The Casey Scorpions secured the last spot in the Legendairy VFL finals series and the Box Hill Hawks wrapped up the minor premiership in Saturday’s Round 19 Peter Jackson VFL action.
Casey’s win over Coburg ended the Lions’ run of four consecutive victories and dream charge towards the finals, in what was retiring Coburg captain Nick Carnell’s final match at Piranha Park.
Williamstown’s hard-fought loss to Werribee opened the door for Box Hill to claim the minor premiership, and the Hawks did so emphatically with a big win over the Northern Blues.
The Tigers’ victory added them to a logjam of teams competing for a top-four spot and double chance in the finals, joining the currently fourth-placed Footscray, as well as Essendon and Collingwood – both winners in Round 19 – on records of 11-6.
ESSENDON 11.13 (79) d FOOTSCRAY 10.15 (75)
Win/loss: Essendon 11-6 / Footscray 11-6
Essendon stormed home against Footscray at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo, fighting back from 17 points down early in the final term to kick the last three goals and clinch a five-point win. The victory places the Bombers behind the fourth-placed Bulldogs only on percentage, as they remain in the mix for the finals double chance.
Leading goalkickers: Thompson 3 (Essendon) / Minson 3 (Footscray)
Run home: Essendon vs Richmond (H) / Footscray vs Werribee (A)
COLLINGWOOD 22.18 (150) d RICHMOND 12.6 (78)
Win/loss: Collingwood 11-6 / Richmond 5-12
Earning a finals double chance is still a possibility for Collingwood. Seven goals in both the first and third quarters at Victoria Park set the Magpies up for a convincing victory that puts them even on wins with fourth-placed Footscray. The Tigers started brightly by kicking the first two goals of the game, but Collingwood was soon in firm control of proceedings.
Leading goalkickers: Cox 5, Monkhorst 3, Close 3 (Collingwood) / McBean 5 (Richmond)
Run home: Collingwood vs Port Melbourne (H) / Richmond vs Essendon (A)
WERRIBEE 11.22 (88) d WILLIAMSTOWN 11.7 (73)
Win/loss: Werribee 11-6 / Williamstown 12-5
The Tigers recorded their fourth consecutive win and second triumph over the Seagulls in 2015 at Burbank Oval. A strong opening term established the defining margin and Werribee weathered Williamstown’s eventual challenge despite kicking 4.14 in the second half. The victory keeps the Tigers well and truly in the race for a top-four spot.
Leading goalkickers: Porter 4 (Werribee) / Lockwood 5 (Williamstown)
Run home: Werribee vs Footscray (H) / Williamstown vs Box Hill Hawks (A)
PORT MELBOURNE 33.13 (211) d FRANKSTON 10.5 (65)
Win/loss: Port Melbourne 7-10 / Frankston 0-18
The Borough showed no mercy in snapping a seven-game losing streak, recording its highest-ever score against the Dolphins at North Port Oval. Jordan Lisle booted four first-half goals and five for the match to draw level with Sam Grimley at the top of the ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal leaderboard, while his team finished off with a lazy 13 goals in a dominant final term.
Leading goalkickers: Clarke 6, Lisle 5 (Port Melbourne) / Pickess 3 (Frankston)
Run home: Port Melbourne vs Collingwood (A) / Frankston – BYE
CASEY SCORPIONS 17.9 (111) d COBURG 14.10 (94)
Win/loss: Casey Scorpions 9-8 / Coburg 7-10
The Scorpions made a brilliant start in their bid to sew up eighth spot at Piranha Park, opening up a 25-point lead on the Lions late in the first quarter. Coburg answered with six unanswered goals in the second term in a bid to keep its finals dream alive, but Casey turned the tables again by hitting the front on the three-quarter time siren and never being headed.
Leading goalkickers: Spencer 4, Smith 4, Jamar 3 (Casey Scorpions) / Johns 3 (Coburg)
Run home: Casey Scorpions vs Sandringham (A) / Coburg vs North Ballarat (A)
BOX HILL HAWKS 26.9 (165) d NORTHERN BLUES 11.9 (75)
Win/loss: Box Hill Hawks 14-3 / Northern Blues 4-13
With Williamstown’s loss to Werribee, the Hawks claimed the 2015 minor premiership by downing the Blues at Preston City Oval. Box Hill’s 15-goal first half– including five majors off the boot of James Sicily – opened up a 66-point margin at the main break and led to last year’s runners-up securing a home qualifying final.
Leading goalkickers: Sicily 8, Lawlor 3 (Box Hill Hawks) / Walton 4, Smith 3 (Northern Blues)
Run home: Box Hill Hawks vs Williamstown (H) / Northern Blues vs Geelong (A)
Sunday’s match:
Sandringham vs Geelong (Trevor Barker Beach Oval)
The Zebras have a chance to move above Williamstown into second position with a win at home against the Cats.
CLICK HERE for the best players, goalkickers and quarter by quarter scores
CLICK HERE for the updated ladder
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VFL MEDIA COVERAGE: Round 19
Form ladder
The Borough's silver lining
Round 19 VFL teams
Curtains for Coburg captain Carnell
Last Modified on 22/08/2015 18:38
