Dogs beat Lions in a thriller as big names push for AFL recalls in VFL Finals Week 1

Week 1 of the 2024 VFL finals series is complete with four games taking place on Saturday.

The day’s first game was the First Qualifying Final between Werribee and Geelong at Avalon Airport Oval with the minor premier Tigers running out 57-36 winners.

Werribee’s senior guns stood up again in Dom Brew (32 disposals) and Riley Bice (35 disposals), while Brandon Parfitt battled well for Geelong in the midfield with 19 disposals and 14 tackles.

Sam De Koning also lined up for the Cats and had 18 disposals while also picking up 23 whiteouts in the ruck.

The other Qualifying Final took place at Whitten Oval with second-placed Footscray edging out Brisbane 82-78 in a thriller.

While Ryan Gardner’s goal at the 34-minute mark of the last quarter proved to be the match-winner for the Dogs, Brisbane had a chance to win on the siren when Darcy Craven had a set shot from 50m out with no time left on the clock. 

Unfortunately for the Lions, his kick fell short, sealing the win for the Dogs.

James Harmes (one goal, 37 disposals) and Ryley Sanders (21 disposals, 14 tackles) pushed their case to play in next week’s AFL Elimination Final for the Western Bulldogs while Darcy Fort (18 disposals, 68 hitouts) and Jarryd Lyons (two goals, 23 disposals) were strong for Brisbane.

The first Elimination Final took place in South East Queensland with Southport defeating Frankston 195-103 in a high-scoring thriller.

The Sharks will next play the Cats in a Semi-Final in Geelong next week.

The other Elimination Final took place at Box Hill City Oval with the Hawks going down to Williamstown 52-80.

Josh Ward (one goal, 26 disposals), Finn Maginness (one goal, 30 disposals) and Jai Serong (29 disposals) all filled up in the midfield but it wasn’t enough to get the Hawks over the line.

The Seagulls go on to face Brisbane in a Semi-Final next weekend.

Photo: @FootscrayVFL Twitter.