All GFL news, statistics and updates from round 17

Two of the Mathieson Medal chances had 40-disposal games each, while another booted seven goals in a late push for the award. FULL STATS REVEALED

Newtown & Chilwell will have a decision to make after captain Matt McMahon was yellow carded and offered a one-match ban in the Eagles’ 17-point loss to St Mary’s on Sunday.

The incident occurred late in the third quarter, with the Eagles forced to be without their skipper for 15 minutes as the Saints went on to win 11.13 (79) to 9.8 (62) at Anthony Costa Oval.

Eagles coach Damien McMahon said he didn’t see the incident and added they would watch the vision and wait on AFL Barwon’s Match Review Panel findings to decide on their next move.

“It’s frustrating, he (McMahon) has been offered a week, everyone’s reports (were) there wasn’t much in it,” Damien McMahon said.

“I thought the yellow card was probably warranted based on the umpire being closer to it than the coach’s box was.

“We’ll just see what unfolds there.”

GFL: St Mary's v Newtown & Chilwell. No 32 Luke Maddock for Newtown & Chilwell.

It’s the second time this year McMahon has found himself in hot water against St Mary’s, having been initially suspended for two matches and then found not guilty at the tribunal for a clash that broke Saint Harry Benson’s jaw in round 11.

St Mary’s again got the points over the Eagles, with Tom Lang booting two goals in his return as his side held off a fast finishing Newtown outfit to all-but secure the minor premiership.

The Saints’ victory was soured somewhat by an injury to Brady Pritchard.

“I think Brady Pritchard’s definitely injured a collarbone, whether it’s broken or fractured (is) yet to be determined, but it’s one he’s done before and he knows exactly what he’s done,” St Mary’s co-coach Travis Robertson said.

“(He’s) pretty flat … he was playing really good footy today, I’d say his form’s been a little up and down during the year, but he was probably playing his best game, so very unfortunate for him.”

GFL: St Mary's v Newtown & Chilwell. No 30 Mitch Diamond for Newtown & Chilwell.

Robertson said has been pleased with his side’s form as finals approach, but added that injuries continued to be an issue for the Saints as clashes with Grovedale and St Joseph’s await them.

“We’re very happy with the win, Newtown (& Chilwell) always bring a pretty good game of footy and I guess early in the last quarter we thought we were in for a real fight,” he said.

“But the boys, once again, have been able to withstand the pressure, respond and hit the scoreboard.

“I think the pleasing thing for us late in the game was their ability to control possession and just slow the game down because we had a comfortable lead.

“Our form is working, our side make up not so much.

“We’ve still just not been settled … I don’t like going with the early calls because it usually changes during the week, but I’d suspect we’d probably have three or four changes next week.”

Joeys star returns with a bang

St Joseph’s star Luke Webb made a memorable impact on his return to GFL football, kicking five goals against the Giants in his first game back.

Webb missed seven games of football after suffering a broken collarbone against Bell Park in round 8, but returned to bag five majors in the 18.10 (118) to 7.5 (47) victory over Geelong West.

St Joseph’s coach Paul Carson said Webb was “touch and go” for the match against Geelong West.

“The beauty of Webby is that he is so good at playing both ends of the ground,” he said.

“He was pretty touch and go heading into the game but coming off the bye we felt pretty good in playing him.

“He rewarded us with a fantastic game and it’ll be great to see him find form ahead of finals.”

The win seals St Joseph’s position in the top 5 after Grovedale lost to Bell Park and Leopold defeated South Barwon.

Giants forward Jacson Collins slotted three in the loss and was competitive throughout the contest, while St Joseph’s James Gow, Ayden Gras, Brant Haintz and Oliver Hanneysee slotted two goals each.

GFL: St Joseph's v Geelong West

Geelong West coach Greg Mellor said Joeys were “slick” with their ball movement during the entire four quarters.

“They moved the ball really well, they were slick with it and finished well, and we were a bit slower,” he said.

GFL: St Joseph's v Geelong West

“Joeys are a really good side, we’ve had trouble with them so far this year.

“They obviously beat us in that first match up and then today they were too good again, but they’re a strong team.”

Mellor said he was excited for the future of the Giants program, with round 18 to be the side’s last for 2022 after missing finals.

“We’ve seen some really pleasing development from our young guys, Tanner Lovell is playing VFL and Baxter Mensch has had a terrific year,” he said.

“We set out wanting to win more games than last year with a look towards playing finals in 2023, and we won seven games last season and are now on nine this year so that growth is there.”

North Shore v St Albans

A four-goal performance from Joel Edwards led North Shore to a 18.18 (126) to 7.6 (48) victory over St Albans.

The Seagulls were initially wayward in front of goal, kicking three goals and six behinds in the first quarter.

But North Shore straightened up after the quarter-time break, with Kobe Annand, Herschelle Carr, Cooper Langan, Noah Lever and Jacob Sammut-Miljevic all slotting two goals each.

Leopold v South Barwon

Five goals to midfield stud Rob Maibaum led Leopold to a massive 19.14 (128) to 6.12 (48) win against South Barwon.

Mitch Patten, Jake Pitt, Marcus Thompson and Brock Williamson all snagged two goals each in the win, with the Lions able to hold South Barwon to just one goal after half time while piling on 12 themselves.

Bell Park v Grovedale

Grovedale’s slim finals hopes were extinguished with a shock 14.14 (98) to 22.7 (139) loss to Bell Park.

Jackson Bright slotted six goals for Bell Park, while Hamish Dawson had five for the Dragons in the win.

Grovedale’s Flynn Young managed three majors, as did Matt Harvey, in the loss.

Lara v Colac

Star Tiger Jonathan Simpkin had a day out against Lara, slotting seven goals in the 20.12 (132) to 8.13 (61) victory.

Lara led at quarter time but Colac broke the game open after the first break, with Jacob McGuane slotting four goals and debutant Will McLachlan kicking three.

Cats forward Mitch Day slotted three majors in the loss.

Originally published as All GFL news, statistics and updates from round 17