ROUND 3 PREVIEW
By Chris Weaver
Saturday, 25 April
Box Hill Hawks (1-0) v Coburg Tigers (2-0)
Last Time: Round 13, 2008 at Box Hill - Coburg 18.14 (122) def Box Hill 9.16 (70)
Box Hill City Oval, 2.00 pm (3WBC, 94.1 FM)
While Essendon and Collingwood have created a celebrated ANZAC Day rivalry in the AFL, Box Hill and Coburg have thoroughly marked this day as their own in recent seasons in the VFL.
Despite much speculation, Ben Cousins will not be playing for Coburg this weekend.
This could be a blessing in disguise for the Tigers, who are already welcoming back Trent Cotchin and Andrew Raines from injury.
Coburg have played a handsome, high scoring brand of footy during the season's first fortnight and will look to Jay Schulz to continue his return to form - the full-forward booted seven goals against Geelong last week.
Box Hill still appears to be undermanned in the ruck, and will be tested by a Coburg side that could include three ruckmen - Troy Simmonds, Tyrone Vickery and Andrew Browne.
Cameron Pedersen's five goals against the Bullants proved though that the Hawks have plenty of marking power up forward. With four players capable of stepping into the key forward posts, they remain a threat for a big score.
Tip: Coburg by 22 points
Northern Bullants (1-1) v Port Melbourne (2-0)
Last Time: Round 20, 2008 at Port Melbourne - Port Melbourne 20.15 (135) def Northern Bullants 14.10 (94)
NAB Oval, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
The Borough won without playing pretty footy last week, and could be better for the run after they coasted through the second half the week before.
Port Melbourne will be boosted by the return of Adrian Deluca, and boast possibly the strongest goal-to-goal line in the league.
This will be a tough test for a Bullants side that is still finding its feet.
Strong through the middle, they will benefit from the inclusion of tall runners such as Mitch Robinson, Jordan Bannister and Brad Fisher, who will test both the marking strength and endurance of Borough's numerous utilities.
For the home side, much depends on the apparent strength of Carlton's up-and-comers. Yet with the 12/10 rule in place, this could be a game where too much is expected of too few by the Bullants.
Tip: Port Melbourne by 14 points
Sunday, 26 April
Williamstown (1-0) v Werribee Tigers (1-0)
Last Time: Round 20, 2008 at Williamstown - Werribee 14.14 (98) def Williamstown 12.15 (87)
Burbank Oval, 1.10 pm (ABC TV)
These two sides both got off to encouraging starts last weekend, and both found unheralded avenues to goal.
Keen observers will remember that during his last spell at Werribee, Marty Pask was used mainly as a back-pocket or third marking defender.
Returning to the VFL last week, Pask kicked six goals to gazump the otherwise respectable tally of Nathan Thompson (four goals).
Williamstown meanwhile benefitted from half-forward Guy O'Keefe's five goal, 30 disposal display, and the endeavour of Jarrad Grant and Matthew Little.
Although both O'Keefe and Grant are expected to debut for the Western Bulldogs, the return of Scott Welsh from injury illustrates the side's amazing depth - no place has been found for Dean Galea, who booted seven goals for the twos at Coburg.
The wildcard could be the conditions, as expected wintry weather is always compounded by Burbank Oval's position on Point Gellibrand, meaning that this may be a day when resilience wins out over skill.
Tip: Williamstown by 23 points
Frankston (0-2) v Casey Scorpions (0-2)
Last Time: Round 18, 2008 at Frankston - Casey Scorpions 16.10 (106) def Frankston 10.10 (70)
Frankston Park, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
Frankston were beaten and bullied by Sandringham last week, a 30 point loss compounded by the hospitalisation of three players with concussion.
That bruising encounter means that Clinton Proctor misses out this week, as a side with already limited depth is stretched.
Brave as the Scorpions were last week, they lacked the class to defeat Port Melbourne.
Casey will benefit from the mooted return of several Melbourne listed players from injury, notably lively forward Austin Wonaeamirri.
Should Wonaeamirri line up for the Scorpions, then neutral observers will be privileged to see two dashing small forwards on display, as Justin Berry looks to get back to form for the Dolphins.
Tip: Frankston by 9 points
Bendigo Bombers (0-2) v Collingwood (1-1)
Last Time: Round 15, 2008 at Visy Park - Collingwood 20.16 (136) def Bendigo 6.10 (46)
QE Oval, 2.00 pm
After a brave performance in Round 1, Bendigo were never in the hunt last week against Werribee.
Collingwood held a 27 point break over Williamstown early in the second quarter, but it turned ugly soon after - the Seagulls using their skill and speed to run out the game 62 point victors.
With strong bodies on-ball, Bendigo could be helped by the conditions at home - forecast wet weather combined with heavy traffic on the QE Oval in recent weeks could ensure sticky conditions.
The Magpies struggled to run out last week's game, and will need their fringe players such as Brett Mahoney and Luke Rounds to lift if they are to run out winners.
Tip: Bendigo by 29 points
Sandringham (2-0) v North Ballarat (0-1)
Last Time: Round 20, 2008 at Sandringham - North Ballarat 8.17 (65) def Sandringham 7.13 (55)
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 2.00 pm (livevfl.com.au)
Sandringham spearhead Nick Sautner's Indian summer continued last week with six goals against Frankston, however he has only a patchy record against North Ballarat's Shaune Moloney.
The Zebras' alignment with St Kilda has bolstered a side that had a shocking dip in form last season after the announcement mid-year of the split with Melbourne.
It's doubtful whether the week off would have helped North Ballarat, who looked sluggish against Port Melbourne in Round 1. Some players look short on match fitness, and a trip to a side playing its best footy in three years will be a stern test.
If the Zebras currently have a weak spot, it is their lack of height in defence. Both Josh Smith and Michael Wundke should appear for the Roosters, and will have a useful height advantage over Andy Biddlecombe and Matt Maguire.
Tip: Sandringham by 27 points
Bye - Geelong
Chris Weaver calls the Match of the Day on Sunday between Casey and Frankston live on Caseu 3SER 97.7FM from Frankston Park. Tune-in via www.3ser.org.au
Last Modified on 29/04/2009 10:58