A review of all the action from Round 4 of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season.
BRISBANE LIONS 4.2 7.4 10.8 16.11 (107)
COLLINGWOOD 5.1 8.6 10.9 16.10 (106)
LIONS Academy prospect Fergus McFadyen announced himself as a player to watch with a brilliant five-goal haul, as well as the after-the-siren behind to hand the Brisbane Lions a one-point win over Collingwood at Brighton Homes Arena.
The Magpies looked to be the better team for most of the contest and built a 19-point advantage midway through the second quarter, but the Lions fought back to take the lead and trail by just one point turning for home.
And then the game exploded into a classic shootout.
The home team kicked the first two goals of the last quarter, Collingwood booted the next two and they went goal for goal in a term where they kicked six majors apiece.
The visitors looked home when Charlie West put them seven points up in the 30th minute.
But Darcy Fort set up a grandstand finish with a goal for the Lions before Darcy Gardiner had a 35m chance to win it only to miss to tie the scores.
In his third game, McFadyen then stepped up to mark 50m out in the dying seconds.
With the result riding on his young shoulders, the little brother of former Lion Connor let fly, with his 55m roost sliding marginally to the right but getting the job done.
McFadyen kicked 5.1 from 18 touches and 11 marks in a starring role, but will be remembered more for THAT behind, with fellow Academy product Ty Gallop booting four majors and mid-season draftee Will McLachlan adding three.
Deven Robertson (35 disposals, 23 contested and 11 clearances), Darcy Fort (28 disposals, 28 hitouts, 16 clearances, one goal) and Sam Marshall also starred.
Tew Jiath had 18 touches in the first half and threatened to be a match-winner for Collingwood but was held to just four after the break as Josh Browne, Christian Algeri and Ed Allan all made their presence felt and draftee Will Hayes kicked three goals.
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Darcy Fort, Fergus McFadyen, Deven Robertson, Darcy Craven, Ty Gallop, Luke Beecken
Collingwood: Will Hayes, Christian Algeri, Josh Browne, Ed Allan, Tom Wilson, Tew Jiath
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Fergus McFadyen 5, Ty Gallop 4, Will McLachlan 3, Darcy Craven 2, Darcy Fort, Jack Manly
Collingwood: Will Hayes 3, Riley Mason, Oscar Steene, Charlie West 2, Christian Algeri, Ed Allan, Josh Browne, Sam Glover, Liam Hude, Harrison Kennedy, Harry Mahoney
DISPOSALS
Brisbane Lions: Deven Robertson 35, Darcy Fort 28, Sam Marshall 26, Reece Torrent 24, Luke Beecken 23
Collingwood: Josh Browne 28, Ed Allan 23, Christian Algeri 23, Tew Jiath 22, Harry Mahoney 21
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.2 6.6 11.9 12.12 (84)
CARLTON 4.3 9.5 10.8 12.10 (82)
NORTH Melbourne grabbed its second win for the year, edging out Carlton by two points in a thriller at Arden Street Oval on Friday.
The Kangaroos looked in a world of hurt when Liam McMahon kicked his third goal to put Carlton 25 points up entering time-on of the second quarter, and the Blues maintained a 17-point buffer at the main break.
But the home side kicked the first four goals of the third term to take the lead and then held on desperately for 45 minutes as Carlton threw the kitchen sink at them, especially after Ashton Moir’s goal set up the grandstand finish.
Carlton ball magnet Will Hayes gave another example of his class with a 37-disposal, nine inside-50, one goal demolition.
Heather Ramshaw and Darcy Hogg performed strongly in the middle, Marc Pittonet had a solid return from injury, the Camporeale twins both won plenty of the ball and skipper Liam McMahon was ever dangerous with four goals.
Captain Darcy Macpherson provided great drive for the Kangaroos, with Adam Tomlinson starring down back, Will Phillips laying 10 tackles to go with 23 touches and Brynn Teakle (19 disposals, six marks, 23 hitouts, 1.3) more than holding his own against Pittonet.
BEST
North Melbourne: Darcy Macpherson, Will Phillips, Brynn Teakle, James Tarrant, Geordie Payne, Cooper Harvey
Carlton: Heath Ramshaw, Will Hayes, Darcy Hogg, Liam McMahon, Marc Pittonet, Francis Evans
GOALS
North Melbourne: Cooper Harvey, James Tarrant 3, Oliver Lowe, Geordie Payne 2, River Stevens, Brynn Teakle
Carlton: Liam McMahon 4, Harry Lemmey 3, Ashton Moir 2, Francis Evans, Will Hayes, Heath Ramshaw
DISPOSALS
North Melbourne: Adam Tomlinson 27, Darcy Macpherson 24, Will Phillips 23, Bailey Scott 21, Matthew Keast 20
Carlton: Will Hayes 37, Archie Stevens 26, Heath Ramshaw 25, Ben Camporeale 25, Lucas Camporeale 23, Jaxon Binns 23
WILLIAMSTOWN 3.0 3.2 4.2 11.2 (68)
COBURG 5.3 8.7 14.8 18.11 (119)
ON GOOD Friday last year, Coburg missed out on pinching a draw against Williamstown by mere seconds – losing to a goal after the siren.
This year, the Lions left nothing to chance, exploding for their best performance in recent memory to crush a listless Seagulls outfit by 51 points at DSV Stadium.
The result broke a 17-year, 17-match losing streak to their fellow standalone club, dating back to July 20, 2008.
The Lions kicked 100 points for the second week in a row – the first time they had done that since Rounds 16-17 in 2013 against defunct clubs North Ballarat and Bendigo – as they recorded their third biggest win in 74 visits to DSV Stadium. It was also their biggest win since 2019 and their biggest away win since that day against Bendigo in 2013.
Coburg never looked like losing from the time Mitch Podhajski kicked the opening goal after just 71 seconds, working its way to a 15-point lead at quarter-time before piling on nine goals to one across two dominant middle quarters.
Coburg led by as much as 78 points nine minutes into the last quarter before Williamstown finally woke up and kicked six of the last seven goals.
Jack Andrew was the toast of Coburg after one of the great debuts in recent years, booting four goals and taking a screamer on the wing in the dying stages, while Rhys Galvin shut down Brodie McLaughlin (two goals), Max Kennedy starred on a wing and Josh D’Intinosante was a powerhouse in the middle.
Joel Trudgeon, Flynn Gentile and Donovan Toohey racked up disposals at will, mid-season draft fancy Cooper Keogh easily had the better of champion Williamstown ruckman Tom Downie despite their similar numbers, and Ryan Valentine made the most of a late reprieve to kick 3.3 in a starring role.
And they did it all without captain Jesse Corigliano, a late withdrawal who was seen in a moonboot at the game, and star recruit Jack Bytel, who was out of action early with a knee injury.
Defenders Jake Greiser and Joel Fitzgerald did their best to hold back the tide for Williamstown with 52 touches and 19 rebounds between them, while Noah Gadsby was dangerous on the wing, but too many Seagulls were well below their best for too long.
BEST
Williamstown: Luke Parks, Jake Greiser, Jack Toner, Heath Ollington, Jovan Petric, Toby Triffett
Coburg: Rhys Galvin, Jack Andrew, Joel Trudgeon, Matthew Allison, Cooper Keogh, Flynn Gentile
GOALS
Williamstown: Jovan Petric 4, Damon Hollow, Brodie McLaughlin 2, Jack Brown, Jack Noonan
Coburg: Jack Andrew 4, Matt Allison, Ryan Valentine 3, Josh D’Intinosante, Mitch Podhajski, Max Thompson 2, Jack Lefroy, Joel Trudgeon
DISPOSALS
Williamstown: Joel Fitzgerald 27, Jake Greiser 25, Hugo Hall-Kahan 22, Toby Triffett 21, Jack Toner 20, Noah Gadsby 20
Coburg: Joel Trudgeon 35, Flynn Gentile 29, Donovan Toohey 27, Max Kennedy 26, Josh D’Intinosante 25
FRANKSTON 2.3 4.6 8.7 15.8 (98)
RICHMOND 4.3 7.4 11.4 11.7 (73)
FRANKSTON left a packed Kinetic Stadium in raptures with a stunning seven-goal last-quarter to overrun Richmond by 25 points.
It was the Dolphins’ first victory over the Tigers in nine years and it looked like the winless run would stretch to seven when Richmond dominated early to grab a three-goal lead that should have been much more, but one it held for most of the night.
However, Richmond rested Tyler Sonsie at three quarter-time with 35 disposals, five marks, seven inside-50s and a goal to his name and was made to pay the ultimate price against the Dolphins and 4717 screaming fans in the first home game of the season at the resurfaced venue.
Blake O’Leary’s third goal in the fourth minute lit a spark and Frankston caught fire, blasting 7.1 to 0.3, with Trent Mynott exploding to kick the last three goals to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season.
Sonsie aside, Tom Blamires was best afield with strong support from Seb Quirk, Tom Murphy and Darby Hipwell, while Tarkyn O’Leary matched big brother’s three majors in a livewire display and Jackson Voss used the ball well in defence.
Kane McAuliffe strung another four-quarter performance together for Richmond, Kaleb Smith had a wonderful return with 33 touches and seven marks, Jacob Bauer (four goals) and Massimo Raso (three) made an impact from restricted opportunities, while Lachlan Wilson won plenty of the ball but went at only 41 per cent efficiency.
BEST
Frankston: Not supplied
Richmond: Kane McAuliffe, Tyler Sonsie, Lachlan Wilson, Kaleb Smith, Nick Collier, Harry Scott
GOALS
Frankston: Trent Mynott, Blake O'Leary, Tarkyn O'Leary 3, Corey Ellison 2, Tom Blamires, Noah Gown, Angus Grant, Bailey Lambert
Richmond: Jacob Bauer 4, Massimo Raso 3, Jasper Alger 2, Tom Sims, Tyler Sonsie
CASEY DEMONS 1.1 4.5 5.8 9.13 (67)
GWS GIANTS 6.1 9.1 17.3 19.6 (120)
GWS is fast emerging as a genuine premiership threat after thumping the Casey Demons by 53 points at Casey Fields on Saturday.
The Giants blew the Demons away from the opening bounce, kicking six goals to one in the first quarter and dominating every facet of the game to reduce Casey’s star-studded forward line of Bayley Fritsch, Jacob van Rooyen and Matt Jefferson to passengers by starving them of supply.
And it started from the centre bounce, where Nick Madden was simply unstoppable both in the ruck and around the ground on his way to 29 disposals (21 contested), 33 hitouts, 13 clearances and a goal.
Madden’s dominance gave James Leake and Cody Angove the Orange Tsunami launchpad as their expert delivery put the Demons’ defence under siege.
They had no answer to the class of Max Gruzewski, who kicked 5.1 before being rested with a corked calf, Frosty Miller Medal leader Nathan Wardius (4.1) and club debutant James Lugsdin (3.0).
When the Demons did go forward, they found only a brick wall led by Wade Derksen and Leek Aleer (39 disposals and 15 marks between them).
Casey couldn’t get any flow to its game, often forced to chip the ball around the backline for long periods looking for a way through, allowing Riley Bonner to rack up 36 touches and 10 marks, but Bailey Laurie, Mitch Hardie, Jack Billings and Riley Baldi all tried hard.
Fritsch had 11 disposals and a goal from few opportunities before being rested in the second half as an AFL emergency, Judd McVee made a successful return with 19 touches in three quarters and van Rooyen managed nine possessions, six marks and 1.1.
BEST
Casey Demons: Riley Bonner, Riley Baldi, Will Verrall, Bailey Laurie, Paddy Cross, Jai Culley
GWS Giants: Nick Madden, James Leake, Max Gruzewski, Leek Aleer, Nathan Wardius, Cody Angove
GOALS
Casey Demons: Bailey Laurie 2, Riley Baldi, Riley Bonner, Paddy Cross, Bayley Fritsch, Aidan Johnson, Oliver Sestan, Jacob van Rooyen
GWS Giants: Max Gruzewski 5, Nathan Wardius 4, James Lugsdin 3, Cody Angove, Jaiden Butson, Josaia Delana, Izaac Hughes, Lachlan Keeffe, Nick Madden, Marc Sheather
DISPOSALS
Casey Demons: Riley Bonner 36, Mitch Hardie 26, Jack Billings 26, Ollie Sestan 23, Riley Baldi 23
GWS Giants: Nick Madden 29, James Leake 27, Cody Angove 23, Wade Derksen 22, Josh Fahey 21
SYDNEY SWANS 1.5 6.8 10.9 11.9 (75)
WERRIBEE 4.0 4.0 7.4 11.7 (73)
SYDNEY turned in perhaps the best 45-minute period it has produced since returning to the VFL in 2021 and then hung tough to upset a fast-finishing Werribee by two points at Blacktown International Sports Park.
The Swans were wasteful early and trailed by 13 points at quarter-time but in a stunning development they kept the reigning premiers scoreless from the 29-minute mark of the opening term until Dom Brew kicked a behind seven minutes into the third.
In all, they piled on 8.4 themselves to 0.1 until the 13th minute and led by 38 points when Logan McDonald kicked his only goal.
But the Tigers woke up with three goals in four minutes to get within 23 at the last change before kicking 4.3 to 1.0 in the run home, with Jack Buller’s third goal at the five-minute mark being Sydney’s only score as the home team defended for all their worth.
Jack Riding made it four points with six minutes to play but a set shot from Hudson Garoni fell a metre short and former Swan Harry Maguire hooked his shot from 35m in the final minute of his Werribee debut as Sydney held on to give Jarrad McVeigh his first win as a senior coach.
Buller and in-form sidekick Matty Lloyd kicked three goals each for the Swans, while Peter Ladhams responded to his AFL omission with 22 disposals, 25 hitouts, 11 clearances and two goals.
Ben Edwards, Angus Sheldrick, Ben Paton and Nick Shipley (13 tackles) starred underneath Ladhams and former AFL star Lachie Hunter made a successful comeback with 19 possessions and eight marks in defence.
In-form Werribee key back Ryan Eyers (15 disposals, eight marks) did a great job in keeping McDonald to 1.2 and Riding booted two goals from his 20 touches, while Brew and Louis Pinnuck again performed well, even though the Swans would be happy at being able to restrict their impact, with Garoni and Zac Banch kicking three goals each.
BEST
Sydney Swans: Ben Edwards, Nic Shipley, Peter Ladhams, Angus Sheldrick, Matty Lloyd, Jack Buller
Werribee: Ryan Eyers, Bior Malual, Zac Banch, Hudson Garoni
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Jack Buller, Matty Lloyd 3, Peter Ladhams 2, Ben Edwards, Jack Kluske, Logan McDonald
Werribee: Zac Banch, Hudson Garoni 3, Jack Riding 2, Jay Dahlhaus, Angus Hicks, Harry Maguire
DISPOSALS
Sydney Swans: Ben Edwards 29, Ben Paton 27, Angus Sheldrick 26, Nick Shipley 24, Peter Ladhams 22
Werribee: Louis Pinnuck 23, Dom Brew 23, Jack Riding 20
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 3.6 6.9 10.11 16.15 (111)
GOLD COAST SUNS 1.3 4.4 8.6 8.8 (56)
SOUTHPORT overcame a world-class performance from Brayden Fiorini to retain the Doc Mackenzie Cup with a dominant 55-point thrashing of the Gold Coast Suns at Fankhauser Reserve.
Fiorini stuffed the stats sheet with a ridiculous 47 disposals, 13 marks, eight clearances, six tackles, eight inside-50s and seven rebound-50s in a solo domination, but the Sharks simply had too many weapons.
After an early armwrestle, Southport took the lead when Jack Sexton kicked the first goal in the ninth minute and they were never headed, despite the Suns keeping pace and drawing within 10 points midway through the third term.
The Sharks worked their way 17 points clear at three quarter-time and banged on 6.4 to 0.2 in a blistering final quarter to move a game clear on top of the ladder as one of three remaining undefeated teams.
Superstars Jacob Dawson and Boyd Woodcock racked up another 67 touches (30 contested) and 15 clearances between them, but Jackson Edwards will be unlucky if he doesn’t get votes for his 26 disposals, 11 marks and three goals.
Former Shark Ben Jepson (22 disposals, eight marks) was the only other Sun in the top 10 ballwinners with Fiorini, while Ned Moyle dealt a rare loss to Brayden Crossley in the ruck.
BEST
Southport Sharks: Zach Molloy, Jacob Dawson, Jackson Edwards, Zac Foot, Nick Williams, Keegan Gray
Gold Coast Suns: Brayden Fiorini, Malcolm Rosas, Jy Farrar, Lloyd Johnston, Ben Jepson, Asher Eastham
GOALS
Southport Sharks: Jackson Edwards, Max Pescud 3, Hugh Dixon, Mike Manteit 2, Brayden Crossley, Zac Foot, Tai Hayes, Campbell Lake, Charlie Rowe, Jack Sexton
Gold Coast Suns: Nick Francis 2, Alex Davies, Asher Eastham, Miles Enders, Max Knobel, Zac O'Brien, James Tsitas
DISPOSALS
Southport Sharks: Jacob Dawson 36, Boyd Woodcock 31, Keegan Gray 28, Jackson Edwards 26, Zac Foot 25
Gold Coast Suns: Brayden Fiorini 47, Ben Jepson 22, Ned Moyle 19
PORT MELBOURNE 2.5 5.7 6.9 7.13 (55)
ESSENDON 2.0 4.4 6.11 9.17 (71)
SOME Alwyn Davey brilliance helped Essendon take control after a slow start to extend Port Melbourne’s winless start to the season in a hard-fought 16-point win at ETU Stadium on Saturday night.
The Borough missed several opportunities in front of goal to lead by just five points at the first change, but when they flew the gates with three goals early in the second term, they were 21 points to the good and looking on track to break their duck.
But Davey’s second goal pulled the half-time margin back to nine and the Bombers found themselves in front turning for home courtesy of skipper Xavier O’Neill’s late major, as Port’s accuracy remained absent.
Jared Eckersley goalled with his only kick to open the last term and when Davey expertly read an errant pass from Tom Hird inside Port’s defensive 50, the Bombers were in the top 10.
Davey only had 14 disposals, but his three goals were the difference between winning and losing, while Elijah Tsatas had 19 contested possessions and 15 clearances in his 32 disposals to stake an AFL claim.
Lewis Hayes pulled in 12 marks in the last line and young ruckman Vigo Visentini had 18 touches and 26 hitouts in a timely display of his talents as the Bombers’ AFL talls are being decimated.
The Borough had 11 players with more handballs than kicks as they struggled to break through the Bombers’ system, but captain Harvey Hooper was close to best afield, Dom Bedendo was good in a new defensive role and Josh Green had 21 contested possessions.
BEST
Port Melbourne: Tom Graham, Charlie Lazzaro, Josh Green, Jimmy Miller, Tex Wanganeen, Harvey Hooper
Essendon: Oskar Smartt, Elijah Tsatas, Jayden Laverde, Xavier O’Neill, Vigo Visentini, Alwyn Davey
GOALS
Port Melbourne: Lachlan Bond, Patrick Farrant, Ajang Kuol Mun, Charlie Lazzaro, Jimmy Miller, Owen Mulady, Fraser Rosman
Essendon: Alwyn Davey 3, Jared Eckersley, Kayle Gerreyn, Xavier O’Neill, Tyler Sellers, Oskar Smartt, Rhys Unwin
DISPOSALS
Port Melbourne: Harvey Hooper 31, Josh Green 28, Dom Bedendo 26, Charlie Lazzaro 25, Tom Hird 25, Tex Wanganeen 22, Fraser Rosman 22
Essendon: Elijah Tsatas 31, Xavier O’Neill 26, Lewis Hayes 24, Cam Nyko 22, Jayden Laverde 22, Zak Johnson 22, Jackson Hately 22, Jayden Nguyen 20.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 1.2 4.4 8.7 10.11 (71)
SANDRINGHAM 4.6 7.8 10.9 13.11 (89)
ROOKIE Joey Campigli produced a breakout performance as Sandringham landed an early contender for the upset of the season with an all-the-way 18-point triumph over Footscray at Mission Whitten Oval on Sunday.
The Zebras were coming off a 108-point thumping from GWS and facing one of the best teams in recent years on their home patch, but after making 12 changes they kicked the first three goals and were only seriously threatened once thereafter to hand Brendon Goddard a memorable first win as coach.
The early thought was the famous Whitten Wind had given Sandringham a leg up, but the second term put that theory to bed as the Zebras matched the Bulldogs’ output to maintain a 22-point gap at half-time.
The visitors floored the home team with the first two goals of the third term, and although Footscray was able to draw within six points when Caleb Poulter kicked his second goal 11 minutes into the last term, there was no denying the Zebras.
Campigli had kicked just one goal in his first three games but the Old Brighton product, who turned 21 three weeks ago, was unstoppable with five majors from 16 disposals and laying eight tackles in a match-winning display.
Sandringham’s height challenged Footscray all day, with Max Heath returning from injury to bang down Ross Lyon’s door for an. AFL debut with 25 disposals, nine marks, 25 hitouts and a goal, while Tobie Travaglia (2.2 from 26 touches), Angus Hastie and the outstanding Hugh Boxshall (33 disposals, 11 clearances, nine tackles) had too much for the Bulldogs to handle.
Jedd Busslinger once again showed himself to be above the level to be Footscray’s best with 32 possessions and eight marks, with captain Dan Orgill, draftee Lachie Jaques and speedster Caleb Poulter (three goals) all able to hold their heads high.
BEST
Footscray Bulldogs: Lachie Jaques, Oskar Baker, Connor Smith, Taylor Duryea, Caleb Poulter
Sandringham: Not supplied
GOALS
Footscray Bulldogs: Caleb Poulter 3, Connor Smith 2, Chan Hargraves, Luke Kennedy, Will Lewis, Ted Middleton, Bailey Young
Sandringham: Jonah Campigli 5, Tobie Travaglia 2, Alex Dodson, Max Heath, Will Johnson, Isaac Keeler, Ned Maginness, Andrew Mathieson
DISPOSALS
Footscray Bulldogs: Jedd Busslinger 32, Oskar Baker 24, Dan Orgill 23, Lachie Jaques 22
Sandringham: Hugh Boxshall 33, Tobie Travaglia 26, Angus Hastie 26, Max Heath 25, Blake Watson 22
GEELONG CATS 5.3 7.4 9.5 11.7 (73)
BOX HILL HAWKS 2.0 9.2 15.5 18.11 (119)
SMALL forwards Jack Ginnivan and Sam Butler played their first games at VFL level in a long time and both were imperious in leading Box Hill Hawks to a convincing 46-point win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Playing his first game since an horrific broken leg in the corresponding round last year, Butler looked like he’d never been away in kicking four goals from 14 disposals, while Ginnivan responded to his AFL axing in perfect style to be almost best afield with 22 touches and four goals.
The Hawks trailed by 21 points at quarter-time but grabbed control with seven goals to two in the second quarter and added another six to two in the third to blow the game apart.
Henry Hustwaite continued his dominant form with 35 touches, 12 clearances and eight tackles, Bailey Macdonald cut a swathe through the opposition with his precision ball use and Seamus Mitchell also impressed.
Nathan Kreuger returned to the forward line and kicked three goals for Geelong in partnership with youngster Jay Polkinghorne (three goals) with Charlie McCartin’s form again strong in defence, Jhye Clark, Jay Rantall and Marcus Herbert lively around the ball and Mitch Duncan showing signs of his best as he pushes for an AFL recall.
BEST
Geelong Cats: Nathan Kreuger, Patrick Retschko, Jay Rantall, Joe Pike, Patrick Kelly, Joey Chaplin
Box Hill Hawks: Henry Hustwaite, Bailey Macdonald, Jack Ginnivan, Seamus Mitchell, Lane Ward, Noah Mraz
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Nathan Kreuger, Jay Polkinghorne 3, Oli Wiltshire 2, Paddy Hughes, Patrick Retschko, Osca Riccardi
Box Hill Hawks: Sam Butler, Jack Ginnivan 4, Max Ramsden 3, Cody Anderson, Matthew Hill 2, Ned Reeves, Blake Simondson, Ethan Stanley
DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Jhye Clark 26, Charlie McCartin 25, Jay Rantall 24, Marcus Herbert 24, Mitch Duncan 23
Box Hill Hawks: Henry Hustwaite 35, Bailey Macdonald 24, Seamus Mitchell 23, Jack Ginnivan 22, Lane Ward, 21
