VFL: Richmond vs GWS @ North Port Oval ---- 2nd Wildcard Final

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The AFL has today confirmed the fixture for the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Wildcard Finals.


Saturday, August 23
Second Wildcard Final: Richmond (8th) vs GWS Giants (9th)
ETU Stadium, 12:10pm AEST
Broadcaster: 7mate and 7plus


Sunday, August 24
First Wildcard Final: Collingwood (7th) vs Williamstown (10th)
Victoria Park, 2:05pm AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1396053/2025-smithys-vfl-wildcard-finals

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Four AFL-listed additions to VFL Wildcard team

Richmond has named its team for Saturday's VFL Wildcard Final.

By Richmond Media
Aug 22, 2025, 5:00 pm

Four AFL-listed players have been brought in for Saturday's VFL Wildcard Final, as Richmond prepares to battle GWS.

Campbell Gray returns for his first game since early June after recovering from a knee injury, while Samson Ryan is also fully fit and back for his first appearance since late May.

Steely Green returns after playing in last week's AFL game and Jacob Blight has been included after missing last week's game with an ankle injury.

They replace Josh Gibcus, who is back in the seniors, and Sam Phillips, Joshua Pollocks and Tom Ferguson, who have all been omitted.

Saturday's game marks the Tigers’ third straight appearance in the Wildcard Final, and after losses to Williamstown and Collingwood, respectively, in their past two Wildcard games, Jake Batchelor’s side will be looking for a change in fortunes.

First introduced in 2023, the VFL Wildcard Finals feature two matches between the teams who finished seventh to tenth on the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season. Collingwood and Williamstown will face off in the other Wildcard game this Sunday.

The highest-placed Wildcard Final winner will continue in the VFL Finals Series as the seventh-placed team and will take on the Brisbane Lions in the second elimination final next week.

The lowest-placed Wildcard Final winner will progress to the first elimination final as the eighth-placed team and will play against the Casey Demons.

The first bounce at ETU Stadium is set for 12:10pm this Saturday.

All matches in the 2025 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App. The game will also be broadcast on 7mate and 7plus.

To follow match updates, stay tuned to Richmond VFL on X, and Instagram.

Wildcard Final, Richmond VFL v GWS, Saturday, August 23, 12:10pm AEST, ETU Stadium.

Backs: Campbell Gray 50, Mutaz El Nour 57, Jacob Blight 46

Half-Backs: Kaleb Smith 49, Nick Collier 63, Lachlan Street 55

Centre: Liam George 67, Harry Scott 74, Austin Johnson 51

Half-Forwards: Steely Green 48, Mohammed Yassine 52, Jasper Alger 29

Forwards: Jacob Koschitzke 20, Liam Fawcett 37, Massimo Raso 77

Followers: Oliver Hayes-Brown 47, Lachlan Wilson 56, Joel Garner 53

Interchange: Sam Toner 68, Nick Guiney 62, Nicholas Girolami 59, Samson Ryan 32, Tom McKenzie 60

EMG: Sam Phillips 81, Sean Lai 76, Tom Ferguson 73, Joshua Pollocks 79

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1870209/vfl-wildcard-team

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About to start.

Live on 7mate

or

Live stream here: https://www.afl.com.au/afl-tv/stream?player=arILJvH9PY&streamId=State%20League%20CH57

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George and Wilson with two good chances on the run but both missed badly.

2 - 0

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Fumble in the pocket by the GWS defender. Raso swoops in and snaps the first goal 

Rich   1.2-8
GWS  0.0-0

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Throw-in on the wing. We push it forward. Raso nice hands to Green who nails the goal on the run 

Rich  2.2-14
GWS  0.0-0

12 min Q1

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Great transition from defence. Toner gets on the end of it and kicks a goal on the run 

Rich   3.2-20
GWS  0.0-0

15 min Q1

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Coast to coast goal. Yassine bounces from defensive side the wing all the way to 50 and nails another goal on the run 

Rich  4.2-26
GWS  0.1-1

17 min Q1

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Two quick goals to the Giants.

26 - 13

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Garner to the hot spot and Kosi gets the free 30 out. Misses.

27 - 13

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Girolami marks 55 out. Goes long but misses.

28 - 13

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Good tackle by Raso causes the turnover. Out to Alger who hits up Fawcett 50 out. Falls short in the goalsquare and the Giants get the free. No score.

Siren.


Frees: 3 - 9 

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Quarter time

Richmond    4.4-28
GWS           2.1-13

Goals: Green, Raso, Toner, Yassine.

Commentators saying the breeze is negligible but there appeared to an advantage to the end we were kicking to. We'll see in the second quarter how much it affects us kicking into it.

Had the better of the first 15 mins via our defence and rebound on transition. Lead to the first 4 goals. Giants clearance game got on top later in the quarter.

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Stats to QT:

Smith 8 
Blight 6
Green  5
Alger   3
OHB    3
Ryan   2
Fawcett 1
Kosi    1
Gray   0


Disposals    96 - 87
Marks         23 - 21
Tackles         8 - 12
Clearances    6 - 11
Inside 50s   15 - 14
Hitouts         7 - 11
Frees            3 - 9

https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/7981#team-stats

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Street went off with a dislocated ankle in that first quarter. Was able to put it back in himself but is done for the day and season even if we win today.