Latest VFL news
Hansen back in the frame for injury-hit North
![Lachie Hansen.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/b/d/v/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpmeit.png/1466239481107.jpg)
Brent Diamond North Melbourne defender Lachie Hansen is likely to be in the selection mix for his first AFL match since round two against Adelaide on Thursday night after being rested in the final term in the VFL on Saturday.
North Melbourne's Anderson set to return from injury with Werribee
![The Kangaroos' Jed Anderson, pictured with Robbie Nahas, is set to return from injury with Werribee this weekend.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/l/9/i/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpl9p8.png/1466126191176.jpg)
Brent Diamond North Melbourne recruit Jed Anderson will make his return from a long lay-off with a hamstring injury when Werribee meet Essendon at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
Dogs' Smith stars on return
![Clay Smith](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/p/b/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gph1jr.png/1465622099856.jpg)
Brent Diamond Western Bulldogs midfielder Clay Smith was typically best on ground with 36 disposals and five tackles on return from a third anterior cruciate ligament injury in Footscray's seven-point win over Geelong at Whitten Oval on Saturday.
Nathan Vardy pressing for return to senior ranks
![Nathan Vardy competes against St Kilda's Jason Holmes.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/v/6/p/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpgdpm.png/1465533359855.jpg)
Brent Diamond With an influx of attacking ruckmen and the pending return of Mitch Clark in the second half of the season, Geelong forward Nathan Vardy is almost the forgotten tall after limited senior AFL appearances early this season.
Hansen over his KO hit
![Lachie Hansen.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/b/d/v/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpbtda.png/1465052085430.jpg)
Brent Diamond North Melbourne key defender Lachie Hansen made a good comeback from concussion in Werribee's 29-point loss to Collingwood at Avalon Airport Oval in the VFL's only match on Saturday.
Vics loses to SA in state league match
![<p>](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/f/6/q/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp6ve2.png/1464570658861.jpg)
Brent Diamond Williamstown ball magnet Michael Gibbons lived up his reputation as a big game specialist with 34 disposals and a goal in Victoria's 19-point loss to South Australia in the state league match at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Francis shines in Bombers' VFL win
![Young Bomber Aaron Francis.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/x/d/9/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp6eb7.png/1464481740149.jpg)
Brent Diamond Essendon could blood another exciting top 10 draft selection with Aaron Francis showing exciting glimpses in the Bombers' 23-point win over Richmond at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
Cloke faces competition from Witts: Buckley
![Four to the floor: Travis Cloke](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/z/5/t/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp0xa9.png/1464865070517.jpg)
Daniel Cherny Four goals in the VFL may not be enough for Travis Cloke to earn a recall to Collingwood's senior side, with coach Nathan Buckley labelling the competition for the Magpies' tall forward and ruck spots "as combative" as any position at the club.
Cloke held goalless in VFL
![Travis Cloke in action for Collingwood's VFL side against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/v/8/h/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gov8fv.png/1463215643346.jpg)
Brent Diamond Out-of-favour Collingwood forward Travis Cloke had another day to forget in front of goal after being held goal-less and spraying four behinds in the Pies' 20-point win over Geelong at Simonds Stadium.
Tiny Dog inspiration for VFL's mosquito fleet
![Small Western Bulldogs player Caleb Daniel has been a hit in the AFL this season.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/0/7/2/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gov9cj.png/1463215445014.jpg)
Brent Diamond The success of Western Bulldogs midfield dynamo Caleb Daniel has given small midfielders extra incentive and hope of being drafted into the AFL.
Minson in form for Footscray
![Will Minson had 43 hit-outs and 18 disposals in the VFL on Sunday.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/j/w/h/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gopb10.png/1462714664886.jpg)
Brent Diamond Western Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson admits there are "many" players ahead of him in the pecking order for a senior recall, despite a dominant performance on Sunday.
Bombers finally win at home
![On target: Jackson Merrett kicked four goals.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/w/6/2/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.goov4s.png/1462611600007.jpg)
Brent Diamond Essendon finally broke their hoodoo at traditional home Windy Hill to win by 21 points over a gritty Geelong on Saturday, as they push for the topfour.
Cloke a late withdrawal from VFL match
![Travis Cloke may be forced to endure up to a further month in the VFL.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/t/5/r/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.goow6u.png/1462611506991.jpg)
Brent Diamond Collingwood forward Travis Cloke was a late withdrawal from Saturday night's clash against Sandringham at the Holden Centre with a back complaint.
Witts set to return for Collingwood in VFL
![Ready to play: Collingwood's Jarrod Witts.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/n/0/8/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.goo2lu.png/1462523610135.jpg)
Brent Diamond Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts is set to return from a hand injury against Sandringham at the Holden Centre on Saturday.
Trengrove puts his case for comeback
![Jack Trengove was one of the Casey Scorpions' best in their 17-point win over Essendon at Windy Hill on Sunday.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/j/g/p/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gojghw.png/1462110430450.jpg)
Brent Diamond Melbourne midfielder Jack Trengove is "putting his best case forward" for his much-anticipated comeback to AFL level after collecting 27 disposals, despite a close tag in the Casey Scorpions' 17-point win over Essendon at Windy Hill on Sunday.
Kangaroos alliance pays off for Werribee
![Mason Wood kicked three goals.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/j/1/3/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.goj13d.png/1462008705628.jpg)
Brent Diamond Werribee's upgrade to a full-time alignment with North Melbourne has had an immediate influence after continuing their undefeated start to the season with an impressive 42-point win over Footscray at Whitten Oval on Saturday.
Cloke shows form in VFL
![Travis Cloke is likely to be considered for a recall against Carlton next week.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/j/1/n/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.goj0pa.png/1464940203281.jpg)
Brent Diamond Collingwood forward Travis Cloke showed glimpses of encouraging form against the Northern Blues, despite finishing with only one goal in the gritty nine-point win in the VFL at Preston City Oval.
Fraser hoping to continue the blues for Cloke
![Travis Cloke handballs during the match against Melbourne.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/9/f/m/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gohzg9.png/1462158824197.jpg)
Brent Diamond Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser is hopeful that his defenders can "stifle the supply" to out-of-form Collingwood forward Travis Cloke in their VFL clash at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
Essendon slams Cloke's hopes
![Travis Cloke handballs during the match against Melbourne.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/9/f/m/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.godwes.png/1462158824197.jpg)
Brent Diamond It wasn't the confidence booster out-of-form Collingwood forward Travis Cloke so badly needed as Essendon trounced the Pies by 85-points at Victoria Park on Sunday.
Cloke deserved to be dropped: Maxwell
![Once brothers: Nick Maxwell and Travis Cloke train in 2013.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/d/p/s/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.godprk.png/1461502122180.jpg)
Daniel Cherny Collingwood premiership captain Nick Maxwell has backed Nathan Buckley's decision to drop Travis Cloke for Monday's clash with Essendon at the MCG.
Silvagni shines in VFL debut
![Jack Silvagni of the Northern Blues celebrates after kicking a goal.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/d/m/i/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.godlnl.png/1461407762817.jpg)
Brent Diamond Exciting Carlton youngster Jack Silvagni made a memorable debut for the Northern Blues, kicking two goals in a 19-point loss to Port Melbourne at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
Frankston break 24-game losing streak
![Ahmed Saad sees the Essendon crisis as a great opportunity.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/5/c/2/t/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.godleo.png/1461403068490.jpg)
Brent Diamond Frankston have broken their drought after 24 consecutive losses, shocking Richmond with a breakthrough 13-point win at Frankston Oval on Saturday.
Cloke dropped, Pies name two debutants
![Travis Cloke handballs during the match against Melbourne.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/9/f/m/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.godgng.png/1462158824197.jpg)
Daniel Cherny A man who hadn't heard of the AFL until reaching his early 20s has replaced a 200-gamer premiership hero in Collingwood's team for Anzac Day.
Saints and Sandy to discuss extending deal
![Saintly Zebra: St Kilda ruckman Jason Holmes in action for Sandringham.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/c/5/c/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.goc554.png/1461315706013.jpg)
Daniel Cherny St Kilda will meet later this month with VFL club Sandringham to discuss the possibility of continuing their alignment beyond the end of this season.
Jack Silvagni to line up for Northern Blues
![Jack Silvagni.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/t/3/z/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gocrzh.png/1461315532389.jpg)
Brent Diamond Carlton's promising father-son selection Jack Silvagni has been named to make his return from a hamstring injury for the Northern Blues against Port Melbourne at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
VFL Preview: Carlton son of a gun Jack Silvagni back for Northern Blues
![Now a Blue: Carlton recruit Jack Silvagni.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/7/8/6/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gocn9b.png/1461294634955.jpg)
Brent Diamond Carlton's promising father-son selection Jack Silvagni has been named to make his return from a hamstring injury for the Northern Blues against Port Melbourne at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
Box Hill gain revenge for grand final defeat
![Kieran Lovell right) during a pre-season game in 2016.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/8/i/v/j/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go8iu8.png/1460900680238.jpg)
Brent Diamond Hawthorn's next wave of talent helped the Box Hill Hawks exact some revenge against Williamstown in a grand final rematch, with a hard-fought 15-point win at Burbank Oval on Sunday.
Maric closes in on return
![Ready to return: Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/o/s/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go81f4.png/1460801773088.png)
Brent Diamond Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric appears set to return against Melbourne next Sunday at the MCG after having a strong influence in the Tigers' upset 52-point win over Footscray at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
Hawk recruit Jack Fitzpatrick back in action
![Demon turned Hawk Jack Fitzpatrick.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/3/r/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go726k.png/1460729803949.jpg)
Brent Diamond Hawthorn recruit Jack Fitzpatrick will make his return from a knee injury in the grand final rematch for the Box Hill Hawks against Williamstown at Burbank Oval on Sunday.
Maric back for Tigers as Griffiths injures hamstring
![Ivan Maric played his first match on SUnday since suffering a back complaint over the pre-season.](/web/20160620175449im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/3/2/9/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go31a3.png/1460296799451.jpg)
Brent Diamond Influential Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric got through unscathed on return from a back injury, but forward Ben Griffiths suffered a hamstring injury in the Tigers' 45-point loss to reigning premier Williamstown at Burbank Oval on Sunday.