Round 17 in Review

Victorian Football League Weekly Review

Well it was another bumper weekend of TRUenergy VFL action in Round 17 and now we are just four weeks from the first finals match! In the inaugural week of the ‘Round in Review’, James Willoughby has a close look at all the matches played over the weekend.

Geelong 10.7.67 def by Northern Bullants 17.15.117
Skilled Stadium

In this weeks ABC TV ‘match of the day’, the Bullants showed their class with a solid 50-point win away from home against the bottom side in Geelong. Just nine points separated the sides at the main break, but a six-goal to one third term blew the game away as Geelong’s valiant first-half effort came to an end.

For the Bullants, it was their Carlton contingent of players coming to the fore – in particular Ryan Houlihan, who was dumped from the Carlton side. Houlihan’s obvious class was on show, booting four goals whilst ex-Hawk Glen Bowyer was best on ground. Bowyer was well supported by Setanta O’Hailpin, Simon Wiggins and David Clarke as the Bullants consolidated their place on top of the ladder.

Coburg Tigers 15.12.102 def North Ballarat 10.15.75
Coburg City Oval

A six-goal to two first term set the tone for the Tigers who amazingly, despite sitting in second last place on the ladder, are just a game plus a bit of percentage out of the final eight. The chance for finals action is still alive, only just, but if the Tigers can replicate this sort of performance they might just have a chance.

Young Jarrod Silvester was best on ground, whilst Adam Houlihan booted 3 for the winners. For North Ballarat, Liston medallist Julian Field was at it again, having another good game and he was well assisted by Anthony Franchina, but it wasn’t enough as a 6 goal last term handed the Tigers a 27-point win.

Tasmania 18.16.124 def Box Hill Hawks 10.8.68
North Hobart Oval

During the week there was a lot of talk about Tassie Devil, Ian Callinan and how his prospects for a Liston Medal were looking good. Well another Devil, this time ex-Demon Ben Beams could not have put forward his case any better, playing one of the games of his life as he booted eight goals.

Six of Beams’ goals came in the second half, as he broke the tag of Hawk Steven Greene to produce a best on ground effort. The Hawks held a seven-point lead at half-time but conceded 13 of the last 16 goals as the Devils recorded a 56-point win in front of a crowd of approximately 5500.

Port Melbourne 17.14.116 def Williamstown 13.14.92
TEAC Oval

After all the drama during the week, regarding the Port Melbourne-Kangaroos split, it was important that the Borough come out and put up a good showing in front of their home fans and that they did recording an important four goal win. A nine goal to four second term set the victory up for Port in SEN 1116’s match of the day.

Williamstown never gave up and were always within striking distance, but Port were just too strong and had contributors all over the field. This fact was demonstrated by the statistic that Port had 14 separate goal kickers over the afternoon. Steven Lawrence was best on ground whilst key Seagull forward Jeremy Dukes snagged six goals in a lone hand up forward for the losers.

Werribee 18.10.118 def Frankston 13.10.88
Chirnside Park

The Tigers winless since Round 13 needed a victory, and a five goal win at home was the perfect way to stop the recent run of poor form. A five-goal to one first term set up the game and from then on Frankston found it difficult to get back into the game.

James Podsiadly continued on his stellar season, booting another six goals to take his tally for the season to 60 goals. Travis Robertson was best on ground for the home side, whilst for Frankston Justin Berry snagged six goals and skipper John Hynes was the best for the losers.

Sandringham 14.13.97 def Bendigo Bombers 13.13.91
Trevor Barker Beach Oval

In 3SER 97.7 FM’s match of the day it was the Zebras who took home the points in a cliff-hanger down at Sandringham. Sandy, 14 points down at the last change stormed home to boot six goals to two in the final term to snare a great come from behind victory.

For the home side, Chad Liddell had another good game and Colin Sylvia kicked three goals. For the Bombers, Angus Monfries was best on ground with four goals but it was to no avail as the Zebras triumphed.

Victorian Football League Premiership Table

NEXT WEEK:

Saturday August 6

Port Melbourne vs Coburg Tigers @ TEAC OVAL 1:10 PM :: Media Coverage - ABC TV, SEN 1116

Sunday August 7

Bendigo Bombers vs Tasmania @ QEO 1:00PM

Box Hill vs Scorpions @ BOX HILL CITY OVAL 2:00 PM :: Media Coverage – 3SER 97.7 FM

Werribee vs Geelong @ CHIRNSIDE PARK 2:00PM

Frankston vs Williamstown @ FRANKSTON CITY OVAL 2:00PM

Bye – North Ballarat, Sandringham, Northern Bullants

James Willoughby is an aspiring journalist who covers VFL and can be heard on Melbourne's SEN 1116am and 3SER 97.7 FM.

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