CASEY SCORPIONS vs SANDRINGHAM

Where: Casey Fields, Cranbourne

When: Sunday, 24 July

Time: 11:40am (Channel 7 telecast)

Coverage: Follow VFL reporter Justin Cooper on Twitter: @justinr_cooper for scores and tune in to saints.com.au post-game for a full match report. For those who are unable to get to Casey Fields, Channel 7 is telecasting the match from 11:30am.

Form guide:

Sandringham received their first loss since the Round 6 defeat to the Casey Scorpions (31-points) back in mid-May, with Port Melbourne gaining the four premiership points last round at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. The Zebras still sit in the top-four, holding onto fourth spot on percentage.

Conversely, the Casey Scorpions went down in a one-point thriller against Footscray at Whitten Oval. The loss was Casey’s first defeat since the Round 10 loss to Collingwood (40-points) in difficult conditions at Casey Fields. The Scorpions sit just above the Zebras in third on the ladder, one game behind both Collingwood and Williamstown.

Last time they met:

Sandringham 16.6 (102) def. by the Casey Scorpions 19.19 (133) at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Round 6 2016.

Goals: Shenton 3, Dennis-Lane 3, Kreymborg 2, McCartin 2, Cook, Minchington, White, Saunders, McKenzie.

Best: Shenton, Kreymborg, Lee, McKenzie, Wright, Curren.

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Key match ups:

The depth of the Melbourne list has been a strength for Casey in 2016, providing them with plenty of AFL listed players to contribute at VFL level.

Billy Longer is likely to get first crack at the in-form Jake Spencer, with support from Lewis Pierce and Jason Holmes to get on top. The Zebras have often played the three St Kilda ruckmen and it may prove a headache for Casey coach Justin Plapp and his defenders to contain the Sandringham talls.

Tom Lee is likely to get the job on Melbourne draftee Sam Weideman (17 goals in nine games) while Luke Delaney will probably get the defensive job on Cam Pedersen.

The midfield battle will be most intriguing of all, with quality ball winners on both sides. The Melbourne-contingent of Jack Trengove, Clayton Oliver, Ben Kennedy, Tom Bugg and Ben Newton provides plenty of drive but the Zebras boast bigger bodies in their engine room.

Vice-captain Myke Cook and TAC Cup recruit Kade Answerth lead the way for the St Kilda-contingent of Eli Templeton, Brandon White and Brodie Murdoch to stream the Zebras forward.

Joe Fisscher had a tough game against Port Melbourne last round but with the inclusion of Cam Shenton (17 goals, 16 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles per game in 11 games), the Zebras appear to have more options along with a resting ruckman. 

Players to watch:

Sandringham – Brenton Payne

The St Kilda-listed rookie had injury interruptions in his first season last year, but has been able to string games together for Sandringham where he’s averaged 18 disposals, seven marks and four tackles per game in just four senior VFL games in 2016. The 19-year-old’s versatility has seen him play at either end in the last fortnight against Coburg and Port Melbourne.

Casey Scorpions – Jake Spencer

The Melbourne-listed ruckman is one of the reasons Casey have been so dominant in 2016, the 26-year-old averaging 12 disposals, five tackles and 45 hitouts per game in the nine matches he’s featured in for the Scorpions. On the back of another key performance in last round’s loss to Footscray (1 goal, 20 disposals, 7 tackles, 44 hitouts), Spencer will have a big say in this weekend’s fixture at Casey Fields.

Conditions:

The weather is forecast to be mainly sunny, except for a few afternoon clouds and windy. A top of just 12 degrees.  

St Kilda players in the squad:

Tom Lee, Brodie Murdoch, Luke Delaney, Bailey Rice, Brandon White, Eli Templeton, Josh Saunders, Jack Lonie, Cam Shenton, Nick O’Kearney, Billy Longer, Nick Coughlan, Lewis Pierce, Jason Holmes, Brenton Payne, Joe Baker-Thomas, Nathan Freeman.

Notable opposition players:

Mitch White, Colin Garland, Jack Grimes, Lynden Dunn, Viv Michie, Jack Trengove, Tom Bugg, Ben Newton, Cam Pedersen, Dean Terlich, Sam Weideman, Jake Spencer, Ben Kennedy, Clayton Oliver.

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