2, Nathan Colenso, Noah Gadsby, Jack Noonan, Heath Ollington, Jack Toner
Frankston: Corey Ellison, Tarkyn O'Leary 2, Nick Burke, Harrison Coe, Noah Gown, Tom Murphy
DISPOSALS
Williamstown: Joel Fitzgerald 24, Riley Collier-Dawkins 23, Jake Greiser 22, Luke Parks 21, Toby Triffett 21
Frankston: Jackson Voss 26, Darby Hipwell 24, Will Hamill 22, Blake O’Leary 21, Tom Murphy 20
DETAILS: Friday 4 April at DSV Stadium
RICHMOND 3.6 7.9 11.10 12.13 (85)
BRISBANE LIONS 2.3 3.8 4.12 8.15 (63)
RICHMOND showed it will be the real deal again in season 2025 after a head-turning upset of the Brisbane Lions on an emotional day at the Swinburne Centre.
The Tigers were farewelling the historic Jack Dyer Stand, which is due to come down shortly in a major redevelopment, in what is set to be their only game at their Punt Road home this season.
They were inspired, beating the Lions at the venue for the first time and sending their opponents to a 100th NEAFL-VFL defeat as they took control from the start with a fast break from the opening bounce that led to a Maurice Rioli goal within 20 seconds.
It would be the closest the Lions got as Richmond held them at bay before breaking clear when in-form rookie Massimo Raso kept lifting his stocks with two goals in two minutes to set up a 25-point lead at half-time.
And while the visitors did their best to fight back as Henry Smith played a blinder to win an enthralling battle with Samson Ryan, a four-goal burst in 10 minutes late in the third ensured there would be no spoiling the Richmond party.
Despite convincingly losing clearances and inside-50s, the Tigers’ running power was on show as Tom McCarthy continually broke the lines while laying seven tackles, Nick Collier, Aussie Johnson and Lachie Wilson got on their bikes and Mutaz El Nour dominated the defensive arc with 10 rebounds.
Smith was clearly the Lions’ best with 30 disposals, five marks, 33 hitouts and 3.4, while Ryan had 23 possessions, nine marks, 16 hitouts and 1.3 in what was also an impressive performance.
James Tunstill and Academy draftee Sam Marshall were also terrific for the visitors while Tom Doedee had 14 touches and took five marks in his return from his latest knee reconstruction.
BEST
Richmond: Thomas McCarthy, Samson Ryan, Campbell Gray, Lachlan Wilson, Massimo Raso, Jacob Koschitzke
Brisbane Lions: Henry Smith, James Tunstill, Charlton Offermans, Tahj Abberley, Harrison Arnold, Sam Marshall
GOALS
Richmond: Massimo Raso 3, Jonty Faull, Mohammed Yassine 2, Jasper Alger, Tom McKenzie, Maurice Rioli Jnr, Samson Ryan, Thomas Sims
Brisbane Lions: Henry Smith 3, Brandon Ryan 2, Darcy Gardiner, Fergus McFadyen, Benjamin Thomas
DISPOSALS
Richmond: Samson Ryan 23, Tom McCarthy 23, Mutaz El Nour 21, Nick Collier 21, Austin Johnson 20, Tom McKenzie 20
Brisbane Lions: Henry Smith 30, James Tunstill 28, Sam Marshall 23, Charlie Offermans 19, Tahj Abberley 19
DETAILS: Saturday 5 April at Swinburne Centre
WERRIBEE 3.1 8.4 8.6 11.8 (74)
FOOTSCRAY 3.6 3.7 8.9 11.12 (78)
FOOTSCRAY draftee Cooper Hynes kicked an improbable goal in the dying seconds to hand his team an epic four-point win over reigning premier Werribee at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.
The Tigers were unfurling their first flag in 31 years in their 250th VFL-era home match and turned in a typically tough showing that almost got the job done.
With the clock ticking past 31 minutes and the Tigers clinging to a two-point lead, most players on the ground were crowded around a ball-up at the top of the Bulldogs’ goal square.
But the Western Bulldogs’ No.20 draft pick was far from overawed, breaking away from Cooper Whyte in traffic and running onto an expert tap from Lachlan Smith to slam home the matchwinner.
It meant the last four goals brought lead changes after Werribee’s Jake Lohmann squared the scores in the 18th minute, Bulldogs captain Dan Orgill snapped a freak major in the 24th and the Tigers’ own second-gamer Myles McCluggage drilled a calm set shot in the 29th that looked like making him the hero.
Earlier, Footscray missed its chance to build an early lead with the wind and was made to pay as Tylar Watts converted a goal after the quarter-time siren to spark a five-goal to nil second term that gave Werribee a 27-point lead at the main break.
But the Bulldogs wouldn’t be denied, matching that result in the third to hit the lead and set up the memorable last quarter.
Cooper Craig-Peters was under every pack for Footscray, picking up 14 contested possessions and adding 11 tackles, nine clearances and eight inside-50s for good measure.
He cashed in on Smith’s dominance in the ruck (17 disposals, 44 hitouts), while Jedd Busslinger once again starred down back with 10 marks and 10 rebounds and Will Lewis did his job in attack with 3.3 from limited opportunities.
For the home side, Dom Brew loved the fierce contest with 20 of his 32 disposals contested as he added another remarkable tackle (16) and clearance (14) count, Hudson Garoni looked dangerous in attack with three early goals before being calmed, Ryan Eyers gave nothing away at the other end of the ground and Sam Conway had 42 hitouts.
BEST
Werribee: Ryan Eyers, Hudson Garoni, Dom Brew
Footscray Bulldogs: Cooper Craig-Peters, Josh Kellett, Dan Orgill, Will Lewis, Jedd Busslinger, Lachlan Smith
GOALS
Werribee: Hudson Garoni 3, Jackson Grundy, Jacob Lohmann, Myles McCluggage, Noah Tullio, Tylar Watts, Cooper Whyte, Brady Wright, Flynn Young
Footscray Bulldogs: Will Lewis 3, Josh Kellett, Jordan Croft, Chan Hargraves, Cooper Hynes, Luca Muratore, Daniel Orgill, Anthony Scott
DISPOSALS
Werribee: Dom Brew 32, Jake Smith 20, Louis Pinnuck 19
Footscray Bulldogs: Jedd Busslinger 25, Cooper Craig-Peters 23, Billy Crofts 20
DETAILS: Saturday 5 April at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval
GOLD COAST SUNS 5.5 12.8 16.13 25.14 (164)
NORTHERN BULLANTS 3.0 3.4 3.8 5.9 (39)
GOLD Coast got its campaign underway with a ruthless 125-point thumping of the Northern Bullants at People First Stadium.
Coming off a season-opening narrow loss to the Casey Demons, the Suns took a while to find their groove as the Bullants fought hard to stay with them, holding the margin to 16 points early in the second term before the floodgates opened.
The Suns kicked four goals in six minutes and another three before half-time, going on to add another 13 to two in the second half to record their highest score and biggest win against the Ants.
Alex Sexton kicked 5.5 and Academy draftee Lachlan Gulbin four goals among 11 Suns to hit the scoreboard.
Brayden Fiorini stuffed the stat sheet with 43 disposals, 11 clearances, 13 inside-50s, seven marks and six tackles and James Tsitas had 34 touches and a goal as the home team went +146 in disposals and racked up a 77-30 inside-50 count.
Playing their third gruelling road trip (out of four) in a row against 2024 finalists, the Bullants stuck to their task again, with Paddy Fairlie and Josh Hamilton leading the way, while Jean-Luc Velissaris kicked two goals in reprising his old forward line role.
BEST
Gold Coast Suns: Brayden Fiorini, Alex Sexton, Alex Davies, Ned Moyle, Nick Holman, Lloyd Johnston
Northern Bullants: Patrick Fairlie, Kane Emery, Maison Goodman, Josh Hamilton, Jean-Luc Velissaris, Charlie Bolmat
GOALS
Gold Coast Suns: Alex Sexton 5, Lachlan Gulbin 4, Alex Davies, Max Knobel 3, Nick Holman, Ben Jepson, Malcolm Rosas 2, Jezz Butler, Elliott Himmelberg, James Tsitas, Oscar Wood
Northern Bullants: Harry Andronaco, Jean-Luc Velissaris 2, Liam Mackie
DISPOSALS
Gold Coast Suns: Brayden Fiorini 43, James Tsitas 34, Alex Davies 29, Lloyd Johnston 29, Alex Sexton 26
Northern Bullants: Patrick Fairlie 30, Josh Hamilton 27, Kane Emery 18
DETAILS: Saturday 5 April at People First Stadium
CARLTON 1.3 2.7 7.10 8.13 (61)
SOUTHPORT 6.2 12.6 14.6 18.9 (117)
SOUTHPORT showed no mental demons on its return to last year’s Grand Final venue on Saturday night, crushing a disappointing Carlton by 56 points at IKON Park.
The Blues put up 15 AFL-listed players, including Coleman medallist Harry McKay, and was strong enough to leave out ball magnet Will Hayes and captain Liam McMahon but failed to fire a shot.
The Sharks hit the scoreboard through Wylie Buzza in the opening minute and surged to a 59-point lead at half-time with six goals to one in each quarter.
Southport was irresistible, led by Jacob Dawson piling on another 40 disposals to go with eight clearances, nine marks and seven inside-50s. Meanwhile, Boyd Woodcock, , Jacob Heron and second-gamer Tai Hayes also did as they pleased and Brayden Crossley outclassed Hudson O’Keeffe in the ruck.
Carlton did show some life in the third term with five goals to two as Cooper Vickery, Jaxon Binns, Ben Camporeale battled hard, but with Nick Williams being almost impassable, Southport was able to wrest control back in the last term.
McKay finished with seven marks and 2.2 in a solid return to action, while fellow returnee Elijah Hollands had his moments with 18 touches.
BEST
Carlton: Cooper Vickery, Corey Durdin, Matt Carroll, Harry McKay, Harry Lemmey, Ethan Phillips
Southport Sharks: Jacob Dawson, Nick Williams, Boyd Woodcock, Jacob Heron, Tai Hayes, Brayden Crossley
GOALS
Carlton: Ollie Badr, Harry Lemmey, Harry McKay 2, Lucas Camporeale, Hudson O'Keeffe
Southport Sharks: Hugh Dixon 3, Wylie Buzza, Jackson Edwards, Zac Foot, Joshua Gore, Campbell Lake, Mike Manteit, Boyd Woodcock, Jacob Heron
DISPOSALS
Carlton: Jaxon Binns 23, Ben Camporeale 23, Jordan Boyd 20
Southport Sharks: Jacob Dawson 40, Boyd Woodcock 30, Tai Hayes 24, Jacob Heron 24, Brock Aston 20
DETAILS: Saturday 5 April at IKON Park
GWS GIANTS 4.6 10.11 15.16 22.19 (151)
SANDRINGHAM 0.1 1.3 4.6 6.7 (43)
Nathan Wardius announced himself onto the AFL radar when he blasted eight goals past a shellshocked Sandringham at Blacktown International Sports Park on Sunday.
Wardius, who was drafted by the Giants from distirct league club Rand-Walbundrie-Walla in the 2023 rookie draft, showed his immense talent in just his 13th VFL game, kicking two goals in the first quarter, two in the second, one in third and three in the last to almost double his career tally.
The Giants did as they pleased in powering to a record 108-point thumping of the undermanned Zebras, recording their highest score and biggest victory while conceding the lowest score in their five seasons in the competition.
Wardius finished with 23 disposals and 12 marks for his 8.1 while Max Gruzewski chipped in with four and Harvey Thomas three as Harry Rowston, Toby McMullin and third gamers Jack Ough and Cody Angove ran riot.
Liam Henry took a step back towards St Kilda selection to be Sandringham’s best playing in the midfield, while Arie Schoenmaker and former Giant Ethan Williams fought hard for 29 touches and eight marks each as well as 21 rebounds between them in a futile bid to hold the dam wall up.
BEST
GWS Giants: Nathan Wardius, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas, Cody Angove, James Leake, Jack Ough
Sandringham: Liam Henry, Daniel Butler, Jonah Campigli, Levi Young, Alix Tauru, Blake Watson
GOALS
GWS Giants: Nathan Wardius 8, Max Gruzewski 4, Harvey Thomas 3, James Leake 2, Josiah Delana, Joe Fonti, Toby McMullin, Jack Ough, Harry Rowston
Sandringham: Sam Buck, Liam Henry, Josh Hutchings, Sam Latreille, Billy Richardson, Ethan Williams
DISPOSALS
GWS Giants: Harry Rowston 35, Jack Ough 33, Toby McMullin 32, Cody Angove 31, James Leake 28
Sandringham: Arie Schoenmaker 29, Ethan Williams 29, Liam Henry 24, Blake Watson 21
DETAILS: Sunday 6 April at Blacktown International Sportspark
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.1 10.1 12.2 17.8 (110)
SYDNEY SWANS 5.3 8.4 9.6 9.7 (61)
NORTH Melbourne produced a dominant second half to swamp a disappointing Sydney by a 49 points at Arden Street Oval.
The Swans looked in sync early, leading by 14 points when returning spearhead Logan McDonald booted his third goal after the quarter-time siren and held that margin until the 19th minute of the second term.
But the Kangaroos ratcheted things up a notch, banging on the last four goals of the term and didn’t allow Sydney to fire another shot, conceding only one more goal for the match while adding seven of their own in the second half.
It was North Melbourne’s highest score and biggest win against the Swans in this competition, with the previous biggest margin at Arden St being four goals way back in 1895 when it was the Shinboners against the Blood-Stained Angels.
Ollie Lowe had a blinder across the middle for the Kangaroos with 29 disposals and two goals in a best-afield performance, with Kallan Dawson and Toby Pink keeping McDonald off the scoresheet after the first break.
Will Phillips put his hand up for a quick return to the AFL and new captain Darcy Macpherson also shone, while Finnbar Maley caused headaches up forward with three goals and George Wardlaw played a full game and looked ready to go in time for Gather Round.
Ben Paton and Nick Shipley again won plenty of the ball for the Swans, Aaron Francis tried hard in defence and Matty Lloyd took his opportunities to also kick three.
BEST
North Melbourne: Oliver Lowe, Kallan Dawson, Will Phillips, Toby Pink, George Wardlaw, Taylor Goad
Sydney Swans: Logan McDonald, Aaron Francis, Matty Lloyd, Ben Paton, Nick Shipley, Caleb Mitchell
GOALS
North Melbourne: Finnbar Maley 3, Zane Duursma, Cooper Harvey, Oliver Lowe, Geordie Payne, Brynn Teakle 2, Darcy Macpherson, Will Phillips, River Stevens, James Tarrant
Sydney Swans: Matty Lloyd, Logan McDonald 3, Ben Edwards, Caleb Mitchell, Benjamin Paton
DISPOSALS
North Melbourne: Ollie Lowe 29, Darcy Macpherson 28, Will Phillips 25, Kallan Dawson 21, Ben Hopkins 21, George Wardlaw 21
Sydney Swans: Ben Paton 28, Nick Shipley 28, Caleb Mitchell 19
DETAILS: Sunday 6 April at Arden Street Oval
COBURG 5.4 9.6 14.9 15.13 (103)
COLLINGWOOD 5.0 10.3 14.5 20.7 (127)
ROOKIE Collingwood forwards Riley Mason and Charlie West had Magpie fans smiling after kicking 10 goals between them to help the Magpies outslug Coburg by 24 points in an exhilarating shootout at the newly-named Barry Plant Park.
VFL recruit Mason was brilliant in the key forward role for the second consecutive match, while draftee West was huge in booting three goals in seven minutes either side of the final change to break the Lions’ hearts.
In a cracking contest from start to finish that saw 11 lead changes and 35 goals kicked in front of a big crowd, the margin was almost exclusively in single digits apart from when Coburg made a mini break to get out by 16 in the third quarter.
But coming off a bye compared to Coburg’s wet-weather slog against Southport last week, the just had the legs to gain the upper hand, kicking eight of the last nine goals to remain undefeated and keep the Lions searching for a maiden victory despite being in winning positions in all three matches.
Mason booted 5.2 from 11 disposals and six marks and West finished with 5.1 from 12 touches and six marks for Collingwood, while Mason Cox kicked three in the first half, with Lachie Sullivan and Josh Browne starring in the middle.
Coburg had plenty of avenues to goal as well with Josh D’Intinosante booting four in his 50th VFL game, a tally matched by key forward Mitch Podhajski.
Donovan Toohey continued his remarkable start to the year with 39 touches, eight marks, nine entries, nine rebounds and a goal, backed up by Joel Trudgeon (33 disposals, 14 clearances and 11 tackles), Jack Bytel (34 disposals) and ruckman Cooper Keough (25 possessions, 35 hitouts and 14 clearances) against the Magpies’ triple team of Mason Cox, Iliro Smit and Oscar Steene.
BEST
Coburg: Donovan Toohey, Joel Trudgeon, Flynn Gentile, Ingo Dammersmith, Hugo Bromell, Cooper Keogh
Collingwood: Riley Mason, Charlie West, Lachie Sullivan, Oscar Steene, Mason Cox, Josh Browne
GOALS
Coburg: Josh D’Intinosante, Mitch Podhajski 4, Jesse Corigliano 3, Matthew Allison, Jordyn Gillard, Max Thompson, Donovan Toohey
Collingwood: Riley Mason , Charlie West 5, Mason Cox 3, Finlay Macrae 2, Joshua Browne, Will Hayes, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Oleg Markov, Tom Wilson
DISPOSALS
Coburg: Donovan Toohey 39, Jack Bytel 34, Joel Trudgeon 33, Flynn Gentile 27, Cooper Keogh 25, Max Kennedy 24, Hugo Bromell 24, Braedyn Gillard 21, Lachlan Walker 20. Collingwood: Lachie Sullivan 26, Fin Macrae 26, Josh Browne 25
DETAILS: Sunday 6 April at Barry Plant Park
