By Ben Carbonaro
SANDRINGHAM (4-5)
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: The Zebras currently sit in ninth place and teetered between being just inside and outside the top eight. With Nick Sautner leading the goal kicking with 41 goals and the likes of defender David Gallagher, the Zebras could very well be a smoky for September.
WHAT’S GONE WRONG: After being the yard stick for a number of years and winning three premierships, the Zebras are now middle of the road. They missed the finals for the first time in many years last year. Despite fielding strong sides with a considerable amount of AFL experience each week, their form has been great some weeks and deplorable in others.
THE COACH: Andy Lovell has dealt with the change of alignment from Melbourne to St Kilda like a seasoned professional and this has resulted in a very well oiled unit taking to the field each week. The Zebras have had a strong core of VFL listed players for several years and Lovell has allowed each of them to flourish in combination with seasoned AFL types such as Matt Maguire.
SURPRISE: Simon Clarke making a comeback to the VFL after a year away from football that was spent travelling through Europe and in the process, a debilitating blood disease almost took his life. After previously playing for Geelong and Sunbury in the Ballarat Football League, the tall defender has relished the opportunity to play top level football again at Sandy.
DISAPPOINTMENT: Just the inconsistency displayed by the Zebras that has seen them slip from sixth to ninth and now every game is important for them. Important because their chances of making the finals hinders on whether or not they can climb back into the eight in coming weeks.
THE DRAW: The round 15 clash against Williamstown, round 19 against Port Melbourne and round 20 against North Ballarat are all critical games for the Zebras. If they lose any of these games by large margins, playing finals football is out of the question, so every game from now on is important.
PREDICTED FINISH: 7-10.
WERRIBEE TIGERS (3-6)
WHAT'S GONE RIGHT: The performance of first year players Steve Kennedy and Will Martinello has been pleasing, as has the consistent ball winning qualities displayed by forward turned midfielder Michael Barlow.
WHAT'S GONE WRONG: Prior to last Saturday’s win over Collingwood, the Tigers had lost five straight games and it couldn’t have got any worse with questions raised whether or not they would play finals football this year. Each of the losses has been plagued by poor starts and skill errors that were appeared to be erased against Collingwood.
THE COACH: Simon Atkins has not many any excuses this year, being upfront and honest when his charges were not performing to his expectations. His willingness to give opportunities to first and second-year players was evident in the Collingwood game where seven first or second-year players took to the field, including last year’s reserves best and fairest in Joel Magnabosco.
SURPRISE: At just 19 years of age and straight out of last year’s Tac Cup premiership winning Murray Bushrangers side, Will Martinello has been a revelation as a small forward for the Tigers. He has played every game in the seniors and been named in the best players five times, including a three goal performance.
DISAPPOINTMENT: Losing glamour full forward James Podsiadly to Geelong has been costly and it was thought that the recruitment of Nathan Thompson would help to fill the void. Thompson has missed several matches owing to media commitments and heart surgery, meaning that much of the responsibility placed on Marty Pask who has struggled to be effective at times.
PREDICTION: 6-8.
GEELONG (3-6)
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: The recruitment of James Podsiadly from Werribee has helped to fill the void left by VFL great James Byrne. While the Cats have regularly had plenty of AFL talent in their forward line, having a player who can kick goals on a weekly basis and lead the team well has been a big plus for them.
WHAT’S GONE WRONG: As has been the case with a number of other teams namely their fellow stand-alone club in Collingwood, getting a good start has been an issue. In a number of games, the Cats have managed to kick anywhere from one to three goals but their opposition have outgunned them. They did hold on for their first win of the season in round five and this did prove that they can come back after being down during first halves.
THE COACH: Dale Amos was recruited from the Geelong Football League club South Barwon to several premierships. Whilst he has been unable to transfer this record into VFL ranks, he has impressed with his plan that focuses on playing long and direct football.
SURPRISE: New recruits Ben Johnson and Ben Raidme, who have been outstanding in the forward line and midfield respectively. Johnson booted eight goals against Sandringham in round eight seven and Raidme had a team high 35 disposals against the Werribee Tigers in round five.
DISAPPOINTMENT: A number of the players that were integral to both the Cats premiership success and subsequent Grand Final appearance are no longer at Skilled Stadium. This has meant that they are in a rebuilding phase of sorts, but with some promising players such as Johnson and Raidme the future will only get better.
THE DRAW: Of their remaining home games at Skilled Stadium, each of them look winnable on paper but a test may come against the Northern Bullants on Sunday. Traditionally, the Cats haven’t been as strong as they are at home but the round 13 clash against Bendigo looks like the only easy win.
PREDICTED FINISH: 9-10.
FRANKSTON (0-9)
WHAT'S GONE RIGHT: Winless to the half-way point, Frankston’s tough year has been highlighted by the unearthing of several gems including Mark Baguley and big Michael Westcott. They also welcomed back Michael Ablett.
WHAT'S GONE WRONG: The Dolphins were the VFL's most valiant team last year. Under the Grant regime, the effort has been there in most part but the conversion has faltered at critical times. This was highlighted agasint the likes of Sandy and North Ballarat, with the Dolphins in with a shot but ultimately succumbing.
THE COACH: Shannon Grant has had quite the learning curve since he took over the reins from Brett Lovett. Grant was reprimanded for lashing out at the umpires and his frustration boiled over at Box Hill. On a brighter note, he has overseen the development of several exciting young players.
SURPRISE: Mark Baguley has been a standout in the midfield. He has been named in the best on six oaccassions and will looked at by AFL recruiters.
DISAPPOINTMENT: The Dolphins almost caused the upset of the year in round five against then league-leader Williamstown. Trailing by 29 points at the first break, the Dolphins piled on 10 goals to move three points clear at the half. The teams were locked in an arm wrestle for the remainder of an epic clash, with Williamstown’s class just edging the plucky Dophins by a goal. A win agaiosnt the odds would have been just the tonic.
THE DRAW: A late rally could be on the cards with six of its last nine games at Frankston Park, starting with fellow struggler Bendigo at home. Other than upsets, Grant’s Dolphins could prosper at home against Collingwood (round 12) and Werribee (round 14).
PREDICTION: 12.
BENDIGO BOMBERS (0-9)
WHAT'S GONE RIGHT: In a season that has been full nothing but underachievement and disappointment, so far the performance of Bombers captain James Flaherty has been good. In trying times, the 22-year old defender has given his all even when his charges have become despondent due to weekly large margin losses.
WHAT'S GONE WRONG: In a continuation of an injury ravaged season last year, the Bombers have struggled to compete with all comers for a number of reasons. First of all, their list lacks serious depth and with many of the young Essendon talent playing in the AFL this has meant that many players representing Bendigo have been out of their depth.
THE COACH: Adrian Hickmott has dual role as a development coach and head coach at Bendigo and whilst the results have been disappointing he has remained up beat. For a club like Bendigo, having a negative attitude would not be great considering that Hickmott’s charges have yet to win a game.
SURPRISE: Paul Scanlon’s return to the VFL after a stint in country football after previously playing for the Northern Bullants. The 31 year-old has been in the best five times this season and his ball winning ability has been one of few positives for the Bombers.
DISAPPOINTMENT: The Bombers have continued to disappoint in all areas of their on field performance. It has become so bad that there have questions raised by both their AFL partner Essendon and the wider football community whether or not the club can survive. Also not being able to regularly play on the Queen Elizabeth Oval has hindered their performance, with their remaining home games shifted to Windy Hill.
THE DRAW: The Bombers have five more home games, with the toughest of these to be in round 19 against defending premiers North Ballarat. Their best chance at breaking their run of losses could be against another winless team in Frankston this weekend.
PREDICTION: 13.
Last Modified on 22/07/2009 12:43