The unbeaten Casey Scorpions will play host to an in-form Williamstown outfit under lights at Casey Fields on Saturday night. Nick Duxson previews the game.
The Scorpions are coming off a massive win over Essendon, while Williamstown accounted for the Tigers in emphatic fashion on Sunday afternoon.
Form Guide
Casey – WWW – The Scorpions started the year with a 10-goal win over Frankston, followed it up with a nail-biting victory up in North Ballarat, then young forward Jess Hogan kicked four majors in a 14-goal win over the Bombers last weekend.
Williamstown – LWW – A close loss to the Cats in Round One has been long forgotten, with the Seagulls thrashing Coburg and Werribee in successive games. They’re VFL-listed players have been particularly dominant, namely Ben Jolley and new recruit, Cameron Wood.
Last Meeting
Semi-final 2012 – Casey Fields – Williamstown 11.9.75 def Casey 5.8.38
Casey were held to just one goal in the first half of a home semi-final, before Williamstown dominated the third term to put the game out of the Scorpions’ reach. Pat Veszpremi and Matt Panos both kicked three goals, as skipper Ben Jolley led the way. Luke Tynan was the home side’s best, while they had just five singular goal-kickers.
The Key Match Ups
Cameron Wood and Tom Campbell proved a potent ruck combination against the Tigers, and when Wood pushed forward he did even more damage. Jake Spencer dominated the taps for the Scorpions last week, but has been included on Melbourne’s extended bench.
Jesse Hogan has been impressive in his VFL outings to date, but will have his work cut out this week. Lukas Markovic is a likely match-up, after he starred down back last week. Ayce Cordy could be another option returning from the Bulldogs side.
New recruit Willie Wheeler has been a welcome addition down at Point Gellibrand, and has starred through the middle with captain Ben Jolley. The Scorpions might use hard nut James Magner to negate one of the Seagulls’ stars.
Injury List/Team Selections
Melbourne have included Rodan, McKenzie, Spencer, Blease, Strauss and Nicholson in an extended side for Sunday, so the Scorpions will be forced to bring up some players from their development side.
The Seagulls will be in a similar predicament, with last week’s guns Veszpremi and Austin replacing two injured Bulldogs teammates. Tom Williams will miss also after suffering an injury in the first quarter last Sunday.
Prediction – Williamstown to end Casey’s winning streak and roll them by 45 points.
Last Modified on 26/04/2013 08:53