Fans could be in a for a treat at Hawks-Tigers clash

Torquay vs. Drysdale @ McCartney Oval – Saturday, 2.10pm

IF THIS clash between Torquay and Drysdale is as good as the previous meeting in Round 5, then fans that head to McCartney Oval should be in for a treat. On that afternoon at Mortimer Oval, the Tigers – inspired by three goals from playing coach Dom Gleeson – overcame a 25-point deficit at threequarter time to beat the Hawks by seven points. With the Tigers sitting fifth, one game behind the secondplaced Hawks, the importance of the match can’t be understated. If Torquay was to lose, and Modewarre beats Newcomb, the Tigers would drop out of the top five with five rounds to play. However, a win for Gleeson’s men draws them level on wins with Drysdale and maintains their hopes of claiming the double-chance. All eyes will be on whether star Torquay defender James Saker goes to Mat Hebbard or Jarrod Garth at the first bounce.

Last time they met: Round 5, 2019: Torquay 9.11 (65) def. Drysdale 8.10 (58) Prediction: Torquay by 7 points Modewarre vs. Newcomb @ Community Bank Oval – Saturday, 2:10pm

NEWCOMB will claim a big scalp before the end of 2019. However, Modewarre will be keen not to be a victim of the much-improved Power when they clash on Saturday at Community Bank Oval. The Warriors have the chance to return to the top five with a win but will need one of Anglesea, Barwon Heads or Torquay to lose to jump into fifth spot. Newcomb took it right up to Modewarre in Round 5, with the final margin 23 points in favour of the reigning premier. However, the Warriors were without forward duo Nathan Ablett and Josh McDonald that day after both made delayed starts to the season. They both kicked two goals in the crucial win over Torquay before the bye. Power star Richie Hollins may be given the task of limiting Ablett’s influence.

Last time they met: Round 5, 2019: Modewarre 13.18 (96) def. Newcomb 11.7 (73) @ Newcomb  Sand & Soil Oval
Prediction: Modewarre by 31 points Geelong Amateur vs. Ocean Grove @ Ray Menzies Oval – Saturday, 2.10pm

DAVID King will take charge of Ocean Grove for the first time following the sacking of Jordan Jones last Tuesday. A former star at St Joseph’s, King played with the Grubbers under Wayne Walsh in 2016 before returning as a non-playing assistant coach ahead of this year. They take on ladder leader Geelong Amateur, whose star-studded midfield includes King’s brother Bradley. However, Ammos will again be without spearhead Mitch Day as he
serves the second week of two-match suspension as a result of an incident in the Round 11 win over Torquay. He kicked four goals and was beston- ground in Amateur’s 30-point win over Ocean Grove in Round 6. The Grubbers were competitive that day, trailing by just seven points at three-quarter time before Ammos pulled away with a 4.6 to 1.1 final term.

Last time they met: Round 6, 2019: Geelong Amateur 11.14 (80) def. Ocean Grove 8.2 (50) @ Ray Menzies Oval
Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 45 points. Portarlington vs. Barwon Heads @ Portarlington Recreation Reserve – Saturday, 2:10pm

BARWON Heads has a chance to consolidate its spot inside the top five when it travels across to Portarlington. The Seagulls, who hold th competition’s second-best percentage at 153.39 per cent, will see this an opportunity to boost that figure against the struggling Demons. Portarlington will welcome back talented youngster Ross Celano from suspension, while also hoping Jordy Sabell, Tom Kelly and Lucas Farrugia are available. Barwon Heads handed out a 119-point hiding when the two teams met in Round 5. Interim coach Jamie Morgan, who will take charge of the Demons for the third time this week, will be keen to halve that margin at least this time around.

Last time they met: Round 5, 2019: Barwon Heads 21.9 (135) def. Portarlington 2.4 (16) @ Howard Harmer Oval
Prediction: Barwon Heads by 82 points Queenscliff vs. Anglesea @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve – Saturday, 2:10pm

TO SAY the bye couldn’t have come at a better time for Queenscliff would be an understatement, with up to 10 players set to return for Saturday’s clash against Anglesea. The Coutas have used 42 players at senior level in 2019, with only five – Caleb Whitley, Che Durran, Dan Gibbs, Fraser Richards and Nathan Monk – appearing in every match. Among those sidelined for more than a month include Daniel DeGois, A.J. Davie, Matt Craig, Alex Snowdon and captain Jake Hedley. While Jayden Durran, Tom Limb and Mitch Butteriss were sidelined from the loss to Barwon Heads before the break. Roos spearhead Jordan Erskine kicked four goals in the 41-point win over Queenscliff in Round 6. He sits on 74 goals after kicking 32 goals from five matches in June.

Last time they met: Round 6, 2019: Angelsea15.13 (103) def. Queenscliff 8.14 (62) @ Alcoa OvalPrediction: Anglesea by 27 points