Double-chance up for grabs

Anglesea (3rd) vs. Drysdale (8th) @ Alcoa Oval, Saturday 2:10pm

CONSECUTIVE losses have left the door open for Queenscliff or Modewarre to snatch the double-chance from Anglesea if it can’t get over Drysdale this week. The Roos were unable to go the distance with the Coutas last week in suffering an 18-point loss. Jordan Erskine was held to two goals, but he remains a chance to become the first Anglesea player since Stephen Smith in 1994
to win the BFL goal kicking. He enters the final round level with Barwon Heads star Mitch Phelps on 65 majors. The Hawks will be looking to send out coach Wade Chapman on a winning note. Chapman is the longest-serving coach in Drysdale history, having led the club on 134 occasions for 78 wins, 55 losses and a draw, including the 2009- 10 premierships.

Last meeting: Round 2, 2018: Anglesea 18.9 (117) def. Drysdale 7.5 (47)

Prediction: Anglesea by 43 points

Modewarre (5th) vs. Geelong Amateur (2nd) @ Community Bank Oval, Saturday 2:10pm 

MODEWARRE not only locked away a third consecutive finals berth with its upset 49-point win over Barwon Heads but also kept alive its chances of snatching a double-chance. If the Warriors can snap a 12-match losing streak against Geelong Amateur, and either Anglesea or Queenscliff lose, they will start their finals campaign from a qualifying final. However, Ammos appear to be clicking at just the right time, with the return of star forward Mitch Day and captain Daniel Lovick helping them to a 115-point victory over Portarlington. Day, who kicked six goals, and Matt Walsh (nine) played together for just the sixth time this year. The likes of Daniel Sturzaker and reigning Rookie of the Year Morgan Fenton will have key roles to play in the Modewarre defence.

Last meeting: Round 7: Geelong Amateur 8.10 (58) def. Modewarre 5.13 (43) @ Queens Park

Prediction: Modewarre by 7 points

Newcomb (10th) vs. Barwon Heads (1st) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval, Saturday 2:10pm

BARWON Heads will use the final round clash against Newcomb as a dress rehearsal for the finals. The Seagulls, who suffered just their second loss for the season against Modewarre last week, could welcome back as many six first-choice players for the meeting with the Power, including playing coach Mitch Herbison, Mark Corrigan, Ed Mitchell, Damian Horbury, Sam Evans and Otto Opperman. All eyes will be on whether Mitch Phelps can become the first Barwon Heads player since Lucas Murphy in 2009 to win the BFL goal kicking award. Phelps, who kicked 11 majors in the Seagulls’ hiding of Newcomb in Round 1, is level on 65 goals with Anglesea’s Jordan Erskine. At the other end of the ground, Andrew Mead-Harding needs four goals to top 50 for the season, an impressive achievement in a team that will win just two games.

Last meeting: Round 1, 2018: Barwon Heads 25.27 (177) def. Newcomb 3.9 (27) @ Howard Harmer Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 72 points

Portarlington (9th) vs. Torquay (7th) @ Ron Evans Oval, Saturday 2:10pm

THE curtain will officially come down on Torquay’s premiership defence when it travels to Portarlington for the final round of the season. The 2018 campaign has never seriously got going, with the Tigers unable to win more than two consecutive matches. They will be hoping to welcome back a couple of handy players from overseas, including two-time Ash medallist James Darke, in 2019. The Demons’ campaign has had few highlights, but they will avoid the wooden spoon. Coach Jesse Smith will enter next year with a stable list having already made some key re-signings.

Last meeting: Round 7, 2018: Torquay 14.17 (101) def. Portarlington 7.12 (54) @ Spring Creek Reserve

Prediction: Torquay by 53 points

Queenscliff (4th) vs. Ocean Grove (6th) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, Saturday 2:10pm

SAFE in the knowledge it will return to finals action in Steve Clark’s first year back in charge after beating Anglesea by 18 points, Queenscliff will look to extend its winning streak to seven matches and take some impressive form into what will most likely be an elimination final. However,
the double-chance remains in play if the Coutas can reverse the Round 7 result against Ocean Grove. A victory for Queenscliff and a loss by either Geelong Amateur to Modewarre or Anglesea to Drysdale will see the Coutas in a qualifying final. Ocean Grove will watch on after starting
the season 5-2. Since the start in the interleague break, the Grubbers have been 4-6, with losses to
Drysdale and Torquay coming back to bite Paul Lynch’s men.

Last meeting: Round 7, 2018: Ocean Grove 9.15 (69) def. Queenscliff 8.7 (55) @ Ray Menzies Oval

Prediction: Queenscliff by 11 points