Round 20 in Review

Victorian Football League Weekly Review

Well it’s that time of the year again – finals – and hasn’t the Home and Away season just flown by. After each side has slogged it out for 20 rounds of VFL this year, eight of the 13 sides become involved in finals footy next week, which is sure to be a treat enjoyed by all.

James Willoughby has a look at all the matches played in Round 20 of the TRUenergy VFL.

Geelong 16.13.109 def Bendigo Bombers 11.13.79
Skilled Stadium

A 30 point victory over Bendigo was a marvellous way for Geelong to finish off the season, recording their fourth win in the process. The Bombers are now stuck in a shocking run of form, which has seen them go winless in their past five matches and heading into finals this is not the record they want to be taking in.

The Cats were too good all day, and were never troubled by a seriously out of form Bendigo side. For the victors, Matthew Spencer and Daniel Byrne dominated whilst David Haynes continued some recent good form with a haul of three goals. For the Bombers, Ben Haynes kicked four goals and Nick Carter was best but it was to no avail as the Cats recorded a morale-boosting 30 point win.

Sandringham 16.10.106 def by Northern Bullants 17.10.112
Trevor Barker Beach Oval

Bullants coach Barry Mitchell would have breathed a massive sigh of relief, as the final siren sounded at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, with his Bullants holding off a fast-finishing Sandringham by a goal. Last week, Mitchell saw his side let slip a 46-point lead at the final change, to be downed by three-points against Werribee. The margin wasn’t quite so big this time, but still with the Bullants holding a 33-point lead you would have expected them to finish the game off.

But to Sandy’s credit they stormed home, booting eight goals to three in the final term but they were unable to snatch a victory. For Sandy, Chad Liddell was brilliant whilst for the victors ex-Hawks Glen Bowyer and Brett Johnson set up the victory. An interesting set of circumstances sees these two sides met each other for next week, for the second successive week.

North Ballarat 18.11.119 def Scorpions 7.10.52
AUSTAR Arena

A super-impressive effort from North Ballarat saw them thump the Scorpions by 67 points, and in the process knock their opposition out of the finals race. Despite being nine points down at the first change, the home side scored 16 goals to four after the quarter time break as they gave their fans something to shout about.

Key forward Nathan Saunders was simply amazing, with a best-on-ground effort to go with his impressive haul of seven goals. Saunders had help from team-mates Brett Goodes and Danny Grellet whilst for the Scorpions, only Mark McGough and Matthew Ferguson could hold their heads up high.

Werribee Tigers 26.14.170 def Coburg Tigers 10.9.69
Chirnside Park

In a battle of the two Tigers, it was the hosts who emerged victorious pummelling Coburg into submission with a thumping 101-point victory. Werribee started where they left off last week, booting seven goals in the first term to set up a 30-point lead at the first change and from then on in, the hosts were never in any doubt. Issues in relation to Coburg’s oval could see them not play any part in the VFL and if so – this was an extremely disappointing way to bow out.

For Werribee, Jade Rawlings was best on ground with eight goals and the ex Hawk was ably supported by team-mates Salim Hassan, Patrick Bowden and Brad Murphy – who chipped in with four goals. For the losers, Dean Polo and Alex Gilmour were their best but in the end an extremely productive day for Werribee, and a good game to play as a warm-up to the finals.

Williamstown 11.8.74 def by Tasmania 12.7.79
Burbank Oval

A very disappointing day for the Seagulls, as a win would have seen them contest finals footy – and to go down, especially by a goal must have hurt the Willy faithful considerably. As a result of their loss, the Box Hill Hawks will now take their place in eighth position.

Onto the game, and it was tight all day with the margin always around one to two goals – in Tassie’s favour. But the Devils hung on tightly, and secured a hard-fought 5 point win which gives them a home final next week. For the victors, Scott Stephens and Ian Callinan were fantastic whilst Justin Plapp booted four goals and for the losers – Luke Jarrad and Craig Smoker tried hard all day.

Frankston 9.12.66 def by Port Melbourne 13.16.94
Frankston City Oval

A five-goal to two final term helped Port Melbourne get over the line, in a tough game of footy which saw the visitors secure a 28-point victory. Scores were tight all day up until the last quarter when a barrage of Port goals got the four points for the men from TEAC Oval.

For the victors, Courtney Pitt and Brent Le Cras formed a deadly forward line duo, with the pair kicking four goals each. Joel Perry and Josh Gibson were the best for Port, whilst for Frankston – Craig Black and Jim Hynes were their best performers.

NEXT WEEK:

SENIOR GRADE

First Qualifying Final
Friday 26th August
QE Oval at 7:00pm
Werribee vs Bendigo Bombers

Second Qualifying Final
Saturday 27th August
TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne at 1:10pm
Northern Bullants vs. Sandringham

First Elimination Final
Sunday 28th August
TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne at 1:10pm
Port Melbourne vs. Box Hill Hawks

Second Elimination Final
Sunday 28th August
Bellerive Oval, Tasmania at 2:00pm
Tasmania vs. Frankston

RESERVE GRADE

Elimination Final
Saturday 27th August
TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne at 10:20am
Werribee vs. Box Hill Hawks

Qualifying Final
Sunday 28th August
TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne at 10:20am
Port Melbourne vs. North Ballarat

James Willoughby is an aspiring journalist who covers VFL and can be heard on Melbourne's SEN 1116am and 3SER 97.7 FM.

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