Sport

Max-imum efficiency fuels Mansfield product’s career-high VFL haul

By Josh Huntly

Jul 14, 2026

Max Mahoney (left) starred for Collingwood at the weekend while brother Harry was prominent in defeat for the GVL in its interleague clash against the VAFA. Photo: Collingwood VFL

Mansfield’s Max Mahoney has scaled new heights in the VFL with a career-best haul in Collingwood’s 43-point win over North Melbourne last Friday evening.

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With only a goal in it at half-time of the Marvel Stadium curtain-raiser, Mahoney was swung into the Pies forward-50.

It turned out to be a master-stroke.

Mahoney fired off five straight second-half goals and set up several as well for good measure in a standout eighth VFL start for the season.

Showcasing a strong pair of hands to boot with six marks, Mahoney’s poise in front of the sticks helped the Pies to their ninth win of the season, a pivotal one as it keeps the club a game-and-a-half clear inside the top 10 and still in wildcard round contention.

Meanwhile, the margin for fellow regional stars Anthony DePasquale and Louis Pinnuck was much tighter.

Strathmerton product Pinnuck’s strong season continued with 26 disposals as Werribee claimed a heart-stopping one-point win over St Kilda, an after-the-siren goal to Tom Simpson getting the side over the line.

Out at Coburg, the Casey Demons were comfortably accounted for by the Tigers, but Shepparton United export Riley Onley produced one of his best performances of his season.

Onley racked up 21 disposals, a goal, seven tackles and three clearances across the half-forward flank — a well-rounded display that underlined exactly why Melbourne came calling for the talented Dee.