Roos look to end Seagulls’ streak

Anglesea vs. Barwon Heads @ Alcoa Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

THERE will be plenty of firepower on display when second-placed Anglesea meets unbeaten ladder leader Barwon Heads as the BFL resumes following last week’s successful AFL Victoria Community Championships campaign. The Seagulls feature leading goal kicker Mitch Phelps (34), while the Roos’ forward line contains Dale Carson (27 goals) and Jordan Erskine (25). Erskine will take plenty of confidence into the clash after six-goal haul in the Bellarine’s victory over Wimmera at Horsham. While much has been made of the Barwon Heads forward line, the Seagulls’ backline has been just as impressive, conceding an average of just 46 points per game. After withdrawing from interleague due to concussion, co-coach Mitch Herbison should be right to play as Barwon Heads looks for its eighth consecutive win.

Last meeting: Round 8, 2017: Barwon Heads 15.16 (106) def. Anglesea 8.6 (54) @ Howard Harmer Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 11 points

Modewarre vs. Torquay @ Community Bank Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

MODEWARRE and Torquay become the first two teams to meet for a second time in 2018, having opened the season on Good Friday. On that occasion, the Tigers put a fortnight of controversy behind them to claim a scrappy nine-point win. However, it’s been a struggle for the reigning premier. Despite only posting three wins in the opening seven rounds, they sit just a game behind fifth-placed Queenscliff. The Warriors find themselves in a similar position. If Geelong Amateur beats Queenscliff, then the winner of the Torquay-Modewarre clash will find themselves in a fifth spot approaching the halfway mark of the season. The ruck battle between Warriors co-coach John Meesen and Tiger recruit Jake Reeves will again be a key.

Last meeting: Round 1, 2018: Torquay 7.8 (50) def. Modewarre 5.11 (41) @ Spring Creek Reserve

Prediction: Modewarre by 7 points

Portarlington vs. Newcomb @ Ron Evans Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

WITH the spectre of relegation looming even larger as we approach the middle of the 2018 season, Portarlington and Newcomb meet in what could be a pivotal clash. Both teams have been more than competitive through the opening seven rounds, but a win over Drysdale is all both have to show for their efforts. With the Hawks starting as underdog against Ocean Grove, the winner of the meeting between the Demons and Power could find themselves in eighth spot after eight rounds. Andrew Mead-Harding has been a revelation up forward for Newcomb and will need to be kept in check if Portarlington is to claim a second victory.

Last meeting: Round 11, 2017: Newcomb 12.16 (88) def. Portarlington 10.12 (72) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval

Prediction: Portarlington by 15 points

Queenscliff vs. Geelong Amateur @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, Saturday 2.10pm

QUEENSCLIFF remains the great unknown of the BFL as it enters a crucial clash with Geelong Amateur. The Coutas have had several key players sidelined through injury during the opening two months of the season but have managed to cobble together four wins. However, they are to yet to beat a team above them on the ladder. Ammos look well-placed for another finals appearance, but appear to yet have clicked into the gear that has taken them to the last four grand finals. Former Fremantle rookie Hamish Shepheard produced his best performance since arriving at the club in the win over Modewarre before the break.

Last meeting: Round 13, 2017: Geelong Amateur 25.15 (165) def. Queenscliff 3.2 (20)

Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 22 points

Ocean Grove vs. Drysdale @ Ray Menzies Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

OCEAN Grove will be keen to maintain its two-game buffer on sixth-place when it hosts Drysdale. However, coach Paul Lynch only needs to look back to the second half of the 2017 season to know that beating the Hawks is no gimme. When the two teams met back in Round 13 last year, Drysdale caused one of the upsets of the season in handing the Grubbers a 60-point hiding. Ocean Grove is unbeaten at home, with an average winning margin of close to 42 points. The Hawks have lost six-in-a-row since beating Queenscliff in Round 1. It’s the only time Wade Chapman’s men have kicked double figure goals for the season. That’s a feat they will have to achieve if they’re to be any chance of again upsetting the Grubbers.

Last meeting: Round 13, 2017: Drysdale 20.13 (133) def. Ocean Grove 10.13 (73)

Prediction: Ocean Grove by 37 points.