Barwon Heads to continue early season form

Portarlington vs. Newcomb @ Ron Evans Oval – Friday, 2:10pm
NEWCOMB has a gilt-edged opportunity to win three consecutive matches for the first time since the 2007 finals series when it travels to Portarlington for the inaugural Good Friday clash between the clubs. The Power sits third on the ladder after consecutive four-point wins over Ocean Grove and Queenscliff. However, coach Rory Nicol won’t be taking the Demons, who have suffered consecutive 100-point losses to open 2019, lightly. Newcomb will have to make at least one change to the side that overcame the Coutas, with Lachie McDowell suffering a serious shoulder injury. Portarlington was no match for Geelong Amateur despite the efforts of Gisborne recruit Ross Celano. Ex-Ocean Grove premiership player and former Demon Mat Gorski played his first senior game for the club since 2010.

Last time they met: Round 16, 2018: Portarlington 15.7 (97) def. Newcomb 13.13 (91) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval
Prediction: Newcomb by 41 points

Torquay vs. Modewarre @ McCartney Oval – Friday, 5:10 pm
TORQUAY and Modewarre will meet on Good Friday for the second consecutive year in what looms as a crucial clash for both clubs. The Tigers and Warriors enter the contest having both posted one win and one loss in the opening two rounds. Torquay was swamped in the final quarter of last week’s inaugural “Battle of the Breaks” clash with Barwon Heads. Leading by 13 points at the last change, the Tigers couldn’t stop the Seagulls piling on five goals to claim a 26-point win. Modewarre had to fight off a plucky Anglesea to avoid starting the season with two straight losses. Jesse Douglas was the star with four goals for the Warriors, while Hasker Dawborn showed why he might be one of most underrated newcomers to the BFL. Despite failing to make the finals in 2018, Torquay won both meetings against Modewarre last year.

Last time they met: Round 8, 2018: Torquay 14.3 (87) def. Modewarre 10.14 (74) @ Community Bank Oval
Prediction: Modewarre by 7 points

Anglesea vs. Drysdale @ Alcoa Oval – Saturday, 2:10 pm
THOSE in the crowd at Alcoa Oval on Sunday will be hoping Jarrod Garth runs out in a Drysdale jumper after missing last week’s win over Ocean Grove with an ankle issue. If he does, fans could find themselves witness to a shootout between the former Bell Park star and Anglesea gun Jordan Erskine, who already has 15 goals to his name in the opening two rounds. The Hawks were impressive in pulling away from Ocean Grove last week for a 28-point win, despite missing Garth, Leopold recruit Jesse Lothian and Tevan Nofi. Anglesea couldn’t go the distance with reigning premier Modewarre despite five goals
from Erskine and an impressive performance from youngster Jack Rice.

Last time they met: Round 18, 2018: Anglesea 16.18 (114) def. Drysdale 7.8 (50) @ Alcoa Oval
Prediction: Drysdale by 15 points

Barwon Heads vs. Geelong Amateur @ Howard Harmer Oval – Saturday, 2:10 pm
GEELONG Amateur will get a better indication of where it sits in the BFL pecking order when it takes on premiership favourite Barwon Heads at Howard Harmer Oval. After a disappointing loss to Torquay in Round 1, Ammos bounced back with a 107-point win over Portarlington last week, with Mitch Day and Paddy Killen kicking four goals apiece. Barwon Heads overcame a 13-point three-quarter time deficit to get over the top of the Tigers, kicking 5.10 to 0.1. Co-coach Mitch Herbison’s impressive start to the season continued as the Seagulls claimed the inaugural “Battle of the Breaks” and the trophy of a surfboard featuring the logos of both clubs. Chris Martin and Michael Philip also impressed.

Last time they met: Round 15, 2018: Barwon Heads 12.17 (89) def. Geelong Amateur 5.14 (44) @ Howard Harmer Oval
Prediction: Barwon Heads by 31 points

Ocean Grove vs. Queenscliff @ Ray Menzies Oval – Saturday, 2:10 pm
OCEAN Grove and Queenscliff will be keen to avoid starting the 2019 season with three consecutive losses when they clash at Ray Menzies Oval. Both have suffered four-point defeats to Newcomb and fallen to Drysdale in the opening two rounds. The Grubbers were unable to go the distance with the Hawks last week. Trailing by eight points at the final change, Drysdale was able to kick away with a five-goalto- two last quarter. Ocean Grove will be hoping to welcome back playing coach Jordy Jones after he sat out with a perforated eardrum. Grubbers recruit Jake Ward impressed in his second game for the club with a three-goal effort that was the result of strong marking. The Coutas were left to rue some inaccuracy in front of goal. Steve Clark’s men finished with six more scoring shots than the Power, including four behinds in the final term.

Last time they met: Round 18, 2018: Ocean Grove 12.12 (84) def. Queenscliff 9.11 (65) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve
Prediction: Ocean Grove by 9 points