Race to the finals heats up

Anglesea vs. Geelong Amateur @ Alcoa Oval – Saturday, 2.10pm

GEELONG Amateur will take a six-point buffer at the top of the ladder into a challenging final four rounds of the season, starting with Anglesea at Alcoa Oval this week. Ammos then face reigning premier Modewarre at Community Bank Oval in Round 16, before returning home for the final two games against Drysdale and Barwon Heads. Kane Tenace’s men continued their impressive record in close matches, winning their third straight contest by less than seven points. In all, Geelong Amateur has featured in five matches decided by single figures, including a draw with the Roos at KFC Oval in Round 7. It’s not quite must-win territory for Anglesea. However, a loss to Ammos could see it outside the top five with three rounds to play if Torquay beats Ocean Grove.

Last time they met: Round 7, 2019: Geelong Amateur 14.8 (92) drew with Anglesea 14.8 (92) @ KFC Oval.

Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 9 points

Torquay vs. Ocean Grove @ McCartney Oval – Saturday, 2.10pm

DESPITE a stunning final quarter burst that saw Torquay claim a crucial 47-point win over Anglesea, the Tigers are still outside the top five. Leading by just 10 points at three-quarter time at Alcoa Oval, coach Dom Gleeson to take the game on. Torquay then proceeded to slam on eight-goals-to-one to claim its ninth win of the season. “It was a really tough game, and the game didn’t really open up until the last quarter,” assistant coach and captain Ben Raidme said. “He just urged us to play that fast, first-option footy, and look to get it into our forwards really quickly.” Ocean Grove was competitive for a half against Modewarre before being blown away in the third quarter, as the Warriors helped themselves to seven goals.

Last time they met: Round 8, 2019: Torquay 15.12 (102) def. Ocean Grove 7.7 (49) @ Ray Menzies Oval

Prediction: Torquay by 37 points

Drysdale vs. Modewarre @ Mortimer Oval – Saturday, 2.10pm

A CLASH in which the loser could find itself outside the top five with three rounds remaining. If Torquay was to win well against Ocean Grove, and Anglesea has the better of Geelong Amateur at Alcoa Oval, percentage could see Drysdale or Modewarre occupying sixth spot. The Hawks were outplayed by Barwon Heads last week, while the Warriors claimed a third consecutive win in beating Ocean Grove, despite star Mitch Fisher (foot) being a late withdrawal. He is likely to return, with Jesse Douglas (foot) and Nathan Ablett (soreness) also in the mix. Modewarre won a scrappy contest by seven points when the two teams met in Round 7. Drysdale spearhead Jarrod Garth kicked four goals that day. The job of curbing the league’s second leading goal kicker is set to go to Ollie Butler or Morgan Fenton.

Last time they met: Round 7, 2019: Modewarre 9.8 (62) def. Drysdale 7.13 (55) @ Community Bank Oval

Prediction: Drysdale by 11 points

Newcomb vs. Barwon Heads @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval – Saturday, 2.10pm

BARWON Heads made a strong statement to the rest of the competition with a 51-point win  over Drysdale in an emotion-charged encounter at Howard Harmer Oval. The margin could have been greater if not for the Seagulls’ inaccuracy. Last year’s grand finalist had 34 scoring shots to 17 as they replaced the Hawks in second spot. “Especially that first quarter,” co-coach Mitch Herbison said. “We had a fair bit of the play; we had 17 shots on
goal for the quarter. We didn’t quite capitalise. It was a bit blowy down here at Barwon Heads. Conditions were a little bit tricky, but we certainly missed some chances that we would like to take.” The previous meeting with Newcomb was a cracker at Howard Harmer Oval, with the Seagulls sneaking home by 13 points. The Power scored their fifth win of the season in beating Portarlington by 79 points for its equal-biggest win under Rory Nicol.

Last time they met: Round 7, 2019: Barwon Heads 14.15 (99) def. Newcomb 13.8 (86) @ Howard Harmer Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 34 points

Portarlington vs. Queenscliff @ Ron Evans Oval – Saturday, 2.10pm

QUEENSCLIFF will have no shortage of incentive in its search for its third win of the season with favourite son Luke Orvis to play game 200 as the Coutas travel to Ron Evans Oval for a clash with the winless Portarlington. Since welcoming back a host of quality players following the bye, Queenscliff has fallen just short of victory against Anglesea and Geelong Amateur. Last week, the Coutas surrendered a 16-point three-quarter time lead to lose to Ammos by six points. Playing his first game of the season, Orvis starred with four goals. The Coutas were too good for the Demons when they met in Round 8, with Jayden Durran kicking six goals in a 112-point hiding.

Last time they met: Round 8, 2019: Queenscliff 19.23 (137) def. Portarlington 3.7 (25) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Prediction: Queenscliff by 66 points