Seagulls look to continue stunning start

Drysdale (9th) vs. Barwon Heads (1st) @ Mortimer Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

BARWON Heads outstanding start to 2018 continued in disposing of reigning premier Torquay by 89 points to extend its winning streak to six. That should become seven on Saturday against Drysdale, which is winless since beating Queenscliff in the opening round of the season. The Seagulls are conceding just 45 points per game, with their average winning margin 83 points. The Hawks were competitive in patches against Geelong Amateur, but could manage just three goals after half time. Coach Wade Chapman will need his charges to produce a solid defensive effort to get anywhere near the premiership favourites. Mitch Phelps has a runaway lead in the league goal kicking award, averaging just under five per game to sit on 29.

Last meeting: Round 15, 2017: Barwon Heads 11.6 (72) def. Drysdale 8.13 (61) @ Howard Harmer Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 47 points

Newcomb (9th) vs. Anglesea (2nd) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

AFTER arguably its best win under Paul Carson in beating Ocean Grove by 39 points, Anglesea will look to consolidate its spot inside the top five against Newcomb. The Roos are making the most of one of the best forward duos the BFL has seen, with Jordan Erskine and Dale Carson kicking 43 goals between them in the opening six rounds. While much has been made of the star pair, Anglesea’s defence has been just as effective, with the arrival of Jordan Harrison from Grovedale just as important as Erskine. For a third consecutive week, the Power were within striking distance of their opponents at three-quarter time but faded. The impressive season of Andrew Mead-Harding continued. He kicked four goals to take his tally for 2018 to 11. He will need another bag if Newcomb is to cause an upset.

Last meeting: Round 18, 2017: Anglesea 13.15 (93) def. Newcomb 10.8 (68) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval

Prediction: Anglesea by 53 points

Geelong Amateur (4th) vs. Modewarre (6th) @ Queen’s Park, Saturday 2.10pm

A MEETING of two teams who are coming off solid Round 6 wins but are still searching for consistency in 2018. Geelong Amateur had to work hard to see off Drysdale, while Modewarre slammed on nine goals in the opening term to ensure it would leave Portarlington with the four points. Tom Worpel kicked a career-high five goals for the Warriors, while co-coach John Meesen produced a best-on-ground performance against the Demons. He will have an entertaining battle with Ammos’ big man Hamish Dahl, who was able to sneak forward and kick five goals against the Hawks. Dahl, who joined club ahead of the 2016 season, had kicked just 14 goals from his previous 43 games.

Last meeting: Round 11, 2017: Geelong Amateur 17.11 (113) def. Modewarre 7.4 (46) @ Community Bank Oval

Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 14 points

Ocean Grove (3rd) vs. Queenscliff (5th) @ Ray Menzies Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

IT was a case of contrasting fortunes for Ocean Grove and Queenscliff in Round 6. Both teams made a slow start in their respective games, however only the Coutas were able to bounce back and claim the four points, beating Newcomb by 56 points thanks to an 8.2 to 1.3 final term. The Grubbers went goaless in the opening term against Anglesea, fought back to lead late in the second quarter, before the Roos kicked 11 of the last 16 goals of the contest. The loser of this clash could potentially sit outside the top five heading into the interleague break. The battle of big men Andrew Jarvis (Ocean Grove) and Michael Randone (Queenscliff) will be crucial to the outcome.

Last meeting: Round 18, 2017: Queenscliff 24.19 (163) def. Ocean Grove 7.12 (54) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Prediction: Ocean Grove by 21 points

Torquay (7th) vs. Portarlington (10th) @ Spring Creek Reserve, Saturday 2.10pm

CAN Torquay find the form that helped them to last year’s premiership? The Tigers were outclassed by the unbeaten Barwon Heads last round to the tune of 89 points. However, they should have too much talent for Portarlington. The Demons were blown away in the opening quarter by Modewarre in Round 6 and spent the rest of the afternoon unsuccessfully playing catch-up. If Torquay was tp fall to Portarlington, they would potentially be three games adrift of the top five heading into the interleague break.

Last meeting: Round 13, 2017: Torquay 16.13 (109) def. Portarlington 7.4 (46) @ Ron Evans Oval

Prediction: Torquay by 38 points