ROUND 18 PREVIEWS
Saturday, 15 August
Northern Bullants (9-6) v Geelong (9-6)
Last Time: Round 11, 2009 at Skilled Stadium – Geelong 17.12 (114) def 11.15 (81)
NAB Oval, 1.10 pm (ABC TV)
Good news for the Bullants, who will welcome back several Carlton listed players for this game.
Few sides are as heavily affected by the ‘12/10 rule’ as the Bullants, who sent out a fresh faced side last week at Port Melbourne.
The youngsters looked the goods for three terms, before a stronger and quicker side kicked eight unanswered goals in the final quarter.
Geelong’s excellent home form has seen them cement themselves inside the Top Eight; a handy position considering their season appeared over two months ago.
Brad Ottens and Robbie Warnock are now entering their third games on the comeback trail, giving the ruck contest a dimension of interest beyond the game itself.
Settled at home, the Bullants’ run should carry them over the line.
Tip: Northern Bullants by 13 points
Sandringham (7-8) v Frankston (2-13)
Last Time: Round 2, 2009 at Frankston Park – Sandringham 13.6 (84) def Frankston 8.6 (54)
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
There was some feeling in the last encounter down at Frankston Park.
Frankston’s Byron Barry was concussed in a fair clash with Tom Lynch, while Clinton Proctor required scans on a neck injury after being thrown aside by Matt Maguire.
Sandringham welcome back eight players from AFL affiliate St Kilda, who will need to replicate their AFL form if the Zebras are to make September.
Of all the weeks to be without skipper Shaun Pollard, Frankston must make do with Dale Whelan at full-back against Nick Sautner.
As admirable as they have been in recent weeks, the Dolphins cannot afford to slip up for a quarter or two as has been their downfall on too many occasions in 2009.
Those short lapses were enough in the last fortnight for quality opponents in Box Hill and Port Melbourne to bury the Dolphins.
Tip: Sandringham by 25 points
Sunday, 16 August
Box Hill Hawks (10-6) v Bendigo Bombers (0-15)
Last Time: Round 9, 2009 at Windy Hill – Box Hill Hawks 13.13 (91) def Bendigo Bombers 6.8 (44)
Box Hill City Oval, 2.00 pm (3WBC, 94.1 FM)
Having staved off Frankston’s challenge last Sunday, the Box Hill Hawks face another cellar-dweller in the Bendigo Bombers.
Benefitting from the return of Beau Dowler, the Hawks’ versatility enables them to switch players out of their usual positions.
Lachie McQueen-Miscamble has been named at centre half-forward, which would be a brazen move if accomplished.
More likely is that Dowler will partner the in-form Cameron Pedersen, whose praises have been sung here in recent weeks.
A shortening injury list will give the Bombers hope, although it is yet to be determined if the towering Tom Bellchambers will line up in the VFL.
With the Hawks’ Marco Bello and Bombers’ Darren Hulme both named, we could see the rare spectacle of opposing assistant coaches marking each other on the field.
Tip: Box Hill Hawks by 44 points
Williamstown (11-4) v Collingwood (8-7)
Last Time: Round 2, 2009 at Visy Park – Williamstown 21.11 (137) def Collingwood 11.9 (75)
Burbank Oval, 2.00 pm
Collingwood were clinical against Werribee, but then they were never forced to hurry their game along and chose to attack through the corridor at will.
A settled side might only feature one or two changes from that game, rare for a Pies outfit that has relied on a revolving door policy with some of their ‘development’ players.
Anthony Rocca was pleasing in his defensive pressure last week, while Marty Clarke found time and space to run with the footy.
Williamstown come off the bye, which was prefaced by a tough loss at North Ballarat.
They will be hoping that Matt Little has fully recovered from his thigh strain, while encouraging the recently pedestrian Jarrad Grant into contesting against the taller Collingwood defenders.
The Seagulls should win out at the clearances, possessing the strength in numbers on ball to win the battles in close.
Tip: Williamstown by 20 points
Werribee Tigers (5-10) v Coburg Tigers (7-9)
Last Time: Round 8, 2009 at ABD Group Stadium – Coburg Tigers 20.12 (132) def Werribee Tigers 12.14 (86)
Chirnside Park, 2.00 pm (livevfl.com.au)
If last week’s performances were any indication, then these are two sides simply playing out the season.
An exasperated Simon Atkins could only look on as his Werribee side went through the motions against Collingwood, their lack of purpose and pride culminating in a season ending loss.
Yet it is not as if things are currently much better for Coburg, who seemed to sleepwalk their way through the first half against Bendigo.
There was relief though for Graham Polak, who has not injured his ankle as badly as was first feared and should line up at centre half-back for the Burgers.
A strong spine benefits Coburg, particularly as Werribee seem so reticent to select Marty Pask as a tall second forward.
If Werribee are to kick a winning score, then they will need more options than Nathan Thompson or Tim Bongetti – perhaps time then for Will Martiniello to be recalled to the senior side.
Tip: Werribee Tigers by 8 points
North Ballarat (11-4) v Port Melbourne (11-4)
Last Time: Round 1, 2009 at TEAC Oval – Port Melbourne 20.13 (133) def North Ballarat 7.13 (55)
Eureka Stadium, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
This correspondent feels confident enough to predict that he is not alone in picking this fixture as the weekend’s standout.
Gary Ayres is yet to coach against North Ballarat at this venue, one which is much larger than the sardine tin TEAC Oval at which the Borough demolished the Roosters on the season’s opening day.
Adrian Bonaddio has regained the hunger and marking confidence that made him so dangerous in 2008, the bulwark forward aided by the beanpole Fabian Deluca.
Although Tristan Cartledge may again miss out, David Hale’s height benefits a tall forward line already featuring Josh Smith, Michael Wundke and the spring-heeled Aaron Edwards.
Yet it will be in the middle that this game – like most others – is decided, as the hard-bodied Roosters attempt to dominate the stoppages.
A midfield of Tom Roach, Stephen Clifton, Brett Goodes and Myles Sewell should rule the roost, despite the Borough welcoming back Ryan McMahon from the flu.
Tip: North Ballarat by 10 points
Bye – Casey Scorpions
Last Modified on 18/08/2009 09:16