ROUND 9 PREVIEW
By Chris Weaver
Saturday, 6 June
Casey Scorpions (3-4) v Werribee Tigers (2-5)
Last Time: 1st Semi-Final, 2008 at TEAC Oval – Werribee 19.16 (130) def Casey Scorpions 9.7 (61)
Casey Fields, 1.10 pm (ABC TV)
It is starting to get a little desperate for the Werribee Tigers.
They were outclassed again last week by a fast, fluent Coburg side that attacked in waves. This week, they must travel to play a side that is always a tough proposition at home.
Aided by Stefan Martin and Brad Miller, the Scorpions’ goal-to-goal line looks extremely strong, while close-checking midfielders Clint Bartram and Jordie McKenzie will give their opponents little room at the stoppages.
Heavily beaten by recent opponents when the footy has been in dispute, Werribee will need Daniel Harris and Matt Riggio to provide more support to Dom Gleeson and Robbie Castello than has been seen in recent weeks.
With Nathan Thompson still absent, it is hard to see Werribee’s forward line threatening a tall Scorpion backline.
Tip: Casey Scorpions by 29 points
Northern Bullants (5-2) v Williamstown (6-1)
Last Time: Round 9, 2008 at Visy Park – Williamstown 17.13 (115) def Northern Bullants 10.9 (69)
Visy Park, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
The Northern Bullants failed to fire a shot last week against Collingwood in a lethargic performance that lacked aggression and imagination.
This week they welcome back Mitch Robinson, who can perhaps consider himself unlucky to have been dropped from the Carlton AFL side. With a side packed with agile, tall runners, the Bullants appear better placed to match Williamstown through the middle than many other teams.
It is when the two sides enter their forward lines though that we begin to see class win out.
Matthew Little is in the best form of his career (26 goals from seven starts), while Patrick Rose is a tough match-up – good at ground level, he times his leads well and can compete with taller opponents overhead.
With a strong and settled side, it is hard to see the Seagulls getting beaten two weeks in a row.
Tip: Williamstown by 11 points
Geelong (2-5) v Frankston (0-7)
Last Time: Round 20, 2008 at Skilled Stadium – Frankston 20.9 (129) def Geelong 15.7 (97)
Skilled Stadium, 2.00 pm
The bye could not have come at a better time for the Dolphins.
The mammoth loss to Box Hill in Round 7 was compounded by the suspension of Justin Berry for head-butting, as last year’s semi-finalists looked to have sunk to their lowest ebb in recent memory.
Still searching for their first win, Shannon Grant’s side will have to do without both the breathtaking Berry and Marcus Marigliani, the versatile midfielder whose strength and vision they rely upon so heavily.
Myriad changes at AFL level mean that the Cats welcome back some VFL regulars, Nathan Djerrkura returning to the side after making his AFL debut last week.
David Johnson and David Wojcinski also look likely starters, meaning that Geelong will benefit from experience, pace and accurate kicking in transition – precisely the areas that Frankston are deficient in during Marigliani’s absence.
If the Cats win they stay in finals contention, but it already appears a long winter ahead for the Dolphins.
Tip: Geelong by 17 points
Sunday, 7 June
North Ballarat (6-1) v Coburg Tigers (5-2)
Last Time: Round 16, 2008 at Eureka Stadium – North Ballarat 13.18 (96) def Coburg Tigers 8.9 (57)
Eastern Oval, 2.00 pm
No real surprise that the Roosters are again at Eastern Oval this week – delays in refurbishments mean that playing at the remodelled Eureka Stadium will likely be impossible until after the split round.
Not that North Ballarat will mind – they can win anywhere at the moment, even upsetting Williamstown at home.
Corey Jones again lines up for the Roosters, who possess a strong, well-conditioned forward line which this week features a former ‘Frosty’ Miller Medallist in Aaron Edwards.
Coburg will be without two of their best linkmen this week, Jordan McMahon and Mark Coughlan being recalled to the Richmond side in time for Terry Wallace’s last game as an AFL coach.
Rumours persist that Jade Rawlings is among the favourites for the recently vacated AFL position, which is easy to understand when one witnesses the fluent structure and running game offered by the Burgers.
Away against the Roosters though is a tough task for any side, particularly one that could be outmuscled at the stoppages.
Tip: North Ballarat by 21 points
Collingwood (4-3) v Port Melbourne (5-2)
Last Time: Round 19, 2008 at TEAC Oval – Port Melbourne 13.21 (99) def Collingwood 4.9 (33)
Visy Park, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
As strong as they have been at home, Port Melbourne have struggled to adapt their game to the bigger venues.
Collingwood meantime enjoy the width available at Visy Park, as Jaxson Barham, Damien Peverill and Steele Sidebottom use space well to set up passes for tall forwards Chris Dawes and Chris Bryan.
Whether the Borough have the conditioning to match the Pies could determine the outcome of this game, some sluggish second-half performances put to rest by a solid last quarter effort against Box Hill.
Small forwards Wayne Schultz and Chris Cain each slotted four goals in the 49 point win, a welcome respite for a side that continues to look too tall in attack.
Often congested inside forward 50, the myriad tall forwards used by the Borough need to sacrifice room for each other, otherwise they will be burnt badly on the counter-attack by the likes of Marty Clarke and Dayne Beams.
With Collingwood seemingly on the rise and strong at home, they look to be the favourites in an enticing contest.
Tip: Collingwood by 19 points
Monday, 8 June
Bendigo Bombers (0-7) v Box Hill Hawks (4-3)
Last Time: Round 17, 2008 at Queen Elizabeth Oval – Box Hill Hawks 21.13 (139) def Bendigo Bombers 2.8 (20)
Windy Hill, 2.00 pm (3WBC, 94.1 FM)
As if losing their last thirteen fixtures by an average margin of 81 points was not enough, the Bendigo Bombers have now lost a significant home ground advantage.
Queen Elizabeth Oval has been declared unplayable, meaning that the Goldfields side lose their ‘marquee’ home game to a Melbourne venue.
Recent strong contributors Brent Prismall and Scott Lucas look set to suit up for Essendon, meaning that Bendigo will be even further stretched for depth.
Box Hill only competed strongly for half an hour against Port Melbourne, using the breeze in the second term to peg back the Borough before the main break.
Although they will enter this game as heavy favourites, any complacency could prove costly on a venue that is dear to many Bombers fans’ hearts.
Tip: Box Hill Hawks by 45 points
Last Modified on 05/06/2009 16:21