Round 4 of the VFL premiership season is in the books, with a host of close clashes filling our weekends.
The Frankston Dolphins and the Southport Sharks recorded victories while the Swans and Suns produced the first draw of the 2024 campaign.
Coburg recorded their first win since 2022 while the Giants won in a shoot-out against Werribee.
Byes: Richmond, Casey Demons and Sandringham Zebras.
Frankston Dolphins (85) def. Northern Bullants (34)
Frankston recorded their second win of the season with a strong performance over the Bullants.
Led by Thomas Murphy (30 disposals, 12 clearances and eight tackles)ย and Matt Johnsonย (three goals, 13 possessions and eight tackles), the Dolphins ran rampant at Kinetic Stadium.
Tyson Milne was strong through the midfield whileย Blake O'Leary could've had a much bigger day if he'd kicked straight.
As for the Bullants,ย Jean-Luc Velisssaris was arguably their best, amassing a game-high 43 touches and a goal.
His performance was closely matched byย Patrick Fairlie's 37-disposal match to go along with his 11 clearances and five tackles.
Former Port Adelaide ruckmanย Sam Hayes was a fair contributor across halfback in the defeat.
Essendon (58) def. by Southport Sharks (59)
Bad kicking is bad football and Southport almost cost themselves the game because of it.
Boyd Woodcock was back to his usual best for the Sharks, dominating through the midfield whilst hitting the scoreboard.
Brayden Crossley was good in the ruck and around the ground whileย Ben Jepsonย andย Matt Shannon continued to find plenty of the ball.
Despite the narrow loss, the Bombers can be pleased with some of their performances.
Dylan Shiel put his hand up for an ANZAC Day recall with his 24-possession, eight-clearance game, whileย ruckmanย Nick Bryan continues to impress despite falling behind Todd Goldstein and Sam Draper.
Sam Weideman was excellent, putting together 22 touches and eight marks whilst former Adelaide player Jackson Hately led the charge from the midfield.
Werribee Tigers (98) def. by GWS (106)
Fresh off signing a new contract at the Giants,ย Nick Madden is now pushing for an AFL debut following a best-on-ground performance.
Madden slotted two goals to go with his 21 disposals, 30 hit-outs and seven marks.
Fellow ruckman Braydon Preuss joined the youngster in a stellar output while Toby McMullin kicked four majors and laid 11 tackles in the victory.
Conor Stone did his senior recall no harm while veteranย Nick Haynes will be in consideration for GWS' matchup with Brisbane.
As for Werribee, this loss will be a bitter pill to swallow, after leading for most of the day.
Kye Declase was all class on Saturday, collecting 24 possessions to go with his two goals and six marks.
Dom Brew (24 touches, 13 clearances and five tackles) andย Jack Henderson (24 disposals, six marks, five clearances and four tackles) were also prominent in the defeat.
Brisbane (64) def. by Geelong (67)
Geelong coachย Chris Scott has been given plenty to think about following some strong performances in the reserves side.
Veteransย Gary Rohan (three goals, nine touches and four marks) andย Jed Bewsย (one goal, 20 disposals and five marks) look to secure a spot in the senior side whileย Shaun Mannagh continues to put pressure on the small forwards.
Ted Clohesy was arguably the Cats' best, gathering 26 possessions, 13 tackles and five clearances, whileย Mitch Hardieย backed up last week's game with another impressive outing.
Youngsterย Connor O'Sullivan (24 touches and eight marks)ย responded well to being demoted after debuting against North Melbourne.
Following their fourth loss in the AFL, Chris Fagan could look to shift the magnets to get back on the winner's list.
Conor McKenna looks likely to return after his injury earlier this year whileย Harry Sharp could be looked at a strong performance.
Midfielderย Deven Robertson (eight touches and three clearances)ย struggled in the VFL while rebounding defenderย Jaxon Prior is an option.
Box Hill Hawks (131) def. North Melbourne (71)
Like their AFL side, Box Hill thumped North Melbourne on Saturday in an impressive outing.
Josh Ward (two goals, 27 touches, seven tackles and six clearances) led the way withย Max Hallย (two goals, 32 disposals, 12 marks and nine tackles).
Pre-season supplemental selectionย Ethan Phillips doesn't seem to be far away from a long-awaited AFL debut following his 19-possession, 17-mark performance.
Former Pieย Callum Brown was also notably one of the Hawks' best in the victory.
As for the Kangaroos, Alastair Clarkson could look to swing the axe following another poor week on the field.
Veteranย Hugh Greenwood was arguably North Melbourne's best whileย Curtis Taylor continues to build into the season.
Jaidyn Stephenson (one goal, 10 possessions and three tackles) didn't bounce back after his dropping asย Brayden George inches closer to an AFL debut.
Williamstown Seagulls (41) def. by Western Bulldogs (84)
Luke Beveridge is unlikely to recall any of the AFL-listed players following their reserves performances.
Caleb Daniel was a cut above in the VFL, gathering 20 touches to go with his solitary goal, while defendersย Ryan Gardner andย Jess Busslinger keep chipping away toward their senior opportunities.
Oskar Baker was sound following his axing but unlikely to deserve a call-up.
Former Pieย Trent Bianco was the Bulldogs' best, slotting three goals from his 26 possessions, seven tackles, six marks and five clearances.
Non-AFL affiliate club Williamstown was simply outplayed by a much stronger opponent, but fans still saw some handy players.
Joel Fitzgerald tried all day, amassing 23 disposals and 10 marks whileย Tom Downie had a dominant game in the ruck.
Ex-Tigerย Riley Collier-Dawkins was consistent through the midfield whileย Corey Rich was the only multiple-goal kicker.
Sydney (60) drew Gold Coast (60)
The first draw of the VFL season as the two teams could not be split come the final siren.
Angus Sheldrick was huge for the Swans, picking up 30 touches, 10 marks and five clearances, whileย Caleb Mitchell matched his performance with his own 25 possessions, two goals and eight marks.
Peter Ladhams was impressive in the reserves whileย Jacob Konstanty kicked three goals.
Rory Atkins was arguably the Suns' best, although there was an even contribution across the board.
Benย Long's return up forward saw him slot three majors of his own whileย Darcy Macpherson kicked two goals from his 19 touches.
Ned Moyle won't be far off an AFL recall, gathering 23 possessions, nine clearances and 34 hit-outs.
Coburg Lions (87) def. Collingwood (72)
Coburg recorded their first win since Round 19, 2022, taking down favourites Collingwood.
The Lions were led byย Joel Trudgeon's performance, which saw the stat lines of one goal, 29 touches, 10 tackles and seven clearances.
Donovan Toohey (31 disposals and four marks) was just as good whileย Sam Grant, Braedyn Hillardย andย Josh D'Intinosante were all multiple-goal kickers.
As for the Magpies, who could make some changes due to the short turnaround for ANZAC Day, can look at Oleg Markov andย Jack Bytel after their superior performances.
Finlay Macrae continues to force Craig McRae's hand while cricketer-turned-footballerย Wil Parker impressed in his first outing at the club.
Mid-season prospectย Jack Hutchinson was lively once again up forward, kicking two goals and taking one of the marks of the year.
Ash Johnson was quiet.
Carlton (111) def. Port Melbourne Borough (91)
Carlton survived quite a scare from Port Melbourne, putting five goals to one in the last quarter to run away eventual victors.
Jaxon Binns (27 possessions, eight clearances and four marks) has put together another strong performance, backing up from last week whileย Ashton Moir slotted three goals from his 15 touches.
Defenderย Alex Cincotta proved his ready-to-go when needed while Zavier Maher (34 disposals, six marks and five clearances) was arguably the best.
Ruck duoย Jimmy Millerย (two goals, 22 touches, nine marks, five clearances and 13 hit-outs) andย Felix Flockhart (three goals, 17 possessions, five clearances and 18 hit-outs) kept the Borough in the game on Sunday.
Captainย Harvey Hooper was instrumental once again, proving to recruiters he was ready to make the jump into the AFL.
Matt Signorello andย Kyle Viccars both slotted two goals each while former Saint defenderย Daniel McKenzie is reminding AFL sides of his availability.
