The top-of-the-table Northern Blues are flying in 2013 and will host Port Melbourneat Preston City Oval on Sunday afternoon.
In what promises to be one of the matches of the round, last year’s grand finalists have started slowly but should present a challenge for the red hot Blues. Nick Duxson previews the Round 4 match.
Conditions
Showers are expected on Sunday with a top of 17 degrees. The Blues are a quick outfit with the ability to run and spread into space quickly, which works well considering the width of Preston City Oval. But if it becomes wet and tough, as predicted, Port Melbourne’s experienced bodies could be vital.
Form Guide
Northern Blues – WWW – The Blues have registered totals of 129, 130 and 196 so far this year, thumping Bendigo and beating both Tigers’ sides in shoot-outs. Tyson Thomas has starred in front of goal, while many of the Blues midfielders have broken forward.
Port Melbourne – LWLD – Port have rebounded from a big defeat early to record a narrow win over Box Hill and a draw against Sandringham last week. A loss to the Dolphins was unexpected, but Chris Cain is in scintillating form and Dean Galea is starting to find the ball.
Last Meeting
Round 17, 2012 – Preston City Oval – Port Melbourne 18.19.127 def Northern Blues 8.10.58.
The Borough kicked away in the first half, weathering a Blues comeback and then piled on the goals in the final term to run away with a comfortable victory. Galea booted four and Pinwill starred, while Luke Mitchell was impressive in defeat with four goals of his own for the Blues.
The Key Match Ups
Both sides have a bevy of tall forward options – Jarrad Waite, Levi Casboult and Luke Mitchell will line up for the Blues, while Adrian Bonaddio and Dean Galea present some big targets for Port. Big marks and accurate goal kicking will be vital if conditions are wet as expected.
Borough warrior John Baird will again line up in the centre of the ground, with Port missing a few big names in midfield. The Blues have a lot of quick legs in the centre, and could look to exploit this in the wide, open spaces at Preston. Aaron Joseph and Adam Marcon have been particularly impressive in recent outings.
Injury List
The Blues welcome back Jarrad Waite from injury.
Port Melbourne is still missing a few of their big names – Toby Pinwill and Shane Valenti – but players like Mitch Woofindin and Josh Scipione are stepping up.
Prediction – Blues by 36 points.
Last Modified on 26/04/2013 14:00