By Ben Carbonaro
NORTH BALLARAT 1st (8-1)
WHAT'S GONE RIGHT: The premiership defence is in tip-top shape with just one blip on the radar. In a classic battle of wills at Williamstown, the Roosters edged out the previously undefeated Seagulls by two points to tighten its grip on premiership favouritism. Myles Sewell has had a blinder of a year, named in the best on six occasions. Tristan Cartledge’s return has added an extra dimension to the ruck division.
WHAT'S GONE WRONG: Not much! The Roosters only hiccup was the grand final rematch in round one against Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval, which has been a graveyard for visiting teams in the Gary Ayres era. Coach Gerard FitzGerald admitted the side was underdone before the first-up fixture. FitzGerald also cited a lack of passion against cellar-dweller Frankston on a cool Sunday at Eastern Oval.
THE COACH: FitzGerald remains focused on the week ahead and his comments in the Ballarat Courier always reflect this. After praising his team’s discipline at Williamstown, FitzGerald was quick to add: "Now we have to keep getting better”. A scary prospect indeed for opposition coaches.
SURPRISE: Wingman Cam Richardson has been a revelation since stepping up from one game of reserves football. Some might call it coincidence, but Richardson has played in eight matches for eight wins. He has kicked seven goals.
DISAPPOINTMENT: Northern Oval took on the new name Eureka Stadium Ballarat during pre-season but the newly laid turf has taken longer than expected to sew. The Roosters will finally unveil their premiership flag this Sunday at Eureka Stadium Ballarat. The club has hosted its matches at Eastern Oval and switched fixtures but the alterations have not perturbed them.
THE DRAW: Tough tests could come at Box Hill (round 13), Northern Bullants at Visy Park (Round 14) and at home to Williamstown (round 16). Wins in all three should just about stitch-up top spot. Round 20’s clash against Sandringham at home could be intriguing, with the Zebras likely to be fighting for finals action.
PREDICTED FINISH: 1-2.
WILLIAMSTOWN (7-2)
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: The Seagulls have only dropped two games so far this season and at this stage, they look like genuine premiership contenders. The performance of forward/midfielder Patrick Rose has been spectacular, who has had three best on grounds and figured in the best in all but three of all games he has played.
WHAT’S GONE WRONG: The Seagulls lost a classic against the Roosters in Round 9 and were flat as pancakes the following week at Visy Park against the Bullants. Aside from the two losses, admittedly against top four teams North Ballarat and the Northern Bullants, the Seagulls remain on track for a top four finish.
THE COACH: Brad Gotch has got the right mix of Western Bulldogs AFL listed players and VFL including potential draftee Patrick Rose. Gotch has also not shown any hesitation to blood new talent, with the likes of his son Xavier and Luke Cartelli making their senior debuts. Combine this with a professional approach and relaxed attitude, all Gotch needs now is another premiership. Gotch always goes out his way to accomodate the media, highlighted by his preparedness to chat with Casey 3SER at the quarter breaks.
SURPRISE: The depth of the side has meant that players like Dean Galea have been restricted to reserve grade football. Galea leads the reserve grade with 33 goals from seven matches at a five goal a game average.
DISAPPOINTMENT: The Seagulls were so lacklustre against the Northern Bullants, that Wayde Skipper was moved to give his teammates an big rev on the field as the players trudged off for half time.
THE DRAW: With four more games at home for the season, the Seagulls should be confident of winning all of these. The only game that they may be challenged with would be coming against a much improved Box Hill Hawks outfit, who are flying this season. In round 16, the Seagulls travel to North Ballarat in what could be a dress rehearsal for the Grand Final and to avenge their round 8 loss to the same opposition.
PREDICTED FINISH: 2-4.
PORT MELBOURNE (6-3)
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: With power forward Adrian Bonnadio firing and in snych with big recruit Adrian Deluca and with tall midfield type John Baird continuing his great form from last year, premiership glory is definitely not out of the question. Jonno Mullins has stepped-up and Wayne Schulz has overcome injury to fill the void left by AFL draftee Robin Nahas.
WHAT’S GONE WRONG: The ability to play consistent football away from home has been an issue for the Borough. The Borough's only away win from four attempts was at Casey Fields.
THE COACH: Gary Ayres has left off from where he was last year and has moulded his playing group into one that many believe is a better than the one who played off in last year’s Grand Final.
SURPRISE: Phil Raymond spent time at St Kilda but rarely raised a sniff and has become one of the Borough’s high flyers this year. If he can continue his high flying and consistent displays of good ball handling, a spot on a list at another AFL club could come into reckoning. He has kicked a heathy 10 goals from nine matches.
DISAPPOINTMENT: The Borough was 16 points up and in control against Colliongwood at three quarter time at Visy Park. But the Pies put on five last quarter goals to one to overrun a fading Borough.
THE DRAW: The toughest game of the season is left until last, with a tantalising last round encounter against Williamstown at TEAC Oval. This will be a repeat of last year’s preliminary final where the Borough just pipped the Seagulls in a closely contested game. Clashes against the Box Hill Hawks (round 15), the Northern Bullants (round 17), North Ballarat (round 18) will be a test to see if the Borough can keep a top four spot and quite possibly leap frog Williamstown for a top two finish.
PREDICTED FINISH: 3-6.
BOX HILL (6-3)
WHAT'S GONE RIGHT: Box Hill has an impeccable home record, with top wins against the likes of Coburg and Sandringham. It also benefitted from a tough pre-season under new coach Brendan Bolton. The recruitment of Adem Yze, Sam Isles and Marco Bello have proven masterstrokes.
WHAT'S GONE WRONG: Very little. The Hawks away form has been unpredictable with a great win at Casey matched by a shocker against Collingwood.
THE COACH: Tasmanian Brendan Bolton has the Hawks sitting pretty in fourth place with a 6-3 record. Bolton is full of innovations. He labels the reserves team the Box Hill “Development” squad. His “traffic light” system at team meetings sees that his players fully comprehend or “green light” the session. Bolton’s use of photographer to highlight stoppage situations to his players at the breaks as an educative tool was equally innovative.
SURPRISE: Box Hill has unearthed several unexpected gems. Ben Smithwick (19 goals) and Cameron Pederson (17 goals) have been prominent up forward and mature-age recruit Marco Bello has been a revelation too, winning best on ground honours on Anzac Day.
DISAPPOINTMENT: The loss at Werribee was frustrating but not unexpected. The Hawks have a dire away record at Chirnside Park.
THE DRAW: Box Hill has five home matches remaining and if it holds its home form, will at least have 11 wins on the board and possibly, a top four place at the end of the home and away season.
PREDICTION: 3-5.
Last Modified on 22/07/2009 12:42