FOUNDATION clubs Barwon Heads and Torquay will meet for the first time in a BFL senior grand final when they clash in the 2019 decider at McCartney Oval.<\/p>\n
The Seagulls will contest consecutive grand finals for the first time since completing the BFL\u2019s first hat-trick of premierships in 1974.<\/p>\n
Despite starting last year\u2019s decider as the overwhelming favourite, Barwon Heads was no match for Modewarre in suffering a 47-point loss.<\/p>\n
However, vice-captain Ned Aulsebrook says last year\u2019s result isn\u2019t being used as motivation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not something we\u2019ve talked about as a group or a club,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s probably 10 or 11 blokes in the side at the moment that weren\u2019t in the side last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s not like it\u2019s the same team. Personally, for me, it was my first grand final last year, and there are a few blokes that are similar, and we will be better for the experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Seagulls enter the grand final having won 10 of 11 matches since the halfway mark of the home-and-away season.<\/p>\n
They were too good for Torquay in the qualifying final by 35 points before earning a week off by blowing away minor premier Geelong Amateur to the tune of 89 points in the second semi-final.<\/p>\n
During the home and away season, the sides each enjoyed a win at home against each other by roughly the same margin of about four goals.<\/p>\n
Aulsebrook says the performance against the Tigers will provide Barwon Heads with a level of confidence heading into the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it will come to the forefront of mind as far as impacting this contest,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s just more confidence in the way we want to play our game. We know it works, we know what we need to do on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
After being forced to take the long way to the grand final following the qualifying final loss, Torquay has overcome Anglesea and Geelong Amateur in consecutive weeks to reach its second grand final in three years.<\/p>\n
Captain Ben Raidme, who missed the 2017 premiership win due to injury, says on the back of the qualifying final result, the Tigers will be underdogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019d be interesting to see what everyone\u2019s predictions are,\u201d he said. \u201cThey beat us in the first final. Then we watched them dismantle Geelong Amateur last week. They\u2019re playing a really good brand of football at the right time of year. It\u2019s a credit to them. They\u2019ve been able to back up last year\u2019s grand final appearance and get back in to have a crack again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to say we\u2019re the underdogs. I think everyone likes to say they\u2019re the underdogs to put the pressure on the opposition. Their recent form\u2019s been really, really good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Torquay is likely to make one change to the team that defeated Ammos, with Team of the Year forward Paul McMahon to return from a minor arm injury.<\/p>\n
That means coach Dom Gleeson will have a tough selection call to make.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an unfortunate and fortunate position to be in,\u201d Raidme said. \u201cI think at the start of the year if you put the scenario to us, we would have said, \u201cyeah, awesome\u201d. But now that it\u2019s upon us, it\u2019s challenging. And there\u2019s probably going to be someone very unlucky that\u2019s, unfortunately, going to miss out at the expense of Paul McMahon coming back in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barwon Heads has a tough selection call to make. Popular defender Dylan Holland is pushing for inclusion despite not playing at senior level since dislocating his shoulder in Round 11.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been training very well; he was full training last week and on Saturday,\u201d Aulsebrook said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI assume \u2013 I\u2019m not across it \u2013 but I assume he is going to make himself available for the weekend. But that\u2019s up to the coaches and selectors if they decide to bring him in.\u201d<\/p>\n