Round 12 2013 Peter Jackson VFL Preview
Casey Scorpions vs Northern Blues
Casey Fields, Cranbourne East
1.10pm, Saturday, June 29

The Northern Blues arguably enter a crossroads period of their season when they travel down to Casey Fields to face the equal-top Casey Scorpions on Saturday afternoon.

Once sitting on top of the table after three wins from three starts at the beginning of the year and conquering all, recent wins from just two of their last five clashes see the Blues clinging to eighth spot on the Peter Jackson VFL ladder as we pass the halfway mark of the season.

The Blues are missing a host of names to Saturday’s clash due to injury and Carlton senior selection as they travel to Casey with one of their most inexperienced sides this year.

Their confidence will be somewhat steady despite last week’s 32-point loss to Williamstown after a final-quarter fadeout saw the margin blowout after a dogged first three quarters.

Andy McInnes remains in the side after a best-on-ground performance last week in keeping Western Bulldogs and Williamstown goal sneak Jarrad Grant to just one goal.

Tom Bell and Matthew Watson were the other notables from last week, earning emergency status in the Carlton seniors, while the Northern Blues’ Kane Lambert continues his rich vain of form.

Casey sit third on percentage, yet are level with Geelong and Box Hill in terms of their win-loss record and will look forward to continue their winning form at home after demolishing Coburg by 47 points last year.

The Scorpions have been bolstered by a constant flow of Melbourne players like Sam Blease, David Rodan and Jake Spencer, which have no doubt contributed to their success.

There’s been much talk of 18-year-old Demons recruit Jesse Hogan, and he certainly hasn’t disappointed; kicking 20 goals in his eight games so far. Strong and quick off the mark. Sam Rowe could be the key tall assigned to mind the young prospect.

Conditions are forecast to be much the same as last Saturday, laying the foundation for a cracking day of footy. Casey will however be wary of the last time the two played at Cranbourne back in Round 19, 2012, when the lowly Blues embarrassed the then-high-flying Scorpions by 49 points.

In another good news story, Northern Blues stalwart Nick Meese will play his 50th VFL game.


Player Watch:

Andrew McInnes – It’ll be just his fourth game back from a nine-month stint on the sidelines recovering an ACL injury on Saturday and so far McInnes has looked anything but out of place. Thoroughly deserved his best-on-ground award last week accumulating 17 possessions and playing a big role in shutting down the dangerous Williamstown tall forwards last week. Expect a similar role with the like of Nick Duigan and Aaron Joseph pushing up the ground.

Luke Mitchell – The young forward has been building towards some ominous form after three solid weeks of continuity. Has kicked 6.5 in his last three outings, one of those a four-goal haul against Frankston. Some straight kicking might have seen those numbers saw, but it’s 21 marks in these last three weeks (11 of them inside 50) that demonstrate Mitchell’s confidence and output growing.

Sam Rowe – Returning to the Blues after two weeks in the Carlton seniors’ camp. As shown promise as a key tall defender and, on paper, seems a logical match-up for Jeese Hogan based on athleticism. His last VFL match – against Geelong – saw him keep in-form forward Nathan Vardy goalless in the first half, before moving forward to kick two of the Northern Blues five goals for the day. Stage is set to stand out.

Northern Blues

B Davies Watson Joseph
HB McInnes Rowe A. Gianfagna
C Lambert Carrazzo Duigan
HF Wilson Mitchell Buckley
F Temay Warnock Laidler
R Meese T. Bell Graham
Interchange (from)*: F. Dale, Ballard, McDonald, Bonaddio, Yelland, Lincoln, Dirago, Taglieri, Dufficy

*Final side to be confirmed by Saturday, 10am

Matthew Lodge covers Northern Blues games for Carltonfc.com.au. You can follow him on Twitter: @MatthewSLodge