Difficult conditions are expected on Saturday when Visy Park plays host to the Northern Blues and North Ballarat in a game which both teams desperately need to win in order get their seasons back on track and shoot up the ladder. The Blues and Roosters cant allow themselves to fall too far back from the early season leaders, Geelong. A loss for either team could quiet easily mean a kiss goodbye to finals aspirations. Alexander McLeman previews this weekend’s match.
The Northern Blues come into this Saturdays match-up off the back of a 13 point loss to Sandringham in round five. The Blues were unlucky not to come away with the win but after the interstate matches last weekend the Blues will be looking to bounce back with victory over an indifferent North Ballarat team and keep their finals hopes alive.
The Blues will be hoping for talented centre Dylan Buckley and full forward Luke Mitchell to assert their dominance early on. The impressive Blues men slotted home two and three goals respectively in the narrow loss to Sandringham.
North Ballarat travel to Carlton North in search of a win which will realign their finals hopes following an up and down start to this season. With losses to Collingwood (rd1) Casey (rd2) and Essendon (rd4) the Roosters can ill afford another loss this early in the year. The round five convincing 45-point win over Frankston steadied the ship but for the Roosters to keep pace with the leading pack, they will need to start closing out matches and add to their win column, fast.
Forwards Lucas Cook and Cameron Richardson will be looking to follow-up their three goal games against Frankston with another impressive performance. Talented half forward Marcus Darmody grabbed two goals in the contest against Frankston which his team will be hoping for again this weekend as will centre Matt Austin.
Both teams look fairly even going into Saturdays match-up. The edge will go to the home side as they have the more impressive record but it will be anyone’s game come first bounce at 2pm.
Venue
Visy Park
First Bounce
2pm
Conditions
Cold and windy weather expected. The stadium at Visy Park should keep most of the severe wind out but both teams will travel expecting difficult conditions. Rain is also expected making for a challenging possession contest.
Prediction
Northern Blues by 10
Photo: Shane Goss
Last Modified on 17/05/2013 12:19