ROUND 14 PREVIEWS
By Chris Weaver
Saturday, 18 July
Geelong (6-6) v Coburg Tigers (6-6)
Last Time: Round 2, 2009 at ABD Group Stadium – Coburg Tigers 27.16 (178) def Geelong 16.8 (104)
Skilled Stadium, 10.40 am
Bereft of more than a dozen senior stars last week, Geelong needed to call-up all their VFL listed players for the game against Bendigo.
They only just scrapped past the Bombers and this week benefit from the return of several familiar faces.
Jeremy Laidler and Tom Gillies bolster the Cats’ defence, while Mark Blake takes a spell in the VFL to rediscover some form in the ruck.
Having pushed Williamstown all the way last week, Coburg must capitalise on their good work by starting strongly.
A strong, well-structured forward line centred on Jay Schulz will only truly function if given quick use of the footy, which means that on the narrow Geelong ground the Burgers will have to rid themselves of their handball-happy ways.
Coburg has won the three matches played between the sides since the 2007 Grand Final, a streak that should continue against a top-heavy Geelong line-up.
Tip: Coburg Tigers by 7 points
Collingwood (7-5) v Casey Scorpions (7-5)
Last Time: Round 20, 2008 at Visy Park – Casey Scorpions 15.14 (104) def Collingwood 7.2 (44)
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 1.10 pm (ABC TV)
This is the Pies’ second successive match at Sandringham, this home game having been re-scheduled from Victoria Park.
Defeating the Zebras last week was no mean feat, built on strong performances from the ‘bookends’ – Chris Dawes at full-forward, and Nathan Brown at full-back.
Dawes presented strongly and brought teammates into the game with clever handpasses and second efforts at ground level, his work rate improving rapidly throughout the course of the season.
The Scorpions’ resounding defeat of Frankston means that they enter this game having beaten the bottom two clubs by a combined total of 209 points in the last fortnight.
For many of the Melbourne listed Scorpions, this is a familiar and fond venue – three men (Shane Valenti, Jack Watts and Danny Hughes) having played their underage footy here too.
Chunky and well-balanced, the recent wet conditions have allowed Valenti to display his wares in close.
The Scorpions lose Clint Bartram to the AFL; his loss was compounded by the news this week that both Daniel Bell and Addam Maric will miss the rest of the season through injury.
Tip: Collingwood by 15 points
Port Melbourne (8-3) v Bendigo Bombers (0-11)
Last Time: Round 13, 2008 at TEAC Oval – Port Melbourne 23.12 (150) def Bendigo Bombers 8.17 (65)
TEAC Oval, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM)
The facts speak for themselves here.
The Borough are yet to lose a fixture at home under Gary Ayres (the streak now standing at 17 games), while the Bombers have lost the same number of games in succession.
Port Melbourne defeated Werribee in a predictably spiteful encounter between those sides, but this week’s game appears unlikely to feature the same level of aggression.
Versatile and with experience on every line, the Borough have easily the stronger team on paper.
Bendigo’s wildcard remains Hayden Skipworth, the reigning best-and-fairest winner playing his second successive game in the VFL after being dumped from Essendon’s side.
Depending on niggling injury, the nuggetty Darren Hulme could feature in consecutive games for the first time since joining the Bombers as a playing assistant coach.
Tip: Port Melbourne by 51 points
Sunday, 19 July
Williamstown (10-2) v Box Hill Hawks (7-5)
Last Time: Round 19, 2008 at Box Hill City Oval – Williamstown 19.16 (130) def Box Hill 14.11 (95)
Burbank Oval, 2.00 pm (3WBC, 94.1 FM)
Getting the jump on their opponents was enough for Williamstown last weekend, surviving to win after a spirited comeback from Coburg.
Strong in midfield depth, the run-and-carry style of the Seagulls will stretch Box Hill as the visitors try and clamp down on their opponents at the stoppages.
Brett Johnson appears to have returned to his best form, ably supported by the usual suspects of Tim Callan, Guy O’Keefe and David Stretton.
The dangers of the Seagulls’ midfield drive means that Box Hill need to get solid bodies in the centre to make the game a more physical slog.
Beau Muston, Marco Bello and Stuart Dew could be crucial here, as their mature builds aid the smaller runners like Brendan Whitecross and Luke Breust.
Down back it could be left to the rangy Lukas Markovic to guard Matthew Little, held to just one goal in his last outing.
Tip: Williamstown by 22 points
Frankston (1-11) v Werribee Tigers (4-8)
Last Time: Round 14, 2008 at Chirnside Park – Werribee 16.12 (108) def Frankston 15.13 (103)
Frankston Park, 2.00 pm
Last Saturday was a new low point in an already disastrous season for the Dolphins.
Having kicked the first two goals of the game, Frankston struggled against the cleaner, faster Casey Scorpions and could not register a goal after quarter-time.
This is the type of game they would usually expect to win – the previous encounter at home against Werribee resulting in a thumping victory.
But these are not good times for the Dolphins, who appear awfully dependant on a core of perhaps half a dozen senior players.
Their opponents, Werribee, have disappointed in almost equal measure.
Michael Barlow aside, none of the Tigers’ young VFL contingent have kicked on this season, last season’s late run appearing a distant memory.
This is the first of three consecutive away games for Werribee, and a must-win fixture if they are to keep their slim finals chances alive.
Tip: Werribee Tigers by 24 points
Northern Bullants (6-5) v North Ballarat (9-2)
Last Time: Round 18, 2008 at Eureka Stadium – Northern Bullants 7.8 (50) def North Ballarat 5.12 (42)
Visy Park, 2.00 pm (Casey Radio 3SER, 97.7 FM; livevfl.com.au)
Doubt has surrounded the venue of this fixture in recent weeks as the Carlton Football Club continues with capital works at Visy Park.
The Bullants have a superb recent record against the Roosters, having not lost to North Ballarat in over four years.
The bye and some changes at AFL affiliate Carlton result in Heath Scotland’s absence, but it is a loss unlikely to greatly change the shape of the side.
North Ballarat’s composure and form were greatly affected by the week off in Round 12, the Roosters suffering an upset loss at Box Hill last Saturday.
The Roosters are susceptible to sides featuring pace, something the Bullants feature heavily.
Mitch Robinson returns from a VFL imposed suspension, while Andrew Walker is set to make his first appearance at any level since re-injuring a shoulder in the pre-season.
In a round packed with even fixtures, do not be surprised to see the Bullants extend their winning streak over the Roosters.
Tip: Northern Bullants by 11 points
Bye - Sandringham
Last Modified on 17/07/2009 16:01