With both sides fresh and raring to go after the VFL state game break, Williamstown will travel out to Frankston Oval in a bid to cement their spot in the top four.
The Seagulls are currently sitting in 4th place on the Peter Jackson VFL ladder, while the Dolphins are only a game behind in 12th place with two wins.
Frankston have four players returning from Victorian duty (Riley Heddles, Sam Lloyd, Michael Lourey and Scott Simpson), while Willie Wheeler was the only Williamstown player selected.
Nick Duxson previews this clash.
Conditions
A cool 16 degrees is expected at Frankston Oval on Sunday afternoon, but with rain predicted throughout Friday and parts of Saturday, it could well be a wet, slippery contest.
The Last Three
Frankston – WLL – Michael Lourey had a day out as an inspired Dolphins side rolled the Pies three games ago, however since then they have suffered two big defeats to North Ballarat (45 points) and Geelong (69 points).
Williamstown – WLW – The Seagulls suffered a minor setback in Round Four when the Scorpions outplayed them and won by four goals, but that loss was sandwiched between a thumping of Werribee and a close win against Collingwood.
Last Meeting
Round 12, 2012 – Frankston Oval – Frankston 14.8.92 tied 13.14.92
The Seagulls came from 35 points down at three quarter time to steal two points away from Frankston in their last encounter. The Dolphins led at every change, largely thanks to four goals from Khan Haretuku and a starring performance from Shane Hockey. Big men Tom Campbell and Matt Panos were influential in the ‘Gulls comeback.
The Key Match Ups
Dolphins’ forwards Michael Lourey and Sam Lloyd will take some stopping, the latter coming off a four-goal performance for the VFL. Up-and-coming Seagulls defender Jack Charleston could go to Lloyd, while Bulldogs-listed defenders Michael Talia or Mark Austin could man up on Lourey.
Willie Wheeler has gone from strength-to-strength since moving to Williamstown in 2013, and he will be just midfield gun the Dolphins have to contend with, along with Pat Veszpremi, Justin Sherman and returning young gun Mitch Wallis.
The battle of the two in-form ruckmen will be vital – Seagulls giant Cameron Wood will have the height advantage, but Russ Gabriel has been in scintillating touch for Frankston so far this year.
Team Selections
Williamstown will be without skipper Ben Jolley, while the Bulldogs have relinquished Dylan Addison, Mark Austin, Jason Tutt and Mitch Wallis to the Seagulls.
The big presence on Frankston’s team sheet is Khan Haretuku – the Dolphins leading goal-kicker in 2012 hasn’t played at all this season, but has been named on an extended bench for this week.
Prediction – Seagulls by 30 points
Last Modified on 17/05/2013 10:28