Both Port Melbourne and North Ballarat come into their round 10 clash at North Port Oval following a bye weekend, which offered some rest and reflection on how this season has progressed so far. Port sit currently in third position on 26 points only two points behind leaders Geelong and Casey. North Ballarat on the other hand are floundering in 12th spot on eight points quite some distance from the top eight and the finals positions. Alexander McLeman previews this weekend’s match-up.
Port Melbourne have had another impressive season so far in 2013 currently sitting in third position behind teams who have a bye this weekend, meaning Port could find themselves atop the ladder come Saturday night if all things go their way. They have demonstrated a toughness and togetherness not often seen in VFL teams which has helped them come from behind to snatch victories, hold off late challenges and maintain a level of strong, consistent play many find hard to replicate.
Port have dominated in games and survived some games on their way to building an impressive 6 win 2 loss and 1 draw season so far. They come into Saturday afternoons match on a five game win streak knocking off the Northern Blues (round 4), Casey (round 5), Essendon (round 6), Coburg (round 7) and Williamstown (round 8). Port will again be calling on the red hot goal kicking machine Dean Galea while making sure Dannny Hughes, Tom Langford and Toby Pinwill all get a chance to stretch the play and keep the men from North Ballarat busy.
North Ballarat travels to North Port Oval following their round 9 bye week which came as a welcome relief following a poor run of form which has seen the Roosters win twice out of 8 rounds this season. This weekend’s match presents an opportunity for North Ballarat to get a notable scalp and stop the bleeding which has seen the Roosters on a three match losing streak.
Patrick Nicholls, Myles Sewell, Taylor Garner and Bradley McKenzie will all need to be at their best to help support the rest of the Roosters team. They face a tough contest on Saturday as Port are on a hot streak of five wins and look hard to beat. The Roosters chances of making the top eight are slipping, and they will need to grab a few victories quickly over the next month.
Venue
North Port Oval
First Bounce
2:00pm
Conditions
The weather across Melbourne this week has been wet, cold and blustery with the weekend showing much the same. Supporters are advised to wrap-up warm for this weekend’s game or be quick to grab a spot in the stand at North Port Oval.
Prediction
Port Melbourne by 55 points.
Last Modified on 15/06/2013 19:21