Feels like with all the injuries this might be the last time to see the team be competitive for a while. Although with (presumably) Shiel not playing and Lav out injuries and absences may have already screwed us.
I might be able to make this odd time.
Shame we go back to AFL app only coverage, but still keen to watch tomorrow
Imagine all the players not good enough to make Norf’s team.
We’re sooooooo screwed.
Can’t understand why the game is being played at 2PM on a non public holiday Friday…
Yeah, it’s not due to ground availability, or scheduling the week before or after.
Just a classic case of BFY, TW.
I’m actually glad it is.
Gives anyone coming into the side next week a solid break beforehand.
One less excuse for Brad
LUCKLESS North Melbourne high-flyer Brayden George will make his long-awaited return from a second knee reconstruction when the Kangaroos take on Essendon in the Smithy’s VFL Round 6 opener at Windy Hill on Friday.
George, 21, was originally considered a top 10 chance in the 2022 draft but slid to No. 26 after suffering his first ACL injury during a dominant top-age year with the Murray Bushrangers that yielded 18 goals in eight matches.
He didn’t play at all in 2023 but returned in the VFL last year, playing across half-back and showing his marking prowess in eight appearances before landing awkwardly in a marking contest in Round 12 and requiring a second knee reconstruction.
The Girgarre product via Wangaratta Rovers will play managed minutes against the Bombers, with the Kangaroos making seven significant changes.
Aidan Corr and Darcy Tucker return from AFL duties and Zac Fisher, Griffin Logue and Matt Whitlock from injury as young North Hobart product Nathaniel Sulzberger makes his debut.
Bailey Scott, Will Phillips, Kallan Dawson, Riley Hardeman and Finnbar Maleyhave been called into the AFL team, while Adam Tomlinson has been rested from the Roos team that produced a thrilling win over Carlton on Good Friday,
Dangerous Essendon forward Matt Guelfi and 200cm swingman Nik Cox will play their first games of the year, while first-year defender Angus Clarke has recovered from a broken collarbone suffered in Round 2, with Will Hoare being managed.
Guelfi had hamstring surgery in February to delay his start to the year, while Cox’s off-season was disrupted by concussion symptoms and his return put on the backburner by a calf injury.
The Bombers also have a debutant, with Calder Cannons and Greenvale teenager Kieran Gallagher to play his first game.
Teams for all Round 6 matches will be announced on Friday.
BROADCAST AND STREAMING: All matches in the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App. The Seven Network will broadcast a match live and free on 7mate in Victoria and 7plus Sport nationally every Saturday night. This week’s broadcast match will be Box Hill Hawks vs Richmond.
Friday 2 May, 2:05pm, Windy Hill
ESSENDON
B: S. McKay (80), D. Akuei (64), J. Nguyen (42)
HB: Z. Johnson (40), L. Hayes (18), L. Lual (34)
C: N. Cox (13), A. Day-Wicks (44), A. Clarke (36)
HF: M. Guelfi (35), T. Sellers (75), R. Unwin (38)
F: S. El Hawli (41), K. Gerreyn (19), A. Davey (33)
R: V. Visentini (39), X. O’Neill (55), J. Hately (50)
INT: K. Gallagher (69), M. Foley (73), N. Quigg (83), C. Nyko (65), O. Smartt (63)
23rd Player: K. Gallagher (69)
EMG: J. Peris (53), J. Eckersley (58), J. Busuttil (68)
IN: A. Clarke, N. Cox, K. Gallagher, M. Guelfi
OUT: W. Hoare (managed), S. Clough, J. Eckersley, J. Peris (omitted)
NEW: Kieran Gallagher, 18, 184cm, Greenvale/Calder Cannons
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: G. Logue (19), T. Pink (32), A. Corr (4)
HB: M. Bergman (27), Z. Fisher (16), O. Lowe (70)
C: B. Hopkins (53), M. Keast (64), D. Macpherson (50)
HF: R. Stevens (36), E. Ford (40), G. Payne (23)
F: W. Dawson (18), B. George (33), J. Tarrant (79)
R: B. Teakle (43), D. Tucker (13), L. Urquhart (14)
INT: T. Goad (22), M. Whitlock (35), C. Harvey (37), R. Hansen Jnr (46), N. Sulzberger (65)
23rd Player: N. Sulzberger (65)
EMG: M. Spiteri (77), O. Van dam (74), O. Hotton (62)
IN: A. Corr, Z. Fisher, B. George, G. Logue, N. Sulzberger, D. Tucker, M. Whitlock
OUT: K. Dawson, R. Hardeman, F. Maley, W. Phillips, B. Scott (AFL), A. Tomlinson (managed), M. Spiteri (omitted)
NEW: Nathaniel Sulzberger, 18, 188cm, North Hobart/Tasmania Devils/Sandringham Dragons
Head-to-Head: Essendon 24-14-6; At Windy Hill: Essendon 4-1; Streak: Essendon 1; Last time: Essendon 15.9 (99) def North Melbourne 6.12 (48) – Round 8, 2024, Windy Hill
Actually, more AFL players than I expected. Cox and Guelfi are back, as well as Clarke.
Genuinely keen again to watch them play.
Have enjoyed the VFL moreso than the AFL this year.
Hope we don’t bother resting anyone.
Cox will certainly be on managed minutes, right? Possibly Guelfi too.
Don’t wreck my dreams!
So glad my boy clarke is back, can’t wait to watch tomorrow
Just bring in Koby Bewick already, at least he can kick it.
OK. Just realised this is today. And Angus Clarke is back.
There goes my afternoon.
Where is Laverde? or have I missed something?
Suspended still I think
thanks for the reminder, I forgot about that
Will be watching…
Between NHL, NBA, Prem Darts and this my day is a right off.
Hayes has been “managed” out of this game.
I WONDER WHY.
Eckersley in, which is not a bad thing.