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Sport Nation
Bomber draft steal dominates, Casey batter Tigers in VFL Anzac Round
Jaiden Sciberras • April 27th, 2025 6:30 pm
The VFL's Anzac fixtures have wrapped up, with a number of AFL listed talent putting their names in the mix for senior selection.
Melbourne’s Jacob Van Rooyen led the line as the Casey Demons put on a show against the Tigers.
After being dropped from the senior side to make way for a new look Melbourne forward line, Van Rooyen booted five goals from his 16 disposals and nine marks as Casey claimed a 118-point victory.
Former Saint Riley Bonner collected 43 disposals, while former Cat Mitchell Hardie (37 disposals, three goals) and Demon Bailey Laurie (35 disposals, two goals) also dominated.
Richmond’s highly-touted draftee Josh Smillie played his best game since returning from injury, collecting 24 disposals and five clearances as he eyes off an AFL debut.
The Bombers look to have uncovered a gem with one of the final picks in the AFL draft, as pick 70 Zak Johnson continues his dominance at the VFL level.
Despite Essendon VFL’s loss to Collingwood, Johnson led all comers with 33 disposals to go with eight marks and a goal. Young ruckman Vigo Visentini also played a very strong game, amassing 21 disposals and 28 hit outs as he looks to progress amid Essendon’s ruck crises.
Collingwood’s Ed Allan performed well, with 22 disposals and five tackles in the Magpies’ 31-point win.
Gold Coast’s Brayden Fiorini carried his excellent form into the Suns clash with the Swans, collecting 30 disposals and five majors coming off back-to-back 40+ disposal games.
Sam Clohesy managed 25 and a goal in the Suns’ 47-point win, while Sydney’s Angus Sheldrick had 30 touches in the loss.
Hawthorn’s Finn Maginness stepped up in Box Hill’s 38-point win over Port Melbourne, with 38 disposals and 10 clearances out of the midfield in the absence of the senior selected Henry Hustwaite.
Jaspar Scaife, the Hawks’ mid-season draftee in 2024, booted six goals in the contest, while Calsher Dear managed just one from his 11 touches.
Sam Docherty collected a game-high 27 disposals for the Blues in their four-point victory over the Cats. 23 touches for both Jaxon Binns and Ben Camporeale sees the duo knocking on Michael Voss’ door ahead of selection.
The omitted Cat Ted Clohesy was also in top form, with 25 disposals, 13 tackles and eight clearances.
Other top performances include Brisbane duo Darragh Joyce (32 disposals, 18 marks) and Deven Robertson (32 disposals, seven clearances), Sandringham’s Arie Schoenmaker (29 disposals) and Hugh Boxshall (25 disposals, eight clearances), GWS’ Harry Rowston (22 disposals, two goals) and Werribee's Dominic Brew (35 disposals, 16 clearances, eight tackles).
