It was a day of demolition in the VFL on Sunday, as several big games put their names in contention for AFL selection after strong performances.
Richmond was one team that returned to the winner’s list thrashing Coburg 104–52 at Piranha Park.
With almost a full bill of health at AFL level, several senior-listed Tigers made their marks in the state league competition.
Midfielder Jack Ross was best afield with one goal and 34 disposals, while Matt Parker (24 disposals), Riley Collier-Dawkins (25 disposals) and Sydney Stack (one goal, 21 disposals) found plenty of the football.
Up forward, Jake Aarts booted four goals, while Noah Cumberland (three goals) and Ivan Soldo (two goals, 27 hitouts) also hit the scoreboard.
Youngsters Tyler Sonsie (one goal, 18 disposals), Will Martyn (20 disposals), Tom Brown (17 disposals) and Bigoa Nyuon (16 disposals) were also impressive for Richmond.
At Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast faced the UWS Giants in a curtain-raiser for Sunday’s Suns v Crows AFL clash as the home side cruised to a 119-63 win.
Tall forward Chris Burgess backed up his seven-goal effort against the Magpies two weeks ago with another six goals in a dominant display that included nine marks.
13 goals in his last two games will apply healthy pressure on Levi Casboult and Mabior Chol and add great depth to their forward-line, who have also kept out 156-gamer Alex Sexton (two goals, 11 disposals).
Rory Atkins (36 disposals, 11 marks) and Brayden Fiorini (one goal, 32 disposals) were most prolific for the Suns, while former Cat Charlie Constable (one goal, 28 disposals), alongside Jeremy Sharp (28 disposals, six marks), were instrumental in the 56-point win.
For the Giants, Tim Taranto made a successful return from a back injury with 27 disposals and seven marks and would be expected to return to the senior side if he pulls up well.
Phil Davis was also enormous in defence, collecting 24 disposals on top of a huge 17 marks, while Xavier O’Halloran put together an impressive three-goal, 16 disposal game.
A strong Sydney outfit defeated Williamstown with ease, coming away 111-point winners in a dull affair.
The Swans' incredible tall forward depth was on display, as Joel Amartey (five goals, 18 disposals, 10 marks) and pick 11 in the 2022 mid-season draft Hugo Hall-Kahan (five goals, 21 disposals, six marks) tore apart the Seagulls' defence.
Ben Ronke (three goals, 19 disposals, 12 marks), Hayden McLean (one goal, 19 disposals, 12 marks), Robbie Fox (26 disposals, five tackles) and Ryan Clarke (two goals, 27 disposals) cashed in on the thumping, while Tom Hickey’s return from a medial ligament injury was successful with one goal, 18 disposals and 37 hitouts.
Southport continued a four-game winning streak, easily accounting for the equal-last Northern Bullants 134-66.
Former Port Adelaide forward Boyd Woodcock (two goals, 34 disposals) and ex-Bulldog Billy Gowers (four goals, 20 disposals) were best-afield for the victors while club champion Tom Wilson (one goal, 33 disposals, 14 marks) was the best for the Bullants.