VFL takeaways: Mid-season draftees emerge, AFL debuts loom

It’s the battle of the standalones in Round 5 of the VFL as some mouth watering clashes await. Here are the key talking points ahead of the weekend.

It’s set to be a special weekend of VFL footy as teams pause to remember the Anzacs.

Here are just some of the things you need to look out for in Round 5.

OLD RIVALS AT A FAMOUS HOME

What a perfect setting for two traditional rivals.

Collingwood and Essendon will do battle at Victoria Park from 12pm on Sunday in a mouthwatering clash.

Both sides appear evenly matched on paper having recorded two wins and two losses through the opening month of the season.

BATTLE OF THE WEST

Local bragging rights will be on the cards on Sunday when Werribee hosts Williamstown in a highly anticipated game at Avalon Airport Oval.

The Seagulls find themselves among the early pacesetters this season with three wins while Werribee has been a little slower out of the blocks.

Both teams are hopeful of making the top-eight this season and an early season win here will be critical.

FRINGE LION COULD FIND NEW HOME

Brisbane midfielder Dev Robertson might need to move clubs to secure a senior onball role, after playing in just one full AFL game to his two VFL games, reports the Herald Sun.

The No. 22 pick from the 2019 national draft hails from West Australia and last year had some interest from Perth-based clubs, but this time around his suitors are believed to include Victorian teams.

Robertson played round 1 and then had only one possession in 52 minutes as the sub in round 2 and one disposal in 11 minutes when subbed on in round 4.

After 16 games in his second season he played only eight last year and Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft have pushed him further back this year.

Ashcroft’s brother Levi will arrive at the end of next year and father-son Jaspa Fletcher also arrived with Will Ashcroft in last year’s draft as a midfielder.

It means he will likely have to find a second home to become an established midfielder despite Brisbane’s determination to re-sign him.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTY

Victoria standalone clubs Frankston and Port Melbourne will do battle under lights on Monday night.

It shapes as an interesting contest with both sides having shown glimpses of some exciting footy throughout the opening month of the season.

ROUND 4 TAKEAWAYS

The VFL ladder is starting to take shape after the opening month of the season.

At the weekend, there were a number of major talking points including big performances from AFL listed players and local stars.

Here are the major talking points.

IS SCHACHE EDGING CLOSER TO A MELBOURNE DEBUT?

Melbourne utility Josh Schache has done his chances of a call up to Melbourne’s AFL team no harm with a massive display against Essendon on Sunday.

The 25-year-old kicked 4.2 to go along with 20 disposals as Casey proved too strong for Essendon.

James Harmes and Bailey Laurie also found plenty of footy for the Dees.

Meanwhile, Ben Hobbs outstanding form in the reserves continued for the Bombers.

FIRST QUARTER WOES SINK SWANS

The Swans looked good for three quarters of their clash with North Melbourne.

The only problem was a disastrous first term that saw them fall behind by 42 points early in the game.

Unfortunately for Sydney they were gone from that point on, despite showing some fight and not letting the end result get out of hand.

Nicholas Shipley was the best in a beaten side with 27 disposals, nine tackles and 10 clearances in a very solid display.

Jye Chalcraft has started the year in brilliant form. Photo: by Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

CHALCRAFT CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

Reigning Geelong best-and-fairest Jye Chalcraft isn’t doing his AFL hopes any harm with an impressive start to the season.

He collected another 28 disposals as the Cats accounted for Werribee by 13 points on Saturday.

Marcus Herbert and Ben Lloyd also found plenty of the footy.

DOLPHINS GET ON THE BOARD

Frankston has its first win of the 2023 season after overcoming Sandringham by 26 points on Sunday.

Co-captains Trent Mynott and Will Fordham led from the front in the 12.10 (82) to 8.8 (56) victory at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, kicking four and two goals respectively and having 53 disposals between them.

“We didn’t win a game in pre season and we’d lost the first two, so for the players, the coaches and all the staff it’s a bit of validation after all the work they’ve been putting in since October with a new team effectively,” coach Danny Ryan said.

Trent Mynott celebrates a goal. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

IS MATHO WASTED POTENTIAL?

Despite being a most consistent force in the Lions domination of the VFL in the first four rounds, the question remains over whether the club devotee will move up to the senior side this season.

After averaging 28 and 24 disposals in the first two rounds respectively, Mathieson went on to notch an impressive 42 disposals in Round 3, followed by another match high of 37 in Round 4.

But it could potentially come as fruitless for the midfielder, with a stacked senior line-up including Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale, Zac Bailey and Jarrod Berry.

At many other clubs, the ‘barometer’ could easily slide into the midfield of an AFL list, but the 26-year-old’s undying devotion could ultimately hinder his time at senior level.

Harvey Hooper put together a big performance. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

DAMAGING DUO IMPRESS FOR PORT

Port Melbourne secured its second victory of the season with a 23-point victory over the Northern Bullants.

Harvey Hooper (29 disposals and two goals) and Jake Gasper (26 touches and three majors) were at the forefront of the result.

Meanwhile, Tyson Young continued his impressive season for the Bullants with 23 disposals and three majors.

DANGER SIGNS FOR SOUTHPORT

Ahead of the season, Southport Sharks head coach Steve Daniel said the first six rounds were his immediate focus.

Now, with one win from four matches, things could spell danger signs if the stand-alone side can’t pick up their game heading into the fifth and six rounds.

First, the side will head to Victoria to take on 16th placed Footscray Bulldogs, who will be chasing their second win of the season, and next, host 19th placed Northern Bullants, who remain winless from three.

The Sharks may have signed well, but appear to be missing the likes of Ryan Davis, Seb Tape, Jacob Townsend and Rhys Townsend who all retired or went elsewhere in the off-season.

GULLS SHAPING AS FINALS CONTENDER

Williamstown entered the season with an improved list and its already paying dividends.

The Seagulls secured an important 54-point win over Coburg on Saturday with former Hawthorn player James Cousins finishing with 39 disposals and a goal.

Corey Ellison and Nick Ebinger also impressed with three goals apiece.

Originally published as VFL takeaways: Mid-season draftees emerge, AFL debuts loom