NORTHERN BULLANTS (6-3)
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: After struggling to put a serious stamp on the competition in recent seasons, the Bullants are playing some good football under David Teague, who has hung up the boots after working as playing coach last year.
WHAT’S GONE WRONG: Despite being well placed at the mid way point of season 2009, consistency has been one issue that has plagued the Bullants during the first half. Just recently, an excellent win over Williamstown was followed by a shocker against Casey.
THE COACH: David Teague appears to be more relaxed this year after struggling to times to effectively combine a dual role as a player and coach last year. He has also demonstrated a good understanding of the competition with his willingness to give young players looking to impress recruiters an opportunity, namely young forward Wes Bilney.
SURPRISE: Jason Saddington’s decision to continue playing at VFL level after a frustrating end to his AFL career at Carlton that has highlighted by injury and yo-yo like form. Saddington’s experience and well regarded professional attitude has been a worthy addition to the Bullants line-up.
DISAPPOINTMENT: The Bullants reserves, under new coach Martin Pike, are anchored near the bottom of the ladder.
THE DRAW: Of the nine games remaining for the Bullants in season 2009, the round 15 clash against North Ballarat and round 17 against Port Melbourne could prove to be season defining. How the Bullants perform in these two games could determine how far they can progress in September. The rest of their draw looks like an easy road home as they take on the likes of Bendigo (round 15), the Coburg Tigers (round 19) and Frankston (round 20).
PREDICTED FINISH: 5-7.
COLLINGWOOD (5-4)
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: Collingwood is now playing to win games of football along with developing AFL listed players. They have benefitted from the addition of veteran Damien Peverill.
WHAT’S GONE WRONG: Despite not being able to perform consistently across four quarters, finishing games has been an issue for the Magpies. If they want to have a serious impact during the second half of the season and hold onto a top eight spot, the Magpies will need to not drop their heads in final quarters. The match at Werribee was a case in point.
THE COACH: Gavin Brown coached his charges last year with a key theme being development of the young AFL listed players and senior ones looking to get back to league level. It’s worth noting that this has changed this year, with extra emphasis on winning.
SURPRISE: There have been a number of additions to Collingwood’s VFL list for season 2009, with two players in particular catching the eye. Tim Hunt and Pevrill have been good finds for the Magpies, with Peverill in particular bringing leadership that was lacking last year. Last year’s joint Morrish medallist Jarryd Blair has also added much needed midfield grunt and this was highlighted by a dominant 27-disposal performance against Werribee in round 10.
DISAPPOINTMENT: Fadeouts have occurred a few times so far this year. The Magpies need to work on ensuring that they don’t let their opposition back into the game, like they did against Werribee for example.
THE DRAW: The most challenging of the remaining games comes this weekend when the Magpies clash with North Ballarat. There are three more home games but the round 18 away clash against Williamstown will be a test. Realistically, the Magpies can win three to four of their remaining games.
PREDICTED FINISH: 8.
COBURG TIGERS (5-4)
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: The Tigers had a promising start to season 2009, winning five of their first eight games, but have since has two consecutive losses. The second half of the season shapes as defining, with the Tigers needing to be more than competitive especially in games against Northern Bullants (round 12) Williamstown (round 13) and Box Hill Hawks (round 16).
WHAT’S GONE WRONG: In their losses so far this season, the Tigers lost by an average of 39 points and aside from their round three loss to Box Hill the other three have been by more than 25 points. Not letting slip in second halves will be something that they will need to work if they not keep themselves with a chance of a top four finish.
THE COACH: Craig McRae has taken over the reigns at City Oval from now Richmond caretaker coach Jade Rawlings. His first outing against Port Melbourne resulted in a large loss, so it remains to be seen if the former Queensland Under-18 coach can continue on the good work done by Rawlings that saw the Tigers in fourth spot before the break.
SURPRISE: The emergence of last year’s A.Todd Medal winner Glen Carrick at senior VFL level. Carrick spent last season in between the senior and reserve sides, but this year he has played every game in the seniors and has performed well as a defnder\midfielder.
DISAPPOINTMENT: Aside from Jay Schultz, the Tigers have struggled to have a consistent goal scorer apart from skipper Nick Carnell. If the Tigers want to set themselves up for a serious premiership tilt and a top four spot, they will need a more even spread of goal kickers.
THE DRAW: Three games in particular stick out as important games and clashes that the Tigers need to win. They are against the Northern Bullants (round 12), Williamstown (round 13) and the Box Hill Hawks (round 16). The toughest of the three will be against Williamstown, with the Seagulls a yard stick for season 2009.
PREDICTED FINISH: 4
CASEY SCORPIONS (5-4)
WHAT'S GONE RIGHT: The Scorpions have slipped into the eight on the back of three impressive wins. This included a superb six-goal final quarter against the second-placed Northern Bullants at Visy Park. The Scorpions best win came at Coburg, when it defeated the Tigers on its home patch and against a vocal support for the returning Ben Cousins. Scorpion mainstays Kyle Matthews, James Wall and Alex Silvagni have bettered last year’s form.
WHAT'S GONE WRONG: A 103-point belting at Sandringham tested the Scorpions resolve. It could easily have been the beginning of the end but the Scorpions regrouped to be 5-4 at the break. Close losses to Port Melbourne (four points), Box Hill (15 points after leading at three-quarter time) and North Ballarat (16 points) could hurt its top four aspirations.
THE COACH: New coach Peter German has welded the Scorpions core with players from new AFL partner Melbourne. German said pre-season the alignment would take time to gel and the Scorpions have improved each week. Come September, the Scorpions could be a wildcard in the finals.
SURPRISE: TAC Cup product Michael Stockdale has impressed. The defender was particularly damaging against Frankston and Box Hill and is in Gardner-Clarke Medal calculations.
DISAPPOINTMENT: The club was fined for its part in the ugly brawl at Coburg. And some might say the pink jumpers against Werribee but it was all for a good cause – The Pink Ribbon Foundation.
THE DRAW: The Scorpions play at Williamstown on Saturday and the ABC1 Match of the Day will give fans a window as to their progress. They have winnable home games against Bendigo, Frankston and Coburg but the Scorpions last month will decide its fate – at home to top-four sides North Ballarat (round 17) and Williamstown (round 19) and away to Box Hill (round 20).
PREDICTION: 6-10.
Last Modified on 22/07/2009 12:42