2025 Reserves

Reserves Season 2025
Coach: Luke Power
Co-Captains: Liam McMahon & Heath Ramshaw
Best & Fairest: Ethan Phillips.
Position: 13th
Premier: Footscray

Carlton's 2025 Reserves Team Squad.

STAYING: VFL: Ollie Badr, Patrick Dozzi, Kristian Ferronato, Dane Harvey, Will Hayes, Darcy Hogg, Michael Lewis, Liam McMahon, Aiden Mills, Luke Nelson, Oliver Poole, Logan Prout, Heath Ramshaw, Flynn Riley, Archie Stevens.

ARRIVING: Denver Grainger-Barras (Hawthorn), Cooper Hamilton (GWS Giants), Zac Harding (Wodonga/Murray Bushrangers), Liam Farrar (Diamond Creek/Northern Knights), Nash King (Wallan/Calder Cannons), Taj Logan (Diamond Creek/Northern Knights), Ethan Phillips (Hawthorn), Stirling Phipps-Parsons (Old Xaverians), Jack Polkinghorne (Old Scotch), Cooper Vickery (Sydney Swans), Ollie Warburton (Murray Bushrangers/Collingwood VFL).

DEPARTING: Noah Barnes (Heidelberg), Jed Brereton (Strathfieldsaye), Ned Cahill (Frankston YCW), Jess Gedi (Heidelberg), Hayden Gill (Werribee), Luca Goonan (Frankston YCW), Blake Kuipers, Bailey Lambert (Frankston), Jack Lefroy (Coburg), Zavier Maher (North Adelaide), Jack Maruff (Bundoora), Hugo Nosiara (Old Haileybury), Tom Phillips, Michael Rudd (Port Melbourne), Tyson Sruk (Casey Demons), Lachie Swaney (Old Melburnians), Tobie Travaglia (St Kilda), Callum Verrell, Lachie Young (Balwyn). AFL: Dom Akuei (delisted – Essendon VFL), Jack Carroll (St Kilda), David Cuningham (delisted – Footscray Bulldogs), Sam Durdin (delisted – Box Hill Hawks), Matt Kennedy (Western Bulldogs), Caleb Marchbank (delisted), Jack Martin (Geelong Cats), Alex Mirkov (delisted – Old Ivanhoe), Matt Owies (West Coast Eagle).

Carlton's 2025 Reserves Team Squad.
50 - Kristian Ferronato
51 - Heath Ramshaw
52 - Liam McMahon
53 - Patrick Dozzi
54 - Will Hayes
55 - Ethan Phillips
56 - Flynn Riley
57 - Luke Nelson
58 - Michael Lewis
59 - Cooper Vickery
60 - Zac Harding
61 - Denver Grainger-Barass
62 - Ollie Badr
63 - Nash King
64 - Aiden Mills
67 - Liam Farrar
68 - Taj Logan
69 - Stirling Phipps-Parsons
70 - Darcy Hogg
73 - Dane Harvey
74 - Logan Prout
75 - Oliver Poole
76 - Jack Polkinghorne
77 - Archie Stevens
78 - Oliver Warburton
80 - Cooper Hamilton

STAR PERFORMERS

Best and Fairest: 1st: Ethan Phillips (159 votes), 2nd: Darcy Hogg (106 votes), 3rd: Harry Lemmey (89 votes).
J.J. Liston Trophy Votes: Harry Lemmey and Sam Docherty 5 votes.
Coaches MVP Votes: Ethan Phillips 38 votes (equal 27th overall)
Best Young Player: Darcy Hogg
Best Clubman: Heath Ramshaw
Coaches Award: Flynn Riley
Players Player of the Year: Ethan Phillips

Practice Match 1, 2025.

||CARLTON | 2.2.14 | 6.7.43 | 10.11 (71)
SANDRINGHAM | 2.0.12 | 2.1.13 | 3.3 (21)
Venue:| Arden Street, North Melbourne.
Date:| Saturday February 22nd 2025 (2pm).
Result:| Won by 50 points.
Goalkickers:| Hogg 2, W. White 2, Camporeale, D. Grainger-Barras, Harvey, Hollands, B. Kemp 1.
Best:| Not Available.
Reports:| Nil.
Injuries:| Nil.
||

Who impressed in first 2025 hitout?

See who performed well in the Carlton Reserves' opening practice match of 2025. - By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media

The Carlton Reserves ramped up their preparations for the upcoming 2025 VFL season with a promising showing in their opening practice match. Coming up against Sandringham, the Blues adapted well to tricky conditions at IKON Park, coming away with a 10.11 (71) to 3.3 (21) win. Taking place over three 30-minute time periods, the Blues had a number of contributors all over the field, with a mix of AFL and VFL-listed Blues linking well in the first hitout of 2025. Carlton fans who braved the heat for the full day would’ve been buoyed by the signs shown from draftees Harry O'Farrell and Harry Charleson, with O’Farrell taking a handful of intercept marks while Charleson providing some run and carry out of the back half. Kicking 10 goals in shortened game time, the Blues had a number of contributors in the forward half, with Darcy Hogg and Will White - who was signed as a supplemental selection period signing for the AFL team two days later - both hitting the scoreboard with two goals. White was at his energetic best throughout the course of the afternoon, with a rundown tackle in the second term highlighting his endeavour. AFL-listed forwards Brodie Kemp, Elijah Hollands, Harry Lemmey and Francis Evans were all busy and had key moments throughout the course of the day, with Brodie Kemp in particular looming dangerously as a marking target inside 50. After playing the second half of the AFL game, Cooper Lord and Lucas Camporeale both doubled up with big stints in the second game: Lord was busy in the opening stages at the coalface, while Camporeale added a classy left-footed goal to go with his snap in the seniors against St Kilda. Signed on to the Carlton Reserves this year, Cooper Vickery (formerly on Sydney’s list) impressed with his ball use across half-back on a number of occasions, while fellow new signing Ethan Phillips performed strongly in his first hitout in his new colours. The VFL Blues will be in action once again this Friday evening, taking on North Melbourne from 4:30pm at IKON Park.

Practice Match 2, 2025.

||CARLTON | 1.3.9 | 5.6.36 | 5.8.38 | 8.11 (59)
NORTH MELBOURNE | 2.0.12 | 4.2.26 | 5.6.36 | 7.10 (52)
Venue:| IKON Park, Carlton.
Date:| Saturday March 1st 2025 (2pm).
Result:| Won by 7 points.
Goalkickers:| W. White 2, Dozzi, Logan, McMahon, Phipps-Parsons, Poole 1.
Best:| Not Available.
Reports:| Nil.
Injuries:| Nil.
||

Blues continue preparations with narrow win

The Carlton Reserves recorded a seven-point win over North Melbourne in their VFL practice match. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir

The Carlton Reserves continued their momentum in the lead-up to the VFL season, prevailing over North Melbourne at IKON Park in a practice match. In a low-scoring affair, the Blues managed to hold on in a thrilling seven-point win, prevailing 8.11 (59) to 7.10 (52). It was a hot start by the Roos with a major in the opening minute. Patrick Dozzi kicked the first for Carlton, and was complemented by some bright moments from young backs Harry O'Farrell and Billy Wilson. Following the quarter-time break, recently elevated supplemental selection period signing Will White was energetic, kicking the Blues’ first of the term on his non-preferred right foot. Soon after, a nice set up from the midfield gave Taj Logan his first of the game with a tight set shot finish. After a defensive intercept, Billy Wilson hit up Liam McMahon to give the Blues the lead halfway through the second for the first time, followed soon with Stirling Phipps-Parsons converting a nice set shot from the boundary. The Blues kicked four of the last five to set up a 10-point lead going into half time. After the major break, AFL-listed player Harry Lemmey provided a key option up forward, while Heath Ramshaw provided some drive alongside Harry Charleson from the back half.

With only two behinds coming in the third term for the Blues, Luke Nelson provided plenty of energy, as the Roos reduced the margin to two points at the final change. Will White became the first multiple goal kicker of the game to start the last, with a classy finish on his left to kick his second, giving the Blues the first of the fourth term. In a final-quarter tussle, Oliver Poole chimed in a late with a classy finish from close range to bolster the lead to eight points. North wouldn’t go away, answering with a major to bring the margin back to two points heading into the final minutes. It was up to Harry Lemmey to put the icing on the cake with an outstanding set shot on the stroke of full time to seal the Carlton win. The VFL Blues are set to match up against Richmond on Friday 14 March at 11am at IKON Park.

Practice Match 3, 2025.

||CARLTON | 1.8.14 | 2.11.13 | 5.12.42 | 8.16 (54)
RICHMOND | 6.0.36 | 8.1.49 | 11.4.70 | 13.5 (83)
Venue:| IKON Park, Carlton..
Date:| Friday 14th March 2025 (11 am).
Result:| Lost by 29 points.
Goalkickers:| A. Moir 2, O. Poole 2, D. Harvey 1, H. Lemmey 1, L. McMahon 1, B. Wilson 1.
Best:| Not Available.
Reports:| Nil.
Injuries:| Nil.
||

Tigers defeat Blues in final practice match.

Looking to continue their momentum with the VFL season commencing next week, the Carlton Reserves fell short to Richmond at IKON Park. In a back and forth affair, the Blues went down to Richmond in their final practice match before Round 1, with inaccuracy costing them in the 8.16 (64) to 13.5 (83) defeat. Continuing where they left off from a VFL perspective, it was a hot start by the Blues who had the game on their terms in the first five minutes. Matt Carroll was quick to show his class, asserting early dominance complemented by fellow backman Logan Prout. Despite Carlton looking in control early, Richmond kicked the first goal against the run of play at the nine-minute mark to take the lead. Following a free kick, Ollie Poole kicked his first halfway through the quarter to give the Blues their first of the day. It was otherwise a wasteful term for the Blues, with Richmond leading by 22 points despite the Blues recording three more scoring shots. With some work to do after the first break, it was key forward Harry Lemmey who kicked a set shot to open his account after a strong contested mark. Injected into the game in the second term, Jordan Boyd was quick to establish himself at half back, while midfielders Heath Ramshaw and Archie Stevens found plenty of the footy. After a low-scoring second term, the Tigers with a 26-point lead heading into the major break. Following the first half, Ashton Moir kicked his first major with a classy snapping finish to give the Blues an early one after the break. Through some dash from the mids, Liam McMahon chimed in with a quick kick from the top of the goal square to give Carlton two in a minute. AFL-listed player Jaxon Binns provided plenty of energy, while Dane Harvey finished with a nice set shot around the body from the boundary for Carlton’s third of the quarter on the stroke of three-quarter time. However, turnovers were costly with the Tigers leading by 28 to close the third. Heading into the final term, the Reserves were looking for a spark. A Patrick Dozzi clearance followed by a high-flying Ashton Moir provided some early momentum, while Billy Wilson – who moved into the middle in the final term – kicked his first following a 50-metre penalty. Poole became Carlton’s first multiple goal scorer of the day, with a brilliant finish on the run from 45 metres out, before Ashton Moir followed suit with his second major following a set shot from the boundary. The siren soon followed, with the Blues left to rue missed opportunities but with positives to build on ahead of the season proper next week. Round 1 of the VFL will kick off next Friday 21 March at 7:05pm against Box Hill at IKON Park.

Round 1, 2025.

||CARLTON | 4.1.25 | 4.3.27 | 6.4.40 | 12.4 (76)
HAWTHORN | 4.6.30 | 6.8.44 | 9.11.65 | 11.14 (80)
Venue:| Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:| Friday 21st March, 2025 (7.05 pm).
Result:| Lost by 4 points.
Goalkickers:| Liam McMahon 4.1, Darcy Hogg 2.1, Ollie Badr 2.1, Ashton Moir 2.0, Will White 1.0, Harry Lemmey 1.0, Rushed 0.1.
Best:| Ethan Phillips, Darcy Hogg, Jordan Boyd, Cooper Vickery, Flynn Riley, Francis Evans.
Reports:| Nil.
Injuries:| Nil.
||

Team

B: E. Phillips (55), C. Vickery (59), J. Boyd (37)
HB: H. Charleson (28), D. Harvey (73), B. Wilson (35)
C: J. Binns (25), A. Stevens (77), B. Camporeale (16)
HF: W. White (38), F. Evans (44), L. Nelson (57)
F: H. Lemmey (31), L. McMahon (52), A. Moir (43)
R: F. Riley (56), P. Dozzi (53), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: L. Prout (74), W. Hayes (54), O. Badr (62), K. Ferronato (50), D. Hogg (70)
23rd Player: O. Badr (62)
EMG: O. Poole (75), S. Phipps-Parsons (69), J. Polkinghorne (76), N. King (63), T. Logan (68), O. Warburton (78)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Box Hill Hawks saw off a determined comeback from Carlton to hang on for a four-point win in a quality opening to the Smithy’s VFL season at IKON Park on Friday night. The Hawks gradually worked their way into a strong position and looked like cruising to victory when the otherwise quiet Hawthorn champion Luke Breust kicked his third goal in 15 minutes to give his team a commanding 32-point advantage midway through the last quarter. The Blues came to life, slamming on five majors in nine minutes to draw within a kick with three minutes still to play when new captain Liam McMahon slotted his fourth goal in an impressive start to the year. And they may well have found a way to win, but Box Hill’s experienced heads managed to pull themselves together and shut the contest down between the arcs. New recruit Trent Bianco was best afield for the Hawks with outstanding support from Henry Hustwaite and the returning Ethan Stanley, while Kye Declase slotted in well in his first Box Hill and 99th VFL game. Former Hawk Ethan Phillips starred in defence for Carlton with 10 marks, finding support from Jordan Boyd and Cooper Vickery. The evergreen Will Hayes had another prolific game, Darcy Hogg had one of his best games at VFL level and Ben Camporeale enjoyed a strong display on debut, coming on after half-time to pick up 13 disposals, four marks and four tackles.

Leading Disposals: Will Hayes 31, Jordan Boyd 23, Ethan Phillips 22

!Ebert sums up VFL Round 1

Head of Development Brad Ebert sums up the Carlton Reserves' season opener. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir

The Carlton Reserves fell agonisingly short in their VFL season opener against Box Hill. After trailing by as much as 32 points, the Blues were beaten by the siren as a late comeback came so close to a memorable win in the VFL season opener. Head of Development Brad Ebert spoke to Carlton Media following the game, with a number of positives to take out of the four-point defeat.

On his emotions post game:
“It was a bit mixed I reckon. We’re seeing a lot of growth from a lot of the boys and for us to be in that position, I just felt it was a massive group from where the group had been over the past 12-18 months. There were a lot of positives to take out of it. “Obviously you want to get away with a win, but the fight, the determination and the ability to stay in that fight with such a young group was a real highlight.

On what worked late in the game:
“We really went in with the mindset to surge the ball. We wanted to take the ball forward, not at all costs, but making sure that if there was an option there we could take the game on. I felt like in that last 15 minutes, that really ramped up. “We made a few adjustments around players that were inside at the time, players that were ball winning and their ability to drive out of those contests, while guys forward of the ball really fought their battles and brought the ball to ground.

On draftees Harry Charleson and Ben Camporeale:
“Harry Charleson got the opportunity to play on Luke Breust. As an 18-year-old kid coming into the competition, to be able to get exposed to that in your first game is pretty special for him. “He did a really sound job: you know Luke Breust is going to get himself into a position to score, which he did, but I thought for the most part Harry really fought hard in that role, and he will take massive lessons from it. “Ben came on in the second half, around the ball he was strong and solid. I think he woud probably admit he took a little while to settle into it, but once he did, he really showed he has the ability not only to play VFL but to play AFL in future. I thought his first outing was great.”

On Jordan Boyd:
“He was good, he was really good. “He adds penetration and poise behind the ball, especially late in the game when you need someone like that to direct traffic and set the game up. He was fantastic: he tries to bite off a bit, which we need, we need brave players with the ball.”

On debutant Flynn Riley:
“Flynn was fantastic. He’s a guy that has left no stone unturned over the last few years. “He’s thirsty to learn and get better, and to his credit he is starting to see some real progress in that space. It was a really well-deserved first game and he was going up against some seasoned rucks and he was consistently in the battle.”

On the focuses for the coming weeks:
“There’s going to be more AFL boys coming back in the next couple of weeks, so that’s going to be exciting in itself. “It probably gives them the chance to get exposed to it, to get that chance to come in and play the minutes they’re required to play, so then they can go straight back into VFL Round 3 and be ready to go. “I think next week practice match against Footscray is going to be a good one to be able to get a few guys back in the team and get some consistency and continuity, and then ready to go for Round 3.”

Coaches MVP Award

8 - Henry Hustwaite (BHH)
6 - Trent Bianco (BHH)
5 - Max Ramsden (BHH)
4 - Darcy Hogg (CARL)
3 - Ethan Phillips (CARL)
2 - Will Hayes (CARL)
2 - Seamus Mitchell (BHH)

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Round 2, 2025.

Carlton had the bye this round.

Round 3, 2025.

||CARLTON | 1.3.9 | 2.7.19 | 7.10.52 | 8.13 (61)
SOUTHPORT | 6.2.38 | 12.6.78 | 14.6.90 | 18.9 (117)
Venue:| Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:| Saturday 5th April 2025 (7.10 pm).
Result:| Lost by 56 points.
Goalkickers:| Harry McKay 2.2, Harry Lemmey 2.2, Ollie Badr 2.1, Lucas Camporeale 1.2, Hudson O'Keeffe 1.0, Archie Stevens 0.1, Heath Ramshaw 0.1, Luke Nelson 0.1, Dane Harvey 0.1, Rushed 0.2.
Best:| Cooper Vickery, Corey Durdin, Matt Carroll, Harry McKay, Harry Lemmey, Ethan Phillips.
Reports:| Nil.
Injuries:| Nil.
||

Team

B: H. O'Farrell (22), E. Phillips (55), J. Boyd (37)
HB: H. Charleson (28), M. Carroll (32), B. Wilson (35)
C: J. Binns (25), E. Hollands (20), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: C. Durdin (19), F. Evans (44), R. Monahan (34)
F: H. Lemmey (31), H. McKay (10), D. Harvey (73)
R: H. O'Keeffe (40), B. Camporeale (16), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: A. Stevens (77), L. Nelson (57), O. Badr (62), C. Vickery (59), D. Hogg (70)
23rd Player: O. Badr (62)
EMG: W. Hayes (54), D. Grainger-Barras (61), P. Dozzi (53), K. Ferronato (50), O. Poole (75), F. Riley (56)

IN: L. Camporeale, M. Carroll, C. Durdin, E. Hollands, H. O'Farrell, H. O'Keeffe, H. McKay, R. Monahan
OUT: A. Moir, W. White (AFL), L. McMahon (managed), L. Prout (knee), P. Dozzi, K. Ferronato, W. Hayes, F. Riley (omitted)
NEW: Lucas Camporeale, 18, 184cm, Brighton/Glenelg; Harry O’Farrell, 18. 196cm, Maribyrnong Park/Calder Cannons.

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Southport showed no mental demons on its return to last year’s Grand Final venue on Saturday night, crushing a disappointing Carlton by 56 points at IKON Park. The Blues put up 15 AFL-listed players, including Coleman medallist Harry McKay, and was strong enough to leave out ball magnet Will Hayes and captain Liam McMahon but failed to fire a shot. The Sharks hit the scoreboard through Wylie Buzza in the opening minute and surged to a 59-point lead at half-time with six goals to one in each quarter. Southport was irresistible, led by Jacob Dawson piling on another 40 disposals to go with eight clearances, nine marks and seven inside-50s. Meanwhile, Boyd Woodcock, , Jacob Heron and second-gamer Tai Hayes also did as they pleased and Brayden Crossley outclassed Hudson O'Keeffe in the ruck. Carlton did show some life in the third term with five goals to two as Cooper Vickery, Jaxon Binns, Ben Camporeale battled hard, but with Nick Williams being almost impassable, Southport was able to wrest control back in the last term. Harry McKay finished with seven marks and 2.2 in a solid return to action, while fellow returnee Elijah Hollands had his moments with 18 touches.

Leading Disposals: Jaxon Binns 23, Ben Camporeale 23, Jordan Boyd 20

Carlton Match Review

A summary of the Carlton Reserves' Round 3 clash with Southport. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

Seeking their first win of the season, the Carlton Reserves were outclassed in Round 3 of the VFL season against Southport at IKON Park. In a tough night, the Blues went down to an efficient Sharks outfit, with Southport prevailing 18.9 (117) to Carlton’s 8.13 (61). It was a hot start by the Sharks, who dealt the first four blows in the game to take a strong lead early in the first term. Harry O'Farrell was crucial early for the Blues, providing a key role in defence in his first official game for the club. Looking dangerous throughout the quarter, it was Harry Lemmey who kicked the first for the Reserves to get the ball rolling following a free kick. Captain Heath Ramshaw (eight disposals) found plenty of the footy early to lead Carlton’s disposals in the first quarter, complemented by Jaxon Binns (five disposals) on the wing. The Camporeale brothers featured in their first game together in the Navy Blue - Ben with seven disposals, Lucas with six - and were quick to get themselves into the contest. Looking to strike in the second term, Ramshaw continued to lead from the front to lead all comers in Navy Blue with 14 disposals at half time, while Harry Lemmey continued to present well throughout the quarter. It wasn’t long until small forward Ollie Badr kicked his first of the night with a clever finish from close range. In his long-awaited VFL debut, Matt Carroll (five first-half disposals) showed his poise in defence, while after being injected into the midfield, Elijah Hollands showed his class with the footy in hand (nine disposals). However Carlton was wasteful going forward while Southport made them pay, with the Sharks heading into the half-time break with a strong lead. Needing a big lift in the second half, the Reserves came out firing. Hudson O'Keeffe kicked the first of the term, with Harry McKay slotting one soon after to give the Blues back-to-back goals. Harry Charleson provided some dash from the back half, with debutant Harry O'Farrell continuing to lock down in defence. They were supported well by Jordan Boyd and Matt Carroll, who linked up throughout the quarter to stem the flow of the Sharks’ momentum. Turning up the heat in the third, a clever Elijah Hollands kick to space gave Harry McKay a mark inside 50. He converted with a banana from a tight angle to kick his second of the quarter. Some high-class pressure from Corey Durdin (13 tackles for the game) led to Lemmey snagging his second with a set shot from range, as the Blues began to show some fight and work their way back into the contest on the scoreboard. Lucas Camporeale (12 disposals) joined in late to kick his first of the night just before the final break - giving Carlton their fifth of the term. Looking to continue their third-quarter form, Corey Durdin continued to fight as he was thrown into the midfield for an injection of pace, while Cooper Vickery continued his good start to the year with a solid contribution. Ollie Badr kicked his second with another crafty finish following a solid transition from the back half, but the Blues were unable to quell Southport’s potency going forward, conceding four final-quarter goals. Despite Carlton stepping up after the major break, Southport proved too strong, with the Blues’ next VFL game to come in a fortnight on Good Friday against North Melbourne.

Coaches MVP Award

10 - Jacob Dawson (SOU)
8 - Boyd Woodcock (SOU)
3 - Brayden Crossley (SOU)
3 - Campbell Lake (SOU)
2 - Hugh Dixon (SOU)
2 - Jacob Heron (SOU)
1 - Michael Manteit (SOU)
1 - Nick Williams (SOU)

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Round 4, 2025.

||CARLTON | 4.3.27 | 9.5.59 | 10.8.68 | 12.10 (82)
NORTH MELBOURNE | 3.2.20 | 6.6.42 | 11.9.75 | 12.12 (84)
Venue:| Arden Street Oval, North Melbourne.
Date:| Friday 18th April, 2025 (12.05 pm).
Result:| Lost by 2 points.
Goalkickers:| Liam McMahon 4.1, Harry Lemmey 3.1, Ashton Moir 2.0, Heath Ramshaw 1.1, Francis Evans 1.1, Luke Nelson 0.1, Darcy Hogg 0.1, Jaxon Binns 0.1, Rushed 0.3.
Best:| Heath Ramshaw, Will Hayes, Darcy Hogg, Liam McMahon, Marc Pittonet, Francis Evans.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: H. O'Farrell (22), E. Phillips (55), J. Boyd (37)
HB: H. Charleson (28), B. Wilson (35), R. Monahan (34)
C: J. Binns (25), W. Hayes (54), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: A. Moir (43), H. Ramshaw (51), L. Nelson (57)
F: H. Lemmey (31), H. O'Keeffe (40), L. McMahon (52)
R: M. Pittonet (27), B. Camporeale (16), F. Evans (44)
INT: A. Stevens (77), D. Grainger-Barras (61), O. Poole (75), C. Vickery (59), D. Hogg (70)
23rd Player: D. Harvey (73)
EMG: O. Badr (62), K. Ferronato (50), T. Logan (68), F. Riley (56), O. Warburton (78), C. Hamilton (80)

IN: D. Grainger-Barras, L. McMahon, A. Moir, O. Poole, M. Pittonet
OUT: M. Carroll, C. Durdin, E. Hollands (AFL), H. McKay (concussion), O. Badr, (omitted)
NEW: Denver Grainger-Barras, 23, 194cm, Hawthorn

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

North Melbourne grabbed its second win for the year, edging out Carlton by two points in a thriller at Arden Street Oval on Friday. The Kangaroos looked in a world of hurt when Liam McMahon kicked his third goal to put Carlton 25 points up entering time-on of the second quarter, and the Blues maintained a 17-point buffer at the main break. But the home side kicked the first four goals of the third term to take the lead and then held on desperately for 45 minutes as Carlton threw the kitchen sink at them, especially after Ashton Moir’s goal set up the grandstand finish. Carlton ball magnet Will Hayes gave another example of his class with a 37-disposal, nine inside-50, one goal demolition. Heather Ramshaw and Darcy Hogg performed strongly in the middle, Marc Pittonet had a solid return from injury, the Camporeale twins both won plenty of the ball and skipper Liam McMahon was ever dangerous with four goals. Captain Darcy Macpherson provided great drive for the Kangaroos, with Adam Tomlinson starring down back, Will Phillips laying 10 tackles to go with 23 touches and Brynn Teakle (19 disposals, six marks, 23 hitouts, 1.3) more than holding his own against Marc Pittonet.

!Reserves fall short against North.

The Blues went down in a nail biter to the Kangaroos on Friday morning. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

In search of their first win of the 2025 VFL season, the Carlton Reserves fell agonisingly short against North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval. In a back-and-forth affair, the Blues went down in a nail biter to the Kangaroos, with the home side holding on for a 12.12 (84) to 12.10 (82) victory. In hot and windy conditions, the Blues were quick to land the first blow of the game. After a chain of linking handballs, it was Francis Evans who kicked the opener in the good Friday clash, with a set shot off the back of a piercing Will Hayes kick. Oliver Poole showed poise early with ball in hand, with his delivery inside 50 resulting in returning co-captain Liam McMahon kicking his first of the game to take an early lead. With the Kangaroos returning serve, it was Will Hayes (nine disposals) who took a bounce and launched one from long range for a quick response to take back the lead.

Darcy Hogg (nine disposals) and Archie Stevens (seven disposals) both got involved early, in a busy quarter for the smalls. On the stroke of quarter time, Ashton Moir took a mark inside 50 to set up a set shot after the siren. Finishing for his first major of the day, he gave the Blues a seven-point lead heading into quarter time. It was similarly a hot start to the second, as McMahon continued where he left off to become the first multiple goalkicker of the day and get the ball rolling once more. Hogg (15 disposals) continued to find plenty of the ball, with a one-two in the corridor resulting in a Heath Ramshaw goal from 50 metres out on the run. It wasn’t long until key forward Harry Lemmey got involved and kicked his first, with some classy vision from Ramshaw (12 disposals) to pull the kick and deliver a set shot inside 50. Soon after, McMahon kicked his third of the day to give the Blues three in a row before the Roos responded. More nice transition from half back gave Harry Lemmey the chance to stem the tide, kicking his second of the quarter as Stevens and Will Hayes (15 disposals each) continued to bring plenty of energy at the contest. The Blues took a 17-point lead into the main break after a six-goal second quarter, but North continued to pose problems, and they came out firing after half time.

Jordan Boyd and Harry Charleson (12 disposals each) provided plenty of run from the back half, with conditions proving tough as the wind picked up. Luke Nelson (10 disposals) was lively throughout the term, looking dangerous when the Blues entered the forward half: he found Harry Lemmey with a pinpoint kick in the pocket, getting one back against the run of play and registering his third of the afternoon. Marc Pittonet (17 disposals, 14 hitouts) played a crucial role in his return from injury as the Blues’ leaders needed to lift. Will Hayes continued to do so with a 13-disposal quarter, while co-captain Ramshaw climbed to 21 disposals at the final change. The stage was set for a close finish, and looking for a big push in the fourth, it was the perfect start. Leading from the front, McMahon kicked his fourth with a classy set shot from the boundary to level the scores. Time started to become a factor after North hit the leader and produced a string of behinds, with Jordan Boyd backing himself by foot and an energetic Francis Evans (13 disposals) producing some crucial moments. After Francis Evans lowered his eyes to find Ashton Moir, the second-year Blue kicked goal No.2 to get the Blues back within a goal. However, it unfortunately wasn’t to be for the Blues, going down by two points. The VFL Blues will continue their season next Sunday 27 April at 11:05am against Geelong at IKON Park.

Coaches MVP Award

9 - Will Hayes (CARL)
6 - Will Phillips (NM)
4 - Darcy Macpherson (NM)
3 - Brynn Teakle (NM)
3 - Adam Tomlinson (NM)
2 - Geordie Payne (NM)
2 - Heath Ramshaw (CARL)
1 - Liam McMahon (CARL)

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Round 5, 2025.

||CARLTON | 3.3.21 | 6.5.41 | 9.7.61 | 13.10 (88)
GEELONG | 3.3.21 | 5.6.36 | 9.7.61 | 12.12 (84)
Venue:| Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:| Sunday 27th April, 2025 (11.05 am).
Result:| Won by 4 points.
Goalkickers:| Liam McMahon 3.3, Hudson O'Keeffe 2.1, Ashton Moir 2.1, Harry Lemmey 1.1, Darcy Hogg 1.1, Heath Ramshaw 1.0, Marc Pittonet 1.0, Harry O'Farrell, 1.0, Luke Nelson 1.0, Rushed 0.3.
Best:| Sam Docherty, Jordan Boyd, Heath Ramshaw, Ben Camporeale, Francis Evans, Ethan Phillips.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: H. O'Farrell (22), L. Young (33), J. Boyd (37)
HB: H. Charleson (28), L. Cowan (2), R. Monahan (34)
C: J. Binns (25), B. Wilson (35), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: A. Moir (43), H. Ramshaw (51), S. Docherty (15)
F: H. Lemmey (31), H. O'Keeffe (40), L. McMahon (52)
R: M. Pittonet (27), B. Camporeale (16), F. Evans (44)
INT: A. Stevens (77), E. Phillips (55), O. Poole (75), C. Vickery (59), D. Hogg (70)
23rd Player: O. Poole (75)
EMG: L. Nelson (57), O. Badr (62), K. Ferronato (50), C. Hamilton (80), D. Harvey (73), S. Phipps-Parsons (69), F. Riley (56), T. Logan (68)

IN: L. Cowan, S. Docherty, L. Young
OUT: D. Grainger-Barras, W. Hayes, L. Nelson (omitted)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

First -year player Harry O'Farrell showed himself to be a player of great temperament as he kicked a goal in the dying stages to hand Carlton a thrilling four-point upset of Geelong at IKON Park to kickstart their season. The Blues were trailing by two points entering the 27th minute after Cats debutant Keighton Matofai-Forbes answered Liam McMahon’s go-ahead goal with a great snap earlier in time-on. Darcy Hogg missed a shot for the Blues to make it two points the difference before Sam Docherty won a crucial clearance on the wing and handballed to Francis Evans, whose brilliant kick inside 50 saw Harry O'Farrell win a one on three contested mark against no less than Jake Kolodjashnij, Nathan Kreuger and Mitchell Lloyd. And despite never having kicked a goal at VFL level, he went back and calmly slotted it from 45m to give Carlton the lead. Geelong had one last chance, but a quick kick inside 50 was well read and thumped away by Ethan Phillips before Jordan Boyd won a free kick and the Blues held on to the siren. Docherty’s class was clear to all as he produced a best-afield display with 28 disposals at 85.7 per cent efficiency, while Boyd and Phillips gave little away in defence, Ben Camporeale worked overtime and McMahon kicked three important goals. Ted Clohesy starred for Geelong with 17 contested possessions from his 25 disposals, plus 14 tackles and seven clearances. Jay Rantall and Marcus Herbert continued their fine seasons and Taj Wyburd had his best game for the club, while Kreuger could have been the matchwinner but booted 2.4 from 13 touches and seven marks.

Best: Sam Docherty, Jordan Boyd, Heath Ramshaw, Ben Camporeale, Francis Evans, Ethan Phillips.

!Last-minute winner secures Blues’ first victory

The Carlton Reserves held strong in a close win on Sunday. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

Looking for a scalp after two close losses from their opening three games, the Carlton Reserves got their first win of the 2025 VFL season, beating Geelong by four points at IKON Park. In a contest that saw a number of lead changes throughout the day, the Blues came away victorious against the Cats, with a last-minute goal to unlikely matchwinner Harry O'Farrell securing the 13.10 (88) to 12.12 (84) victory. It was another good start for the Blues, with plenty of players getting their hands on it early. Lachlan Cowan (four disposals) was quick to get involved in his return from injury, as was veteran Sam Docherty (5 disposals). Billy Wilson imposed himself in the opening minutes, winning multiple crucial contests in defence, while alongside him, Jordan Boyd (six disposals) once again showed his class early. Looking increasingly threatening in their forward half, it was Luke Nelson who kicked the opener for the Blues. He finished with a classy snap on his right following a nice transition of play from half back. With the majority of the quarter being a tussle, it wasn’t long until a centre clearance from Marc Pittonet gave co-captain Liam McMahon a look inside 50, who kicked one around his body to level the scores. A squaring ball from Francis Evans granted Darcy Hogg a set shot from a slight angle late in the first, finishing to once again tie the game at the first change. A tight first quarter concluded with the scores level heading into the first break, as both sides had the right to feel as though they’d left goals on the table in the first term. The Reserves started the second term off with a bang, as Jaxon Binns (14 first-half disposals) found Marc Pittonet who went back and slotted his first major of the day. With Ben Camporeale turning up the heat in the middle (14 disposals to half time), the Reserves were able to get repeat inside 50s, with Hudson O'Keeffe able to convert. Francis Evans also had an energetic start to the quarter, along with Heath Ramshaw (11 disposal) who began to get busy. With a classy kick inside from a sprinting Sam Docherty (who played largely across half-back), Ashton Moir launched one with set shot beyond the arc to give the Blues a third consecutive goal. Although it was a strong period from the Reserves, a late fightback in the second half of the quarter from the Cats restricted the Blues, heading into the major break with only a five-point lead.

Looking to get back on top following half time, Cooper Vickery found O’Keeffe in the pocket. With a set shot from a tight angle, he was able to slot his second of the day and give the Reserves the ideal start. Only a minute later, Ashton Moir followed suit, snaring his second with a set shot from 40 metres out. After the Cats responded, Harry Lemmey - who was pitted against Geelong veteran Jake Kolodjashnij - was on the receiving end of some good play from Ollie Poole. Following the same trend as the second quarter, another fightback from the Cats saw scores level once again heading into the final quarter, with the stage once again set for another nail-biting finish. After the Cats got the jump early in the last, a clever play from Ashton Moir to get out the back and provide a handball to a streaming Heath Ramshaw (19 disposals) led to him opening his account running into an open goal. Shortly after, McMahon was awarded a free kick for his second, with a snap around the body from the boundary. After an answering Geelong goal, Rob Monahan found his co-captain with a precision kick to the top of the square as the Blues stayed within touching distance, bringing McMahon’s tally to three for the game. Down by two points in the dying stages, a blistering clearance from the ever-reliable Sam Docherty (27 disposals) went by hand to Francis Evans (16 disposals) and eventually found youngster Harry O'Farrell, who swung forward in the dying stages. With a set shot directly in front just inside 50, the first-year player kept his cool under pressure, kicking a clutch goal in the dying stages to put the Blues up by four points and prove to be the unlikely match-winner. With the siren sounding shortly after, the Reserves finally got the win they had been chasing. The Carlton Reserves will face off against the Coburg Lions next Sunday 4 May at 1:05pm at Barry Plant Park.

Coaches MVP Award

10 - Sam Docherty (CARL)
6 - Ted Clohesy (GEEL)
6 - Jay Rantall (GEEL)
3 - Jordan Boyd (CARL)
3 - Liam McMahon (CARL)
1 - Francis Evans (CARL)
1 - Marcus Herbert (GEEL)

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Round 6, 2025.

||CARLTON | 2.7.19 | 5.7.37 | 9.11.65 | 11.12 (78)
COBURG LIONS | 2.7.19 | 8.6.54 | 9.6.60 | (15.10 (100)
Venue:| Barry Plant Park, Coburg.
Date:| Sunday 4th May 2025 (1.05 pm).
Result:| Lost by 22 points.
Goalkickers:| Hudson O'Keeffe 3.1, Liam McMahon 3.0, Marc Pittonet 1.1, Luke Nelson 1.1, Darcy Hogg 1.1, Oliver Poole 1.0, Jaxon Binns 1.0, Francis Evans 0.4, Cooper Vickery 0.1, Jordan Boyd 0.1, Rushed 0.2.
Best:| Francis Evans, Hudson O'Keeffe, Jaxon Binns, Ethan Phillips, Marc Pittonet, Jordan Boyd.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: H. O'Farrell (22), E. Phillips (55), C. Vickery (59)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: J. Binns (25), B. Wilson (35), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: A. Moir (43), H. Ramshaw (51), L. Nelson (57)
F: H. Lemmey (31), H. O'Keeffe (40), L. McMahon (52)
R: M. Pittonet (27), B. Camporeale (16), F. Evans (44)
INT: A. Stevens (77), K. Ferronato (50), O. Poole (75), D. Harvey (73), D. Hogg (70)
23rd Player: O. Poole (75)
EMG: C. Hamilton (80), O. Badr (62), S. Phipps-Parsons (69), F. Riley (56), T. Logan (68), P. Dozzi (53), M. Lewis (58), D. Grainger-Barras (61)

IN: K. Ferronato, D. Harvey
OUT: L. Cowan, S. Docherty (AFL)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Coburg grabbed its second consecutive win and moved to within four points of the top 10 after a five-goal haul from Mitch Podhajski helped it outlast Carlton by 22 points at Barry Plant Park. Podhajski took just 25 seconds to kick the first goal and the Lions led for most of the day after the Blues wasted a long period of control in the opening quarter to spray 2.7 and fall eight points behind at the first break. Coburg extended the gap to 17 at half-time but Carlton hit back in the third term, which included three lead changes, with the visitors turning for home five points up when captain Liam McMahon kicked his third in the shadows of the siren. But 50-gamer Matt Allison snapped the first goal of the last quarter inside 30 seconds to regain the lead for Coburg. Podhajski then slammed on three more before Allison kicked his second just before the final siren as Coburg marked its annual Vicki Cleary Memorial Day in style. Podhajski’s five goals came from 21 disposals and 12 marks in a best-afield display, with prime movers Flynn Gentile (two goals), Joel Trudgeon and Donovan Toohey all prominent and Josh D’Intinosante again impressive in the middle. But it wasn’t all roses for Coburg, with ruckman Cooper Keogh finishing the match on crutches with what appeared to be a foot injury that will be keenly monitored with the mid-season draft just three weeks away. Jaxon Binns roamed far and wide for the Blues with 33 touches, eight marks, eight inside-50s, eight rebounds and a goal. Defenders Jordan Boyd and Ethan Phillips did their best to hold back the tide, while McMahon and Hudson O'Keeffe booted three goals each and Marc Pittonet cashed in on Keogh’s absence with a strong display.

Best: Francis Evans, Hudson O'Keeffe, Jaxon Binns, Ethan Phillips, Marc Pittonet, Jordan Boyd.

!Lions overcome Blues at home

The Carlton Reserves went down to a surging Coburg Lions outfit. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

Looking to go one better after their thrilling win against the Cats, the Carlton Reserves were overpowered by the Coburg Lions at Barry Plant Park. Proving a tight contest until the final term, the home side - with the aid of a heavy breeze in the final term - overcame the Blues, who went down 15.10 (100) to 11.12 (78). It was a contested start to the game, with the two sides sharing a goal each inside the first three minutes, with Marc Pittonet (five first-term disposals) kicking the first for the Blues after an inside-50 entry from Luke Nelson. But on a big day for Coburg, the home side came out roaring, recording four goals inside the first 10 minutes during a quarter where Carlton had the advantage of the breeze at its back. Francis Evans (five disposals) fought hard early while Ethan Phillips (six disposals) held strong in defence, with the Blues responding after the Lions pressed early. Hudson O’Keeffe continued his goalkicking streak, taking a huge mark on the goal line to kick his first and give the Blues their second – but inaccuracy plagued the Blues in a term where they should’ve nailed home their advantage, only mustering 2.7 to trail by eight points at the first change. Looking to make advantage of the conditions, Coburg again came out steaming to start the second, however the Reserves were quick to respond. After looking increasingly threatening, Hudson O'Keeffe kicked his second with a snapping finish from a tight set shot. Despite being under the pump for majority of the term, Harry O'Farrell played a crucial role in defence after his match-winning goal last week. Jordan Boyd also started to find plenty of the footy, leading the disposals in the first half, while Jaxon Binns also started to get busy, using his wheels on the outside and providing a lively option throughout the second term. A searing ball from Billy Wilson (seven disposals) kick found Hudson O'Keeffe inside 50, who converted with a set shot directly in front to kick his third of the half.

Phillips (13 disposals) continued to build on his strong first term, with Lucas Camporeale (11 disposals) also providing some dash from the wing. In a back-and-forth quarter, the game was stagnant until a crucial intercept from Evans set up Liam McMahon, who converted to kick his first of the game. But a late goal conceded was costly for the Blues, as the home side capitalised kicking with the wind to establish a three-goal lead. Kicking off the third, a clever handball from Francis Evans gave Darcy Hogg space inside 50, with the youngster converted with a composed finish under pressure to give the Blues the perfect start. Former Coburg player Luke Nelson had an exciting start to the term, registering eight disposals and a classy goal to give the Blues the lead, while co-captain McMahon provided another answering goal on the stroke of three-quarter time to establish a narrow five-point lead into the final change. However, with the majority of goals kicked to the end the Blues were defending in the final term, the Reserves were going to have their work cut out for them. The Lions quickly kicked back-to-back goals to start the final term to create some breathing room, but a classy chain of linking handballs ended in a goal to Ollie Poole breathed some life back into the Blues. Marc Pittonet (16 disposals, nine clearances, 34 hitouts) was commanding in the middle and continued to lead from the front, while backmen Jordan Boyd and Phillips (25 disposals each) showed plenty of fight under consistent fire. Coburg started to kick away, before Jaxon Binns finished following a clever crumb from a forward stoppage to keep the game alive and get the Blues back within two kicks. However, despite consecutive goals, the Blues continued to press for the game, which allowed more opportunities for the Lions, who kicked a pair of late goals to seal the 22-point result. Down by three goals with not long to go, Jaxon Binns (28 disposals) finished following a clever crumb from an inside 50 stoppage to keep the pulse alive and put the Reserves back within two kicks. The Carlton Reserves will take on Sandringham next Saturday 10 May at 7:10pm at IKON Park: the game will be broadcast on Channel 7.

Coaches MVP Award

9 - Flynn Gentile (COB)
7 - Mitch Podhajski (COB)
6 - Francis Evans (CARL)
4 - Joel Trudgeon (COB)
2 - Hudson O'Keeffe (CARL)
1 - Hugo Bromell (COB)
1 - Ethan Phillips (CARL)

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Round 7, 2025.

||CARLTON | 2.4.16 | 6.7.43 | 8.7.55 | 9.11 (65)
SANDRINGHAM | 1.5.11 | 2.6.18 | 5.8.38 | 6.11 (47)
Venue:| Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:| Saturday 10th May, 2025 (7.10 pm).
Result:| Won by 18 points.
Goalkickers:| Liam McMahon 4, Ashton Moir 2, Will Hayes, Luke Nelson, Oliver Poole 1
Best:| Billy Wilson, Ethan Phillips, Liam McMahon, Sam Docherty, Will Hayes, Luke Nelson.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: H. O'Farrell (22), E. Phillips (55), M. Carroll (32)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), M. Duffy (41)
C: R. Monahan (34), B. Wilson (35), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: A. Moir (43), S. Docherty (15), L. Nelson (57)
F: H. Lemmey (31), H. O'Keeffe (40), L. McMahon (52)
R: M. Pittonet (27), B. Camporeale (16), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: W. Hayes (54), K. Ferronato (50), O. Poole (75), C. Vickery (59), D. Hogg (70)
23rd Player: O. Poole (75)
EMG: C. Hamilton (80), O. Badr (62), S. Phipps-Parsons (69), F. Riley (56), T. Logan (68), D. Harvey (73), A. Stevens (77)

IN: M. Carroll, S. Docherty, M. Duffy, W. Hayes
OUT: J. Binns, F. Evans (AFL), A. Stevens, D. Harvey
NEW: Matt Duffy, 21, 194cm, County Longford (Ireland)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Carlton grabbed its second win of the year to stay in touch with the top 10, leading all the way to defeat Sandringham by 18 points in a low-scoring slog at IKON Park on Saturday night. The Blues took less than three minutes to get underway through Ashton Moir and the Zebras couldn’t get much closer after the home team added four goals to one in the second term after Liam McMahon goalled on the siren for a 25-point lead at half-time. Sandringham gave itself some hope as Zak Jones exploded with the first two goals after the break and three for the quarter but Carlton answered every challenge and McMahon’s fourth early in the last term ensured there would be no comeback. Carlton played a possession game with 421 disposals and 113 marks, led by former AFL captain Sam Docherty’s 38 disposals, 14 marks and 10 rebounds, draftee Ben Camporeale’s 34 touches (15 contested) and Will Hayes’ 31 disposals, five marks, six tackles and a goal, while defenders Billy Wilson and Ethan Phillips pulled in 23 marks between them. Jones sent a message to the selectors with his three third-quarter goals capping off a 30-possession performance, with draftee Tobie Travaglia also winning 30 touches to go with eight marks, Arie Schoenmaker having eight rebounds among 25 touches and Harry Boyd easily being the best ruckman on the ground with 24 hitouts and a goal.

Disposals: Sam Docherty 38, Ben Camporeale 34, Will Hayes 31, Jordan Boyd 28, Billy Wilson 27

!Who shone in VFL Blues' hard-fought win?

The Carlton Reserves defeated Sandringham at home for their second win of the campaign. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir

Coming off a tough loss last week, the Carlton Reserves held strong to fight off the Zebras at home. In a low-scoring affair, the Blues prevailed in another gritty win at IKON Park, mirroring their AFL counterparts by defeating Sandringham 9.11 (65) to 6.11 (47). Sam Docherty once again led brilliantly to finish with a game-high 37 disposals, while Ben Camporeale (33 disposals), Liam McMahon (four goals) and Billy Wilson (28 disposals) had impressive showings. It was all Carlton in the early going, gaining forward territory before composure from Harry Lemmey found Ashton Moir. With a set shot from a slight angle, Moir converted to get the first on the board for the Reserves. AFL-listed duo Sam Docherty (six disposals) and Jordan Boyd (nine disposals) both showed plenty of bounce off half back early, slingshotting the Blues forward by foot. After an extended period of back-and-forth footy, crafty work from Ollie Pool and Darcy Hogg (six first-quarter disposals) opened up the ground, as Ashton Moir got out the back to kick his second early in the piece. Young defender Billy Wilson (10 disposals) gritted his teeth in defence throughout the first, while tall Ethan Phillips (eight disposals) was also commanding in the defensive 50 under increasing Sandringham pressure. Matt Duffy also got his first taste of the action, with the Irish rookie playing down back in his first game nearly two years after first signing with the Blues before an ACL injury. Despite looking in control for majority of the quarter, missed opportunities in the front half constricted the Reserves to only a five-point lead at the siren. Following the first break, the Reserves were once again on top early, but chances went begging going forward. That was until an intercept from Phillips started a chain of linking handballs through the middle, ending with Will Hayes assisting captain Liam McMahon to give the Blues the first of the second term. Billy Wilson (19 first-half disposals) continued where he left off in the first, while Harry Charleson continued to grow into the contest with 10 disposals in the opening two quarters. Despite the Zebras bringing the heat in the second, it was Luke Nelson (seven disposals) who kicked his first of the game with a classy set shot finish around the body following a spell of good forward pressure. Poole started to make his presence feel known, taking a clever contested mark after some good body work. Kicking true with a set shot from 40 metres out, he gave the Blues three in a row. As time ran out, Cooper Vickery (nine disposals) put the jets on to set up McMahon with a sizzling left-footed pass in the middle of the ground: with the siren sounding at the top of his mark, the skipper held his nerve to kick his second, bolstering the Blues’ lead to 25 points at half time.

After the main break, Sandringham’s Zak Jones loomed dangerously with the opening two goals of the third term, before debutant Stirling Phipps-Parsons pulled a kick to find Will Hayes, with the experienced utility giving the Blues a quick response. With Sandringham putting the pressure on early, veteran Sam Docherty (23 disposals to three-quarter time) showed his poise behind the ball. Following a rebound from the backline, Jordan Boyd (17 disposals) found space down the wing, before the clever Nelson provided the perfect assist to allow McMahon to run out the back and kick his third. However, midway through the term, the Blues were unable to call on the services of Marc Pittonet, who - after putting together a strong performance - was taken out of the game purely as a precaution following a big hit in a ruck contest. Despite a stagnant second half of the term, the siren concluded the third quarter with the Blues going into the final break with a 16-point lead. The Reserves got off to the perfect start to extend their buffer, as Ashton Moir assisted McMahon for his fourth of the night. With the momentum sitting with the Carlton Reserves, co-captain Heath Ramshaw and first-year Blue Ben Camporeale started to turn up the heat in the engine room. As familiar duo Sam Docherty (37 disposals) and Jordan Boyd (28 disposals) continued to link up and take control in the Blues back half, the home side was able to professionally run down the clock and ensure a second victory of the season. The Carlton Reserves will take on Sydney next Friday 16 May at 3:35pm at the SCG.

Coaches MVP Award

8 - Sam Docherty (CARL)
7 - Zak Jones (SAND)
7 - Liam McMahon (CARL)
5 - Ben Camporeale (CARL)
2 - Ethan Phillips (CARL)
1 - Will Hayes (CARL)

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Round 8, 2025.

||CARLTON | 4.5.29 | 9.6.54 | 13.9.87 | 15.15 (105)
SYDNEY SWANS | 4.2.26 | 7.2.44 | 9.5.59 | 11.9 (75)
Venue:| SCG, Sydney.
Date:| Friday 16th May, 2025 (3.35 pm).
Result:| Won by 30 points.
Goalkickers:| Harry Lemmey 7, Liam McMahon 4, Ben Camporeale, Alex Cincotta, Stirling Phipps-Parsons, Oliver Poole 1
Best:| Harry Lemmey, Hudson O'Keeffe, Ethan Phillips, Sam Docherty, Liam McMahon, Harry O'Farrell.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: H. O'Farrell (22), E. Phillips (55), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), C. Vickery (59), H. Ramshaw (51)
C: R. Monahan (34), B. Wilson (35), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: A. Moir (43), A. Cincotta (39), L. Nelson (57)
F: H. Lemmey (31), D. Harvey (73), L. McMahon (52)
R: H. O'Keeffe (40), B. Camporeale (16), S. Docherty (15)
INT: T. Logan (68), K. Ferronato (50), O. Poole (75), D. Hogg (70), S. Phipps-Parsons (60)
23rd Player: T. Logan (68)
EMG: C. Hamilton (80), O. Badr (62), P. Dozzi (53), F. Riley (56), A. Stevens (77), W. Hayes (54), O. Warburton (78), N. King (63)

IN: A. Cincotta, D. Harvey, T. Logan
OUT: J. Boyd, M. Pittonet (AFL), W. Hayes (managed)
NEW: Taj Logan, 18, 177cm, Diamond Creek/Northern Knights

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Harry Lemmey previous best haul in 39 Smithy’s VFL matches was three goals. But on Friday afternoon at the SCG, Lemmey announced himself as a genuine option for AFL coach Michael Voss with a seven-goal bag as Carlton overran a Callum Mills-inspired Sydney by 30 points to move to within a game of the top 10. Lemmey was simply unstoppable against makeshift key defenders Tom Longmire and Patrick Snell, kicking three goals in the first quarter to set the tone before adding one in the second, two in the third and his seventh four minutes into the last quarter to ensure a comfortable Blues win. Only two late misses blotted an otherwise perfect copybook as he finished with 7.2 from 12 disposals and eight marks. The Swans were looking strong with Mills in dominant touch on his way to 20 disposals in his comeback from a foot injury before being rested shortly after half-time. They led by eight points when the AFL captain sunk a 55m set shot nine minutes into the second quarter, but Blues skipper Liam McMahon exploded with three goals in three minutes to blow the game open. Sam Docherty did as he pleased across half back for the Blues on his way to 39 disposals at 87.2 per cent, plus six marks and 10 rebounds with support from Billy Wilson (24 disposals, nine marks, five rebounds) and Ethan Phillips (20 disposals, 11 marks, six rebounds) to hold the Swans to 11 goals, while ball magnet Will Hayes had 31 touches and McMahon finished with four goals. Mills finished with 20 touches, six marks and a goal before heading up the race and Taylor Adams looked ready for an AFL recall with 30 touches, seven marks and seven clearances, with Lachie Hunter (33 disposals, 11 marks, seven rebounds), Ben Edwards (32 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) and Ben Paton (28 disposals, seven marks) winning plenty of the ball and Matty Lloyd (27 disposals, six marks, one goal) having his best game as a Swan.

Disposals: Sam Docherty 39, Will Hayes 31, Cooper Vickery 24, Billy Wilson 24, Ben Camporeale 20, Ethan Phillips 20

Carlton Match Review

Not Available.

Coaches MVP Award

10 - Harry Lemmey (CARL)
6 - Liam McMahon (CARL)
4 - Harry O'Farrell (CARL)
4 - Ethan Phillips (CARL)
2 - Taylor Adams (SYD)
2 - Ben Edwards (SYD)
1 - Matt Lloyd (SYD)
1 - Hudson O'Keeffe (CARL)

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Round 9, 2025.

||CARLTON | 2.2.14 | 5.5.35 | 10.5.65 | 12.7 (79)
WILLIAMSTOWN | 2.5.17 | 8.7.55 | 13.9.87 | 17.15 (117)
Venue:| Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:| Saturday 24th May, 2025 (4.05 pm).
Result:| Lost by 38 points.
Goalkickers:| Hudson O'Keeffe 3, Harry Lemmey, Liam McMahon 2, Orazio Fantasia, Kristian Ferronato, Darcy Hogg, Ashton Moir, Marc Pittonet.
Best:| Hudson O'Keeffe, Heath Ramshaw, Marc Pittonet, Kristian Ferronato, Billy Wilson, Alex Cincotta.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: B. Wilson (35), E. Phillips (55), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), C. Vickery (59), H. Ramshaw (51)
C: R. Monahan (34), A. Cincotta (39), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: A. Moir (43), O. Fantasia (14), L. Nelson (57)
F: H. Lemmey (31), H. O'Keeffe (40), L. McMahon (52)
R: M. Pittonet (27), B. Camporeale (16), F. Evans (44)
INT: T. Logan (68), K. Ferronato (50), O. Poole (75), D. Hogg (70), D. Harvey (73)
23rd Player: T. Logan (68)
EMG: C. Hamilton (80), O. Badr (62), P. Dozzi (53), F. Riley (56), A. Stevens (77), S. Phipps-Parsons (69), D. Grainger-Barras (61), N. King (63)

IN: L. Camporeale, F. Evans, O. Fantasia, M. Pittonet
OUT: S. Docherty, H. O'Farrell (AFL), W. Hayes (managed), S. Phipps-Parsons (omitted)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Nil.

Disposals: Billy Wilson 22, Alex Cincotta 20, Harry Charleson 18, Marc Pittonet 18, Oliver Poole 18, Heath Ramshaw 18

!Fantasia returns, youngsters impress in VFL loss

A summary of the VFL Round 9 clash with Williamstown. - By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media.

The Carlton reserves have fallen by 38 points to Williamstown at IKON Park. Unable to quell Williamstown’s spread of attacking opportunities, the Blues had their opportunities and made their run at various points but ultimately fell 12.7 (79) to 17.15 (117). Marc Pittonet fought all evening with 18 disposals and 40 hitouts, while Hudson O'Keeffe, Liam McMahon and Harry Lemmey all kicked multiple goals. Orazio Fantasia also got through his scheduled game time in his first game for the season, kicking a classy goal in the third term in a showcase of his trademark zip. The Blues made a bright start, with Luke Nelson capitalising on the team keeping the ball alive to snap one over his shoulder from close range. Williamstown started to get on top and dominate forward territory on the back of their bigger bodies around the ball, albeit with missed opportunities going inside 50, before Kristian Ferronato finished off a brilliant team goal to lift spirits heading into quarter time. The second term started in a similar vein to the way the first term finished, as the Seagulls pinned the ball inside 50 and started to get scoreboard return, kicking the first four goals of the term to open up a buffer. As would become the theme of the game, the Blues fought back hard, with Marc Pittonet and Harry Lemmey producing accurate set shots before a running goal from impressive youngster Darcy Hogg bringing the Blues back within 20 at the main break. In a low-possession game for the Blues, developing half-backs Billy Wilson (13 disposals) and Harry Charleson (12 disposals) were getting their hands on the football in the opening two quarters, but the Seagulls were getting on top of a youthful Blues back six. The third quarter began with consecutive Williamstown goals, before Orazio Fantasia - injected into the game at quarter time on scheduled minutes - provided one of the highlights of the night for the Blues. Gaining possession at ground level, the forward turned his opponent inside out and finished on his right foot for a sensational solo goal that sparked the Blues into life. The quality of the Blues’ goals didn’t stop there, with Harry Lemmey and McMahon both producing brilliant set shots, Ashton Moir slotting one from the boundary on his right foot and Hudson O'Keeffe snapping truly from the boundary line to keep the margin hovering at 16 points for the majority of the term. However, in the shadows of three-quarter time, Williamstown forward Brodie McLaughlin produced a major - one of 7.5 for the game - to keep the Blues at bay again. Rejuvenated by that finish to the third term, the Seagulls took the game away from a youthful Blues line-up in the final term, extending the margin out to a game-high 45 points before the Blues rallied late as McMahon and Hudson O'Keeffe continued to impose themselves in the final term. Francis Evans threw his weight around with 13 tackles, while in his second game since his return, Alex Cincotta - playing largely in the midfield - finished with 19 disposals and nine tackles in a typically combative display. Carlton has the mid-season bye alongside its AFL side next week, with its next game coming against Essendon at Windy Hill in the first of a King’s Birthday Eve double header.

Coaches MVP Award

10 - Brodie McLaughlin (WILL)
6 - Hugo Hall-Kahan (WILL)
4 - Mitch Cox (WILL)
3 - Hudson O'Keeffe (CARL)
3 - Jack Toner (WILL)
3 - Toby Triffett (WILL)
1 - Nick Ebinger (WILL)

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Round 10, 2025.

Carlton had the bye this round.

Round 11, 2025.

||CARLTON | 3.5.23 | 3.7.25 | 6.9.45 | 10.12 (72)
ESSENDON | 4.1.25 | 5.3.33 | 7.6.48 | 8.6 (54)
Venue:| Windy Hill, Essemdon.
Date:| Sunday 8th June, 2025 (2.05 pm).
Result:| Won by 18 points.
Goalkickers:| Harry Lemmey 2.2, Francis Evans 2.1, Rob Monahan 1.2, Flynn Young 1.1, Stirling Phipps-Parsons 1.1, Ashton Moir 1.0, Darcy Hogg 1.0, Ben Camporeale 1.0, Rushed 0.5.
Best:| Pittonet, Lemmey, B.Camporeale, O’Farrell, Evans, Hogg
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: B. Wilson (35), H. O'Farrell (22), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: F. Young (45), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: S. Phipps-Parsons (69), A. Moir (43), F. Evans (44)
F: H. Lemmey (31), L. Young (33), W. Hayes (54)
R: M. Pittonet (27), B. Camporeale (16), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: T. Logan (68), E. Phillips (55), C. Vickery (59), D. Hogg (70), L. Nelson (57)
23rd Player: T. Logan (68)
EMG: K. Ferronato (50), P. Dozzi (53), F. Riley (56), D. Harvey (73),

IN: J. Binns, J. Boyd, H. O'Farrell, F. Young, L. Young, S. Phipps-Parsons,
OUT: A. Cincotta, O. Fantasia, H. O'Keeffe (AFL), L. McMahon (Essendon), K. Ferronato, D. Harvey, O. Poole (omitted)
NEW: Flynn Young, 23, 185cm, Werribee/Barwon Heads

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Ben Camporeale has edged closer to an AFL debut with an impressive performance for Carlton in its win over Essendon on Sunday. Camporeale had 11 clearances in his 30 disposals, while he also kicked a goal and had five tackles. His twin brother Lucas Camporeale, who made his AFL debut earlier this year, had 20 touches of his own. Harry Lemmey led the way up front for the Blues with nine marks and two goals from four shots, while Marc Pittonet also had a big day with 17 disposals, eight clearances and 40 hit outs. Francis Evans also kicked two foals for the Blues, while Ethan Phillips led the way in defence with 10 marks and 20 disposals.

!Blues storm home late at Windy Hill

The Carlton Reserves defeated Essendon in a resilient win away from home. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

The Carlton Reserves defeated Essendon in a resilient win away from home. After being down at every change, the Blues showed plenty of grit to snatch the win in tough conditions in the last quarter, overcoming the Bombers 10.12 (72) to 8.6 (54). The physical affair was a grind, with Ben Camporeale relishing the contest with 32 disposals and 10 clearances for the game. With eight individual goalkicker, it was Harry Lemmey and Francis Evans who kicked multiple goals, while Marc Pittonet (21 disposals, 41 hitouts) crucial. In tough weather conditions at Windy Hill, Lewis Young had to stand up down back in the opening term, contributing a game-high eight disposals in the first quarter. Alongside him, Ethan Phillips’ three intercept marks were just as important. Supporting in the ruck, it was Lewis Young who got busy at ground level, hitting the chest of Francis Evans inside 50 who kicked true to give the Blues their first of the game. Marc Pittonet continued to set the tone in the middle of the ground while Ben Camporeale got his hands on the footy early, capping off his eight-disposal quarter with a goal from a free kick. As the Bombers struck back, Ben Camporeale then found the chest of the in-form Harry Lemmey who found a quick response for the Reserves. But despite momentum being with the away side, the Blues trailed by two points at the break, lamenting missed opportunities in front of goal (3.5 at quarter time).

After a back and forth opening quarter, the beginning of the second was anything but, with no goal kicked until the 17-minute mark as tempers threatened to boil over between the two arch rivals. Darcy Hogg started to find a lot the footy, offering plenty of run through the corridor and in the forward half to finish the half with 14 disposals, while Harry O'Farrell played a pivotal role down back after his recent AFL debut. With the siren concluding a stop-start quarter, the Blues went into half time eight points down, with the Bombers kicking the solitary goal for the term. Following the main break, the Blues came out steaming. A missed opportunity came the way of mid-season recruit Flynn Young, but he wasn’t to be denied the second time around, producing a classy snapping finish on his left to kick his first in Navy Blue and give the Reserves the ideal start. After maintaining some momentum, a crucial interception followed by a kick inside 50 from Luke Nelson found Lemmey out the back, who strolled into an open goal kicking his second. After kicking back-to-back goals, some elite forward pressure from late inclusion Stirling Phipps-Parsons saw him rewarded with a free kick in the pocket: he was able to split the middle from the pocket to give the VFL Blues three in a row. Despite a dominant showing for majority of the quarter, a late fightback from the Bombers saw them regain the lead by three points at the final interval.

Looking for the perfect start in the fourth, it was Harry Lemmey who laced out fellow tall Ashton Moir. With a set shot from close range, he kicked his first major and gave the Blues the lead early in the final term. Carlton kept that hot start rolling, as captain Heath Ramshaw sent the ball inside 50, with Rob Monahan gathering at ground level after the contest from Harry Lemmey to snap from close range – giving the Blues two in a minute. Lucas Camporeale was then quick to take advantage from a free kick to find fellow small Hogg, who snapped on the run to all of a sudden give the Blues a game-high 17-point lead. With plenty of time still to play, Essendon wrestled back some of Carlton’s momentum and kicked an answering goal, only for another pressing tackle from Francis Evans giving him an opportunity from beyond the arc which he duly converted to ice the game. The siren followed shortly after, officially giving the Blues their fourth win of the season after storming home. he Carlton Reserves are set to face the Northern Bullants at 2:05pm next Sunday 15 June at Genis Steel Oval, Preston.

Coaches MVP Award

8 - Marc Pittonet (CARL)
7 - Ben Camporeale (CARL)
6 - Jackson Hately (ESS)
5 - Harry Lemmey (CARL)
2 - Ethan Phillips (CARL)
1 - Francis Evans (CARL)
1 - Harry O'Farrell (CARL)

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Round 12, 2025.

||CARLTON | 4.2.26 | 9.9.63 | 11.11.77 | 18.14 (122)
NORTHERN BULLANTS | 1.4.10 | 1.4.10 | 3.11.29 | 4.12 (36)
Venue:| Genis Steel Oval, Preston.
Date:| Sunday 15th June, 2025 (2.05 pm).
Result:| Won by 86 points.
Goalkickers:| Harry Lemmey 4.2, Francis Evans 3.1, Stirling Phipps-Parsons 2.2, Flynn Young 2.1, Darcy Hogg 2.0, Dane Harvey 2.0, Nash King 1.1, Archie Stevens 1.0, Luke Nelson 1.0, Ben Camporeale 0.2, Marc Pittonet 0.1, Harry Charleson 0.1, Rushed 0.3.
Best:| Marc Pittonet, Ethan Phillips, Francis Evans, Ben Camporeale, Billy Wilson, Jordan Boyd.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: B. Wilson (35), H. O'Farrell (22), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), L. Young (33), J. Boyd (37)
C: F. Evans (44), D. Harvey (73), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: R. Monahan (34), L. Nelson (57), F. Young (45)
F: H. Lemmey (31), A. Moir (43), W. White (38)
R: M. Pittonet (27), B. Camporeale (16), P. Dozzi (53)
INT: N. King (63), S. Phipps-Parsons (69), C. Vickery (59), D. Hogg (70) E. Phillips (55)
23rd Player: N. King (63)
EMG: K. Ferronato (50), O. Badr (62), T. Logan (68), F. Riley (56),O. Warburton (78), A. Stevens (77)

IN: P. Dozzi, N. King, W. White
OUT: H. Ramshaw (quad), W. Hayes, T. Logan (omitted)
NEW: Nash King, 19, 181cm, Wallan

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Harry Lemmey kicked four goals as Carlton thrashed the Northern Bullants by 86 points on Sunday. Harry Lemmey lifted the Blues with four majors from 12 disposals and nine marks as they recorded a huge win. Jordan Boyd (30 disposals), Billy Wilson (27) and Ben Camporeale (25) were busy. Ruck Marc Pittonet dominated with 20 disposals, 41 hitouts and 10 clearances. Small forward Francis Evans hit the scoreboard with three goals to go with his 15 disposals and two clearances. Harry Charleson found plenty of the ball with 23 touches, while mid-season recruit Flynn Young kicked two goals from his 13 disposals. Harry O'Farrell had 15 disposals and eight marks and Lucas Camporeale finished with 11.

!Blues record resounding win over Bullants

Carlton Reserves defeated the Northern Bullants by 86 points in an assertive win away from home. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

The Carlton Reserves defeated the Northern Bullants away from home at Genis Steel Oval yesterday. Looking to go one better after their gutsy win last week against Essendon, the Blues had a dominant 86-point win over the Bullants away from home. In windy conditions, the Reserves led from start to finish in the 4.12 (36) to 18.14 (122) win. Throughout the day, the smalls in the back half got busy. AFL-listed Jordan Boyd found plenty of the footy with 30 disposals and nine marks, so too young draftee Billy Wilson (27 disposal, 10 marks). With six players kicking multiple goals, it was both Harry Lemmey (four goals) and Francis Evans (three) who hit the scoreboard, while Marc Pittonet was best on ground in the ruck with 20 disposals, 10 clearances and 40 hitouts. It was a hot start to the game from both sides in tough conditions. Kickstarting the Blues, it was Flynn Young capitalising on the fast transition who kicked the opener in Preston from a forward stoppage. Continuing his dominance from recent weeks, Marc Pittonet got into his work early with a clearance from centre bounce. Some good contest work from key forward Harry Lemmey gave him his first shot on goal – he converted to give Carlton two inside the first few minutes. With the home side responding promptly, Ashton Moir (seven clearances) - who spent the majority of his day in the midfield - found the chest of debutant Nash King. Playing on inside 50, he snared his first goal with his first kick in the Navy Blue. Archie Stevens and Cooper Vickery combined through the middle to end with Francis Evans marking and converting from the pocket, giving the Blues four goals despite kicking into the wind in the first term to open up a 16-point lead.

With their tails up following a promising quarter, it was a fast to the second term. Dane Harvey converted from long range in the opening minutes while Marc Pittonet and Ashton Moir got busy, with stand-in captain Luke Nelson benefiting from their work out of the middle with a close-range goal. Looking increasingly threatening with all the play inside their forward half, it was Archie Stevens who was able to convert with a set shot from a holding-the-ball tackle, before Darcy Hogg capped off his impressive start with a goal on the run just before the siren, as five unanswered goals opened up a 53-point lead at the half time. After the main break, the home side came out showing plenty of fight. The experienced Ethan Phillips (nine marks) was a rock in defence with his intercept ability, while Jordan Boyd found his groove and demonstrated some composure as the Bullants looked too pressed. In a period that demanded repeated defensive efforts for the Reserves, Billy Wilson (27 disposals) showed his skill throughout, while Francis Evans – on the back of good work from Ben Camporeale – kept his composure to convert from just inside 50 to maintain a commanding lead. Looking to put the game away, the Blues got just the start they were after. Another Ben Camporeale clearance on the wing found the run of Cooper Vickery, who hit up Lemmey for his second of the day. An outstanding series of repeat efforts from Evans saw him win a free kick, going back and converting from the boundary for his third of the day, as the Blues piled on the goals with the breeze at their backs. Young’s intercept and goal on the run from outside 50 made him the sixth Blue to register multiple goals, and as the Blues’ centre-bounce dominance continued, it was Harry Lemmey who got the reward, taking his dally to four goals as Carlton piled on seven final-quarter goals in the 86-point win. The Carlton Reserves will take on North Melbourne next Saturday 21 June from 4:05pm at IKON Park.

Coaches MVP Award

10 - Marc Pittonet (CARL)
6 - Ethan Phillips (CARL)
4 - Jordan Boyd (CARL)
4 - Francis Evans (CARL)
3 - Harry Lemmey (CARL)
2 - Ben Camporeale (CARL)
1 - Jean-Luc Velissaris (NB)

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Round 13, 2025.

||CARLTON | 2.1.13 | 7.8.50 | 9.10.64 | 10.13 (73)
NORTH MELBOURNE | 2.2.14 | 6.5.41 | 9.6.60 | 11.8 (74)
Venue:| Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:| Saturday 21st June, 2025 (4.05 pm).
Result:| Lost by 1 point.
Goalkickers:| Stirling Phipps-Parson 3.0, Flynn Young 2.1, Ashton Moir 2.1, Will White 1.1, Archie Stevens 1.1, Harry Lemmey 1.1, Francis Evans 0.3, Nash King 0.1, Rushed 0.4.
Best:|
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: L. Cowan (2), H. O'Farrell (22), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), L. Young (33), J. Boyd (37)
C: F. Evans (44), B. Wilson (35), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: R. Monahan (34), W. White (38), F. Young (45)
F: H. Lemmey (31), A. Moir (43), S. Phipps-Parsons (69)
R: F. Riley (56), B. Camporeale (16), P. Dozzi (53)
INT: N. King (63), A. Stevens (77), C. Vickery (59), D. Hogg (70), E. Phillips (55)
23rd Player: N. King (63)
EMG: K. Ferronato (50), O. Badr (62), Z. Harding (60), L. Nelson (57), D. Harvey (73), O. Warburton (78)

IN: L. Cowan, F. Riley, W. White, L. Young
OUT: M. Pittonet (AFL), O. Badr, D. Harvey, L. Nelson (omitted).

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Mid-season recruit Flynn Young did his chances of earning an AFL debut no harm in Carlton's one-point loss to North Melbourne on Saturday. Young had 19 disposals, took nine marks and kicked two goals in the Blues' narrow loss. Billy Wilson was busy with 24 disposals and Lewis Young managed 15 disposals and eight marks. Ben Camporeale (25 disposals and five clearances) and Ashton Moir (17 and two goals) were also solid contributors. Jordan Boyd (19 disposals), Lachlan Cowan (18) and Harry O'Farrell (16) also found a bit of the ball. Lucas Camporeale had 17 disposals, Will White and Harry Lemmey both kicked one goal and Francis Evans had an almost day, booting four behinds.

!Blues go down in dying stages

The Carlton Reserves went down by one point against North Melbourne at IKON Park. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

The Carlton Reserves fell short in a final-quarter thriller against North Melbourne on Saturday at IKON Park. In perfect footy conditions, the Reserves, coming off strong back-to-back wins, led at three-quarter time, however were overcome late, 10.13 (73) to 11.8 (74). In the middle, youngster Ben Camporeale continued his form with 25 disposals and five tackles, while Archie Stevens (23 disposals, four clearances) also found plenty of the footy. Playing a crucial role down back once again was Billy Wilson, who gathered 24 disposals and eight marks. In the forward half, Stirling Phipps-Parsons kicked three goals, while AFL-listed duo Ashton Moir and Flynn Young also finished with two a piece.

It was a hot start for the Blues, asserting dominance around the stoppage early through the in-form Darcy Hogg and Ashton Moir. With the away side firing the first shot, it didn’t take long to trigger a response. Harry Charleson, with a crucial intercept early through the middle, linked up Francis Evans (seven disposals), who then laced out Stirling Phipps-Parsons to kick his, and the Blues, first goal of the day. Moments later, an elite run-down tackle from Ashton Moir gave him a chance to kick his first. He obliged, finishing a set-shot from directly in front to take an early lead. Linking up well through the corridor early, a fantastic transition play was finished with Archie Stevens finding Flynn Young in the pocket, who converted to kick a timely goal with a classy set shot finish. The siren sounded moments later, ending an evenly poised quarter with both teams ruing missed chances. Following the first break, the theme continued with a contested start to the second. Continuing their dominance in the middle, another Blues clearance saw a chaos ball deep inside forward 50. With quick thinking, small forward Phipps-Parsons toe poked it through on the line for his second. With the smalls looking increasingly threatening, it was Flynn Young who received a handball over the top bursting out of the centre square. In a moment of brilliance, he pulled his kick late to find Phipps-Parsons who nailed his third. Finding plenty of the footy early, Moir laced out Young deep in attacking 50. Tucked up tight against the boundary line, Flynn Young finished with an impressive set-shot for his second.

Growing in confidence, midfield duo Camporeale and Archie Stevens began to stamp their print on the game. With a nice transition starting at half back, Patrick Dozzi found Ashton Moir, who kicked his second with a set-shot from the pocket. With a tight half coming to a close, the Blues took a nine-point lead into the third. After the main break, the beginning of the third was hostile. Finding themselves under the pump early, the defenders held strong to limit the away sides momentum. At ground level, small defender duo Billy Wilson and Jordan Boyd got busy, underneath tall Lewis Young and Ethan Phillips. With North landing the first two blows, Archie Stevens found key forward Harry Lemmey out the back. With composure, he snagged his first around the body to take back the lead. Needing to turn up the heat, it was Dozzi (13 disposals) providing the run down the wing – who kicked it long down the line to Harry Lemmey providing a contest. Promptly kicking it inside the attacking 50, Will White was awarded a free kick 25-metres out from goal unable to convert. With time running out in the term, Cooper Vickery (nine disposals) lowered his eyes find to Dozzi just inside 50. Unselfishly, he opted to hit up Will White who was closer to home. A chance to redeem himself with an almost identical kick - he finished in style to boost the Blues lead to 10-points going into three-quarter time.

With the game still in balance, it was a blistering start to the final- quarter from the Reserves. A play that kicked off with Jordan Boyd off half back ended with a riveting goal on the run from Archie Stevens. Despite the ideal start, the Kangaroos refused to go away. Against the flow of play, showing grit was big man Flynn Riley (16 disposals) firing out a handball to Nash King. With a composed kick, he found Ashton Moir in front of goal - however the Blues once again were unable to convert. Moments later, Francis Evans took a crucial intercept mark just inside the forward 50. But the away side maintained control of the ball. With missed opportunities proving costly at the final siren, North prevailed – taking the lead in the dying stages.

Coaches MVP Award

10 - Finnbar Maley (NM)
6 - Flynn Young (CARL)
4 - Zane Duursma (NM)
4 - Will Phillips (NM)
3 - Wil Dawson (NM)
2 - Billy Wilson (CARL)
1 - Archie Stevens (CARL)

Round 14, 2025.

||CARLTON | 1.5.11 | 7.7.49 | 11.8.74 | 14.10 (94)
PORT MELBOURNE |3.5.23 | 6.9.45 | 9.15.69 | 11.17 (83)
Venue:| ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne.
Date:| Saturday 28th June 2025 (7.10 pm).
Result:| Won by 11 points.
Goalkickers:| Ashton Moir 4, Francis Evans 3, Harry Lemmey 3, Ben Camporeale 1, Corey Durdin 1, Darcy Hogg 1, Will White 1.
Best:| Francis Evans, Ashton Moir, Matt Carroll, Lachlan Cowan, Marc Pittonet, Harry Charleson.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: L. Cowan (2), H. O'Farrell (22), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), M. Carroll (32), R. Monahan (34)
C: P. Dozzi (53), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: C. Durdin (19), W. White (38), F. Evans (44)
F: H. Lemmey (31), A. Moir (43), S. Phipps-Parsons (69)
R: M. Pittonet (27), B. Camporeale (16), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: O. Warburton (78), F. Riley (56), A. Stevens (77), D. Hogg (70), E. Phillips (55)
23rd Player: O. Warburton (78)
EMG: K. Ferronato (50), O. Badr (62), Z. Harding (60), L. Nelson (57), D. Grainger-Barras (61), N. King (63)

IN: J. Binns, M. Carroll, C. Durdin, M. Pittonet, H. Ramshaw, O. Warburton
OUT: J. Boyd, F. Young, L. Young, B. Wilson (AFL), C. Vickery (managed), N. King (omitted)
NEW: Oliver Warburton, 19, 185cm, Shepparton Swans

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Leading Disposals: Harry Charleson 27, Lachlan Cowan 25, Matthew Carroll 24, Francis Evans 24, Ben Camporeale 22, Heath Ramshaw 22

!Blues hold on in a valiant win

The Carlton Reserves prevailed by 11 points against Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

The Carlton Reserves were victorious in another tight-finishing thriller against Port Melbourne on Saturday night away from home. In a perfect night for football, the Reserves fought off a strong Port Melbourne outfit 11.17 (83) to 14.10 (94). In a back-and-forth affair, the defenders held strong. Youngster Harry Charleson shone in the back half with 27 disposals to his name. Alongside him, the experienced Lachie Cowan (25 disposals, five tackles) also played a pivotal role. Through the middle, Ben Camporeale made his presence felt with 22 disposals, 10 tackles and four clearances. With him was captain Heath Ramshaw on return, collecting 21 disposals, 10 tackles and six clearances. In the front half, Ashton Moir starred with four majors, while Harry Lemmey and Francis Evans (24 disposals) kicked three each. Under lights at ETU stadium, it was a tough start to the game for both teams. With Carlton getting their hands on the footy first, Marc Pittonet had the first shot of the night for the Blues – however was unable to convert. In the backline, Charleson was commanding throughout the quarter, collecting 12 disposals in the opening term. Ramshaw (five disposals, three tackles) got involved early, with a one-two off half back to slingshot the Blues forward. After a number of opportunities went begging, it was tall Harry Lemmey who got busy on the ground, finishing off a goal in the square following a clever handball from Corey Durdin. Looking increasingly threatening in the forward half, Darcy Hogg continued his run of form, conjuring up six touches in the opening 20 minutes. With a clearance from the centre bounce, Will White pulled a crafty kick into the middle of the forward 50, to find Phipps-Parsons. However, he too was unable to capitalise. Despite leading in a number of areas, the Reserves went into the first break two goals down, with missed opportunities the theme.

Looking to get on top early, it was the perfect start to the second term for the Blues. A chain of linking handballs down the wing involving Archie Stevens and White, was capped off with a Moir goal. to centre wing, followed by an elite pick up from Phipps-Parsons. After Finding Evans (14 first-half disposals, five tackles), it was a kick to White in the goal square who kicked his first to tie things up. With pressure mounting, some fancy footwork from Durdin (six disposals) allowed him to check his kick late into the hands of the dangerous Evans – and with a set shot, he kicked true for his first and the Blues' third in a row. After a number of efforts, it was fellow small forward Durdin who deservedly found himself on the end of a 50-metre penalty – he obliged by finishing off a set shot. With their fourth goal of the quarter, third-game ruckman Flynn Riley followed up his own work with a blistering centre clearance falling into the arms of Evans. Once again, it resulted in a Blues major. With the home side firing their own shots - kicking back-to-back goals - it didn’t take the Blues long to respond. In the dying minutes of the term, the smooth-moving Cowan (16 disposals) capped off his stellar quarter with a goal assist. With a handball to Ben Camporeale (10 disposals) he set sail from beyond the arc to kick the goal. With the seventh lead change, the Blues hit the front on the stroke of the half-time break.

With a four-point lead coming into the third, it didn’t take long for the smalls to get involved again. An electric play from AFL-listed duo Evans and Durdin resulted in Darcy Hogg (12 disposals) launching with a set shot kick 40 metres out on the boundary. In a seesawing quarter, Matt Carroll (20 disposals) began to flex his muscles in the backline. After some back and forth, winning a free kick deep in attacking 50 was Lemmey. He kicked his second, as the Reserves were off to a flyer with back-to-back goals. Despite the home side bringing the heat, another play beginning at half back resulted in Patrick Dozzi hitting the chest of Lemmey with a clever kick to space, striking it sweetly for he nailed his third. Just when the Blues looked like breaking the game open, once again Port Melbourne clapped back - and equally, the Blues were up to the challenge. A clearance started and finished by Moir (10 disposals, three clearances), who booted his second on the run from the 50-metre line. Soon after, the siren concluded a back-and-forth affair. The Blues held a five-point lead at three-quarter time.

With the game coming right down to the wire, the Reserves had the run of the play in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter through two Ben Camporeale clearances (four clearances). With contest after contest, Ramshaw (21 disposals, 10 tackles) once again got involved through the middle – and found a target deep in the pocket. Tucked up against the boundary line, Moir split the middle – an unbelievable finish to bolster the lead to two goals. In a turn of events - against the run of play - the home side took the lead, shaping up what would be a thrilling last 10 minutes. Applying increasing pressure in the forward half, Evans was awarded a free kick off the back of a scintillating chase-down tackle. With a set shot, he kicked true for his third major to give the Blues back the lead. Seeming to have all the answers, it was Moir taking a towering contested mark 40 metres out directly in front. With composure, he converted for his fourth and boosted the lead out to 11 points. The siren sounded - the Blues were too good despite a relentless fight from Port Melbourne. The Reserves will be back in action next Saturday night, taking on Collingwood at 7:10pm at IKON Park.

Coaches MVP Award

5 - Dominic Bedendo (PM)
5 - Lachlan Cowan (CARL)
5 - Francis Evans (CARL)
5 - Ashton Moir (CARL)
4 - Josh Sparkman (PM)
3 - Harry Charleson (CARL)
2 - Matt Carroll (CARL)
1 - Marc Pittonet (CARL)

Round 15, 2025.

||CARLTON | 3.3.21 | 5.5.35 | 10.8.68 | 12.11 (83)
COLLINGWOOD | 3.3.21 | 6.7.43 | 11.9.75 | 11.13 (79)
Venue:| IKON Park, Carlton.
Date:| Saturday 5th July 2025 (7.10 pm).
Result:| Won by 4 points.
Goalkickers:| Luke Nelson 3.0, Denver Grainger-Barras 2.2, Harry Lemmey 2.0, Corey Durdin 1.3, Darcy Hogg 1.1, Will Hayes 1.0, Flynn Young 1.0, Jaxon Binns 1.0, Will White 0.2, Billy Wilson 0.1, Oliver Warburton 0.1, Rushed 0.1.
Best:| Ethan Phillips, Ben Camporeale, Will White, Flynn Riley, Jaxon Binns, Lucas Camporeale
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: B. Wilson (35), L. Young (33), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: P. Dozzi (53), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: C. Vickery (59), D. Hogg (70), L. Nelson (57)
F: C. Durdin (19), H. Lemmey (31), W. White (38)
R: F. Riley (56), B. Camporeale (16), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: O. Warburton (78), E. Phillips (55), A. Stevens (77), W. Hayes (54), D. Grainger-Barras (61)
23rd Player: O. Warburton (78)
EMG: K. Ferronato (50), O. Badr (62), Z. Harding (60), N. King (63), J. Polkinghorne (76), T. Logan (68)

IN: J. Boyd, D. Grainger-Barras, W. Hayes, L. Nelson, B. Wilson, L. Young
OUT: M. Carroll, L. Cowan, F. Evans, A. Moir, M. Pittonet (AFL), S. Phipps-Parsons (calf)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Jaxon Binns put his hand up for a senior recall with a dominant performance in Carlton's four-point win over Collingwood on Saturday night. Binns was prolific with 28 disposals, 11 marks and a goal at Ikon Park. Lucas Camporeale will also be eyeing a senior return after gathering 24 touches and nine marks. Billy Wilson (21 disposals), Will White (19) and Rob Monahan (18) were also busy. Corey Durdin kicked one goal from 15 disposals, while Ben Camporeale continued his push for an AFL debut with 26 touches and eight clearances. Harry Lemmey booted two majors, Jordan Boyd had 20 disposals and Flynn Young – the substitute in the AFL on Friday night – had five touches and kicked a goal.

LEADING DISPOSALS
Carlton: Jaxon Binns 28, Ben Camporeale 26, Wil Hayes 26, Lucas Camporeale 24, Billy Wilson 21

!Spirited Blues produce late fightback against Pies

The Carlton Reserves defeated Collingwood by four points in a see-sawing affair at IKON Park. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir

The Carlton Reserves defeated Collingwood in a final quarter thriller at IKON Park. Under lights, the Blues prevailed in a 12.11 (83) to 11.13 (79) victory, claiming back-to-back wins and making it four victories from the last five games. Through the middle, Jaxon Binns found plenty of the footy all night, finishing the night with 28 disposals and a goal, while Ben Camporeale (26 disposals, eight clearances), Lucas Camporeale (24 disposals, four tackles) and Will Hayes (26 disposals, six clearances) also made their presence felt. Luke Nelson led the forwards by snagging three crucial goals in the second half, while tall targets Harry Lemmey and the returning Denver Grainger-Barras both registered two goals. Down back, an under-siege Carlton held firm, with Ethan Phillips (11 marks) and Jordan Boyd (20 disposals) had impressive showings. It was the dream start for the Blues, with a centre clearance to goal transition in the first minute of the game. Backing up from his sub performance in the AFL last night, Flynn Young found himself on the end of his first major, taking the advantage after Harry Lemmey drew the free. Only moments later, the Blues had their second with an almost identical play, when this time Young found Lemmey. Continuing to apply pressure in the front half, a spectacular grab followed by unselfish play from Denver Grainger-Barras saw Jaxon Binns convert. With the first three of the night, the Blues were on the front foot, but the Pies were quick to rally as Carlton’s defence was soon under the pump. Lewis Young held strong, gathering a game-high 13 disposals in the opening term, but a late charge from Collingwood meant things were evened up going into the first break.

That momentum continued with the second term, in what was a tough start to the quarter for the Reserves. An ankle injury brought Lewis Young from the ground and he didn’t return, as the Pies made it five straight goals to extend their lead. Back into the side, Will Hayes started to find plenty of the footy, and he found himself front and centre to kick the Blues’ first of the quarter and wrestle back some momentum. Soon after, Grainger-Barras was awarded a free kick in the pocket – with a timely set shot, he swung it around his body to close Collingwood’s lead. Under pressure for the majority of the term, Carlton’s defence stood up against 18 inside 50s from the Pies, with tall Ethan Phillips and the lively Harry Charleson both getting busy. When the siren concluded a back-and-forth second term, the Blues trailed by eight points, with work to do following the main break. It didn’t take long for the Reserves to fire a shot in the second half, when Flynn Young linked up with Lemmey again for an answering Carlton goal. More unselfish work from Will White and Ollie Warburton ended in Luke Nelson securing the Blues’ second in a row from the set shot – after a contested few minutes, a clearance from Darcy Hogg found Grainer-Barras for his second following some fancy footwork. Once again finding momentum, weaving through traffic was Darcy Hogg who set sail on the run to finish off a classy play, before the Blues continued their hot streak when a Charleson entry was capped off with Nelson booting his second to give the Blues back the lead. However, the final stages of the third term saw the Pies hit back, kicking two in a minute to once again see the Blues seven points down at the final change. Looking for a big push in the final term, a Ben Camporeale clearance gave the Blues the perfect start to the fourth, as a squaring ball from White found the hot hand of Nelson. Launching from 50 for his third, the Blues were once again back within a kick, but forward entries went begging for both sides in another tense finish for the VFL Blues. Jordan Boyd had some crucial one-on-one wins in the final minutes, before Corey Durdin seized the moment late, taking an intercept mark inside forward 50. With a lot riding on the kick, he went back and squeezed the set shot to give the Blues the lead once again. In a low-scoring quarter, the Blues were relentless and kept the Pies goalless in the final term, securing the win by four points.

!Proud Power speaks on VFL Round 15

The Carlton Reserves stormed home in the second half to defeat Collingwood by four points. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

Coming off a resilient win last week against Port Melbourne, the Carlton Reserves went one better against old enemy Collingwood. Under lights at IKON Park, the Reserves were able to overcome the Magpies late, securing back-to-back wins. VFL Senior Coach Luke Power summed up the thrilling four-point win: here’s what he had to say.

On his thoughts post game:
“I’m proud. We’ve got a lot of run in our team and guys that are just willing to fight. “Most of them haven’t had it their own way, in terms of not coming in straight away or not playing senior football: they’ve worked out they’ve got to fight for it, and that’s what they’re doing. That’s really pleasing. “It got away from us a couple of times, but we were able to claw it back and get within reasonable striking distance. That kept us engaged and made us think that we had an opportunity, which fortunately we were able to get over the line.”

On what worked in the second half:
“I don’t think we had all the answers. Early in the game we just couldn’t stop them marking the ball, and behind the ball they were intercepting a lot. “We couldn’t really pick a team that was built for the aerial game, so it was all about how we managed that. It was about how we could potentially bring the ball to ground a little bit more to bring our smalls in like Flynn Young, Corey Durdin, Will White and Luke Nelson into the game – we couldn’t do that in the first half. “We were sending one up to the stoppage in the first half, but we decided to drop that and try to get six ahead of the ball to stop their interceptors. Oliver Warburton went and played on Sam Glover and did a really good job, giving us a contest and bringing the ball to ground a bit more. “We found it hard to defend them early, but once we started equalising numbers and getting the ball to ground, it gave us a bit more time to set up behind the ball.”

On the backs:
“I thought our backs were terrific. They were facing a lot of entries in the first half – I think Collingwood had 36 inside 50s in the first two quarters, so it was a tough challenge for those guys. To keep us within striking distance after that many entries against is a pretty good performance. “That was obviously led by Ethan Phillips. The Irish boys continue to get better: I think Rob Monahan play his best game for the Club. Harry Charleson continues to get better each week, and for Jordan Boyd and Billy Wilson to show their character after playing AFL last week and get their role done was exceptional. “It was consistent across the board. I’m really pleased they’re working to get better every day, and it’s good to see them get some reward for that.”

On big moments:
“There were some big ones for me: I thought Lucas Camporeale got back a couple of times to support the defenders. We asked a lot of Jaxon Binns because we were short on rotations [Lewis Young ankle injury, Flynn Young managed minutes]: we asked him to play full quarters, and the way he continued to outnumber for us was really good. “Cooper Vickery went back with the flight when it would’ve been easy to concede was an important moment for us, Luke Nelson took his shots and kicked three after half time. Then obviously Corey Durdin with the intercept and going back to take the pressure off was big. “I also felt Denver Grainger-Barras looked the most likely of the key forwards on the ground. Especially with Harry Lemmey playing second ruck, I thought Denver provided a really good focal point ahead of the ball for us.”

On staying present:
“We’ve had a real focus on just getting better every week: I’ve felt like we’ve done that. “We’ve put a lot of time into these guys and our VFL program. They’re starting to connect more and understand the roles and requirements we want them to play. Sometimes you get lucky and that’s part of footy – but we’ve been on the opposite side of it early in the season with those close results, so you take them when you can. “I’m proud of the way that our guys approach it. I’m proud of guys like Ashton Moir that played AFL and acquitted himself, showing signs that he’s going to be a good player. I’m proud of our developing players and the players that have come back and played with us. “But probably most importantly was the number of players and staff that were back in the rooms after the game. When it is really difficult, they’re here supporting their mates and that’s really important to any footy club.”

On other individuals that impressed:
“Ethan Phillips was first class. I thought our midfielders to be able to give us field position were all good - Flynn Riley, Ben Camporeale, Patrick Dozzi and Heath Ramshaw. “I also thought Will White ahead of the ball had some really telling moments – I’ve probably mentioned the whole team, but it was that sort of game.”

On the coming weeks:
“Just keep getting better - no doubt we want the boys to experience the best form of footy that they can, but finals is an outcome. “For us, it’s what the day to day looks like. We’ve got Brisbane next week, who are a top-four side: this win was the first time we’ve beat a side above us. “You need to be able to deal with teams around you and below you on the ladder, which we’ve done well this season, but for this to be the first time we’ve beaten a team above us… Brisbane presents another challenge, so we’ve got to be focused on that.”

Coaches MVP Award

6 - Harry DeMattia (COLL)
6 - Sam Glover (COLL)
5 - Jaxon Binns (CARL)
5 - Ethan Phillips (CARL)
3 - Ben Camporeale (CARL)
3 - Will Hayes (CARL)
1 - Denver Grainger-Barras (CARL)
1 - Will White (CARL)

Round 16, 2025.

||CARLTON | 3.2.20 | 6.4.40 | 8.7.55 | 11.8 (74)
BRISBANE LIONS | 2.2.14 | 7.8.50 | 11.9.75 | 14.14 (98)
Venue:| Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:| Friday 11th July 2025 (12.05 pm).
Result:| Lost by 24 points.
Goalkickers:| Francis Evans 3.0, Harry Lemmey 2.2, Jaxon Binns 1.0, Denver Grainger-Barras 1.0, Darcy Hogg 1.0, Hudson O'Keeffe 1.0, Will White 1.1, Billy Wilson 1.0, Archie Stevens 0.1, Luke Nelson 0.1, Patrick Dozzi 0.1, Rushed 0.2.
Best:| Ethan Phillips, Francis Evans, Cooper Vickery, Will White, Jordan Boyd, Billy Wilson.
Reports:| Ben Camporeale suspended for 4 weeks for rough conduct.
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: B. Wilson (35), E. Phillips (55), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: B. Acres (13), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: W. White (38), D. Hogg (70), L. Nelson (57)
F: H. O'Keeffe (40), H. Lemmey (31), F. Evans (44)
R: F. Riley (56), B. Camporeale (16), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: O. Warburton (78), C. Vickery (59), A. Stevens (77), P. Dozzi (53), D. Grainger-Barras (61)
23rd Player: O. Warburton (78)
EMG: K. Ferronato (50), O. Badr (62), S. Phipps-Parsons (69), N. King (63), J. Polkinghorne (76), T. Logan (68), Z. Harding (60)

IN: B. Acres, F. Evans, H. O'Keeffe, A. Stevens
OUT: C. Durdin, F. Young (AFL), L. Young (ankle), W. Hayes (unavailable)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Best: Ethan Phillips, Francis Evans, Cooper Vickery, Will White, Jordan Boyd, Billy Wilson
Leading Disposals: Ethan Phillips 27, Billy Wilson 25, Jordan Boyd, Francis Evans 19, Blake Acres, Heath Ramshaw 18

!Blues overcome at home

The Carlton Reserves went down to a strong Brisbane Lions outfit at IKON Park. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

Following a set of back-to-back wins, the Carlton Reserves fell short at IKON Park. In the Friday afternoon fixture, the Blues string of wins came unstuck despite a promising start, with a strong Lions outfit prevailing 14.14 (98) to 11.8 (74). Under duress for majority of the game, Ethan Phillips was the highlight for the Reserves – gathering a game-high 26 disposals along with 18 marks and an incredible 16 intercepts. Alongside him, Billy Wilson (23 disposals, one goal) and Jordan Boyd (19 disposals, five rebound 50s) also held firm, while Francis Evans fought all day with 18 disposals, eight tackles and three majors. It was Phillips and Boyd who set the tone in the opening minutes, where - after the majority of the opening minutes were played in the Blues’ back half - a transition sparked by Boyd was finished off by Wilson for the first goal of the game. Despite conditions making it tough to attack, a pressing passage from the Blues - beginning with an intercept from Archie Stevens - was capped off by Will White finishing in the goal square in a bright opening term from the small forward. The Blues were defending resolutely as the Lions attacked, but the Blues were able to capitalise despite minimal opportunities: granted a free kick inside 50, Harry Lemmey split the middle for his first major of the afternoon. Not long after, the siren concluded a tightly contested term. The Blues, with the slight advantage, held a one goal lead at the first break. Following quarter time, the away side brought the pressure early. Maintaining the ball in their forward half, the Carlton defence continued to hold strong under duress. Phillips (15 disposals, nine marks) continued where he left off in the second, while youngsters Wilson (13 disposals) and Harry Charleson (11 disposals) started to get busy amid increasing Brisbane pressure, who hit the front after kicking 2.5 to open the term. It wasn’t until halfway through the quarter when another searing kick up the middle from Boyd (12 disposals) opened up the ground.

Transitioning forward, it was Oli Warburton who hit Denver Grainger-Barras running back toward goal. With a set shot on the angle, he kicked true for the Reserves’ first of the quarter. Beginning to find their flow, it was Darcy Hogg who found himself in space off the back of a releasing handball from Lemmey. Running into open goal, he obliged to once again shrink the deficit. But in a similar vein to the AFL side the night before, the VFL Blues had a series of chances that they couldn’t capitalise on in the second term, with the Lions punishing them going the other way. In the dying minutes, good body work from Frankie Evans in the contest saw him register his first goal on the siren to bring the Blues back within 10 points. Looking to continue their momentum after the main break, the away side came out roaring, kicking the first three goals of the third term once more. Wrestling back the momentum through the middle, Heath Ramshaw (18 disposals, five tackles for the game) and Archie Stevens stood up throughout the term, while Cooper Vickery also had an impact. After relentless pressure from the Lions, it was Lemmey who broke the scoring drought for the Blues with an accurate finish following a huge contested mark. Looking to capitalise before the clock ran out, an opportunity with a scrappy ball inside 50 was pounced upon. Back into the side after a hamstring injury , Hudson O’Keeffe found himself out the back finishing with an opportunistic finish from the goal square. After the Lions had the majority of the play, their lead was extended to 20 points come three-quarter time, while defender Matt Duffy didn’t return to the ground following a hip injury. With the Blues needing a big push, they were unable to translate early inside 50s into scoring pressure, before the Lions pushed out to a game-high lead. The Reserves didn’t go away, when their first came through a Jaxon Binns set shot, while White found Evans twice in a row to take the forward’s tally to three for the game. Despite the fightback, time ran out, with the Reserves falling by 24 points.

Coaches MVP Award

10 - Ethan Phillips (CARL)
5 - Sam Marshall (BL)
4 - Luke Lloyd (BL)
3 - Luke Beecken (BL)
3 - Curtis McCarthy (BL)
2 - Francis Evans (CARL)
2 - Deven Robertson (BL)
1 - Keidean Coleman (BL)

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Round 17, 2025.

||CARLTON | 2.3.15 | 3.3.21 | 5.4.34 | 6.6 (42)
CASEY DEMONS | 5.4.34 | 11.7.73 | 17.10.112 | 22.18 (150)
Venue:| Casey Fields, Cranbourne.
Date:| Sunday 20th July, 2025 (1.05 pm).
Result:| Lost by 108 points.
Goalkickers:| Oliver Warburton 2.0, Denver Grainger-Barras 1.2, Dane Harvey 1.0, Harry Lemmey 1.0, Flynn Riley 1.0, Stirling Phipps-Parsons 0.1, Sam Paea 0.1, Will Hayes 0.1, Darcy Hogg 0.1.
Best:| Oliver Warburton, Ethan Phillips, Harry Charleson, Cooper Vickery, Denver Grainger-Barras.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: B. Wilson (35), E. Phillips (55), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: B. Acres (13), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: D. Grainger-Barras (61), D. Hogg (70), L. Nelson (57)
F: H. O'Keeffe (40), H. Lemmey (31), S. Phipps-Parsons (69)
R: F. Riley (56), P. Dozzi (53), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: O. Warburton (78), C. Vickery (59), S. Paea (66), K. Ferronato (50), C. Hamilton (80)
23rd Player: O. Warburton (78)
EMG: L. Farrar (67), D. Harvey (73), T. Logan (68), N. King (63), J. Polkinghorne (76), W. Hayes (54)

IN: K. Ferronato, C. Hamilton, S. Paea, S. Phipps-Parsons
OUT: F. Evans, W. White, B. Camporeale (suspended), A. Stevens (omitted)
NEW: Cooper Hamilton 21, 185cm, GWS Giants/Rochester; Sam Paea, 23, 194cm, Werribee/Aberfeldie

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Carlton had no answers for a powerful Casey Demons outfit, who finished 108-point winners at Casey Fields. After starting the year with two thrillers, the Demons have since produced two triple-digit wins, as well as victories 94, 76 and 71 to boast the third-highest percentage in the league (133.9) despite sitting in 10th spot on the ladder. The Demons kicked no less than five goals in each quarter against the Blues on their way to producing their sixth score of 100 points or more in 2025, which helped them move one-game clear of 11th-placed North Melbourne Six Demons booted multiple goals, with Aidan Johnson leading all comers with five and Luker Kentfield kicking four to make it goals in four of his previous five matches. Riley Bonner had no problems finding the footy once again, finishing with 32 disposals and eight marks, while Jack Billings also bobbed up with a 32-disposal effort. For the Blues, who continued to lose touch with the top ten on the back of a second-straight loss, Oliver Warburton was a standout, kicking two of his team’s six goals for the match.

Leading Disposals: Billy Wilson 26, Harry Charleson 22, Will Hayes 22, Kristian Ferronato 21, Jordan Boyd 20, Ethan Phillips 20

Round 18, 2025.

Carlton had the bye this round.

Round 19, 2025.

||CARLTON | 6.4.40 | 7.5.47 | 9.7.61 | 11.8 (74)
FRANKSTON | 2.1.13 | 4.2.26 | 9.4.58 | 15.8 (98)
Venue:| Kinetic Stadium, Frankston.
Date:| Saturday 2nd August 2025 (7.10 pm).
Result:| Lost by 24 points
Goalkickers:| Dane Harvey 3.1, Denver Grainger-Barass 3.0, Darcy Hogg 2.1, Ollie Badr 2.0, Hudson O'Keeffe 1.0, Flynn Reily 0.1, Luke Nelson 0.1, Kristian Ferronato 0.1, Lucas Camporeale 0.1, Rushed 0.2.
Best:| Ramshaw, Ferronato, Cincotta, Charleson, Phillips, Paea
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: B. Wilson (35), E. Phillips (55), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: A. Cincotta (39), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: D. Hogg (70), L. Nelson (57), C. Vickery (59)
F: H. O'Keeffe (40), D. Grainger-Barras (61), S. Phipps-Parsons (69)
R: F. Riley (56), P. Dozzi (53), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: O. Warburton (78), O. Badr (72), S. Paea (66), K. Ferronato (50), T. Gresham (79)
23rd Player: T. Gresham (79)
EMG: L. Farrar (67), O. Poole (75), T. Logan (68), N. King (63), J. Polkinghorne (76), D. Ayres (71), D. Harvey (73), A. Stevens (77)

IN: O. Badr, A. Cincotta, T. Gresham, H. O'Keeffe
OUT: H. Lemmey (hamstring), W. Hayes (unavailable), C. Hamilton, D. Harvey (omitted)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Just a handful of AFL-listed Blues featured on Saturday night as Frankston booted four late goals to storm home. Billy Wilson, who made his AFL debut against Port Adelaide, gathered 24 disposals, while Harry Charleson had 22 along with six marks. The experienced Alex Cincotta notched up 18 touches along with a game-high 12 tackles, with youngster Lucas Camporeale also having 18 disposals. Hudson O'Keeffe had a big night, booting one goal from 11 touches, as well as having 20 hitouts, seven tackles and four clearances.

!Blues go down late in Frankston

The Carlton Reserves fell short in a Saturday night thriller away from home. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

A young Carlton Reserves side were overcome late in the game against Frankston on Saturday night at Kinetic Stadium, going down 11.8 (74) to 15.8 (98). Through the middle, captain Heath Ramshaw lead from the front in his milestone 50th game – coming away with 24 disposals, along with eight clearances. Kristian Ferronato also dug in, finishing finish with an equal game high 25 and nine clearances. Down back, young AFL-Listed duo Billy Wilson (24 disposals) and Harry Charleson (22 disposals) stood up in trying times. In the front half, tall Dane Harvey had the hot hand early, kicking a career-high three goals. Alongside him, smalls Darcy Hogg and Ollie Badr also snagged two each. With perfect conditions for footy, the first quarter belonged to the Blues. With the first five inside 50s of the game, it was young gun Hogg who put the first on the board after an intercept mark. Just as the term started to become congested, Dane Harvey found himself on the receiving end of a forward 50 free kick – he obliged to kick his first and give the Reserves the perfect start. Only moments later, a centre clearance from Hudson O’Keeffe resulted in a chaos ball inside attacking 50. With a moment of individual brilliance, Hogg finished from the boundary on his left, to kick his second and the Blues third.

Applying relentless pressure in the front half, Badr converted a simple set shot after picking off a Frankston kickout. Finding plenty of the ball early, Badr found himself with a paddock of space in the corridor. With composure, he found the chest of Harvey who put through his second. Upping the ante in the back half of the quarter, it was Denver Grainger-Barras who found himself on the end of another Blues goal. In game number 50, Ramshaw stamped his dominance early, collecting 14 disposals in the opening term. Kicking six goals to two, the siren concluded a strong first quarter showing from the Reserves. Taking a 27-point lead into the second it was a different look kicking into the wind. Captain Ramshaw (19 disposals) continued to surge after his monster first quarter. Alongside him, Kristian Ferronato (16 disposals) turned up the heat with six clearances to his name. After 20 minutes of back and forth, a skewed set shot landed in the hands of the hot handed Harvey. With a shot from the pocket, he finished around the corner to break the drought. With conditions favouring the away side, the Blues held strong – taking a 21-point lead into half time. Following the main break, with the conditions favouring their end the Reserves were looking to capitalise.

After an impressive first half, O’Keeffe kicked the opener for the Blues – finishing with a set shot around his body. However, despite the promising start the home side started to find their groove. Under immense pressure throughout the term, AFL-listed duo Wilson and Charleson knuckled down in the back half. Against the flow of play, small forward Badr produced something out of nothing from the top of the goal square – kicking his second to keep the Blues in front. While the away side surged in the third, the Reserves managed to take a three-point lead into the final quarter. Needing a lift in the final 30 minutes, it was a less than ideal start for the Blues. With the away side getting off to strong start, it didn’t take long for Grainger-Barras to hit back - with his second and the Blues first of the last. In the same minute, it was an instant replay. Grainger-Barras with a set shot, went back and slotted his third to give Carlton back the lead. Coming off back-to-back goals, the Reserves were pressing. However, with the clock running out - the Reserves were left four goals short. The Carlton Reserves are set to face the Gold Coast Suns at 11:05am next Sunday 10 August at IKON Park.

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Round 20, 2025.

||CARLTON | 2.4.16 | 6.10.46 | 11.13.79 | 12.16 (88)
GOLD COAST SUNS | 1.4.10 | 1.6.12 | 3.8.26 | 9.10 (64)
Venue:| Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:| Sunday 10th August, 2025 (11.05 am).
Result:| Won by 24 points.
Goalkickers:| Stirling Phipps-Parsons 3.1, Darcy Hogg 2.1, Luke Nelson 2.0, Elijah Hollands 1.3, Dane Harvey 1.3, Heath Ramshaw 1.1, Orazio Fantasia 1.1, Jaxon Binns 1.0, Marc Pittonet 0.1, Rushed 0.5.
Best:| Mitch McGovern, Stirling Phipps-Parsons, Heath Ramshaw, Ethan Phillips, Darcy Hogg, Elijah Hollands.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

With a host of AFL talent returning to its line-up, Carlton ended a three-game losing streak by proving too strong for the Gold Coast Suns to the tune of 24 points at IKON Park on Sunday. The Blues won the game across the second and third terms where they piled on nine goals to two to open a 53-point advantage at the final change, before the visitors closed the margin with a six-goal last term. The victory keeps Carlton mathematically in the finals hunt, however they would require a mammoth final-round win over red-hot Footscray and hope Geelong and Williamstown both suffer defeats. Mitch McGovern was tough to get a handle on across the backline and made it difficult for the Suns to kick a winning score, finishing with 21 disposals, 10 marks (four contested) and 10 intercept possessions. Others to help Carlton get over the line included Heath Ramshaw (28 disposals) and Stirling Phipps-Parsons (three goals), whilst Elijah Hollands made a successful return to the VFL side, amassing 25 disposals and kicking 1.3. Highly-touted Academy prospect Dylan Patterson was kept busy in defence for the Suns but was still one of their best players with 21 disposals, seven marks and six intercept possessions, while Jake Rogers (29 disposals and seven tackles) and Ned Moyle (30 hitouts and 11 clearances) were also standouts.

Leading Disposals: Heath Ramshaw 28, Elijah Hollands 25, Jaxon Binns 24, Lucas Camporeale 24, Harry Charleson 24.

!Blues hold on in impressive win.

The Carlton Reserves prevailed by 24 points against Gold Coast at IKON Park. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

The Carlton Reserves survived a late surge to win at home against Gold Coast. On a perfect morning for footy, the Blues held off a late surging Suns outfit, prevailing 12.16 (88) to 9.10 (64). Through the middle, captain Heath Ramshaw continues his red-hot form with 27 disposals, while Elijah Hollands had 23 disposals on return. Mitch McGovern collected 21 disposals and 10 marks in the back half in his first game back from a hamstring injury, while Harry Charleson had 24 disposals. It was the smalls who got busy in the front half for the Blues, with VFL-listed trio Stirling Phipps-Parsons (three goals), Luke Nelson and Darcy Hogg (two each) combining for seven majors. It was a slow start to the game, with both teams goalless for the first 10 minutes as the Suns made an inaccurate start. At the 11-minute mark, it was Phipps-Parsons who put the first on the board following a nice transition off half back, which began with a Mitch McGovern intercept. While the Suns were quick to return serve, it was even faster response from the Blues. Debutant Zac Harding crafted a handball assist out of nowhere, keeping the ball alive to Jaxon Binns who finished with a volley in the goal square.

The siren sounded to conclude a low scoring opening quarter, the Blues leading by a goal as Ramshaw picked up where he left off last week with nine first-quarter disposals. Despite play beginning to flow in the second, it was a similar story in that neither team kicked a major until the 12-minute mark. However, the second term belonged to the Blues once they broke through. A dashing play started with Darcy Hogg on the wing, before Phipps-Parsons delivered a bullet to Luke Nelson who finished with a set shot from 40 metres to open his account. Increasing their pressure around the ball, it was a link up through the corridor that resulted in Phipps-Parsons on the end of his second: moments later as the smalls began to look increasingly threatening, an interception in the front half gave Nelson another set shot - he too converted for his second. On the brink of half time, another wave of relentless pressure in their forward 50 gave Hogg a glimpse at the big sticks. With quick thinking at the top of the goal square, he crafted something out of nothing to give the Reserves a 34-point lead at the main break. It was an ideal start to the second half for the Blues, with Hogg finding Dane Harvey to kick his first before - in an almost identical play – Orazio Fantasia found himself in plenty of space to waltz in for a goal. As the Blues began to stamp their dominance on the game, Ollie Badr found Phipps-Parsons for his third, before a deep forward entry from Jordan Boyd found Hollands who slotted the Blues’ fifth of the quarter – stretching the lead to 53 points in the process. Hogg finished on the run to open up a game-high lead, before the away side closed the gap on the scoreboard – although the damage was largely done. Charleson had a busy final term in the back half with six disposals for the quarter, but it was a big middle two quarters which set the Blues up for an impressive four-goal victory. The Carlton Reserves will be back in action on Sunday 17 August at 12:05pm at Mission Whitten Oval against Footscray in their final game of the VFL home-and-away season.

Best: Mitch McGovern, Stirling Phipps-Parsons, Heath Ramshaw, Ethan Phillips, Darcy Hogg, Elijah Hollands.

Coaches MVP Award

B: M. McGovern (11), E. Phillips (55), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: A. Cincotta (39), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: D. Hogg (70), L. Nelson (57), C. Vickery (59)
F: O. Fantasia (14), E. Hollands (20), S. Phipps-Parsons (69)
R: M. Pittonet (27), W. Hayes (54), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: Z. Harding (60), O. Badr (62), S. Paea (66), K. Ferronato (50), D. Harvey (73)
23rd Player: Z. Harding (60)
EMG: L. Farrar (67), O. Poole (75), T. Logan (68), N. King (63), J. Polkinghorne (76), A. Stevens (77), C. Hamilton (80), P. Dozzi (53)

IN: J. Binns, J. Boyd, O. Fantasia, Z. Harding, W. Hayes, E. Hollands, M. McGovern, M. Pittonet
OUT: H. O'Keeffe, B. Wilson (AFL), P. Dozzi, D. Grainger-Barras, T. Gresham, F. Riley, A. Stevens, O. Warburton (omitted)
NEW: Zac Harding, 19, 199cm, Murray Bushrangers, Wodonga Bulldogs

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Round 21, 2025.

||CARLTON | 1.1.7 | 3.4.22 | 3.5.23 | 4.7 (31)
WESTERN BULLDOGS | 3.4.22 | 6.9.45 | 15.17.107 | 21.20 (146)
Venue:| Misson Whitten Oval, Footscray.
Date:| Sunday 17th August 2025 (12.05 pm).
Result:| Lost by 115 points.
Goalkickers:| Darcy Hogg 2.1, Elijah Hollands 1.1, Ollie Badr 1.0, Orazio Fantasia 0.1, Cooper Vickery 0.1, Flynn Riley 0.1, Stirling Phipps-Parsons 0.1, Dane Harvey 0.1.
Best:| Ethan Phillips, Lucas Camporeale, Elijah Hollands, Luke Nelson, Flynn Riley.
Reports:|
Injuries:|
||

Team

B: M. McGovern (11), E. Phillips (55), M. Duffy (41)
HB: H. Charleson (28), J. Boyd (37), R. Monahan (34)
C: C. Vickery (59), J. Binns (25), L. Camporeale (21)
HF: D. Hogg (70), L. Nelson (57), W. White (38)
F: O. Fantasia (14), E. Hollands (20), H. Lemmey (31)
R: M. Pittonet (27), A. Cincotta (39), H. Ramshaw (51)
INT: N. King (63), O. Badr (72), S. Phipps-Parsons (69), K. Ferronato (50), D. Harvey (73)
23rd Player: N. King (63)
EMG: O. Warburton (78), O. Poole (75), A. Stevens (77), D. Ayres (71), F. Riley (56), Z. Harding (60), C. Hamilton (80), P. Dozzi (53)

IN: N. King, H. Lemmey, W. White
OUT: Z. Harding, W. Hayes, S. Paea (unavailable)

Smithy's VFL Match Review.

Carlton endured a tough end to its season, going down by 115 points to Footscray in their final-round clash. Defender Jordan Boyd was one of the Blues' standouts, finishing with 27 disposals, five marks and four tackles, while rookie Harry Charleson collected 24 disposals to go with three marks and three tackles. Elijah Hollands added a goal while gathering 20 disposals and three clearances. Young midfielder Lucas Camporeale (19 disposals, four marks), Orazio Fantasia (16 disposals, five tackles) and Jaxon Binns (11, five marks) were all busy. Harry Lemmey (15 hitouts, five disposals), Alex Cincotta (five disposals, six tackles), Matt Duffy (six disposals) and Rob Monahan (seven) were other AFL-listed Blues in action.

!Blues go down at Whitten

The Carlton Reserves were outplayed by a strong Footscray side away from home. - By Jaspar Wilson-Keir.

In their final outing of the 2025 season, the Carlton Reserves were overpowered by the first placed Footscray Bulldogs. Taking on an in-form Footscray outfit on Sunday, the Blues were outplayed as the Dogs ran away with the game in the second half, with the home side prevailing 21.20 (146) to 4.7 (31) victory. Under relentless pressure for the duration of the game against the minor premiers, Jordan Boyd accumulated 27 disposals and youngster Harry Charleson once again showed his maturity with 25 disposals, while Ethan Phillips (15 disposals, six marks) fought all day. With goals hard to come by, Darcy Hogg slotted two, while Elijah Hollands and Ollie Badr were able to register one each. AFL-listed duo Elijah Hollands and Lucas Camporeale were highlights in the second half, recording 19 disposals apiece. It was a strong start to the game for the home side, putting the pressure on the Blues early. Up against it from the bounce, Jordan Boyd produced a nine-disposal quarter while Ethan Phillips and Harry Charleson also found plenty of the footy, gathering six disposals each for the term. Dane Harvey had the Blues’ sole look at goals in the opening but was unable to convert: it wasn’t until 20-minute mark where Darcy Hogg was able to break through, kicking the first for the Reserves from close range.

The Bulldogs dominating territory but the Blues defended resolutely, facing a 15-point deficit at the first break. Eager to make the most of the conditions in the second, strong pressure in the forward half gave Elijah Hollands his first of the day with a set shot from the top of the goal square. Luke Nelson (eight disposals to half time) was lively in the front half, while Kristian Ferronato (11 disposals) got his hands on the ball in the middle. With the smalls looking increasingly threatening, a deep entry from Cooper Vickery was marked at the top of the square by Ollie Badr. With a simple set shot, he slotted his first major to keep the Blues in the hunt. While the Blues made the most of their opportunities in front of goal, the Dogs capitalised late to take a 23-point lead into half time. Following the main break, it was all Footscray. With their backs to the wall, it was a goalless term for the Blues as the Dogs produced nine goals, with Lucas Camporeale (17 disposals to three-quarter time) working tirelessly. It was another tough quarter for the Reserves in the fourth, with the form of young ruckman Flynn Riley plus a second goal to Hogg providing the highlights for the Blues.

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Ladder end of 2025 VFL Home & Away Season.

Pos	Team	Wins	Losses	Draws	Points	For	Against	%
1	Footscray Bulldogs	15	3	0	60	1670	1146	145.7
2	Box Hill Hawks	14	4	0	56	1726	1266	136.3
3	Southport	13	4	1	52	1808	1368	132.2
4	Frankston	12	5	1	50	1630	1466	111.2
5	Casey Demons	11	6	1	46	1743	1286	135.5
6	Brisbane Lions	11	6	1	46	1748	1605	108.9
7	Collingwood	11	7	0	44	1532	1511	101.4
8	Richmond	11	7	0	44	1365	1366	99.9
9	GWS Giants	10	8	0	40	1637	1443	113.4
10	Williamstown	10	8	0	40	1574	1504	104.7
11	Coburg Lions	9	9	0	36	1525	1452	105
12	Geelong	8	9	1	34	1472	1466	100.4
13	Carlton	8	10	0	32	1387	1586	87.5
14	Gold Coast Suns	7	10	1	30	1466	1493	98.2
15	North Melbourne	7	10	1	30	1500	1528	98.2
16	Werribee Tigers	7	11	0	28	1325	1378	96.2
17	Port Melbourne	6	11	1	26	1396	1399	99.8
18	Sydney Swans	5	13	0	20	1240	1657	74.8
19	Essendon	4	14	0	16	1338	1560	85.8
20	Sandringham Zebras	3	14	1	14	1286	1772	72,6
21	Northern Bullants	2	16	0	8	1024	2140	47.9

Week 1

Wild Card Round.The first six teams qualified directly for the finals while the four teams from 7th-10th played off in a 'wildcard round.

Richmond 17.14.116 d GWS Giants 14.14.98

Williamstown 11.15.81 d Collingwood 9.15.69

Week 2

1st Qualifying Final: Footscray 15.15.105 d Frankston 3.7.25

2nd Qualifying Final: Southport 18.7.115 d Box Hill Hawks 13.16.94

1st Elimination Final: Casey Demons 20.12.132 d Williamstown 8.8.56

2nd Elimination Final: Brisbane 12.15.87 d Richmond 10.7.67

Week 3

1st Semi Final: Box Hill Hawks 18.7.115 d Brisbane 16.16.112

2nd Semi Final: Frankston 16.5.101 d Casey Demons 13.12.90

Week 4

1st Preliminary Final: Southport 21.17.143 d Frankston 8.7.55

2nd Preliminary Final: Footscray 16.12.108 d Box Hill Hawks 11.11.77

Week 5

Grand Final: Footscray 14.5.89 d Southport 11.13.79

Links

Seasons | Reserves | Lower Grades | Lower Grades Players | Reserves Awards | Northern Blues Best & Fairests | Northern Blues Coaches | Northern Bullants | VFL Awards and Medals | [1] Image Gallery & Team Photo's