Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
VFL Round 17: Casey clobber the Blues, Dogs defence stands tall
Jaiden Sciberras • July 20th, 2025 7:22 pm
VFL's Round 17 has wrapped up, with a number of AFL listed talent putting their names in the mix for senior selection.
In a tight affair, the GWS Giants pulled away from the Bombers late to secure a 21-point win at Windy Hill.
Giants’ duo Nicholas Madden and James Leake took charge of the clash, with Madden’s 26 disposals, 32 hit outs, nine marks, six clearances and two goals and Leake’s 35 disposals, eight clearances and eight tackles leading the way for the top four hopeful.
Harvey Thomas kicked three and Phoenix Gothard managed two from 17 disposals, while Essendon’s Saad El-Hawli kicked three goals from his 17.
The Sydney Swans overcame an early North Melbourne blitz, claiming an 11-point win despite falling over six goals behind in the first term.
Caiden Cleary collected 30 disposals at 90 per cent, while Ollie Florent (23 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles) continues to push for a spot back in the senior side. Tom Hanily kicked four goals, while untried rookie Jesse Dattoli kicked three with 14 disposals and five marks.
Star Kangaroo George Wardlaw made his return through the VFL, dominating through the midfield with 29 touches (game-high 17 contested), nine clearances and six tackles, while Finnbar Maley kicked two goals.
The Gold Coast Suns held off a fighting Port Melbourne side, leading for the entirety of the game to win by 13 points.
Ruckman Ned Moyle once again dominated through the centre, amassing 44 hit outs, 23 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances and a goal, while Nick Holman (29 disposals, nine tackles), Alex Davies (27 disposals, 13 clearances, 10 tackles), Alex Sexton (21 disposals, two goals) and Caleb Lewis (12 disposals, six marks, four goals) all enjoyed solid days out.
The Footscray Bulldogs pulled off a brilliant win over the Brisbane Lions, piling on 83 first half points en route to a 26-point win.
Despite Brisbane comfortably claiming the territory battle, finishing +20 in clearances and +19 inside 50’s, the Dogs defence was in phenomenal touch, with Jedd Busslinger (28 disposals, 10 intercepts), Nick Coffield (27 disposals, 12 marks, 11 intercepts), Taylor Duryea (28 disposals, 11 marks, five intercepts) and Michael Sellwood (22 disposals, nine marks, seven intercepts) controlling the contest from behind the ball.
Buku Khamis kicked four goals ahead of the ball, while Brisbane’s Conor McKenna kicked three goals from seven scoring shots.
Collingwood remain in the hunt for a top four spot, claiming a gritty four points in a tight contest with Geelong at Whitten Oval.
Roan Steele put his class on display, booting four goals straight in difficult scoring conditions, while Harry DeMattia and Oscar Steene also stood out for the Magpies as they continue their strong march towards an AFL debut.
Ted Clohesy and Jhye Clark were instrumental for the Cats, while Ollie Henry kicked two goals.
The Casey Demons waltzed to victory against the Blues, cruising to a comfortable 108-point win in an out and out slaughter.
Claiming the advantage in nearly every statistical feat, the Demons were ruthless in attack, with recruit Aidan Johnson booting five and Luker Kentfield kicking four, while Mitchell Hardie also ran riot in the front half with three goals from 26 disposals.
Jai Culley, Bailey Laurie and Jack Billings were also in top form, while Carlton’s Billy Wilson can hold his head high for a strong performance despite the defeat.
The Box Hill Hawks remain comfortably atop the VFL ladder after brilliant late-game charge saw them home by 10 points against Williamstown.
16 points down at 3QT, the Hawks booted five goals to one in the final term to overcome the deficit, led by two majors from Ned Reeves including the go-ahead goal late in the contest.
Reeves finished with three goals and seven clearances as he dominated the ruck duel, while Jai Serong managed 25 disposals and booted two goals including the sealer.
Cam Mackenzie picked up 25 disposals and six clearances, while Changkuoth Jiath managed 21.
