With State VFL coaching duties behind them, Port Melbourne’s Gary Ayres and Frankston’s Simon Goosey will be in separate camps this Saturday as their teams meet in round 10 Peter Jackson VFL action.
Their State representatives – 11 in total, 3 Frankston and 8 Port Melbourne - all showcased their skills last weekend, providing 16 of the 20 VFL goals scored for the game.
Both coaches were given a great opportunity to see the key players they will need to stop this weekend at North Port Oval. Both coaches were complimentary of those players in the BIG V jumper, but may not heap the same praise on their opponents should they shine again this weekend against their own side.
“With Kyle (Martin) it was his ball winning ability, going forward and kicking goals and his aerial work,” Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres said.
“With Leigh (Osborne) playing off halfback I thought he gave very good run and rebound especially with his pace and it is always good to see a defender being aggressive with his run and kick a goal and both wouldn’t have done their chances of being drafted any harm.
“It was great to see that out of the 22 players that played last week, 11 of those were from the two “Standalone” clubs.”
Frankston coach Simon Goosey was in awe of the experienced midfield at the Vics disposal last week.
“All the Port players are very good I think the keys are their mids - they've got big bodies and are experienced in Baird, Valenti, Dwyer, Cain and Skipper is like another mid.
“Pleming down back sets them up and reads the game very well and the forwards in Galea and Burstin are mobile. The key to us is going to be pressure and the ability to win the ball in the midfield.”
One of the highlight match ups of this game could be Sam Pleming versus Khan Haretuku. Both players impressed at different ends of the ground last weekend, but could find themselves going from teammates to opponents within the space of a week. This would be a key matchup, with Haretuku being the key forward target for the Dolphins with season with 14 goals.
Dolphins fans would have been heartened by the form of Luke Clark in the Development League last round kicking nine goals, as well as a number of names that were returning from injury in that match including Ben Waite, Peter Davenport, Travis Ronaldson and Toby Thoolen.
Their opponents Port Melbourne have had to manage their list over recent weeks with the highest team presentation in the State game, preceded by the Foxtel Cup. Ayres rested his State game representatives for the Foxtel Cup, and it gave a number of players the opportunity to push for selection in future weeks - Sam O’Sullivan being one with seven goals.
“I believe we have managed our group as well as we can with the State guys and players who have had little niggles rested for the Foxtel Cup match and some players who needed an extra match played with their home clubs.
“So I guess the real proof will be if we overcome Frankston. “
Last Modified on 01/06/2012 15:29