ROUND 2 PREVIEW
By Chris Weaver
Saturday, 18 April
Frankston (0-1) v Sandringham (1-0)
Last Time: Round 19, 2008 at Frankston. Sandringham 20.10 (130) def Frankston 9.18 (72)
Frankston Park, 1.10 pm (ABC TV)
Sandringham's new alignment with St Kilda got off to the perfect start last week, as they hammered the Casey Scorpions by 103 points.
Frankston struggled to combat the pace of Coburg forward pockets Robin Nahas and Andrew Collins, but one senses that it is the tall forwards they need to worry about in this clash.
Few players time their leads as intelligently as Nick Sautner and the veteran Zebra was lethal with eight goals against the undermanned Scorpion defence. Perhaps crucially, he kicked seven the last time these sides met at Frankston.
Whether Dolphins captain Shaun Pollard can stop Sautner depends largely on how often the ball enters the Zebra forward line. On a long, narrow ground direct footy will win the day and both teams are packed with midfielders capable of breaking tackles and giving excellent delivery to their forwards.
AFL listed players David Armitage, Leigh Fisher and Xavier Clarke were a class above their opponents in Round 1, but they come up against a Dolphin on-ball brigade that is much stronger at stoppages this week.
With the beefy Aaron Murray and Michael Lourey in attack, there is every chance the home side can take advantage of a relatively short Zebra defence.
Tip: Sandringham by 10 points
Coburg Tigers (1-0) v Geelong (0-1)
Last Time: Round 7, 2008 at the MCG. Coburg 11.19 (85) def Geelong 6.15 (51)
ABD Group Stadium, 2.00 pm
An inexperienced Geelong midfield was outmuscled and outplayed by Collingwood last week.
Coburg's home victory over Frankston meanwhile comes at a cost - Robin Nahas (5 goals) and Andrew Collins (4 goals) could both represent Richmond in the AFL this weekend.
It is hard to think of a side that has had its midfield weakened by the loss of one player as much as has occurred with Geelong. Reigning Liston Medallist James Byrne suffered a fractured thumb the last time these sides met and his loss was keenly felt by the Cats. He has since left the club, and much depends on the youngsters' ability to step up.
The Burgers have already seen the advantages that the quick Tim Clarke brings to their side, while Andrew Horne kept up his 2008 form in defence.
With Scott Simpson and Tom Lonergan expected to join James Podsiadly in attack, the Cats do look too tall for the Coburg defence. But Jarrod Silvester and Will Thursfield will look to outrun bigger, slower opponents.
Tip: Coburg by 18 points
Collingwood (1-0) v Williamstown (Yet to play)
Last Time: Round 11, 2008 at Visy Park. Williamstown 14.18 (102) def 10.8 (68)
Visy Park, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 fm)
It is hard to judge the Pies first-up performance until they play the side considered by many to be the flag favourite (including by this humble correspondent).
Enforced changes to their AFL side through injury and suspension mean that Collingwood will not be able to rely on Anthony Rocca's strength and experience at full-forward, while Tyson Goldsack will be missed in defence.
Peter Street's departure from the Western Bulldogs has left a void for the Seagulls, and Scott Meyer will have to leave his post at full-back to cover in ruck. Williamstown look short down back too, as Jason Cloke, Cameron Wight and Stephen Tiller look to match up on taller opponents Chris Dawes and Chris Bryan.
The Seagulls midfield is still strong though, led by Brett Johnson, who remains one of the competition's elite. He will be aided by nifty left-footer David Stretton, who was one of the VFL's most improved in 2008.
This however is not the same static Collingwood side that Williamstown were able to overrun last year, and so they remain a chance against a side still sweeping away the cobwebs.
Tip: Williamstown by 14 points
Werribee Tigers (Yet to play) v Bendigo Bombers (0-1)
Last Time: Round 19, 2008 at QE Oval. Werribee 20.20 (140) def Bendigo 11.8 (74)
Chirnside Park, 7.00 pm
An historic event - the first game played under lights at Werribee.
Boosted by a strong Essendon contingent, Bendigo held their own last week as they came up short by just nine points against the Bullants.
Paul Scanlon gave the Bombers some immediate return in midfield, as the vice-captain was one of the best against his old side. With the lean John Williams and new recruit Simon Weekley efficient in attack, every sign indicates a more competitive Bendigo side in 2009.
Losing James Podsiadly was soon rectified for Werribee by the retention of Nathan Thompson after the end of his career with North Melbourne. He has a strong and skilful midfield to work with, however might be without the robust Levi Greenwood who could appear for the Kangaroos this weekend.
The players who led Werribee to the Preliminary Final last year otherwise remain, and they will look to repeat their confident end to 2008. Look for Scott Howard and Teghan Henderson to again provide much of the side's run from half-back.
Much is expected of Werribee this year, and they look too strong at home.
Tip: Werribee by 33 points
Casey Scorpions (0-1) v Port Melbourne (1-0)
Last Time: Round 8, 2008 at TEAC Oval. Port Melbourne 16.10 (106) def Casey Scorpions 10.16 (76)
Casey Fields, 7.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7fm)
Both this season's night fixtures occur on Saturday, and it provides an opportunity for the impressive Borough to get a rare win at Casey Fields.
Undermanned and undersized, the Scorpions never stood a chance against Sandringham. They were smashed in every position and suffered the loss of Alex Silvagni to a rib injury.
Fortunately, the damage does not appear too severe and their vice-captain re-appears this week. He will need some support however to negate the marking power of Borough talls Adrian Bonaddio and Dylan McLaren. Adrian Deluca, who starred with four goals last week is unavailable, but the aerial threat remains.
Pre-season fears that Port Melbourne would be weakened by the loss of Robin Nahas were abated by Nathan Batsanis strong debut against North Ballarat. The ex-Port Adelaide Power and Box Hill rover looks a likely type, and will benefit from the freedom allowed in a strong side.
First use of the ball is a must for the Scorpions; however they will give away much in size and class in midfield. These are still early days in the development of players such as Addam Maric and Jordie McKenzie, both of whom showed some fight in last week's humiliation.
With no clear match-up for utilities John Baird and Toby Pinwill, the visitors look to have too many options at their disposal should Casey even match their midfield run.
Tip: Port Melbourne by 35 points
Sunday, 19 April
Box Hill Hawks (Yet to play) v Northern Bullants (1-0)
Last Time: Round 15, 2008 at NAB Oval. Box Hill 13.14 (92) def Northern Bullants 7.14 (56)
Box Hill City Oval, 2.00 pm (3WBC)
Brendan Bolton will hope that his current spell as a VFL coach is not as fraught as last time, when he was a caretaker for the imploding Tasmania Devils in 2006.
He has some gun recruits ready to lift the Hawks, as Adem Yze, Sam Iles and Ed Curnow all prepare for their first games at the club.
They will need to deliver on their promise, as the club will field no more than five Hawthorn players with AFL experience, compared to the Bullants, who may count on a dozen current Blues.
The Bullants had an even spread of contributors in their win over Bendigo, and will again count on that spirit to overcome the Hawks. Adam Hartlett and Setanta O'hAilpin should straighten them up, while Shaun Hampson will benefit from rucking against the smaller Cameron Pedersen.
Box Hill lost the highly respected Al Neville over the off-season and with him supposedly much of their run from half-back. Lukas Markovic has previously shown a willingness to rebound from defence, but he will - along with Lachlan McQueen-Miscamble - be busy minding the monsters down back.
Casual observers should enjoy the skills on display from two clever, nippy forwards - Steve Kenna (Box Hill) and Wes Bilney (Northern Bullants).
Tip: Northern Bullants by 9 points
Bye - North Ballarat
Tune into Chris Weaver and the Casey call team for his call of Saturday's Match of the Day on Casey 3SER 97.7FM.
Last Modified on 17/04/2009 11:31