It’s do or die time for Tigers

Torquay (7th) vs. Ocean Grove (5th) @ Spring Creek Reserve, Saturday 2:10pm

IT is last roll of the dice time for the reigning premier. Unless Torquay can get the job done against Ocean Grove, and with Modewarre playing Queenscliff, it will find itself three games and percentage outside of the top five with three rounds to play. However, if the Tigers do get the four points, they will back themselves to win out against Drysdale, Newcomb and Portarlington. Ocean Grove’s run home is just as challenging, with Modewarre, Drysdale
and Queenscliff to follow the trip to Spring Creek Reserve. Grubbers big man Andrew Jarvis was outstanding the last time these two teams met. Torquay will need to curb his influence if it’s to cause an upset.

Last meeting: Round 5, 2018: Ocean Grove 9.18 (72) def. Torquay 6.11 (47) @ Ray Menzies Oval

Prediction: Ocean Grove by 21 points

Anglesea (2nd) vs. Newcomb (9th) @Alcoa Oval, Saturday 2:10pm

ANGLESEA will look to bring the momentum from the second half of last week’s win over Torquay intoSaturday’s clash with Newcomb. The Roos opened up the Tigers after half time, kicking 15 goals to two to turn a 12-point deficit into a 63-point victory. Anglesea holds a two-game buffer over Modewarre, Ocean Grove and Queenscliff with four rounds remaining. The Roos haven’t yet locked away the double-chance, but with the Warriors, Grubbers and Coutas to play each other in the final month of the season, victory over the Power should be enough. Star forwards Jordan Erskine and Dale Carson combined for nine goals when the two teams last met in Round 7. Unless Newcomb can contain one or both, Anglesea should win comfortably.

Last meeting: Round 7, 2018: Anglesea 18.19 (127) def. Newcomb 8.14 (62) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval

Prediction: Anglesea by 51 points

Modewarre (4th) vs. Queenscliff (6th) @ Community Bank Oval, Saturday 2:10pm

MODEWARRE and Queenscliff will meet in one of the key clashes of the season at Community Bank Oval. Both teams enter the clash with an 8-6 winloss record and a slim chance of snatching third spot from Geelong Amateur in the final month of the season. However, that will be the furthest thing from the minds of the Warriors and the Coutas, with the loser of Saturday’s clash putting their finals hopes in jeopardy. Queenscliff made Modewarre pay for inaccuracy in front of goal when the two teams met in Round 4. Warriors co-coaches John Meesen and Josh Finch will be hoping the radar is on target this time around.

Last meeting: Round 4, 2018: Queenscliff 12.9 (81) def. Modewarre 6.20 (56) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Prediction: Modewarre by 11 points Barwon Heads (1st) vs. Geelong

Amateur (3rd) @ Howard Harmer Oval, Saturday 2:10pm

ONE more win will make the minor premiership a certainty for Barwon Heads. However, the Seagulls face a Geelong Amateur line-up keen to lock away the double-chance as quickly as possible. If Ammos can’t return from Howard Harmer Oval with the four points, they open the door for any of Modewarre, Ocean Grove or Queenscliff to move to within a game of third spot. The Warriors, who Amateur meet in Round 18, loom as the biggest threat due to
their superior percentage. Barwon Heads continued its recent Battle of the Bridge domination in beating Ocean Grove last week and will be keen to make it two victories in a season over Ammos for the first time since 2010.

Last meeting: Round 4, 2018: Barwon Heads 13.7 (85) def. Geelong Amateur 10.11 (71) @ Queens Park

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 18 points

Portarlington (10th) vs. Drysdale (8th) @ Ron Evans Oval – Portarlington Recreation Reserve, Saturday 2:10pm

PORTARLINGTON will look at the next fortnight as a chance to shift itself off the bottom of the ladder, as it faces fellow cellar-dwellers Drysdale and Newcomb. First for the Demons is a meeting with the Hawks, who they had the better of by five points on Anzac Day. However, Drysdale is in better form than what its 3-11 win-loss record reflects. The Hawks kept finals-bound Geelong Amateur honest for much of the afternoon last week, before dropping away late for a 25-point loss. Portarlington is coming off its highest score of the season in last week’s loss to Queenscliff.

Last meeting: Round 4, 2018: Portarlington 11.7 (73) def. Drysdale 9.14 (68) @ Mortimer Oval

Prediction: Drysdale by 14 points