VFL Games 2026

[Thunder Shaker]

Oh dear - looks like Adams has done his hamstring again. While he wasn't likely to feature much in the firsts, this is really tragic for him.

I'm quite disappointed that Adams has injured his hamstring again. I would not be surprised if Adams announced his retirement without playing another game.

[dejavoodoo44]

I thought Mellis topped off a very good quarter on his part, by setting up the late Phillipou goal. Phillipou has been a touch erratic, but has put through a couple of quality goals. Lots of players doing well.

[bandwagon]

HT 5.3 v 8.9
Southport much more competitive, but we kicked a couple of late goals to stretch our lead to 24. An even contribution without a particular stand out, but the center square combination of Ladhams-Shipley-Cootee-Mellis has really got on top. 3 goals to Dattoli, 2 to Ryan & Philipou who has been both sublime and ridiculous so far.

[dejavoodoo44]

Big effort by Ryan to set up Cootee. And I'm still being impressed by how 'one touch' O'Loughlin is at half back, since he never played there for the academy.

[dejavoodoo44]

Bowman is playing with plenty of flair coming out of defence. Shipley has been his usual wholehearted self. Should come home with the wind in the last.

[bandwagon]

3QT 8.8 v 11.10
Southport taking advantage of the breeze this quarter to kick 2 early goals, but we used our clearance dominance to pull away again

[Sandridge]

GO BLOODS!

[bandwagon]

FT: 12.10 v 17.16

I think that was our most complete performance of the year. Only 7AFL-listed players (one of whom lasted 10 minutes), away from home against last years Grand Finalist, after a run of 3 losses. Lots of contributors made it hard to pick our best, but the win was driven out of the center, so with 24 clearance between them -
3 votes - Ladhams. We all laugh when he does something silly, but this was a game where he had to fight to impose himself, played with aggression, made smart decisions and contested until the final siren.
2 - Shipley. I'm generally not a fan, but he showed some quality disposals a long with his regular 100% effort.
1 - Cootee. Broke free from contests and delivered the ball forward all day.

Bowman probably played the best game I have seen from him, ran to make space and kicked really long.
Snell was opposed to Sam Day and acquited himself well, as usual. Intercept marks, spoils, tackles, pressure. Really needs to debut before North Melbourne realize they need tall defenders who aren't rubbish.
Dattoli played his best game for a while. Finished with only 15 disposals, but kicked 3 lovely goals and distributed inside 50, tackled and applied pressure. Was only rarely seen at center bounces.
Phillipou kicked 3 behinds with other players free, was run-down tackled about 1 metre from goal, but also kicked 3 and delivered beautiful kicks inside 50. He plays with enormous confidence.
VFL listed Tommy Ryan continued his hot form with another 3 goals

Academy players Clifton (playing forward when I've only seen him in the ruck) and Norris both looked composed and contributed well. But most impressively for me was James O'loughlin who like last week was composed, showed vision and kicked wonderfully, but also competed really hard and took a couple of contested marks.

[Dow]

FT: 12.10 v 17.16

I think that was our most complete performance of the year. Only 7AFL-listed players (one of whom lasted 10 minutes), away from home against last years Grand Finalist, after a run of 3 losses. Lots of contributors made it hard to pick our best, but the win was driven out of the center, so with 24 clearance between them -
3 votes - Ladhams. We all laugh when he does something silly, but this was a game where he had to fight to impose himself, played with aggression, made smart decisions and contested until the final siren.
2 - Shipley. I'm generally not a fan, but he showed some quality disposals a long with his regular 100% effort.
1 - Cootee. Broke free from contests and delivered the ball forward all day.

Bowman probably played the best game I have seen from him, ran to make space and kicked really long.
Snell was opposed to Sam Day and acquited himself well, as usual. Intercept marks, spoils, tackles, pressure. Really needs to debut before North Melbourne realize they need tall defenders who aren't rubbish.
Dattoli played his best game for a while. Finished with only 15 disposals, but kicked 3 lovely goals and distributed inside 50, tackled and applied pressure. Was only rarely seen at center bounces.
Phillipou kicked 3 behinds with other players free, was run-down tackled about 1 metre from goal, but also kicked 3 and delivered beautiful kicks inside 50. He plays with enormous confidence.
VFL listed Tommy Ryan continued his hot form with another 3 goals

Academy players Clifton (playing forward when I've only seen him in the ruck) and Norris both looked composed and contributed well. But most impressively for me was James O'loughlin who like last week was composed, showed vision and kicked wonderfully, but also competed really hard and took a couple of contested marks.

Can’t add much to that - Still like to rookie Mellis and hope Bowman. Stays injury free