Some tight games were played in wet weather today, with Port Melbourne, Collingwood, Box Hill Hawks, Casey Scorpions and Richmond winners in Round 14.
The Collingwood versus Werribee game was the only 'blowout' of sorts, with the other four games decided by less than two goals - with the lead changing in all four games in the final term.
And once again it is a case of another round, another team on top, with Port Melbourne returing to ladder leading status.
We take a look at the Round 14 Saturday games:
Casey over the line … just
Casey Scorpions broke a six game losing streak, overtaking Bendigo twice in the final minutes of the game to claim a two point win.
Trailing for the majority of the match, Casey hit the front in the final term, first as Dom Barry kicked his third goal at the 23 minute mark, then in the last few minutes of the game as Ed Morris kicked truly to give the Scorpions the match winning lead of two points.
It was a heartbreaking result for Bendigo, suffering a late loss twice in its last three games, and extending their losing streak to 31 matches.
Barry led the way on the scoreboard with three goals for Casey, with Jack Fitzpatrick, Morris and Sam Blease all kicking two goals. Max Gawn was influential in the final term, and was among the best with Harmes, Viv Michie and Ed Morris.
Downie, Che Walls and Pollock led the goal kicking for the home side with two each, with Daniel Toman, Alik Magin and Walls their best.
Port returns to the top
Port Melbourne has hung on for memorable seven point win over Essendon at North Port. After leading by as much as 35 points late in the third quarter, Port had to hold off a fast finishing Bombers outfit after they kicked seven of the last 10 goals of the game to almost snatch the win.
Essendon hit the from through Sam Tagliabue at the 26 minute mark of the final term, and looked set to overrun the Borough, but Dan Connors added his fourth goal and it was enough for Port Melbourne to claim the win by four points, and return to top spot on the ladder.
Mitch Woofindin led the way with 28 disposals for Port, joined by Toby Pinwill with 27 and the defensive team of Sam Pleming, Damian Mascitti 26 and Marcus Marigliani 24 in game 150 who were all in the best.
Connors led the way with four goals, while Chris Cain kicked three.
Kyle Hardingham was the major goal kicker for Essendon with three, while Thompson and Edwards kicked two. Best for the Bombers were Hardingham, Elliott Kavanagh and Dan Coglan.
Strong win for Collingwood
Collingwood has led from start to finish to complete a 30 point win over Werribee. Despite the win, Collingwood remains in sixth spot on the ladder, with the Tigers dropping to fifth on percentage.
After keeping Werribee goalless in the first term, Collingwood extended its quarter time lead of 13 points to 20 at half time.
Inaccuracy plagued the Magpies all afternoon, highlighted by a one goal 11 third term. Thankfully the defensive half for the home side was on top of their game, restricting Werribee to just two goals up until three quarter time. After an even final term, the Magpies were home by 30 points.
Caolan Mooney and Ben Reid kicked two each for Collingwood, with Tony Armstrong, Ben Moloney and Nick Riddle in their best.
Werribee struggled for goal scoring option all afternoon, with Porter, Mihocek and Jye Bolton their best.
Bulldog winning streak ends
Box Hill Hawk have returned to the VFL top two with a seven point win over ladder leaders Footscray. In a tight contest, the Hawks prevailed to bring to an end the seven game winning streak of the Bulldogs.
The match was fitting of a top four clash, with nothing more than 19 points separating the two teams all afternoon. Three late goals in the second term gave Box Hill a 12 point lead at half time. Despite trailing by 19 in the third quarter, the Bulldogs fought back to take the lead late in the third term, but Box Hill led by four points at the last change.
Will Hayes gave the Bulldogs the lead early in the final term, and the home side had all the momentum with 11 of the last 12 scoring shots. It turned into a goal for goal final term, with Footscray unable to kick ahead, but when Marc Lock kicked his third goal in time on, it was the seven point margin the Hawks would win by.
Xavier Murphy and Lock kicked three for Box Hill, with Sam Grimley with two. Lock Alex Woodward and Kyle Cheney their best.
Clay Smith kicked three for Footscray in his second game back from injury, and was among the best along with Brett Goodes and Shaun Higgins.
Tigers claw Cats again
Richmond has claimed the scalp of Geelong for the second time this season, defeating the Cats under lights at Simonds Stadium by four points. It was a sense of déjà vu for Geelong, as the Tigers once again made their charge during the third term, this time around with five unanswered goals to get themselves back into the game after trailing by 26 points in the second term.
The five goal run gave the Tigers the lead late in the third term, as Aaron Edwards put the visitors infront by four points. But it was the Cats in front at three quarter time as Jackson Thurlow gave the home side back the lead.
Liam McBean kicked two early goals in the final term taking his tally to four, and gave Richmond a 10-point lead. The two sides traded final term goals thereafter, but it was the Tiger defence that held strong, and the visitors had done enough kicking nine of the last 12 goals of the game to record a four point win.
Ross Young led the way for Richmond with 30 disposals, Gordon 27 and Aaron Edwards 23. Chris Knights in his return from injury had 20 disposals. McBean kicked four, Edwards and Banfield two each.
Goal kickers for Geelong were Darcy Lang, Jackson Hollmer and Thurlow with two each, with Bews, Thurlow and Brown in the best.
Richmond is now only a game outside the top eight, while Geelong missed a golden opportunity to be inside the top eight at the end of Round 14.
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SUNDAY GAMES:
Coburg v Williamstown
North Ballarat v Northern Blues (VFL Radio)
Sandringham v Frankston
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 12/07/2014 23:10