Five teams 3-1 after four rounds

Barwon Heads vs. Portarlington @ Howard Harmer Oval – Saturday, 2:10pm
BARWON Heads bounced back quickly from the disappointment of its after-the-siren loss to Geelong Amateur with a comfortable 60-point win over an inaccurate Queenscliff. The win has seen last year’s runner-up take top spot on the ladder from Newcomb. However, they are one of five teams to hold a 3-1 record after the opening month of the season. Portarlington remains winless on the bottom of the ladder despite another encouraging performance on Anzac Day against Drysdale. Despite the efforts of former St Joseph’s and Queenscliff star Daniel Measures and three goals from Sean Lucas, the Demons fell 32 points short of the Hawks. Barwon Heads will be a tough ask for Jesse Smith’s men, especially with the Seagulls plethora of forward options, including 2018 BFL leading goalkicker Mitch Phelps and Koroit recruit Tim McIntyre. The pair kicked seven goals between them against the Coutas.
Last time they met: Round 9, 2018: Barwon Heads 30.25 (205) def. Portarlington 6.5 (41) @ Howard Harmer Oval
Prediction: Barwon Heads by 71 points

Geelong Amateur vs. Queenscliff @ KFC Oval – Queen’s Park – Saturday, 2:10pm
GEELONG Amateur will be chasing a fourth consecutive win when it hosts Queenscliff at KFC Oval. Ammos ended Newcomb’s unbeaten start to the season with a comprehensive 78-point victory. With Mitch Day spending some time in the ruck in the absence of Guy Hardiman, and having to contend with multiple opponents when forward, Harry Kershaw and St Mary’s recruit Sam Hosking bobbed up to kick six goals apiece, with Brydon Barnett contributing four. Hardiman will return for the meeting with the Coutas after being unavailable last week. Queenscliff is arguably the BFL team hardest-hit by injury, with quality quartet Jayden Durran, Tom Limb, Michael Randone and Justin Maher all missing the loss to Barwon Heads that leaves Steve Clark’s charges two games outside the top five.
Last time they met: Elimination Final, 2018: Geelong Amateur 13.10 (88) def. Queenscliff 7.10 (52)
Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 41 points

Drysdale vs. Torquay @ Mortimer Oval – Saturday, 2:10pm
TORQUAY will be looking for a similarly fast start to the one it produced in last week’s 40-point win over Anglesea when it travels to Drysdale for a meeting with the much-improved Hawks. The Tigers jumped the Roos with a 5.3 to 1.2 opening quarter and were never seriously threatened from that point on. Benefitting from a full pre-season, Torquay skipper Ben Raidme continued his impressive start to 2019 that is likely to have him in early Ash Medal discussions. Drysdale did what it needed to against Portarlington, with former Essendon and Footscray VFL speedster Lauchie Dalgleish making a strong return from a calf injury. However, fellow off-season acquisition Jarrod Garth is no certainty to play against Torquay due to a lingering ankle issue. Mat Hebbard has been impressive in Garth’s absence, with a six-goal haul against Portarlington taking him to 15 for the season. He is likely to have Torquay newcomer James Saker for company on Saturday.
Last time they met: Round 16, 2018: Drysdale 13.10 (88) def. Torquay 12.12 (84) @ Mortimer Oval
Prediction: Torquay by 11 points

Newcomb vs. Modewarre @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval – Saturday, 2:10pm
WAS last week’s 78-point loss to Geelong Amateur a true reflection of where Newcomb sits in the BFL pecking order? Or was it an aberration after starting the season with three consecutive wins? A clash with reigning premier Modewarre may provide a clearer indication for the Power and BFL followers. The Warriors were too slick for Ocean Grove on Sunday, handing out a 64-point hiding as captain Mitch Fisher and Tom Worpel helped themselves to six goals apiece. Modewarre has an ability to score goals quickly that few others possess in the BFL. That’s an area Newcomb will need to limit if it is to be any chance of causing an upset. Power big man Kieren Bourke will have his hands full in the ruck against fellow BFL interleague squad member John Meesen.
Last time they met: Round 14, 2018: Modewarre 13.22 (100) def. Newcomb 8.13 (61)
Prediction: Modewarre by 53 points

Ocean Grove vs. Anglesea @ Ray Menzies Oval – Saturday, 2:10
IF sitting 0-4 after the opening month of the season isn’t bad enough, it could get worse for Ocean Grove. Playing coach Jordy Jones was due to find out how long he will spend on the sidelines with a knee injury. Jones could only watch on from the sidelines as the Grubbers were handed a 64-point beating by Modewarre on Sunday, leaving them already three games outside the top five. Anglesea was slow out of the blocks in a 40-point loss to Torquay. Trailing by 25 points at quarter time, the Roos were never able to seriously challenge the Tigers. Of concern for Anglesea is its inability to find goals outside of spearhead Jordan Erskine. Of the 64 goals kicked by the Roos in 2019, Erskine has 26 of them or around 40 per cent.
Last time they met: Round 12, 2018: Anglesea 13.13 (91) def. Ocean Grove 7.12 (54) @ Ray Menzies Oval
Prediction: Anglesea by 31 points