In At A Glance, we look at all of this weekend’s round 21 games in the Peter Jackson VFL.
PORT MELBOURNE VS BENDIGO
Back in round 3 was the last time these two teams met, and 28 points separated them. Though early in the final term it was the Gold that were in front, and it looked like the Port Melbourne winning streak would end. But like many times before the Borough dug deep and found that little bit extra to win. That story sounds similar to how Port won last weekend at home, keeping their undefeated run on their home track this year intact. After a few weeks with key personnel out of their team, Port are slowly seeing the return of the likes of Adrian Bonaddio, Ryan Gale and Adam Bentick to strengthen their run at the finals. Similarly with Bendigo, who over the last month had again been hampered by injuries to AFL aligned Essendon, the Gold will this weekend see the return of the likes of David Hille, Kyle Reimers and Elliott Kavanagh, as well as Wayne Schultz who has returned from injury. Bendigo are one win away from locking in their finals position, and Port will not want to give it to them too easily. The game will be live from 1pm Saturday on ABC TV.
GEELONG VS COBURG TIGERS
The Cats run to the finals continues, with Geelong now taking the mantle of the longest winning streak of the season with 8 games in a row – the longest in the Cats VFL history as well. While players continue to drift between the Geelong AFL and VFL sides, the core group of VFL Cats has seen the side build momentum at the right end of the season. After defeating ladder leaders Casey last weekend, they welcome back into a winning side Dawson Simpson and Nathan Vardy. For their opponents Coburg, the end of the season will come at the final siren, which will see them finish in the bottom four. Last week they suffered their fifth defeat from their last six encounters against Frankston, which was in contrast to their fighting performance against Box Hill the previous week. The Tigers lost to Geelong in round 14 by 46, but the final result does not give a clear picture of the contest. Coburg trailed by one point at three quarter time, but failed to score in the final term as the Cats piled on 6.9.
WILLIAMSTOWN VS SANDRINGHAM
The battle for fifth spot will take place this weekend between the Seagulls and the Zebras. Currently only 2 points separate them on the ladder, with the winner of this clash at the end of the round to be sitting in fifth spot. Williamstown are on a roll, having won their last four in a row, and Sandringham are not far behind, having won their last three. These winning streaks have helped both sides lock in their 2012 finals positions. Both teams showed their ability to find multiple options to goals. Sandringham’s leading goal kicker for the year Daniel Archer only kicked one of his sides 24 goals, as they record 14 separate goal kickers for the afternoon. The versatility of the line up was also shown last weekend, with captain Beau Dowler moving forward, and Arryn Siposs and Brett Peake moving between the forward line and defence. Williamstown have not been kicking big scores, but they have restricted their opponents to under 13 goals each week, with the last two games seeing their opposition kick no more than six goals. Hamish Shepheard being on the sidelines might mean Beau Dowler needs to return to defence this weekend, with the likes of Panos and Jones possibly lining up forward for the Seagulls. Jamie McNamara returns for Williamstown to strengthen their midfield, and this will be one of the telling factors this weekend, with Cook, Cockie and Marigliani going up against Jolley, Goodes and Carr.
COLLINGWOOD VS CASEY SCORPIONS
Unusual position for Casey to be in this weekend – having lost two in a row for the first time this season. They are also out of the top two for the first time since round 9, but only by percentage. The side has some big inclusions this weekend, with co captain Kyle Matthews returning to the side after spending recent weeks returning from injury in the development league, and Michael Risely returns from overseas. Both will be handy additions to a side looking at returning to the winners list, and trying to jump back into the top two. They face a Collingwood side that is known for causing upsets this season, and have some fairly handy AFL listed players once again in the VFL this weekend. While Dane Swan never received a call up for VFL duties this week, Brent Macaffer, Andrew Krakouer and Ben Johnson will continue their returns from injury this weekend. Johnson was a key player for them in the first half last week, and will need to be watched in the middle, especially with the Collingwood rucks dominating last weekend. Jack Fitzpatrick showed why he is the Scorpions leading goal kicker with five goals last week, and spent more time up forward last week with Luke Hill in the ruck. Casey have added inspiration this weekend with coach Brett Lovett bringing up game 150 as a coach in the VFL.
NORTHERN BLUES VS WERRIBEE TIGERS
Sunday will see the Blues and Tigers battle it out in the VFL live video streaming game. Werribee are still in the mix for a top two spot, but will need to win their last two matches to be in a good position. Whilst Werribee won by 82 points last weekend, it could have been a bigger margin with the 82 point win over North Ballarat hampered by the Tigers inaccuracy – 13 goals from 37 scoring shots. Ben McKinley was the leader when it came to inaccuracy, kicking 2.7 for the afternoon. Please for coach Scott West would have been have much of the football his forward saw of the ball, and certainly Matthew Watson in his return to the VFL will be tested in defence for the Northern Blues this weekend with Paul Bower and Andre Gianfagna to take on McKinley, Ben Warren and Robbie Castello. The battle between Nick Meese – coming off 71 hit outs last round – and Majak Daw will go a long way to helping decide this clash.
Please note the 23rd Players for this week:
Bendigo Gold - Jordan Williams* (Eastern Ranges, Jumper No. 15)
Casey Scorpions – Jack Viney* (Jumper No. 79)
Coburg Tigers – Darcy Bailey (Calder Cannons, Jumper No. 6)
Northern Blues – Sean Bolger (Northern Knights, Jumper No. 47)
Port Melbourne – Chris Prowse (Oakleigh Chargers, Jumper No. 27)
Sandringham – Ned Fallon
Werribee Tigers – Willis Flanders (#43)
Williamstown – Shaun Wyatt
*Potential Father/Son prospect
VFL BAILEY LADDERS LADDER POSSIBILITIES:
With two rounds remaining in the season, each week we will look at the ladder possibilities. In brackets is the highest or lowest ladder position each team could face this weekend.
Port Melbourne (1-3): Port Melbourne will remain on top of the VFL Bailey Ladders ladder at the end of the round if they defeat Bendigo. If Port is defeated, they could drop to third if Geelong and Casey both record wins.
Run home: Bendigo (H), Northern Blues (A)
Geelong (1-4): The Cats moved to second spot last weekend. If Geelong defeat Coburg this weekend, and Port are defeated, they could move into top spot on the ladder. The Cats could also drop to fourth spot if they suffer a defeat, and each of their feollow top four teams (Port Melbourne, Casey Scorpions and Werribee Tigers) record wins.
Run home: Coburg Tigers (H), Williamstown (H)
Casey Scorpions (1-4): A defeat to Geelong has seen Casey drop back to the pack in the top four. If Casey defeats Collingwood, they will remain in the top three, rising as high as first if Port and Geelong are defeated, or will return to the top two if either of those sides suffer a loss. If the Magpies upset the Scorpions, and Werribee defeat the Northern Blues, Casey will drop to fourth.
Run home: Collingwood (A), Sandringham (H)
Werribee Tigers (2-4): Werribee will be relying on the results to teams above them to find out where they finish this year. Firstly the Tigers need one more win to cement their top four spot. Then they will rely on results above them to see whether they can sneak into the top two. Defeats for Casey and Geelong this weekend would see them move to second on percentage.
Run home: Northern Blues (A), Collingwood (A)
Sandringham (5-6): Sandringham are back in the finals for the first time since 2007. They are still in the mix for a top four spot, but at very long odds with them needing to win their last two games, and have either Werribee or Casey lose their last two matches to sneak into the four.
Run home: Williamstown (A), Casey (A)
Williamstown (5-6): After sitting outside of the top eight at the end of round 17, the Seagulls are now guaranteed a finals berth having won four in a row. Williamstown are the only other side in contention for a top spot spot, but like Sandringham, it will be a long shot with them having to win their final two games, and have Werribee lose two and Sandringham one game on the run home.
Run home: Sandringham (H), Geelong (A)
Box Hill Hawks (7): Box Hill Hawks are locked in for their fourth finals series in a row, despite suffering a defeat last weekend against Port Melbourne. The Hawks will not move on the ladder this weekend, but could rise as high as fifth, or drop to eighth in the last round depending on results in the last two rounds.
Run home: Bye, Bendigo (A)
Bendigo (8): A win this weekend should see the Gold lock in their finals position for 2012. A defeat to Port Melbourne would see them need record the same result as North Ballarat in the final round to secure eighth spot.
Run home: Port Melbourne (A), Box Hill Hawks (H)
North Ballarat (9): North Ballarat will be sweating on the Port Melbourne vs Bendigo result this weekend. If Bendigo wins, the Roosters finals hopes are all but over needing to make up four points and 12%+ in the final round. If Port Melbourne wins, North Ballarat will then need to defeat Port in the final round, and hope Bendigo are defeated by the Box Hill Hawks to snare their seventh successive finals berth.
Run home: Bye, Port Melbourne (H)
Keep up to date all weekend with VFL scores via:
Progressive score: Click HERE for quarter by quarter updates
Twitter: Follow @VFLnews for play by play scores from various games across the weekend
Facebook: Like /VFLfooty for the final scores each Saturday and Sunday night
Last Modified on 17/08/2012 14:39