Young Don and axed Sun dominate as VFL home and away season finishes

The 2024 VFL home and away season is complete with four games wrapping up proceedings on Sunday.

The day’s first game took place at Ikon Park with Carlton going down to Richmond 85-94.

The Blues were without many of their AFL names due to the club’s injury crisis with only Alex Mirkov (one goal, 17 disposals, 25 hitouts) and Rob Monahan suiting up from the senior list.

For the Tigers, they’d be pleased with the performance of Tyler Sonsie (27 disposals) and Thomson Dow (27 disposals).

The win also lifted Richmond to ninth and a Wildcard Round slot.

The day’s next game took place at Trevor Barker Oval with Sandringham going down 59-72 to Geelong.

For the Cats, all of Mitch Hardie (two goals, 26 disposals), Brandan Parfitt (28 disposals, 10 tackles) and Jed Bews (one goal, 22 disposals) stood out, while all of Tom Campbell (26 disposals, 46 hitouts), Arie Schoenmaker (one goal, 27 disposals) and Hugo Garcia (19 disposals, 10 tackles) battled well.

The win lifted Geelong to fourth, while Sandringham’s season came to an end.

Essendon also met Coburg in their last games of the season respectively and the Bombers were too strong for the Lions at Piranha Park, winning 73-111.

Elijah Tsatas was enormous with 41 disposals and a goal, while Peter Wright returned to form with two goals, 15 disposals and 37 hitouts after Todd Goldstein went down with an injury.

The home and away season’s last game took place at Box Hill with the Hawks going down to Werribee 63-74, the win secured the Tigers the minor premiership.

For the Hawks, Seamus Mitchell was everywhere with two goals, 37 disposals and 12 marks.

Other standout Round 21 performers who are on AFL lists included Jack Lukosius (give goals, 14 marks, 25 disposals) who responded well to his axing, Ryley Sanders (35 disposals), Wade Derksen (two goals, 25 disposals) and Jarryd Lyons (41 disposals).

The top six sides in Werribee, Footscray, Brisbane, Geelong, Southport and Box Hill all progress to the finals proper, while Gold Coast (7th) plays Frankston (10th) and Williamstown (8th) plays Richmond (9th) in next week’s Wildcard Round.