Each week we take a brief look at all of the weekend's games coming up in the Peter Jackson VFL.
COLLINGWOOD VS BOX HILL HAWKS
Leading into this game there was not much hype about the match between eleventh and sixth on the ladder – that was until Thursday night selections broadcast the likes of Alan Didak, Marty Clarke, Luke Hodge, Max Bailey and Chance Bateman taking part in the game. It will be an early rise for all players, playing at 10:30am – a time more familiar with the Development League rather than senior VFL football. The Hawks will field one of their strongest line ups for the season, with Danny Hughes returning last week, and this week sees the return of David Mirra and Luke Andrews from injury. Box Hill Hawks are amongst a group of four clubs separated by just two points between sixth and ninth on the ladder, so they are aware that their finals position is not yet secured, and they must defeat the teams outside of the top eight. The Magpies challenged Geelong for a half last week, and have been able to match it with the top teams, and would like nothing better than to derail teams finals hopes as the season heads toward the pointy end. The battle of the big men will be a key to this game, with Luke Lowden, Broc McCauley and Max Bailey set to take on Cameron Wood, John Ceglar and Jarrod Witts.
NORTHERN BLUES VS PORT MELBOURNE
While North Port Oval has been Port Melbourne’s fortress, having not lost a home game in nearly two years, Port’s recent away form has seen it suffer its only three defeats this season. Round four was the last time Port Melbourne enjoyed wearing the away shorts, so they will be looking forward to trying to change that this weekend. With the Foxtel Cup now behind them, Port Melbourne will be fully focused on defending their 2011 premiership, with players able to enjoy a weekend off for their final bye of the season on the first weekend of August. The Northern Blues this weekend will again be suffering from injuries and suspensions to the AFL affiliate Carlton. Ruckman Nick Meese has had various players lend support throughout the year, but again this weekend he will be left to shoulder the work in the middle with Carlton’s depth of talls all sitting on the sidelines. One handy addition to the Blues lineup will be Jarrad Waite returning from injury. 2011 Morrish Medalist Alex Benbow will again be the 23rd player for the Blues. Amazingly round 4 last year these two teams played off for top spot on the ladder – Port won the contest and have sat in top spot for all but four weeks since. In this encounter Port Melbourne again have an opportunity to claim top spot on the Bailey Ladders VFL ladder, but this year the Northern Blues will not be challenging for top spot, they will be trying to stay off the bottom of the ladder, currently sitting in second last spot.
BENDIGO VS SANDRINGHAM
Both of these teams are coming off losses from round 16, and will be keen to return to the winners list. Bendigo had their 6 game winning streak ended by ladder leaders Casey, whilst Sandringham slumped to their fourth defeat in a row, against top eight teams. This weekend’s clash will complete a tough month for the Zebras, and they will be desperate to earn one victory over a top eight team during this period, otherwise they face the prospect of tumbling out of the eight at the end of this round. Sandringham are currently locked on 28 points with Box Hill and North Ballarat, with Williamstown just 2 points outside of the eight, so a win before the bye next round is crucial for the Zebras. Bendigo are four points ahead of the Zebras, so a victory this weekend would see them go two games clear of their opponent this weekend, going a step closer to cementing a finals berth and keeping them in the running for a top four spot, as they trail Werribee and Geelong but just four points. Brent Prismall joins the Gold lineup this week after a long layoff with injury, and they will be hoping co-captain Ben Duscher is available after a number of weeks on the sidelines. Sandringham changed things around last weekend with captain Beau Dowler going forward, and it will be interesting to see whether coach Simon McPhee tries something similar this week to try and shake his side out of their losing streak.
COBURG TIGERS VS NORTH BALLARAT
With six rounds left in the Peter Jackson VFL season, finals football is still on the minds of at least 10 clubs. But as each of these clubs knows, the more defeats one suffers in the final rounds of the season, the harder it becomes to reach one of the prized eight spots. North Ballarat has been yo-yoing in and out of the eight in recent weeks, and if the Roosters can take the points this weekend they will for the first time this season hold their spot in the eight for consecutive weeks. Their hosts on Saturday in the Tigers need the record a win to keep their finals hopes alive. They current sit three games behind North Ballarat, and with a poor percentage will need to be a game ahead of those that they are battling for a spot in the eight against. Defeating the Roosters would go a long way to helping keep their finals hopes alive. The Tigers showed that they can match it with the top sides, challenging Werribee last weekend for three quarters, but they were unable to convert a two point three quarter time lead into a victory.
WILLIAMSTOWN VS WERRIBEE TIGERS
The Seagulls finally will see the return of two recognised ruckmen this weekend, with the Tom’s returning – Hill and Campbell. One player that will be relieved to see their return is James Wall, who despite being amongst the best recently for Williamstown in the ruck, will be looking forward to a break from the centre bounce duties. With Werribee’s Majak Daw in good form, it is perfecting timing for the Seagulls to add to their talls department. The test for Williamstown will be to contain the fire power of the Tigers, who have arguably one of the best forward structures in the competition with the likes of Ben McKinley, Ben Warren, Nathan Ablett, Cam Pedersen and co named up forward this weekend. The Seagulls gave up a seven goal to one first term last time these sides met in round six, but were able to claw their way back after a poor first term to claim the win by seven points. Warren kicked six that day for Werribee, and Tom Hill four goals for Williamstown, but the Seagulls will need to find fire power up forward like that again, as since that match only 23rd player Anthony Anastasio has kicked more than four goals for the Seagulls up forward, with 5 on debut in round 9.
Please note the 23rd Players for this weekend:
Bendigo Gold – Ben Archard (Bendigo Pioneers, Jumper No. 15)
Box Hill Hawks – Jake Summers (Eastern Ranges, Jumper No. 78)
Coburg Tigers – Adam Saad (Calder Cannons, Jumper No. 6)
North Ballarat Roosters – Jake Lloyd (North Ballarat Rebels, Jumper, No. 3)
Northern Blues – Alex Benbow
Port Melbourne – James Bruest
Sandringham Zebras – Jack Williams
Werribee Tigers – Lachlan Fairley
Williamstown – Jack Charleston
Last Modified on 20/07/2012 12:39