By Chris Weaver
ROUND 6 PREVIEW
Saturday, 16 May
Geelong (1-3) v North Ballarat (3-1)
Last Time: Round 15, 2008 at Skilled Stadium â North Ballarat 29.10 (184) def Geelong 7.10 (52)
Skilled Stadium, 10.40 am (AFL Curtain Raiser)
It was a wonderful return for Geelongâs James Podsiadly against his old club Werribee last week, booting six goals and setting up several others. He will need to be at his best this week against the Roosters, as the ever reliable Shaune Moloney will look to beat him in the aerial contests.
North Ballarat is a side starting to hit its stride, tough wins against Sandringham and Collingwood followed by last weekâs barnstorming display against the Bendigo Bombers.
The visitors have the pace to match the spring-heeled Geelong on-ballers, and in Orren Stephenson possess a strong, physical ruckman who is not afraid of upsetting Catsâ behemoth Trent West.
Last yearâs shellacking came at a time when the VFL Cats were severely hampered by injuries, giving a false impression of the gap between the sides. This time the margin will be smaller, but it is unlikely to be in Geelongâs favour.
Tip: North Ballarat by 21 points
Port Melbourne (3-1) v Frankston (0-5)
Last Time: Round 15, 2008 at Frankston Park â Frankston 13.14 (92) def Port Melbourne 9.12 (66)
TEAC Oval, 1.10 pm (ABC TV)
Where to for Frankston?
The Dolphins were valiant last Sunday at home against Williamstown in a fast, skilful game that was only won by the visitors in the final few minutes.
Frankston coach Shannon Grant switched around his midfield setup after quarter-time, with Marcus Marigliani, James Magner and Paul Kennedy leading the charge from the centre as the home side piled on ten second quarter goals.
Sadly for the boys from Kars Street, they could not control the tempo of the game enough to stop the Seagulls from scoring freely at the other end â Willy still managed five goals during the second stanza, and could rely on their superb fitness to run the game out.
Port Melbourne return from the bye refreshed and will look to stretch a not overly tall Frankston line-up â the Borough selecting both Deluca brothers, Adrian Bonaddio and Dylan McLaren.
The battle of these VFL standalone clubs usually goes the way of the home side, and it appears that recent history will continue here.
Tip: Port Melbourne by 32 points
Coburg Tigers (2-2) v Collingwood (3-2)
Last Time: Round 6, 2008 at ABD Group Stadium â Coburg Tigers 17.19 (121) def Collingwood 10.8 (68)
ABD Group Stadium, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
Another week witnessed another impressive and attacking display from the Collingwood VFL side as the easily accounted for the Box Hill Hawks.
The Magpies look settled in their key positions at this level, Chris Dawes and Chris Bryan straightening up a side that is far more direct and convincing in its transitional play this year.
Much will depend on the AFL sideâs growing injury concerns, as by Saturday afternoon we may see a raft of names omitted in deference to the Piesâ AFL ambitions.
Coburg will welcome back skipper Nick Carnell, who was suspended for the clubâs fiery meeting with the Casey Scorpions in Round 4. The Tigers were fined $800 for their part in the brawl that flared at three-quarter time in that match, but were unable to finish off as strongly as they fought during that incident.
Frustratingly for Jade Rawlingsâ side, they lose Trent Cotchin and Andrew Raines for this game â two players whose precise kicking skills could have hurt the Magpies when rebounding from defence.
Ever so slightly the more settled side this week, it would appear that Coburg has the edge.
Tip: Coburg Tigers by 8 points
Bendigo Bombers (0-4) v Williamstown (4-0)
Last Time: Round 18, 2008 at Burbank Oval â Williamstown 23.27 (165) def Bendigo Bombers 1.4 (10)
Queen Elizabeth Oval, 2.00 pm
Williamstown were sloppy for much of last weekâs game, relying on too few in their victory over Frankston.
Again they face a winless side, this time one against whom they have a fearsome recent record.
Settled and able to control the tempo of the game, the Seagulls should have too much class and experience for Bendigo. This is the sort of fixture where the talents of Brett Johnson and David Stretton should win out, their balance and accurate passing setting up the in-form forward pairing of Patrick Rose and Matthew Little.
Yet the Bendigo Bombers possess a talented âspineâ this week, headed by Scott Lucas for the second week in a row and the raw yet tough Michael Hurley at full-back.
Indeed the Bombers have a distinct height advantage in defence, which should also allow more versatility in their key position match-ups than was available last time these sides met. Skipper James Flaherty is in good form, while James Bristow provides some much needed defensive solidity.
Tip: Williamstown by 38 points
Sunday, 17 May
Casey Scorpions (2-2) v Box Hill Hawks (2-2)
Last Time: Round 16, 2008 at Box Hill City Oval â Box Hill Hawks 14.10 (94) def Casey Scorpions 8.13 (61)
Casey Fields, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
Fresh from his Goal of the Week at Coburg a fortnight ago, Jack Watts is set to reappear for the Scorpions. The top pick in last yearâs National Draft continues to combine school and VFL footy, last week settling back into the Brighton Grammar first XVIII.
Casey caused an upset in that game, as their run and handball use cut apart a surprisingly static Coburg side. They will find that style difficult to replicate here, as Kyle Cheney, Addam Maric and Shane Valenti have all been selected for their AFL affiliate Melbourne.
Much like their opponents, the Box Hill Hawks have been cruelly stunted by injuries in recent weeks and enter this game with a very young forward line. Cameron Pedersen continues to impress, but he will need Luke Breust to continue to support him in attack.
The teams look evenly matched, but it may be that with Casey back on song they can snatch the points at home.
Tip: Casey Scorpions by 11 points
Werribee (2-2) v Sandringham (2-3)
Last Time: Round 12, 2008 at Chirnside Park â Werribee 13.15 (93) def Sandringham 13.9 (87)
Chirnside Park, 2.00 pm (livevfl.com.au)
Neither of these sides has exactly flattered recently and the gap between their best and worst performances is too great.
Sandringham finished Saturdayâs televised game against the Northern Bullants strongly, but the Zebras were also pedestrian for much of the game.
Nick Sautner remains in doubt with a groin injury, meaning that the Zebras will require a new avenue to goal. Usually capable of pushing deep up the ground, Rod Crowe may instead need to play closer to goal.
Werribee too have problems in attack, as Nathan Thompson will miss the next month of footy following surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat. His absence gives Tim Bongetti a chance to shine, the former Tasmania Devil looking to replicate some of his at times exciting 2008 form.
Sandringhamâs losses have all been against sides expected to go far this season. They need to prove their worth by beating a fellow contender away from home, and this looks the place to start.
Tip: Sandringham by 15 points
Bye â Northern Bullants
Chris Weaver calls the Match of the Day Sunday between Casey and Box Hill Hawks live on Casey 3SER 97.7FM from Casey Fields. Tune-in via www.3ser.org.au
Last Modified on 15/05/2009 09:13