Gulls and Ammos to clash again, while Great Ocean Rivalry ignites

Finals Week 2

Second Semi-Final: Geelong Amateur (1^st) vs. Barwon Heads (2nd) @ Portarlington Recreation Reserve – Saturday, 2:10pm

VETERAN Damien Horbury says Barwon Heads will enter Saturday’s second semi-final against Geelong Amateur full of confidence after seeing off Torquay by 35 points in the qualifying final. The Seagulls made it nine wins from 10 starts to put themselves one victory away from consecutive grand final appearances for the first time since 1974. Among their wins was an impressive 41-point result against Ammos at KFC Oval in Round 18. “In the second half of the year, getting our structures right and getting a consistent blend of a team and not having too many ins and outs, has worked in our favour,” Horbury said. “We may get one or two players back, but having that confidence to know we played well against them on their home deck, hopefully, we can do the same again.” The key to Barwon Heads’ success has been its defence, with Anglesea in Round 16 the only team in the second half of the season to kick 10 or more goals against it. “Our defensive structure behind the footy is something we’ve worked on quite a bit in the second half of the year,” Horbury said. That defence may be strengthened by the return from a dislocated shoulder of BFL representative Dylan Holland. Amateur enjoyed the week off after claiming the minor premiership and will be keen to take the direct route to its fifth grand final in six years. Rookie coach Kane Tenace will be hoping to get back Adam Kurzman and Will Kelly after both missed the final round loss.

2019 Meetings:

Round 3: Geelong Amateur 11.9 (75) def. Barwon Heads 10.13 (73) @ Howard Harmer Oval

Round 18: Barwon Heads 14.9 (93) def. Geelong Amateur 8.4 (52) @ KFC Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 22 points

First Semi-Final: Torquay (3rd) vs. Anglesea (4th) @ Portarlington Recreation Reserve – Sunday, 2:10pm

GREAT Ocean Road rivals Torquay and Anglesea will meet in a final for the first time since 2011 when they meet in Sunday’s first semi at Portarlington Recreation Reserve. The Tigers find themselves playing cutthroat football after being held to their lowest score of the season in a 35-point qualifying final loss to Barwon Heads. However, they were missing coach Dom Gleeson and captain Ben Raidme, with both a chance to line-up against the Roos. Anglesea ended the premiership defence of Modewarre with a 15-point win in the elimination final. However, the Roos face a tough ask to overcome Torquay after losing both home-and-away matches, including by 47 points at Alcoa Oval in Round 17. “They got hold of us, and we’re well aware of what’s ahead and what they were good at against us,” Nigro said. “We’re ready for the challenge”. Anglesea is likely to again be without Dyson Bell-Warren (shoulder), and he may be joined on the sideline by BFL representative Dale Kerr. Kerr was due to face the AFL Barwon Tribunal on Tuesday night after being cited by the Match Review Panel for a sling tackle on Warrior Mitch Fisher. It will be worth getting to Portarlington in time for the first bounce. Anglesea spearhead Jordan Erskine only needs two goals to become the first Roo since Jim Kelly in 1987 to top the ton. He kicked 4.4 against the Warriors to take his tally for the season to 98. Erskine has only managed a combined five goals across the two match-ups with Torquay in 2019.

2019 Meetings:

Round 4: Torquay 13.12 (90) def. Anglesea 7.8 (50) @ McCartney Oval

Round 14: Torquay 18.14 (122) def. Anglesea 11.9 (75) @ Alcoa Oval

Prediction: Anglesea by 7 points