It was winter weather at its finest today, with the conditions testing all sides in Round 13 Peter Jackson VFL action.
The season was on the line for a number of teams this weekend, with a number of results changing the makeup of the top eight at the end of the round.
In the end Richmond kept its finals hopes alive, Essendon knocked off top team Box Hill Hawks to jump back into the eight, Werribee moved into the top four and at the same time pushed North Ballarat from the eight and Port Melbourne moved to top spot on the ladder.
Let's take a look at the Saturday Round 13 VFL action:
Richmond still in finals hunt
Richmond has kept its slim finals hopes alive with a 35-point win over Casey Scorpions.
It was an important game for both sides to keep them in contact with the top eight, and the win for the Tigers keeps them within two and a half games of eighth placed Sandringham.
Despite the wet conditions, tall forward Liam McBean revelled kicking five goals, proving a difficult matchup up for the Scorpions defence.
Richmond had the advantage in the ruck department as well, with Orren Stephenson and Shaun Hampson combining for the second week in a row, to help the likes of Nick Wynne, Ed Barlow and Matt McDonough who were among the best for Richmond, along with defender Ben Darrou who drifted forward for just his second career VFL goal.
Casey struggled for a regular target to goal, with Nathan Page their major goal scorer with three. Best players for the Scorpions were Ed Morris, Aiden Riley, Page and Andrew Godfrey.
Port back on top
Port Melbourne moves to top spot on the ladder after a 29-point win over Sandringham today.
Port Melbourne looked shakey early in the first half, but took advantage after three quarter time kicking 5 goals to 1 in the final term to run out winners.
Dan Connors kicked five goals for Port, and was well supported by Hugh Sandilands up forward in his first senior game of the season. The known defender was used up forward in the absence of Julian Rowe and Josh Scipione. Sandringham had its own forward worries after half time, with key targets Arryn Sipposs and Beau Maister both not returning for the Zebras in the second half.
Sandringham was wayward to goal, allowing Port to take the lead going into the final term with seven behinds in the third term. Josh Bruce has a key presence up forward for them with two goals (17 disposals, 11 marks), and was among the best with Cameron Banfield, James Munro and Elliott Le Grice.
Shane Valenti led the way in the middle for Port with 32 disposals, and was in the best with defenders Sam Pleming (26, 10 marks) and Marcus Marigliani.
Werribee home with the breeze
Werribee has won the battle of the North Melbourne aligned sides, getting the better of North Ballarat to win by 22 points. The Tigers made the most of the breeze advantage, kicking seven goals in each of the second and final quarters to move into the top four at the end of Round 13.
The breezed proved the difference in the game, with North Ballarat unable to make the most of its chance in the third term, despite holding Werribee to just two points. The Roosters kicked 5.5 for the term to hold a 16 point lead at three quarter time. However halfway through the final term Werribee had already produced a 32 point turnaround, kicking seven goals to one in the final quarter to inflict back to back defeats on the Roosters.
Ben Warren raced to the top of the VFL goal kicking ladder with four goals, joined by Majak Daw (3), Addam Maric (3) and Kieren Harper (2) as the multiple goal kickers. Jarred Moore was the best for the Tigers, relishing the conditions along with Jackson Davis, Taylor Hine and Tom Gribble.
Mitch Wilkins, Jordan Staley and James Keeble each kicked two for North Ballarat, with Brad McKenzie, Lachlan George and Tony Lockyer their best.
Essendon upset ladder leaders
Essendon caused the upset of the round, defeating ladder leaders Box Hill Hawks by just three points. Seven points was the biggest margin between the two teams at any of the changes, but once Essendon hit the front during the third term, they did not relinquish the lead, despite how hard the Hawks pushed in the final term.
It took 19 minutes into the final term for Essendon to kick the first major through Dan Coughlan, giving his side a nine point lead. CoryDell’Olio quickly extended this to 15 points as it looked hard for the Hawks to get back in control. Late goals to Luke Lowden and Sam Grimley got the margin back to three points but the siren sounded placing the Bombers back in the eight.
Alistair Kefford kicked four goals up forward for Essendon, and Dell’Olio three. Sam Tagliabue was best for Essendon, battling Ben McEvoy, Lowden and Grimley with the support of Tom Bellchambers. Ariel Steinberg was a rock in defence, along with Jason Ashby and John Rayner.
Lowden kicked four for Box Hill, with two each to Grimley, Will Langford and Dallas Willsmore. Lowden was the standout, with Derick Wangeneen, Kyle Cheney and Alex Woodward in the best.
CLICK HERE for the best players and goal kickers
CLICK HERE for the updated ladder.
SUNDAY GAMES:
Northern Blues v Collingwood (VFL Radio)
Geelong v Footscray (AFL curtain raiser game)
