We look at the Round 18 matches in the Peter Jackson VFL, and also look at how results this weekend could effect the ladder.
GEELONG VS BENDIGO
A big game for both of these sides in the race for a top four spot on the ladder. It has been a number of years since either team has finished in the top four, Geelong dating back to 2007 (their premiership VFL year) and Bendigo back to 2005. Both are well in contention this year, but the four points this weekend could go a long way to deciding which team ends up in the four at seasons end. Geelong are currently on a five game winning streak, having claimed the scalps of two top eight teams during that time in Port Melbourne and Box Hill Hawks. The clock will be turned back this weekend with James Podsiadly likely to line up for the VFL Cats, joining Mitch Brown up forward in what will be a challenge for the Bendigo back six. Also turning back the clock will be the name Bourke taking to teh field for the Cats, with father/son prospect Jordan, son of Damian, Bourke playing as 23rd player for Geelong. The Gold have their own weapon up forward in Matt Little, who is still in contention for the Frosty Miller Medal, sitting 10 goals behind Dean Galea (55 goals) who is in top spot. Justin Maddern got plenty of the football last round but struggled with only one goal from his seven attempts, so if he can get his accuracy corrected this week, this game could be a shootout.
BOX HILL HAWKS VS WERRIBEE TIGERS
In another battle of potential top four teams, Box Hill host Werribee in another crunch game. Earlier this season the Hawks broke a long losing streak at Werribee, defeating the Tigers under lights, and this weekend they will be trying to record three wins on the trot for the first time this season. Werribee remains the only top four team the Hawks have defeated this season, and they will need to win this weekend not only to keep their top four chances alive, but also to help secure their finals berth. In recent weeks the Hawks have benefited from the return of numerous talls including Max Bailey, Broc McCauley and Adam Pattison which has improve their structure, especially up forward. These talls will be important this weekend as Werribee welcomes back Hamish McIntosh from injury, to help support Majak Daw in the ruck. Box Hill will have an instant backline rejoin the side, with Stephen Gilham, Kyle Cheney and Tom Murphy back in the VFL this weekend, joining the like of David Mirra and Michael Thompson, and they will all be needed to stop the likes of Ben McKinley, Ben Warren and Cam Pedersen. The winner of this clash will take home the Beyond Blue Cup.
WILLIAMSTOWN VS PORT MELBOURNE
Milestones aplenty at Burbank Oval this weekend as tradition rivals, and 2011 Grand Finalists, Williamstown and Port Melbourne go head to head for the second time this season. Williamstown captain Ben Jolley brings up game 150, whilst Port coach Gary Ayres will officiate in his 100th game for the visitors. The Seagulls got the crucial four points last weekend against Werribee, taking their winning streak against the Tigers to nine, and kept themselves just two points shy of fifth spot on the VFL Bailey Ladders ladder. Earlier in the year the Grand Final replay was a bit of a fizzer, with Port Melbourne dominating the contest by 80 points. Whilst Port have remained at the top of the ladder, Williamstown are now fighting to get back into the top eight, and this week’s game is important for the Seagulls with the bye next weekend, and North Ballarat having the bye this weekend. Williamstown spread the goal kickers around last weekend, with Development League leading goal kicker Dylan Conway making the most of his senior promotion with two goals, along with Ed Carr (2) and Liam Jones (3). The addition of talls in recent weeks has helped Williamstown, as the tall timber of Tom Campbell, Tom Hill, Ayce Cordy and Jordan Roughead will be an advantage against a Port Melbourne side which will see Wayde Skipper and Myles Pitt hold down the ruck division with Adrian Bonaddio on the sidelines. Williamstown will be raising money for the charity Ladder on the weekend, click HERE for more info.
FRANKSTON VS CASEY SCORPIONS
The ABC TV game this week is the Dolphins versus the Scorpions. The home side will be aiming to avoid their third successive wooden spoon in the VFL, and trying to dent the top two chances of Casey. Last time one solitary point separated these two teams, so despite ladder positions, this game could be a very close contest. Tom Couch returns to the VFL this week after debuting for Melbourne, and will be well supported in the middle by the likes of Matthew Bate and Nathan Page who has held his spot in the senior side. Jack Fitzpatrick has been in good form for the Scorpions in the ruck, and the likes of Forato and Thoolen have a big job ahead of them. Over their last four games Frankston have struggled to kick any more than 10 goals, and they will need the likes of Clark, Haretuku and Potts to fire against one of the best backlines in the competition in Davis, Panozza and Tynan. Casey coach Brett Lovett is no stranger to Frankston Oval, and would like his first return to the oval as Casey’s coach to be a positive one.
NORTHERN BLUES VS COBURG TIGERS
Finals hopes went out the window for Coburg last weekend as they were defeated by North Ballarat, and now see themselves four games outside the top eight with five games remaining in the season. The Tigers last week failed to find a forward target, and saw the ball too easily taken from their forward 50 once it entered. Dylan Murphy performed well as a small forward, but Coburg lacked an effective tall target to kick a sizable score for them. The Northern Blues have suffered a similar problem this year finding a regular goal kicker, but they unearthed one in Luke Mitchell who kicked four majors. Mitchell will be joined up forward this week by Jarrod Waite, and the Blues will also benefit in the ruck with the return from suspension of Robbie Warnock. The battle between two of the competitions VFL Academy players Adam Marcon and Willie Wheeler will be a highlight, as both sides try to add to their end of year wins tally.
VFL BAILEY LADDERS LADDER POSSIBILITIES:
With five rounds remaining in the season, each week in At a Glance, we will look at the ladder possibilities.
Port Melbourne: A win this weekend will see them remain in top spot, a loss could see them drop to second if Casey defeats Frankston.
Casey Scorpions: A win or a loss against Frankston will see them remain in second spot, but a win could see them jump to top spot if Williamstown defeats Port.
Werribee Tigers: A win will see Werribee remain in the top four, but they could drop to fourth if Geelong beat Bendigo by a big margin. A loss to Box Hill would see Werribee remain in the top four due to percentage.
Geelong: A win or a loss against Bendigo should see the Cats remain in the top four.
Box Hill Hawks: A win against Werribee would likely see Box Hill Hawks remain in fifth spot on the ladder due to percentage, but would see then go a game clear of both North Ballarat and Sandringham on the ladder. A defeat could see them drop to seventh if Williamstown beat Port Melbourne, and Bendigo defeats Geelong.
Bendigo: Bendigo could only rise as high as fifth on the ladder if they defeat Geelong, but would need Werribee to defeat Box Hill to do so. If Geelong beats the Gold, Box Hill beats Werribee, and Williamstown beats Port Melbourne, Bendigo could drop to seventh.
Sandringham: Have the bye this weekend. If Williamstown beat Port Melbourne, the Zebras will drop to 8th on the ladder.
North Ballarat: Have the bye this weekend, if Williamstown beat Port Melbourne, the Roosters will drop out of the 8 to 9th spot.
Williamstown: A win will see Williamstown jump to seventh automatically. They could rise as high as fifth if Geelong defeats Bendigo and Werribee defeats Box Hill. If Port Melbourne defeats the Seagulls, they will remain two points off seventh spot.
23RD PLAYERS THIS WEEKEND:
Bendigo Gold – Jake Stringer (Bendigo Pioneers, Jumper No. 15)
Box Hill Hawks – Dalton Graham
Casey Scorpions – Luke Thompson
Coburg Tigers – Nicholas Robertella
Frankston – Damien Lawrence (Dandenong Stingrays, Jumper No. 59)
Geelong Cats – Jordan Bourke (Morningside – NEAFL, Jumper No. 71)*
Northern Blues – Tim Currie
Port Melbourne – Jordon Collopy (Oakleigh Chargers, Jumper No. 66)
Werribee Tigers – Jackson Davis
Williamstown – Jack Charleston
*Potential Father/Son prospect
Last Modified on 27/07/2012 17:19