The following are this weekend's game for round 4 of the Peter Jackson VFL
Geelong vs Frankston
Geelong and Frankston will be the first game to start round 4 of Peter Jackson VFL action. These two sides have had completely different starts to the season, with Geelong undefeated after two rounds, and Frankston still searching for that first win after three rounds. Cats captain Troy Selwood is in vintage form at the moment for the Cats, and is leading the young lineup by example. Geelong AFL listed players such as Jed Bews and George Horlin Smith have been in great form as well, and the Cats are getting first use of the ball through Andrew Banjanin. Frankston had their chances in the final term last weekend against Casey, but left their run too late. New recruits such as Dylan Van Unen, Leigh Kitchin and Kyle Martin are impressing for their new side, but Dolphins coach Simon Goosey has mentioned after their first three matches that his side needs to sustain their game plan for four quarters.
Northern Blues vs Collingwood
With their AFL alignments going head to head Friday night, the VFL sides will meet Saturday at the Northern Blues head home to Preston City Oval for the first time this year, hosting Collingwood VFL. The Blues will still be smarting from their final quarter fade out against Williamstown in round two, and are looking for their first win of the season. Collingwood showed some impressive signs against regular finalists North Ballarat last weekend, but they too went missing in the final term and that – and their wayward kicking for goals – will be two aspects they will have worked on during the week. New recruit Ricky Ferraro has led by example in the middle for the Magpies, and has been well fed by Cameron Wood in recent weeks. With Wood’s missing this weekend, Shae McNamara will have the task of taking on return Blues big man Robbie Warnock.
Box Hill Hawks vs Port Melbourne
Box Hill Hawks and Port Melbourne meet on Sunday, and it is rather fitting that Port captain John Baird brings up his 150th VFL match against his old side he played 29 games for in the early 2000’s. The Port juggernaut continues to roll on, now with 24 straight victories, and Box Hill will be trying to bring that run to an end, similar to how they brought their 20 year losing streak at Avalon Airport Oval last Saturday night. The Hawks are yet to reach full strength this year, and will be pleased with the progress of players such as Taylor Gilchrist and co captain Beau Muston returning in the Development League in recent weeks. The Hawks will try and exploit Port for height, with the likes of Adam Pattison, Sam Grimley and Luke Lowden all in the Hawks line up, but Port have shown in recent weeks that Wayde Skipper has plenty of support from the likes of Ryan Gale and Adrian Bonaddio.
Casey Scorpions vs Bendigo
Casey Scorpions have surprised many with their start to 2012, sitting undefeated after three rounds, and second on the ladder. They host Bendigo this week, after the Gold went close to bring the Port winning streak to an end, however suffered the same fate as 23 clubs before them. Jack Fitzpatrick has been a leading light for the Scorpions in the ruck and up forward, with Danny Nicholls and Wade Lees both benefitting from his work. Ben Duscher will be trying to quell the Casey dominance in the middle this weekend, with Gold’s Dean Putt taking over the ruck mantle with Tom Bellchambers recalled for AFL duties.
North Ballarat vs Williamstown
North Ballarat Roosters take on Williamstown in the ABC TV match of the round. The Roosters and Williamstown both found their feet in the final term last week with big final terms, but only the Roosters were able to come away with the points – their first of the 2012 season. The game promises to produce a close result with the two clubs developing a fierce rivalry over the past few years. In the 2010 & 2011 home and away seasons, North Ballarat ended as victors in every game, winning by an average of only 6 points. Williamstown however were able to turn the tables on the Roosters come finals time in 2011, denying them the chance for a fourth successive flag with a Qualifying Final win over the reigning 2010 premiers. Both teams currently sit at 1 win and 2 losses, having started the season slowly.
Please note the 23rd Players as denoted by the asterisk:
Box Hill Hawks – Corey Cassidy
Casey Scorpions – Sean Corrigan
Collingwood – Jack Hellier
Frankston – Corey Buchan
Geelong – Darcy Holden
North Ballarat – Callum Currie
Northern Blues – Alex Benbow
Port Melbourne – Mitch Wooffindin
Williamstown – Jordan Mead
Last Modified on 13/04/2012 16:00