Collingwood are within one game of the top eight after winning a thriller against an in-form Richmond in round fourteen of the VFL season at Punt road. Both sides traded blows in a tense final quarter before Lachlan Tardrew snapped a long range goal with only minutes remaining on the clock to see the Pies home, 14.20.104 to 16.6.102. In further bad news for the Tigers, bigman Ben Griffiths was helped from the field early into the second quarter with a shoulder injury and didn’t reappear.

Tom Phillips was the best for the Pies with three goals and 40 disposals around the ground while ruckman Mason Cox (2 goals, 24 disposals, 47 hitouts) was instrumental in the air around the ground in a fine duel with Richmond counterpart, Ivan Maric. Josh Smith (34) worked hard in defence and Jackson Ramsay (26) and Callum Brown (19) also figured in the Magpie’s best. The Tigers had many fine contributors including Tyson Stengle with a game-high four goals, Taylor Hunt (3 goals) was dangerous floating through half-forward while Maric and Jacob Townsend (2 goals) provided plenty of endeavour.

Port Melbourne has jumped to the top of the table after a 23-point win over the Northern Blues in round 12 of the VFL at a chilly Preston City Oval. The Borough was out of the blocks quickly booting four goals to the Blues one in the first quarter and was never headed eventually winning 13.8.86 to 9.9.63.

 Chris Cain and former North Melbourne and Richmond small forward, Robin Nahas, each booted three for the winners while Andrew Gallucci and Luke Russell both kicked two for the Blues. It was the Blue’s fourth loss in-a-row following a strong start to the season and they now sit just inside the top eight.

The Box Hill Hawks have regained top spot on the VFL ladder after a comfortable 49-point win over North Ballarat in round thirteen at a cold Box Hill City Oval. The Hawks booted five goals to nil in the first term which set up their win and despite the Roosters showing plenty of heart in stopping the margin from blowing right out they eventually went down 18.13.121 to 9.18.72.

Anthony Brolic kicked a game-high three goals for the Hawks, while Dallas Willsmore, Chris Jones, Nelson Lane and Tyrone Vickery each kicked two while the only multiple goal kicker for North Ballarat was Hayden Walters with two. The much talked about Vickery worked hard in the ruck for the majority of the match to figure in the Hawk’s best along with Willsmore who picked up 35 touches and Brendan Whitecross with 34 disposals in defence was also a fine contributor.

Essendon have continued Coburg's dismal start to the season with a thumping 89-point win in round six of VFL action from Piranha Park. After an even first half the Bombers put on a procession in the second booting 17 goals to four winning 22.18.150 to 9.7.61.

Tom Bellchambers (above) had a day out for the Bombers kicking a game-high six goals with 23 disposals while Ben Howlett (32) and Kyle Langford (35) and two goals figured prominently to be in their side's best.