VFL Senior Coach Daniel O'Keefe analyses the performances of the 10 AFL-listed Blues that featured in the weekend's VFL win.

Dom Akuei
Stats: 11 disposals, five marks

It was a resilient performance from Dom, who fought his way through after receiving a big knock early. He’s showing growth every week, which is coming about from his work ethic and eagerness to learn during the week. He has demonstrated his knowledge of our defensive system and he’s been reliable with ball in hand: what we love about Dom is his effort never wavers.

Jack Carroll
Stats: 27 disposals, eight inside 50s, two goals

Jack played a combination of midfield and half forward this week. He was able to have a big impact in the forward half thanks to his spread, including goals in the third and fourth quarters. He didn’t have big contested numbers this week, but it was his ability to provide shape around the contest that saw him play off his teammates and become the player receiving the footy.

Paddy Dow
Stats: 16 disposals, seven clearances, one goal

He was getting heavy attention last stoppages, but after quarter time Paddy started to work himself into the game. This came about through his contest, whether that was his tackling or his ability to drive out of traffic at the stoppage. It was great to see him kick a big goal in the last quarter, where he was holding strong defensively at a forward stoppage.

Lachie Fogarty
Stats: 18 disposals, six tackles, five clearances

He led the way in contested situations with his ability to win the ball with clear hands or pressuring opposition. It was a combative game from ‘Fog’, with over half his disposals being contested. He recorded a team high for score involvements and his running patterns were disciplined. His best moment came on the three-quarter-time siren: a really courageous mark back with the flight that lifted the team.

Brodie Kemp
Stats: 15 disposals, seven marks, seven score involvements, one goal

‘Kempy’ played an important key forward role and was more dangerous inside 50, finishing with three shots on goal. He was particularly strong in the air, recording three contested marks for the game — two of those coming inside forward 50. He was able to use his run against his direct opponent to get separation and become a target for us: he provided what we asked of him.

Alex Mirkov
Stats: Seven disposals (100 per cent efficiency), 42 hitouts

The biggest improvement with Alex’s game this week were his aerial contests: he was competitive and took a couple of strong contested marks, which he has been working on closely with Matthew Kreuzer. His connection with his midfielders got better as the game went on, and he is continually looking to stay involved after ruck contests. He’s using the ball well when he’s getting his hands on it also.

Lochie O’Brien
Stats: 25 disposals, seven marks, six score involvements, one goal

It was a good response from Lochie. His two-way running got him into the game, where he got back to outnumber and support our defence: in the end, that hard running

was rewarded with the last goal of the game. Like a few others, he had some big moments in the final term when the game was on the line.

Sam Philp
Stats: 13 disposals, four marks, three score involvements

‘Philpy’ was able to challenge the opposition with his strong running - whether that was outnumbering at the contest or getting goal-side - as well as some strong efforts in the contest. He was diligent in his role, whether that was playing up forward or on the wing, and he executed the running patterns asked of him consistently.

Liam Stocker
Stats: 27 disposals, seven marks, six rebound 50s

It was a more balanced game this week from ’Stock’. His control of his direct opponent was strong, which allowed him to get involved offensively and also use the ball well, which we know is one of his strengths. He stood up in the last quarter with the game on the line, including a couple of big contested wins deep in defence which were pivotal in us getting the result.

Tom Williamson
Stats: 17 disposals, six marks, one goal

Tom spent his time on a wing and also up forward in the second half. It was another solid performance on the wing, where his reaction and running capability allowed him to both support our defence and impact offensively. He had a big impact when he was moved forward and we asked him to cater for the opposition’s spare. He provided a nice balance of aerial and ground level involvement, and had two shots on goal for 1.1.