Warriors and Tigers clash could shape top five

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

CAN lightning strike twice for Ocean Grove against Anglesea in 2019? Having suffered four consecutive losses to open the season, the Grubbers got on the board with an upset 26-point win over the Roos in Round 5 on the back of seven goals from recruit Cory Connor. However, Connor, who has kicked 22 goals in six games, hasn’t played for the past fortnight. Anglesea is unbeaten since that loss to Ocean Grove, with narrow wins over Barwon Heads and Modewarre, and a draw with Geelong Amateur part of that six-match unbeaten run. Stopping Roos spearhead Jordan Erskine will be critical if the Grubbers are to cause another shock. However, Erskine is in some impressive form with 22 goals in the last three weeks since being limited to one major against Barwon Heads in Round 8.

Last time they met: Round 5, 2019: Ocean Grove 13.7 (85) def. Anglesea 9.5 (59) @ Ray Menzies Oval Prediction: Anglesea by 37 points

Barwon Heads vs. Queenscliff @ Howard Harmer Oval – Saturday, 2:10 pm

BARWON Heads will be confident of keeping its spot inside the top five when it hosts the struggling Queenscliff. The Seagulls returned to form with a crucial 38-point victory over grand final conqueror Modewarre in Round 11, while the Coutas became the first team other than Portarlington to lose both games to Newcomb in a season since 2007. Barwon Heads is closing in on its best 22, with only Ryan Harvey, Tyson Macilwain and Tim McIntyre missing from the win over Modewarre. To give you an idea of how much Queenscliff’s depth was tested against Newcomb, it was without the Mitch Donnelly, Michael Randone, Rob Chisholm, Jack Exell, Alex Snowdon, Matthew Craig, A.J Davie, Jason Graham, Spencer Luppino and captain Jake Hedley last week.

Last time they met: Round 4, 2019: Barwon Heads 16.15 (111) def. Queenscliff 6.15 (51) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 61 points Drysdale vs. Portarlington @ Mortimer Oval – Saturday, 2:10pm

PORTARLINGTON will look to reproduce the form it showed on Anzac Day when it travels up the road for its return meeting with Drysdale. The Demons were more than competitive that afternoon in pushing the Hawks to 32 points. However, Drysdale was without star forward Jarrod Garth, with Matt Hebbard filling the void with six goals. The Garth-Hebbard combination is arguably the best forward duo in the competition, having kicked 72 goals between them in 2019. Hebbard needs just one more goal for his 100th since arriving at Mortimer Oval ahead of the 2017 season. The Hawks are well positioned for a crack at the double-chance, and it’s hard to see them letting this one slip, despite Chris Lynch playing his last game for the season last week.

Last time they met: Round 4, 2019: Drysdale 13.14 (92) def. Portarlington 9.6 (60)

Prediction: Drysdale by 73 points Newcomb vs. Geelong Amateur @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval – Saturday, 2:10 pm

GEELONG Amateur will enter its clash with Newcomb full-of-confidence after reclaiming top spot on the ladder with a win over Torquay on Sunday. After an even first half, Ammos pulled away with a seven-goal-to-three second half to claim a 26-point win. The Power will also enter the match off a win after overcoming Queenscliff by 22 points for its fourth win of the season, their most in a year since winning the 2007 premiership. Geelong Amateur may be without star forward Mitch Day, who was offered a two-week suspension for striking Tiger Sam Wormald. Day kicked five goals against Torquay to take his tally for 2019 to 41. However, when Ammos had the better of Newcomb in Round 5 by 78 points, Harry Kershaw and Sam Hosking starred with six goals apiece.

Last time they met: Round 4, 2019: Geelong Amateur 19.9 (123) def. Newcomb 6.9 (45) @ KFC Oval

Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 35 points Modewarre vs. Torquay @ Community Bank Oval – Sunday, 2:10 pm

ONE only has to look at the battle for finals spots to understand how important the second meeting of the season between Modewarre and Torquay is. A loss for the Warriors is likely to see them four points and percentage behind Barwon Heads with six rounds remaining. However, if the reigning premier claims its eighth win of the season, and other results go against the Tigers, they could drop out of the top five only a fortnight after sitting atop the ladder. In a boost for Modewarre, premiership forward Nathan Ablett got through his first game of the season in the reserves. He may come into consideration for a senior berth.

Last time they met: Round 3, 2019: Modewarre 15.17 (107) def. Torquay 11.6 (72) @ McCartney Oval

Prediction: Modewarre by 7 points