In At A Glance, we look at all of this weekend’s round 19 games in the Peter Jackson VFL.
CASEY SCORPIONS VS NORTHERN BLUES
Casey moved back to the top of the ladder last round with a victory over Frankston. The win last week was not the Scorpions best of the season, but they continued to do enough when under pressure to get the points. Tom Couch picked up where he left off after his AFL debut, and he was well supported by the likes of Luke Tascott and Jordan Gysberts. They will need to be at their damaging best this week against a Northern Blues side that have returned to the winners list over the last month, with two wins from their last three matches. Yes their wins have been against two of their fellow bottom four sides, but the convincing nature of their wins has been what has been most impressive. Ford Coaches Player of the Year co-leader Adam Marcon has been in great form, along with the likes of Kane Lambert, Brent Bransgrove and the return of Tom Wilson last week up forward. Casey have a chance to go two games clear on top of the ladder with three rounds to play, which would go a long way to locking in their top two finish. Over the next three weeks the Northern Blues will be doing their utmost to shape the finals teams, taking on Casey, then Williamstown and Werribee.
BOX HILL HAWKS VS COBURG TIGERS
The match up of Broc McCauley and Adam Pattison against Andrew Browne and Angus Graham will be a key to this match. After a promising fight against Werribee, Coburg has be on the end of two big 10 goal plus defeats in recent rounds, and would be keen to add to their wins tally, despite now being out of the race for a finals berth. Box Hill still are not guaranteed of a finals berth, and would like to not only take the four points in this match, but also try and boost their percentage. With the like of Danny Hughes, Beau Muston and Daniel Pratt all having returned to the Hawks lineup in recent rounds, the home side this weekend are back to fielding their strongest possible line up. Their defence boasts the likes of Stephen Gilham, Tom Murphy, Kyle Cheney but has also seen David Mirra return, and despite their loss last round, the back six for the Hawks have worked well in restricting their opponents in recent rounds. In contrast Coburg are struggling to find options up forward, and will need the likes of Brad Miller, Todd Elton and Tom Derrickx to kick a few each.
SANDRINGHAM VS FRANKSTON
Sandringham have had an extra week to enjoy their win against Bendigo prior to the bye, and it was a much needed win after the Zebras had lost their previous 4 matches leading up to the Gold clash. The Zebras now find themselves sitting in eighth spot, but the team they beat in round 17 sits just above them by percentage. Despite taking on the bottom of the ladder Frankston, Sandringham coach Simon McPhee will realise they are not a team to be taken lightly. This will be Frankston coach Simon Goosey’s first trip to Trevor Barker Oval as coach of the Dolphins, with Frankston having not made the trip up the Nepean Hwy since 2009. The Doplhins showed what they were capable of last round in glimpses, but their inability to kick consecutive goals up forward after quarter time - while allowing their opposition to - hampered their chances against the Scorpions. The Dolphins will need to improve in the ruck, with the job left to Toby Thoolen and Khan Haretuku last week, and Jack Fitzpatrick had their measure. This week they face Michael Sikora, and the VFL Academy player has been a tough competitor this season, and has bounced back from his week in the Development League last month.
NORTH BALLARAT VS GEELONG
The term ‘form team’ seems to be bounced around between teams this year in the Peter Jackson VFL, and leading into round 19, these two teams fit the bill. Geelong are currently on a six game winning streak, whilst North Ballarat have won six of their last seven contests. Ironically the Cats last defeat was at the hands of the Roosters, which was the start of their rise back into finals contention. The Roosters fans as much as they would have liked to have seen 2011 draftee Orren Stephenson return to Eureka Stadium, would have breathed a sigh of release when he was selected for the AFL Cats, not having to face what they know to be a tough competitor. Liam Hoy returns to defence for the Roosters, and he will be needed to help stop the likes of Mitch Brown, and Nathan Vardy who is returning from injury. With $50,000 and the four points on the line, these sides have plenty to play for.
BENDIGO VS COLLINGWOOD
Bendigo will be desperate to return to the winners list this weekend, otherwise they could see themselves dropping from the top eight at the end of the round. After a six game winning streak, the Gold have been unable to produce a win in their last three outings, and after they were one of the main contenders for a top four spot, they must now fight just to reach the finals. The take on a Collingwood side that will welcome back the likes of Andrew Krakouer and Brent MCCaffer to their line up after lengthy injuries. The last time these two sides meet, the win to the Gold sparked a six game winning streak, so the home side will be hoping the same occurs this weekend. Trent Shinners will be the lone captain this weekend, with ben Duscher on the sidelines with injury. Don’t be confused at this game if you hear the name Jordan Williams being called more than once – there will be two taking to the field this weekend for Bendigo, one being former Hawthorn listed, the other being the 23rd player from the Eastern Ranges.
Please note the 23rd Players for this week:
Bendigo Gold – Jordan Williams (Eastern Ranges, Jumper No. 15)*
Box Hill Hawks – Jackson Bolton
Casey Scorpions – Simon Deery (Gippsland Power, Jumper No. 79)
Coburg Tigers – Jordan Iudica
Collingwood – Tom Hargreaves (Murray Bushrangers, Jumper No. 39)
Frankston – Damien Lawrence (Dandenong Stingrays, Jumper No. 59)
Geelong Cats – Jordan Bourke (Morningside – NEAFL, Jumper No. 71)*
Northern Blues – Jarryd Coulson (Northern Knights, Jumper No. 47)
Sandringham – Jack Williams
VFL BAILEY LADDERS LADDER POSSIBILITIES:
With four rounds remaining in the season, each week in At a Glance, we will look at the ladder possibilities.
Casey Scorpions: A win or a loss against the Northern Blues will see them remain in first spot, either two or one games clear of Port Melbourne.
Port Melbourne: With the bye this weekend, Port Melbourne will remain in second spot, but could be joined on 11 wins by Geelong if they defeat North Ballarat.
Geelong: A win will see Geelong remain in third spot but join Port Melbourne on 11 wins, a loss could see Geelong drop to fourth spot on percentage.
Werribee Tigers: With the bye this round, Werribee could possible rise to third if North Ballarat defeats Geelong due to percentage.
Williamstown: The third side to have the bye this weekend, Williamstown could drop the same distance they rose up the ladder last round, if Box Hill, Bendigo, Sandringham and North Ballarat all win – meaning ninth spot. The Seagulls will remain in the eight this week if one or more of the sides mentioned are defeated this weekend.
Box Hill Hawks: A win will see the Hawks rise to fifth spot, a loss could see the Hawks drop as far as ninth spot if Bendigo, Sandringham and North Ballarat win.
Bendigo: Bendigo could rise as high as fifth on the ladder if they defeat Collingwood, and Box Hill Hawks are defeated by Coburg. Bendigo could drop to ninth if Sandringham and North Ballarat win, and Collingwood defeats Bendigo.
Sandringham: Could possibly rise to fifth this weekend if they can beat Frankston, and Box Hill and Bendigo are defeated. Sandringham could drop out of the eight if they are defeated, and North Ballarat win.
North Ballarat: North Ballarat were dropped from the top eight last week, but can rejoin it this weekend if they are able to defeat Geelong. North Ballarat could rise as high as fifth, but would need the three teams above them on the ladder to be defeated this weekend.
Keep up to date all weekend with VFL scores via:
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Twitter: Follow @VFLnews for play by play scores from various games across the weekend
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Last Modified on 03/08/2012 16:10