Seagulls smash Demons to hold top spot

Anglesea vs. Queenscliff @ Alcoa Oval – Saturday, 2:10pm

ANGLESEA will be rueing a missed opportunity to stay in touch with the BFL’s top three after becoming Ocean Grove’s first victim in 2019. The Roos started well with the breeze but were outscored 12 goals to five after quarter time. In a further blow, Anglesea, which lost Ryan Dahlhaus to a broken hand the previous week, could be without BFL representative Dale Kerr after he hurt his AC joint. Queenscliff has its own injury concerns, with former coach Tom Limb injuring a knee in the loss to Geelong Amateur. However, the triple-premiership star is confident he has avoided a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Even if he is right to play, with the interleague break to follow, the Coutas may avoid taking any chances with the veteran midfielder. Last time they met: Round 17, 2018: Queenscliff 14.7 (91) def. Anglesea 11.7 (73) @ Queenscliff
Recreation Reserve Prediction: Anglesea by 15 points Torquay vs. Newcomb @ McCartney Oval –

Saturday, 2:10pm
ONCE upon a time, Torquay coach Dom Gleeson would have looked at the draw and seen a clash with Newcomb as a chance to rest some senior players and expose some youngsters to BFL senior footy. However, with the Power winning three games and producing a more than competitive effort against reigning premier Modewarre, Gleeson knows Rory Nicol’s men will be no pushover. “They’re under some great tuition, they’ve recruited really well, and I’m excited to see what we can bring,” Gleeson said. “They are playing an exciting brand of footy, and they look like they’re a very offensive side with a perfect mix of defence. We’re going to have to bring our A game.” James Saker showed why he might be one of the recruits of the season after restricting Drysdale spearhead Jarrod Garth to just two goals. Last time they met: Round 17, 2018: Torquay 17.16 (118) def. Newcomb 8.16 (64) @ McCartney Oval Prediction: Torquay by 33 points Drysdale vs. Barwon Heads @ Mortimer Oval –

Saturday, 2:10 pm
DRYSDALE co-coach Luke Matthews spoke before last week’s loss to Torquay about the need for the Hawks to claim a big scalp. They were in a position to do so at three-quarter time of the clash with the Tigers at Mortimer Oval leading by 25 points. However, despite the return of gun forward Jarrod Garth from an ankle injury, Drysdale was unable to weather a final quarter burst from the visitors, who kicked five goals to none to claim a seven-point victory. The Hawks now turn their attention to premiership favourite Barwon Heads. The Seagulls easily brushed aside Portarlington by 119 points despite the absence of star co-coach Mitch Herbison (shoulder).

Last time they met: Round 13, 2018: Barwon Heads 22.21 (153) def. Drysdale 7.6 (48) @ Howard Harmer Oval Prediction: Barwon Heads by 19 points Portarlington vs. Modewarre @ Ron Evans Oval – Saturday, 2:10pm MODEWARRE will look to consolidate its spot inside the BFL top five when it travels to Portarlington for a clash with the winless Demons. The Warriors were made to work hard for the four points against Newcomb, with a six-goal-to-two third quarter proving the difference in the 23-point win. Four-time Ash medallist Josh Finch was back to his best in the Modewarre midfield, with the former coach enjoying the freedom to just be a player. Portarlington was always on the back foot after conceding eight first quarter goals against Barwon Heads, with their only two majors for the afternoon coming in the third quarter. The Demons would need a lot to go right if they were to spring a major upset on the Warriors.

Last time they met: Round 12, 2018: Modewarre 27.12 (174) def. Portarlington 4.1 (25) @ Community Bank Oval
Prediction: Modewarre by 73 points Ocean Grove vs. Geelong Amateur @ Ray Menzies Oval – Saturday, 2:10 pm WITH the monkey off the back of rookie coach Jordan Jones following a 26-point win over Anglesea, Ocean Grove will be keen to make it consecutive wins when it hosts old foe Geelong Amateur at Ray Menzies Oval. Having been dealt a massive blow in the days before the game following the news Jones would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, the Cory Connorinspired Grubbers overcame a slow start against the breeze to open their 2019 account. Connor, who joined Ocean Grove from Western Region league club Sunshine in the off-season, followed up his six goals on debut against Modewarre with seven against the Roos. Ammos did what it needed to get past an injury-ravaged Queenscliff to become the first BFL club to win four consecutive games in 2019. Burly forward Mitch Day returned to form with four goals.

Last time they met: Round 11, 2018: Ocean Grove 9.13 (67) def. Geelong Amateur 7.4 (46) @ Ray Menzies Oval Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 27 points