THE Victorian Football League (VFL) season for 2019 kicked off last weekend with some surprising results and outstanding performances.

Footscray 16.12 (108) defeated Sandringham 9.11 (65)

The Bulldogs opened the 2019 VFL Season with a resounding 43-point win over the Zebras at the VU Whitten Oval. The home side lead from the first bounce, but it was the third term when they really clicked into gear, booting 4 goals to one to take a big lead into the final break. Ryan Gardner and Roarke Smith both kicked four goals for the match, but it was Smith’s 21 disposals and 4 tackles that proved his dominance. Patrick Lipniski racked up 26 disposals and eight tackles for the Dogs while Bede Seccull was best afield for the Zebras, with 25 disposals, two goals and six tackles.

Geelong 12.11 (83) defeated by Richmond 14.13 (97)

Richmond came from behind at three-quarter time to record a 15-point win away from home over the Cats. Momentum shifted between the two sides all game as Geelong took the lead in the third-term before Richmond kicked six goals in the final term to claim the win. Patrick Naish was the leading ball winner with 23 disposals while Mabior Chol enjoyed a nice evening out with three goals and 16 disposals. Jordan Keras managed 20 disposals and nine tackles for the Cats while Ryan Abbott kicked two goals and had 18 hitouts.

Coburg 11.7 (73) defeated by Collingwood 11.10 (76)

Collingwood didn’t let Coburg score in the final quarter as they ran over the top of the Lions on Saturday. The lead changed at every break with the Pies eventually coming out on top away from home. Max Lynch was dominant in the ruck for Collingwood, racking up 55 hitouts while Ben Crocker had the ball on a string, amassing 33 disposals, stating his case for an AFL call-up. Ben Reid was also impressive, kicking 3.4 from 20 disposals. Peter McEvoy kicked three goals for Coburg, with Sam Lowson and Lochie Dickson slotting two.

Werribee 14.14 (98) defeated North Melbourne 8.11 (59)

The Tigers overturned a four-goal quarter time deficit to run away with the points in the second half in the battle of Avalon Airport Oval against North Melbourne. The Kangaroos just seemed to stop, and only managed to kick one second half goal, and that was in the dying minutes of the final term. Michael Barlow slotted straight back into the Werribee line-up he left nine years ago, recording 32 disposals while Matt Hanson also managed 31. Nathan Hrovat was best afield for North with 26 disposals and a goal while Nick Larkey kicked three goals. Jack Henderson converted four goals for the home side.

Williamstown 10.15 (75) defeated Port Melbourne 9.11 (65)

The Seagulls took the four points in the VFL’s traditional rivalry at home on Saturday. After an impressive Williamstown first term, Port managed to take the lead into the main break. The third term was a seesawing affair, with Eli Templeton kicking a goal on the three-quarter time siren to narrow the margin to a point. Williamstown got out of the blocks fastest in the last quarter and managed to hold on by 10 points. Templeton had 26 disposals while Williamstown legend Ben Jolley had 21 disposals against his old side. Former Magpie Ben Kennedy amassed 18 disposals in his first outing for the Seagulls.

Box Hill 15.14 (104) defeated Casey 4.18 (42)

The Grand Final rematch turned out to be a fizzer, with Box Hill completely in control all afternoon, restricting the Demons to only four goals, while kicking 15 of their own. The one bright spark for Casey was Corey Maynard, who had 27 disposals, while Kade Chandler kicked two of his side’s goals. For the Hawks, Jackson Ross kicked five goals while Mitchell Lewis slotted four straight. Brayden Kilpatrick was the leading possession-winner for the Hawks with 23 disposals and two goals.

Frankston 3.6 (24) defeated by Essendon 22.13 (145)

It is bound to be another long season for the Dolphins as they were demolished at home by the Bombers. Frankston’s score did not change from quarter time until midway through the last quarter as Essendon punished them at every opportunity. James Stewart kicked four first half goals while Mitch Brown finished with five. Dylan Clarke amassed 30 disposals for the Bombers. On the bright side for Frankston, new recruit Nathan Freeman continued his dominant VFL form with 30 disposals, while new captain Josh Newman and last year’s midfield mainstay Will Fordham both had 23 disposals.

Northern Blues – Bye