In At A Glance, we look at all of this weekend’s round 20 games in the Peter Jackson VFL.
PORT MELBOURNE VS BOX HILL HAWKS
Big game between these two teams in round 20 action. Port Melbourne are being challenged for their top two position, and need to keep winning to hold onto it. They face a Box Hill Hawks lineup that are still in contention for a top four spot, but at the same time do not have their finals spot guaranteed. Port was dealt a blow during the week with Sam Dwyer revealed to have suffered a broken leg out of the Northern Blues game in round 17. He had surgery during the week and is unlikely to return this season. In better news for Port fans, Adam Bentick and Adrian Bonnadio return to the lineup this weekend, and the club will see a number of players continue their return from injury in the Development League on Saturday. Box Hill showed last weekend that they are starting to get their best team out on the park, with co-captains Beau Muston (3) and Daniel Pratt (5) sharing eight of their sides 20 goals for the afternoon. Adam Pattison has been a big return for the club in the last month, stabilising their forward half, and the return of Amos Frank up forward will give them the crumbing forward they lacked last weekend. In round 4 only 34 points separated these two teams, and this will be a great battle especially in the ruck with Wayde Skipper and Bonnadio to take on Broc McCauley and youngster Kalem Post.
COBURG TIGERS VS FRANKSTON
The fans of both of these clubs have very different thoughts leading up to this game. Coburg Tigers fans never look forward to taking on the Dolphins, whilst Frankston fans could only wish that they could be fixtured against the Tigers each and every week of the season. Why? Well since the start of the 2010 season, Frankston have only had four wins – all against Coburg. No matter what their form line, Frankston seem to have the Tigers measure, with the Tigers having only recorded one win against the Dolphins during this period. The positive for Coburg is that win was at home for them (Craigieburn, not Coburg), so after an improved performance last weekend where they kicked 18 goals against Box Hill, they will be hoping to finally change their run of outs against Frankston. Brad Miller provided the Tigers with a marking option across half forward last week, and with three players standing over 200cm’s – Derrickx, Browne and Graham – their height could be a worry for Frankston.
WILLIAMSTOWN VS NORTHERN BLUES
After winning back to back games for the first time this season, the Northern Blues are on a roll, and will be hoping to shape the finals. They face a Williamstown side that are yet to cement their finals berth, and could do so this weekend with a victory. Fire power has been the key for the Blues this season in their wins, and with Bret Thorton and Luke Mitchell each kicking five goals last week, and the side averaging 20 goals a game in their victories. Williamstown will be full of confidence after winning their last three games in a row – the last two against top four sides Port Melbourne and Williamstown. The Blues are just looking for ladder respect, and would love to help upset another finals contender after last weekend defeating the Casey Scorpions. Tenth is as far as they can go, but they are sure to want to create a gap between themselves and the teams below them to ensure they get the most wins from the season.
WERRIBEE TIGERS VS NORTH BALLARAT
The battle of the North Melbourne aligned clubs, this game will go a long way to deciding where these sides will finish at the end of the season. After a defeat to Geelong last weekend, the Roosters will be desperate for a win to keep their finals hopes alive. They sit percentage outside of the eight, but with Bendigo having the bye, they have the perfect chance to jump back into the eight – especially with a bye themselves next weekend. While last weekend was not the best for forwards with the blustery conditions and rain at Eureka Stadium, the Roosters saw all their major forwards on the board which would please coach Gerard FitzGerald, and will test the Tigers defence. . The Werribee Tigers have had a long break since their last game in the Foxtel Cup, and will have enjoyed a bit of a break, especially having not had a weekend off all season, barring the State Game weekend. The Tigers will not have given up hope of a top two finish, and will be keen to finish the season with three wins to finish as high as possible – maybe even top spot if results fall their way.
SANDRINGHAM VS COLLINGWOOD
What a game this was last time around in the ABC TV match. Just when it all seemed to be over at half time, with Sandringham 48 points up at half time, Collingwood turned the game on its head in the third term to kick 8.7 to 0.1 to going into the final term with a six point lead. The Zebras were able to regroup for an 11 point win, but the best and the worst of both teams were highlighted on the day. Collingwood had 13 goal kickers for their 16 goals, showing their non reliance on any particular player up forward. The key for the Magpies has been their ability to find goals from their midfield, which they will need again this weekend. Much rests on this game for Sandringham, having won their last two games in a row, another victory could cement their finals spot if results go their way. Beau Wilkes was a handy addition last round, but the Zebras will need to find other avenues to goal this weekend. Ben Johnson returns for the Magpies this weekend, and Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer will again be returning from injury in the VFL. The battle between Michael Sikora and Cameron Wood in the ruck could be a key to this game, both supported by Hamish Shepheard and Jarrod Witts. Tune in to the VFL website Sunday for a live video stream of this game.
CASEY SCORPIONS VS GEELONG
Could this be the clash to decide who will sit in top spot at the end of the round? Whilst the game between Port Melbourne and Box Hill Hawks will have a major say in that, either of these teams could be sitting on top at the end of the round. Last time around Casey headed down to Geelong and recorded at 46 point win, and they will be hoping to do the same this time around to go one step closer to a home final, and guaranteed top two spot. A win would see the Scorpions go two games clear of Geelong with two rounds to go, and despite their poor percentage, if they can stay a game clear then it will not come into the equation. Geelong are in a rich vein of form, having won seven games in a row, the equal best of any team this season. A win this weekend would see them jump into the top two, and would guarantee a double chance for the Cats. Casey will see Jack Viney and Liam Jurrah return to their lineup this weekend, and will need to get off to a better start than last week where they only kicked two first half goals, before matching the Blues in the second half.
Please note the 23rd Players for this week:
Box Hill Hawks – Scott McGowan (Eastern Ranges, Jumper No. 6)
Casey Scorpions – Jack Viney* (Jumper No. 79)
Coburg Tigers – Jordan Iudica
Frankston – Dale Sutton
North Ballarat – Callum Currie
Northern Blues – Sam Gilmore (Northern Knights, Jumper No. 47)
Port Melbourne – Dylan Heath (Oakleigh Chargers, Jumper No. 27)
Sandringham – Jack Williams
Werribee Tigers - Kieren Paliouras
Williamstown – Charlie Nastasi (Western Jets, Jumper No. 9)
VFL BAILEY LADDERS LADDER POSSIBILITIES:
With three rounds remaining in the season, each week we will look at the ladder possibilities. In brackets is the highest or lowest ladder position each team could face this weekend.
Casey Scorpions (1-3): A win this weekend versus Geelong will see the Scorpions remain a game or two clear on top of the ladder, depending on the Port Melbourne vs Box Hill Hawks result. A loss could see Casey drop as low as third if Port Melbourne beats Box Hill.
Run home: Geelong (H), Collingwood (A), Sandringham (H)
Port Melbourne (1-3): Port Melbourne could return to the top of the VFL ladder this weekend if results go their way. Port Melbourne firstly needs to defeat Box Hill, and then have Geelong defeat Casey to return to top spot. Port could drop to third if Geelong defeats Casey, and Box Hill defeats Port.
Run home: Box Hill Hawks (H), Bendigo (H), Northern Blues (A)
Geelong (1-4): Top spot on the VFL could be a possibility for Geelong this weekend. If Geelong can overcome Casey, and Box Hill Hawks defeat Port Melbourne, the Cats will jump to top spot on percentage. If Geelong lose to Casey, they could drop to fourth if Werribee defeats North Ballarat.
Run home: Casey Scorpions (A), Coburg Tigers (H), Williamstown (H)
Werribee Tigers (3-4): A win against North Ballarat this weekend could see the Tigers jump as high as third if Casey defeats Geelong. A loss would see them remain in fourth spot.
Run home: North Ballarat (H), Northern Blues (A), Collingwood (A)
Box Hill Hawks (5-7): A win over Port will see the Hawks remain in fifth spot, but it would draw them level with Werribee on points, if the Tigers are defeated by North Ballarat. A Hawks loss could see them drop as far as seventh on the ladder, if Sandringham defeats Collingwood, and Williamstown defeats the Northern Blues. A win this weekend and a defeat for North Ballarat would see Box Hill guaranteed a finals spot.
Run home: Port Melbourne (A), Bye, Bendigo (A)
Sandringham (5-7): Could possibly rise to fifth this weekend if they can beat Collingwood, and Port Melbourne defeats Box Hill Hawks. A defeat to the Magpies could see them drop to seventh if Williamstown defeats the Blues. A win this weekend and a defeat for North Ballarat would see Sandringham guaranteed a finals spot.
Run home: Collingwood (H), Williamstown (A), Casey (A)
Williamstown (5-8): The Seagulls can rise to fifth this weekend if results go their way – firstly defeating the Blues and seeing losses to Box Hill and Sandringham. If Williamstown lose to the Blues, they can only drop as far as eighth on the ladder. A win to the Seagulls and a defeat for North Ballarat this weekend would see the Seagulls guaranteed a finals spot.
Run home: Northern Blues (H), Sandringham (H), Geelong (A)
Bendigo (8-9): Bendigo has the bye this weekend and could drop out of the eight if North Ballarat defeats Werribee.
Run home: Bye, Port Melbourne (A), Box Hill Hawks (H)
North Ballarat (7-9): North Ballarat could jump to seventh spot this weekend if they can defeat Werribee, and Williamstown are defeated by Northern Blues. A loss this weekend for the Roosters and wins for Box Hill, Sandringham and Williamstown would see North Ballarat left in a battle with Bendigo for the final spot in the top eight with two rounds remaining.
Run home: Werribee (A), Bye, Port Melbourne (H)
Keep up to date all weekend with VFL scores via:
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Last Modified on 10/08/2012 14:22