BFL round 5 preview

Barwon Heads vs. Queenscliff @ Howard Harmer Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

BARWON Heads will go into Saturday’s clash with Queenscliff wary of the unpredictable nature of the visitors. After suffering an opening round loss to Drysdale, the Coutas have strung together a three-match winning streak, including against Modewarre last week. However, the margin would have been closer if not for the Warriors inaccuracy in front of goal (6.20). The Seagulls defied their poor record at Queen’s Park in outlasting Geelong Amateur to remain the only unbeaten team in the competition. They did it without co-coach Mitch Herbison, Tim Wight and Dylan Holland. Herbison is expected to return from a bout of concussion, however Wight (ankle) and Holland (fractured jaw) are unlikely to be sighted after the AFL Victoria Community Championships break in mid-May.

Last meeting: Round 11, 2017: Barwon Heads 14.10 (94) def. Queenscliff 6.10 (46) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 24 points

Newcomb vs. Geelong Amateur @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

GEELONG Amateur finds itself in familiar territory after the opening four rounds of the season. It is the third straight year Ammos have started 2-2. They should improve to 3-2 when they travel out to Newcomb. However, the last fortnight has seen a much more competitive Power line-up. After beating Drysdale for the first time in more than a decade, they pushed Ocean Grove for more than three quarters before fading late due to injuries. Shane O’Connell and Peter Plummer collided with each other, leaving O’Connell in hospital and Plummer needing stiches, while co-captain Kane Parish required stitches of his own and suffered a broken hand. Geelong Amateur has their own injury woes, with Will Kelly (hamstring), Kane Smith (elbow) and Bradley King (concussion) likely to be missing.

Last meeting: Round 12, 2017: Geelong Amateur 28.21 (189) def. Newcomb 4.4 (28) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval

Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 65 points

Ocean Grove vs. Torquay @ Ray Menzies Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

WITH confidence restored following a gritty win over Great Ocean Road rivals Anglesea, Torquay faces a challenging fortnight on the road, starting with a trip to Ocean Grove. The Tigers got themselves out of a mini-slump with an impressive defensive display, holding the Roos to a season-low
10 goals for the match, of which star duo Joran Erskine and Dale Carson were held to just three goals between them. Youngster Tom Diamond played arguably his best match for the Tigers outside of his 10-goal haul against Newcomb last year. He finished with four crucial goals to finish as the game’s highest individual scorer. Kyabram recruit Jake Reeves also impressed again, and his battle with Ocean Grove star Andrew Jarvis in the ruck will be a key on Saturday.

Last meeting: Round 12, 2017: Torquay 27.17 (179) def. Ocean Grove 7.8 (50) @ Spring Creek Reserve

Prediction: Ocean Grove by 7 points

Modewarre vs. Drysdale @ Community Bank Oval, Sunday 2.10pm

MODEWARRE will be keen to bounce back quickly from last week’s disappointing loss to Queenscliff, with inaccuracy (6.20) proving costly. In the Warriors favour is the fact Drysdale will be coming off just a four-day break following the Anzac Day clash with Portarlington. It’s not quite must-win territory for Modewarre, however if they were unable to get past the Hawks they would likely find themselves two games adrift of the top five if Anglesea and Geelong Amateur win as expected. Drysdale has been disappointing in losses to Anglesea and Newcomb since beating Queenscliff in Round 1, but have been hit by injury and unavailability to key players, including Matt Hebbard and Damien Hoare.

Last meeting: Round 18, 2017: Modewarre 16.13 (109) def. Drysdale 8.9 (57) @ Community Bank Oval

Prediction: Modewarre by 33 points

Portarlington vs. Anglesea @ Ray Evans Oval, Sunday 2.10pm

PORTARLINGTON faces a tough ask to back up just four days after the Anzac Day clash against Drysdale when it hosts Anglesea on Sunday. The Demons have had a tough opening month to the season, and now face an Roos line-up coming off a loss to Torquay. Portarlington coach Jesse Smith will no doubt spend the coming days devising a plan to limit the influence of star Anglesea forwards Dale Carson and Jordan Erskine. The duo was held to a combined three goals against the Tigers, their lowest return in the opening found rounds. The Demons would need to do similar if they were to be a chance of causing a massive upset.

Last meeting: Round 16, 2017: Anglesea 16.10 (106) def. Portarlington 8.7 (55) @ Ray Evans Oval

Prediction: Anglesea by 52 points