Table toppers Casey Scorpions travel to North Port Oval on Saturday to take on a strong performing Port Melbourne side who sit just three places behind them on the ladder. Alexander McLeman previews this weekend’s match-up.
Casey are unbeaten this year following wins against Essendon, North Ballarat, Frankston and a 23-point win against Williamstown last weekend. The Scorpions are vying to take control of the ladder and stretch their lead over the chasing pack with a win this weekend.
Port Melbourne equally enter into this weekend’s match looking to consolidate their top four spot after last round defeating the Northern Blues by 16 points. Port sit just six points behind leaders Casey and Geelong and are very much in the mix this year from the look of their previous four games.
Both teams had a promising 2012 finishing first and second respectively but were left empty-handed as Geelong went on to claim the flag. This year is shaping up to be another similar campaign as both teams are beginning to show their class over the past four matches. This weekend’s match-up will go a long way in determining how each team will fare as flag challengers this season.
Port Melbourne, returning home for the first time this season, will be hoping to keep their home ground undefeated advantage intact, which dates back to the 2010 season. They will however need to restructure their forward line this week with the loss of leading goal kicker Dean Galea after a shoulder dislocation. The forward joins a growing list of key players on the sidelines, with Shane Valenti and Toby Pinwill yet to take to the field in 2013.
Casey this week see a number of players depart for AFL duties with Melbourne such as Dean Kent, Jake Spencer and Lynden Dunn after good VFL form. Casey has once again looked towards Gippsland Power for their 23rd player, with their captain Josh Cashman joining the Scorpions this week. In a game that will be missing key forwards, Jesse Hogan will be on the sidelines after suffering a corky in last week’s game versus Williamstown.
This year’s Peter Jackson VFL competition is only four games old and it is anyone’s guess who will finish in the top eight. The match at North Port Oval will pit two outstanding teams against one another in what will be an excellent display of footy.
Venue: North Port Oval.
First Bounce: 2:00pm
Conditions: Weather report indicates that this weekend should offer perfect conditions for footy. Blue sky, cold and dry, providing the ideal platform for these two top quality to battle it out.
Key Players:
Christopher Cain: 5 Games 11 Goals (Port Melbourne)
Jack Fitzpatrick: 2 Games 7 Goals (Casey Scorpions)
Prediction: Casey Scorpions by 22 points.
Last Modified on 03/05/2013 12:02