The battle of the bigmen will be a key ingredient to this years Peter Jackson VFL Grand Final – Proudly Powered by Milk.
Both teams boast premiership VFL ruckman, and will know what to do to help their side get their hands on the 2012 premiership cup.
Port Melbourne will see a new ruck combination take to the field in 2012, with 2011 premiership ruckman Wayde Skipper to be joined this year by Adrian Bonaddio. Last year Gary Ayres had to make the tough decisions on the eve of the Grand Final regarding his ruck stocks, but in 2012 he does have that luxury with tall timber depth at the Borough in short supply. Saying that, Skipper has done a great job in controlling the number 1 ruck mantle – selected as the VFL State Team ruck and helping feed his quality midfield all season.
Bonaddio has shown his hunger to be in the 2012 Grand Final, having missed out last year. Injury culled his 2011 season, and his 2011 finals campaign ended before it even began. This year – playing his 100th VFL game in the Preliminary Final – despite his inaccuracy in that game, Bonaddio was determined to help his side into the 2012 Grand Final, and was amongst the best last week as he was a key marking option up forward. That is the difference with the Port ruck combination this year, that Bonaddio has the ability to start forward when Skipper is in the ruck, and test the depths of opposition defences along with Galea, Cain, Burstin etc. Whilst Skipper may not lead the hitouts against his opponents on a weekly basis, the work he does around the ground is the key to his contribution.
The Port combo will take on a team in Geelong’s that’s ruck stocks comprehensively beat their duo 60 to 23 in their week one encounter of the finals. The Geelong combo of Orren Stephenson and Dawson Simpson Geelong have one advantage of height, with both rucks sitting over the 200cm mark, with Port’s ruck stocks in the 190’s. Both players have AFL experience, but more importantly the Big O has VFL experience, having been a part of North Ballarat’s three peat of premierships. In fact Stephenson will return for his fourth VFL Grand Final in five years, and he currently has a 3-0 record in the big day.
This combination has only played four matches together in the VFL, with Geelong seeing a number of players move between the AFL and VFL sides this season due to injuries. In the round 11 clash Simpson recorded a season high 56 hitouts against Port Melbourne, and that sort of input will be needed again this weekend against the Borough. Stephenson showed last weekend against Werribee that he has the ability to drift forward to cause headaches in the opposition’s defensive half.
STATS THAT MATTER:
Wayde Skipper/Adrian Bonaddio (Port Melbourne)
- Wayde has had 460 hit-outs in 20 matches, averaging 23 hit-outs with a high of 47 against Frankston.
- Gets involved in the game more than other ruckman, with 146 kicks and 127 handballs this season
- Adrian Bonaddio has had 215 hit-outs in 17 matches, averaging 13 hit-outs with a high of 22 against Frankston.
- Can move up forward - kicked 15 goals this season (154 career goals)
Orren Stephenson/Dawson Simpson (Geelong)
- Orren has had 398 hit-outs in 10 matches, averaging 40 with a high of 60 against Bendigo Gold.
- 29 hit-outs vs Port Melbourne in week one of finals
- Dawson has had 340 hit-outs in 9 matches, averaging 38 with a high of 56 against Port Melbourne in Round 11.
- Stephenson & Simpson have only played four matches together, three of those being finals.
PETER JACKSON VFL GRAND FINAL
Sunday September 23, 2:15pm
Port Melbourne vs Geelong
at Etihad Stadium
Entry: Adults $20, Concession $15, Kids 15 & Under Free
Event parking available at Etihad underground carpark
Last Modified on 20/09/2012 12:25