ROUND 17 PREVIEW
Saturday, 8 August
Casey Scorpions (9-6) v North Ballarat (10-4)
Morwell, 1.10 pm (ABC TV)
As part of the new partnership with the Country Fire Authority, VFL footy returns to the Latrobe Valley for the first time since Traralgon’s brief stint in the competition in the late 1990s.
The Scorpions need to recover from their dispiriting late loss to Geelong last week, and must do without a flotilla of Melbourne listed players.
Ben Waite once again holds down full-forward, while Colin Sylvia remains a chance to appear in the VFL for a second successive week.
Formerly fringe players, Michael Stockdale and Pierce Liddle have been in sparkling form of late.
Liddle is a former captain of the Northern Territory in the Under 18 National Carnival, and his fleet-footed displays this year will doubtless come to the attention of AFL recruiters.
North Ballarat will be bolstered by the return of Brett Goodes following his one match suspension, but look set to lose the exciting Aaron Edwards and the versatile Ed Lower.
The neutral venue will have many tipsters in a flux, but the Roosters’ return to form last week should see them start as slight favourites.
Tip: North Ballarat by 15 points
Port Melbourne (10-4) v Northern Bullants (9-5)
TEAC Oval, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
The Frankston hoodoo looked set to continue last Sunday for Port Melbourne at half-time, only for the Borough to then kick away from the Dolphins in the second half.
Still undefeated at home during Gary Ayres’s tenure as coach, Port Melbourne should put up a more spirited display than that shown on ANZAC Day at Preston.
Injury concerns have seen the Borough throw some of their more experienced players around the field in recent weeks, but remain stable on-ball with Ryan McMahon and Sam Dwyer leading the charge.
Although they were held scoreless in the final term against Collingwood, the Bullants’ admirable defensive resistance enabled them to stave off the Pies.
Jarrod McCorkell misses out due to a hamstring strain, but there is a chance that Jarrod Bannister could return from his groin complaint.
Look out for Shane Neaves to continue his impressive recent form in defence, which has been necessitated by Jason Saddington’s absence.
Tip: Port Melbourne by 29 points
Coburg Tigers (6-9) v Bendigo Bombers (0-14)
ABD Group Stadium, 2.00 pm
It was a heartbreaking finish last Saturday for Coburg, losing to Box Hill with the last kick of the game.
It leaves the Burgers needing to win all three of their remaining fixtures if they are to make the finals, starting with this clash against the luckless and winless Bombers.
Yet again affected by vast changes at Richmond, Coburg could be without Graham Polak.
Polak’s growing confidence and effectiveness has been pleasing to watch, particularly as he has been switched almost constantly between the Burgers’ forward and back lines.
The Bombers were brave against Sandringham, but even with the Zebras hit heavily by injuries could not get over the line.
With Jarrod Silvester and James Keogh headlining the ranks of absent tall Coburg defenders, this could be a chance for Bendigo’s Lachie Delahunty to demonstrate his marking prowess.
Tip: Coburg Tigers by 42 points
Geelong (8-6) v Sandringham (7-7)
Skilled Stadium, 2.00 pm
Exciting times for Geelong, who have made the most of a recent run of home games to lift themselves back into finals reckoning.
Brad Ottens completed his first game back for the Cats against the Casey Scorpions, but carried a noticeable limp.
It was in the fixture at Trevor Barker Beach Oval earlier this season that Ben Johnson made his mark, booting eight goals to get Geelong over the line.
He promises to again be a threat to an undersized Sandringham defence, victims of St Kilda’s sudden rash of injuries.
This could therefore be a chance for some ‘forgotten’ Zebras to reaffirm their value as senior players, Marc Johnston, Stefan Garrubba and Chris Waller among those named on the extended bench.
On a role and the side less depleted by injury, Geelong should be too good at home.
Tip: Geelong by 21 points
Sunday, 9 August
Collingwood (7-7) v Werribee Tigers (5-9)
Visy Park, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM; livevfl.com.au)
Collingwood put in a positive performance against the Bullants, but were unable to break open a watertight defence in the final term.
Chopping and changing their key forwards, they welcome back Chris Bryan, who replaces an AFL-bound Chris Dawes.
Bryan’s return could signal a return to defence for Toby Thoolen, while John McCarthy has been named despite a bad knock to the shoulder and face.
Werribee coach Simon Atkins will hope that the week off has rejuvenated a side that was swamped by Frankston a fortnight ago.
Part of a midfield that is often more workmanlike than brilliant, Dom Gleeson this week plays his 100th senior match for the Tigers.
Finals footy currently appears beyond the Tigers, who must win all their remaining fixtures if they are to participate in September.
Tip: Collingwood by 27 points
Frankston (2-12) v Box Hill Hawks (9-6)
Frankston Park, 2.00 pm (3WBC, 94.1 FM)
Thrashed by Box Hill earlier in the season, the Dolphins have since shown a greater level of resilience.
That game was marred by a head butting incident involving Frankston forward Justin Berry, a moment that summed up the frustrations that beset the Dolphins at that stage.
Although Shannon Grant’s men faded after the main break against Port Melbourne, they can take much from the consistency and power provided by Marcus Marigliani and James Magner.
Box Hill’s run and carry style has overcome many opponents this season, quick and precise transition allowing them to overcome Coburg through Sam Iles’s last-gasp goal.
Cameron Pedersen should provide his midfield with first use of the footy, as the Dolphins again struggle to unearth a ruckman capable of aiding part-timers Trent Shinners and Ben Crowe.
The allure of finals football combined with an extra day’s break should be enough to see Box Hill over the line.
Tip: Box Hill Hawks by 31 points
Bye – Williamstown
Last Modified on 07/08/2009 15:48