ROUND 11 PREVIEW
By Chris Weaver
Saturday, 27 June
Williamstown (7-2) v Casey Scorpions (5-4)
Last Time: Round 13, 2008 at Burbank Oval – Williamstown 15.21 (111) def Casey Scorpions 14.11 (95)
Burbank Oval, 1.10 pm (ABC TV)
Home ground knowledge is a massive advantage in the VFL.
The last time these sides played, Williamstown outscored their opponents in the last term despite kicking into a typically strong Burbank Oval gale.
The Seagulls eased off the gas late in the game against Geelong, while suffering the loss of Ayce Cordy, who left the field with a strained neck.
The beanpole ruckman has been named to play, but there are signs that a long season may be starting to take its toll on his raw frame.
Possessing one of the league’s strongest backlines, few sides are as capable of finding a match-up for the Williamstown forwards as the Casey Scorpions.
The rangy James Wall has the speed, agility and aerial prowess to contend with the shorter Matthew Little, one of the competition’s standouts in 2009.
Placing the Great Wall of Casey in the backline however leaves the Scorpions undermanned up forward, the side perhaps unbalanced by the promotions of Liam Jurrah and Neville Jetta to the Melbourne AFL side.
In addition to their marvellous home ground advantage, the Seagulls benefit from an almost fully fit playing list at the Western Bulldogs and should have the class to get the four points.
Tip: Williamstown by 32 points
Coburg Tigers (5-4) v Sandringham (4-5)
Last Time: Round 18, 2008 at ABD Group Stadium – Coburg Tigers 14.10 (94) def Sandringham 13.10 (88)
ABD Group Stadium, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
Although the season has only just reached the halfway mark, this game already shapes as an ‘eight pointer’.
Coburg loses strong full-back Jarrod Silvester to their AFL affiliate Richmond, the stopper making his AFL debut at the ripe old age of 24.
It matters, as either the smaller bodied Alex Rance or Kelvin Moore look likely to stand the ever-prolific Nick Sautner.
Sautner managed his 800th VFL senior goal last weekend at Box Hill, kicked early on in a game in which he had his colours lowered by tough defender Lachie McQueen-Miscamble.
The Zebras started that game strongly, but were eventually overrun by a more physical and determined Hawk midfield.
With the nuggetty Andrew Horne and Nick Carnell in good form, it is vital that Sandringham improve at the clearances if they are to provide any benefit for their well-oiled forward line.
The Burgers play their wide ground well, and should have the conditioning to return to the winners’ list.
Tip: Coburg Tigers by 24 points
Sunday, 28 June
Geelong (3-6) v Northern Bullants (6-3)
Last Time: Round 19, 2008 at NAB Oval – Northern Bullants 16.16 (112) def Geelong 13.14 (92)
Skilled Stadium, 9.40 am
The Jekyll and Hyde side of the VFL in recent weeks, the Northern Bullants face Geelong this round in a timeslot that would frighten Dr Frankenstein’s monster.
The Bullants will have to make do without either Brad Fisher or Mitch Robinson this week, two players whose form and availability mirrors the fortunes of the team.
Geelong performed sluggishly for much of the game at Williamstown last Saturday, but a strong eight goal last quarter should give them some confidence entering this week.
Matthew Stokes could find himself recalled to the AFL side, meaning that David Wojcinski’s experience and class matters even more for the VFL Cats.
A loss this week would leave Geelong well and truly outside finals contention, a massive disappointment for a side whose AFL players will feature well into September.
Hard to beat on the long, narrow confines of Skilled Stadium, expect Geelong to start this game as they finished their last.
Tip: Geelong by 21 points
North Ballarat (8-1) v Collingwood (5-4)
Last Time: Round 4, 2009 at Visy Park – North Ballarat 17.5 (107) def Collingwood 15.12 (102)
Eureka Stadium, 2.00 pm (livevfl.com.au)
At last North Ballarat return to their true home, the end of almost six months of renovations and resurfacing work allowing the Roosters to finally unveil their premiership flag.
Their last contest with the Magpies was a ripper, the game literally stolen from Collingwood’s grasp by a wonderful piece of pilfering from the rangy Cameron Richardson.
Aaron Edwards’ topsy-turvy season continues, with the former Liston and ‘Frosty’ Miller Medallist returning to this level after being omitted by North Melbourne.
He rejoins a team that has not lost since the opening round, their defensive pressure having tightened considerably since that opening day thumping at Port Melbourne.
Another week of wholesale changes sees Steele Sidebottom and Marty Clarke return to the VFL, Collingwood’s midfield looking classier thanks to their inclusion.
This though will be a proud day for the Roosters, who should respond to the atmosphere generated by a return home to open their rejuvenated venue in style.
Tip: North Ballarat by 37 points
Frankston (0-9) v Bendigo Bombers (0-8)
Last Time: Round 16, 2008 at Frankston Park – Frankston 18.12 (120) def Bendigo Bombers 9.9 (63)
Frankston Park, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
There is a perverse fascination in watching two winless sides try to crack their duck.
What makes this game all the more juicy is that each club has waited several weeks with this clash in their sights.
The Bombers last game was against Box Hill at Windy Hill on the Queen’s Birthday holiday, making it twenty days between fixtures.
If they are to break their fourteen game losing streak, they will have to outfight a Frankston side that showed some real backbone in the loss to North Ballarat a fortnight ago.
Paul Kennedy again misses for the Dolphins, the hirsute centreman still struggling with what is believed to be a nagging groin injury.
Frankston coach Shannon Grant though is starting to reward strong performances in the reserve grade, providing the perfect stage for the Dolphins’ fringe players to perform at home.
Tip: Frankston by 19 points
Box Hill Hawks (6-3) v Werribee Tigers (3-6)
Last Time: Round 4, 2009 at Chirnside Park – Werribee Tigers 13.12 (90) def Box Hill Hawks 10.9 (69)
Box Hill City Oval, 2.00 pm (3WBC, 94.1 FM)
Sam Gibson turned in one of the best individual performances of the season last week, kicking five goals and setting up several others from midfield.
Box Hill looked aggressive and determined against Sandringham, displaying the resilience and maturity that have been hallmarks of their resurgence under Brendan Bolton and Marco Bello.
The goals are coming from different sources, and the Hawks have recovered well from the loss of Tim Boyle – the tall forward rupturing knee ligaments late in the last meeting between these sides.
Werribee’s indifferent season received a fillip with their televised victory over Collingwood.
Nathan Thompson’s return straightened up the Tigers, but he will this week have to counter either Lachie McQueen-Miscamble or Lukas Markovic – both in-form defenders.
Playing their wide ground well and stacked with even contributors, Box Hill enters the game as warm favourite.
Tip: Box Hill Hawks by 30 points
Bye – Port Melbourne
Last Modified on 26/06/2009 10:42