ROUND 16 of the Peter Jackson VFL is now finally completed, after starting way back in March this year with the Werribee versus Port Melbourne clash.
The Bailey Ladders VFL ladder now gives all clubs a proper indication of what is needed to make finals or to grab a second chance with three rounds left to complete.
The battle for eighth spot took a further twist this weekend, with Essendon jumping into the eight, as the Blues and Roosters did not grab golden opportunities to be sitting in the eight at the end of the round.
With Geelong and Williamstown winning today, they will now meet next week as the top two teams.
Let's have a look at the Sunday games in the Peter Jackson VFL:
Daylight between first and second
GEELONG has gone three games clear on top of the ladder, locking in a top two spot with a 66-point demolition of Casey Scorpions. In the much anticipated top of the ladder clash, the Cats proved they are a step above the rest of the competition, dominating the match after quarter time. Geelong now has now claimed the scalps of all top eight sides, overturning early season defeats to Collingwood and Casey in the last month.
The game did not disappoint in the first term, as neither side were able to get a distinct advantage as it went goal for goal. It was however the final time the contest would be close, as Geelong kept Casey goalless in the second term, whilst slotting through six of their own to take a commanding 35-point lead into the long break. Shane Kersten was the difference in the second term, making the most of his opportunities given to him by the midfield to snare three second term goals, and four to half time.
It was more of the same after half time, as Paul Chapman played his part in the first two goals of the term, firstly kicking one on the run to the cheers of the crowd in his return game, then providing Kersten with his fifth as the Cats were out to a 47-point lead. Casey got the margin back to 29 points after Jake Best kicked the Scorpions first successive goals of the game, but it would be the closest they got, as Geelong kicked six of the last seven goals to run out 11-goal winners
The pairing of Kersten (5 goals) and Josh Walker (2) up forward again proved decisive, and they they were among the best with Jordan Murdoch (16 disposals), Jesse Stringer (18 and 14 tackles) and Jed Bews in defence. Paul Chapman and Allen Christensen both got through unscathed with 17 and 16 disposals respectively.
Jesse Hogan and Best kicked two each for Casey, with Dan Nicholson (29 disposals), James Magner (25) and Sam Blease (22) were their best.
Blues out of eight, Dolphins still a chance
FRANKSTON kept their slim finals hopes alive, while knocking the Northern Blues out of the eight with a spirited 13-point win. Their 51-point three quarter time lead was enough of a buffer to hold off the fast finishing Blues, who piled on eight goals to two in the final term, but it was all too late.
Five goals from Dolphins’ forward Sam Lloyd spearheaded the Dolphins last ditch chance to remain in the finals mix, as the stingy Frankston defence held the Blues forward line to just five goals up till three quarter time. The Blues kicked only one goal in each of the first and third quarters, while Frankston played the consistant football that has too often been lacking this season for the Dolphins, adding four, six and four goals to set up their win.
Despite a last quarter lapse, Frankston remains just a game behind three teams that are queued up for eighth spot in Essendon, Northern Blues and North Ballarat, but the are also 20 plus percentage points behind those sides.
Shane Hockey (35 disposals) was the standout for the Dolphins in the middle, with Scott Simpson (three goals), Leigh Kitchin and Chris Irving (3) their best.
Tom Wilson, Kane Lambert (29 disposals) and Robbie Warnock were named the best for Northern Blues, with Wilson, Dyland Buckley, Tom Temay, Nick Graham and Lambert all kicking two.
Seagulls soar to second
WILLIAMSTOWN jumped to second spot on the ladder with a convincing six goal to one final term to run out 35-point winners over Collingwood at Victoria Park. Inaccuracy plagued the visitors throughout the afternoon, with the Seagulls having double the amount of scoring shots (29-14), but only managing four more goals than the Magpies.
Collingwood started strongly with the first three goals of the game, with Tim Broomhead kicking his two goals in the first term, while the Seagulls struggle for forward options, especially with the early loss of Jake Stringer. Anthony Anastastio opened the visitors account late in the first term, and it was the start of a four goal unanswered run which saw Williamstown hold a 12-point lead at half time.
With Ben Jolley, Willie Wheeler and Ed Carr starting to influence the game, Williamstown jumped out to a 29-point lead midway through the third term, but Collingwood made sure it would be a contest in the final term, kicking the last four goals of the term to trail by just two points at the final change.
Williamstown put the game beyond doubt with the first six goals of the final term, with Pat Veszpremi kicking three of his game high four goals in the final quarter.
Joining Veszpremi on the Williamstown goal kicking list were Anastasio with three, and Fletcher Roberts with two. Cam Wood had a strong day in the ruck against his old side to be among the best, along with Jolley, Wheeler, Carr, Mark Austin and Veszpremi.
For Collingwood Jackson Paine kicked three, with two each from Broomhead and Matt Boland. Best for Collingwood were Alan Didak (26 disposals), Tim Allan, Tim Broomehad (26), Jackson Heagney Steart & Ben Richmond in defence, and Jackson Ramsay.
Coburg to have say in finalists
A SIX goal to three final term has seen Coburg deal North Ballarat’s chances of sitting in the top eight at the end of the round a blow, recording a 16-point win at Mantello Holden Oval. Neither team was able to kick clear all game, and a three goal lead early in the final term was not enough of a buffer for the Roosters to hold off a fast finishing Coburg.
Less than two goals separated the sides at each change, but it was Coburg’s tall forwards that proved the difference in the contest.
Liam McBean (6 goals) and Aaron Edwards (3) provided the home side with the goal kicking prowess they needed, combining for half of Coburg’s goals.
Robin Nahas continued his strong VFL form with 29 disposals, and was again in the best with Sam Lonegan, Ozgur Uysal and Tom Derrickx.
Myles Sewell (34 disposals), Stephen Clifton (27), and captain Michael Searl (14 and three goals) were the best for the Roosters in their defeat which saw them drop to tenth on the VFL ladder.
- Click HERE to view the best and goals for Round 16
- Click HERE to view the completed Round 16 ladder
- Click HERE to view the upcoming Round 17 matches
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 05/08/2013 08:29