FRANKSTON will be keen to make amends for a horror loss last weekend, while the Scorpions will be hoping to continue their winning start to the season when the teams meet at Casey Fields on Easter Sunday, as Samantha Landy reports.
The two sides couldn’t have had more different starts to 2012.
The Dolphins have continued off where they finished last season – at the bottom of the ladder.
After showing big signs of improvement against reigning premiers Port Melbourne in its Round 1 match, which it led by at half time, Frankston got trounced by 84 points by Bendigo the following round at its home ground, and in Luke Clark’s 50th game.
Khan Haretuku (who flew high for an impressive screamer) and Jake Greeley contributed three goals apiece, and six of the Dolphin’s seven goals between them. Robert Clements, Jarrod Irving and Kyle Martin were also some shining lights for their team.
Haretuku’s efforts were not missed by Frankston coach Simon Goosey, who commended him as an important part of the Dolphins side. Goosey also stressed that his team desperately needs to pull together four solid quarters to compete this season, after fading early against Bendigo and late against Port Melbourne.
Casey, on the other hand, held off a fast-finishing Coburg to win its Round 2 encounter by six points. After racing away to a 31-point lead at half time, the Scorpions were really challenged by the Tigers, who piled on nine goals to their opponent’s four in the second half to give the Casey contingent a mighty scare.
Melbourne-listed players Thomas McDonald and Lynden Dunn slotted three majors each, while Cale Morton, Tom Crouch, James Sellar and Jamie Bennell starred for the victors.
The win gave new Casey coach Brett Lovett a perfect start to the season, following the team’s miraculous two-point first round victory over flag favourites Williamstown.
The team sits in third place on the ladder.
The Scorpions well and truly had the wood over the Dolphins last season, winning their two encounters by 76 and 77 points.
It’s hard to see the Dolphins winning this one, with Casey enjoying home ground advantage and coming off two tight, morale-boosting wins.
The Scorpions will again enjoy the services of a number of AFL-listed players, Morton, McDonald, Matthew Bate, Sam Blease and Couch, creating a line up which may just be too strong for their opponent.
But if Frankston can follow its coach’s advice and put in four quarters of decent football, it’s certainly a chance.
Can the Dolphins catapult off the bottom of the ladder with a roaring win? Or will Casey continue its winning ways? Tune in Sunday.
Last Modified on 07/04/2012 18:27