VFL Round 2: What to expect, biggest headlines + previews
Two of the AFL’s disgraced young guns will make a return to football via the VFL this weekend. Check out the biggest talking points ahead of Round 2.
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Here are the biggest talking points, team learnings and player movements across the VFL.
Looking glass: Round 2
STAND-ALONES SET TO LIGHT UP FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY
We’ll get our first look at the 2023 Frankston Dolphins on Friday night.
After having the bye in Round 1, the Dolphins will host fellow standalones Williamstown, who went down in their season opener.
After winning six games last season, the Dolphins are eyeing off a spot in the top eight.
Players to keep an eye on this season including Bailey Lambert Chayce Black and Josh Butland.
COLLINGWOOD CULT FIGURE IN FOR THE FIRST TIME
The Pies have confirmed electric small forward Jack Ginnivan will play his first game of 2023 at any level on Saturday night against Port Melbourne.
Ginnivan has been forced to bide his time on the sidelines after a two-game suspension for admitting to illicit drug use.
REVENGE ON THE CARDS
Tall defender Matt McGuinness has been given the all clear by team doctors to play against the club that delisted him, North Melbourne.
McGuinness left the field with a shoulder concern in Southport’s 86-point Round 1 win over Sandringham Williamstown but pulled up well for the club’s recovery session on Monday and got through training without a hitch on Tuesday.
It means Southport are unlikely to make any changes as McGuinness and fellow ex-North Melbourne VFL player Jacob Heron prepare to play their old club at Arden Street on Saturday.
The game will also mark Tom Fields’ 50th for Southport.
RETURN OF THE MAC
Mac Andrew is in line to play his first match for Gold Coast this year following his two game suspension for drink driving.
The young defender will be available for senior selection but, despite Gold Coast needing to bolster its defence, will likely the 19-year-old will make his way back through the reserves.
Sean Lemmens has overcome a calf injury and likely to play for the club’s VFL team against Geelong on Sunday while coaches will debate whether or not Jy Farrar, Wil Powell Mabior Chol are brought into the senior team.
Farrar had 25 touches last weekend while Powell played half a game after returning from a hamstring injury while Chol booted 3.2 again Williamstown in Round 1.
BRISBANE FULL OF BULLDOGS
Deven Robertson will make his return to the VFL as one of 23 AFL-listed players for Brisbane who will play the Footscray Bulldogs on Thursday
Robertson was the sub for Lions AFL coach Chris Fagan last week. The VFL team won’t have exciting defender Keidean Coleman who will go straight into the senior side after being out with concussion last week.
It will be familiar territory for many Lions at both VFL and AFL level, with VFL coach Ben Hudson, development coach Dale Morris, academy coach Mitch Hahn and property manager Jayden Shea a former Bulldogs player and employee respectively.
Dogs supporters will get their first look at the club’s top selection in last year’s AFL Draft with Jedd Busslinger named for Footscray.
It will be the youngster’s first game in nine months after undergoing two shoulder reconstructions.
AFL listed defenders Ryan Gardner and Tim O’Brien have also been named.
CAN SWANS FIND THEIR LEGS?
The Sydney Swans were right in their contest with Box Hill, until a five-goal blitz from the Hawks put paid to any upset result.
Early season fatigue told out in the fourth quarter, with the Swans’ disposal count more than 100 behind that of the visitors for the contest, as they struggled to contain a rampant Box Hill.
They’ll need to improve their run if they are to cause a big boilover at Casey against a flying Demons side this weekend.
GIANT CHANCE TO TURN THINGS AROUND
GWS found themselves on the wrong end of a lopsided scoreline, but there were enough positive signs for the Giants faithful to hold onto.
They won a number of key stats including handballs and hit-outs, and although their inside 50 rate was high, they weren‘t able to apply much scoreboard pressure at all.
A return to Giants Stadium to take on Carlton gives them the chance to make a real statement with their defence, which was picked apart last week.
Round 1
MANNAGH PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Now the vice-captain, Shaun Mannagh has again shown why he will be among Werribee’s most important players this season.
He finished with a team-high 31 disposals and nine tackles in Werribee’s one-point loss to Brisbane in Queensland.
Louis Pinnuck and Jack Henderson were also among Werribee’s better players.
The Tigers took six debutantes north for the season opener.
BEN JOLLEY IS WILLIAMSTOWN’S BENJAMIN BUTTON
Ben Jolley is back in Williamstown colours this season and he’s already looking impressive.
He had 24 touches and seven tackles in his side’s loss to the Gold Coast while ex-AFL defender Marty Hore impressed on debut with 20 disposals.
Importantly, Jack Toner played out his first game since recovering from a serious knee injury.
SHINING LIGHTS OUT OF DARK COUNTRY FOOTY SITUATION
Corowa-Rutherglen won’t play country footy in Victoria this season but the club can look on proudly at two of its exports.
Kaelan Bradtke, who won the final spot on Richmond’s AFL list this season, booted five goals in his side’s big win over the Bullants.
Meanwhile, Jedd Longmire had 12 disposals and kicked two majors for Collingwood.
PORT ON THE BOARD EARLY
Port Melbourne got its season off to the perfect start with a 20-point win over North Melbourne.
It was the first time the Borough have won their opening game since 2017, when they won the premiership.
Former Sydney Swans big man Sam Naismith dominated in the ruck while Archi Manton, the son of Carlton legend Glenn, booted four goals.
BULLANTS SHOW SIGNS
While the scoreboard wasn’t pretty there were some real signs of optimism at Northern Bullants. In new coach Brodie Holland’s first game in charge the team had more disposals, clearances and marks than Richmond. Tyson Young and JL Velissaris had a game-high 30 disposals and Liam Mackie had 28. The Bullants have been tipped to struggle after a tumultuous off-season but it may not be as bad as predicted.
MID-SEASON DRAFT HOPE
Flynn Gentile had an impressive VFL debut year in 2022 and hit the ground running on Saturday. Despite the Lions being well beaten by Collingwood, Gentile stood out, collecting a team-high 29 disposals and a goal. The young midfielder, along with the likes of Braedyn Gillard, will be Coburg’s leading ball-winners this year.
QUEENSLAND CONTINUE LEAGUE DOMINATION
The Queensland VFL contingent got off to a smashing start to the season on Saturday, with all three teams taking home the chocolates.
The Southport Sharks fired a warning shot across the competition with a massive 86-point win over Sandringham, 118-32.
While 2022 Coaches MVP Jacob Dawson lead the match in disposals on a healthy 36, it was the club’s new recruits that shone with Jackson Edwards finishing with 35 disposals and seven tackles, and ex-Collingwood VFL player Zach Molloy nailing nine tackles.
In the Gold Coast Suns 83-52 win over Williamstown, Mabior Chol booted three goals to make a statement after being omitted from the club’s AFL side for Round 2. Rory Atkins and Jy Farrar put out strong performances with 27 and 25 disposals respectively.
The Brisbane Lions managed to steal a 1-point win over Werribee, coming back from a 23-point deficit at half time to take the game 70-69.
Originally published as VFL Round 2: What to expect, biggest headlines + previews
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