BFL round 6 preview

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

ANOTHER chance to test its credentials against the Bellarine’s top flight presents itself for Anglesea on Saturday afternoon. The Roos, who are coming off a solid 65-point win over Portarlington, find themselves third on the ladder and with a chance to consolidate a spot inside the top five. Opponent Ocean Grove got the win it had been craving over reigning premier Torquay, snapping a six-game losing streak against the Tigers. However, the Grubbers were hit by injury, with Patty Maloney (broken collarbone), Nick Lynch (knee) and Shaun Fankhauser (corkie) set for time on the sidelines. Limiting the Dale Carson-Jordan Erskine combination will be a key for Ocean Grove. Former Roo Pete Hardy and recruit Glenn Campbell are likely to have key roles down back.

Last meeting: Round 17, 2017: Ocean Grove 15.6 (96) def. Anglesea 11.18 (84) @ Alcoa Oval

Prediction: Ocean Grove by 8 points

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

BARWON Heads will look to continue its impressive start to 2018 when it hosts reigning premier Torquay. The Seagulls extended their unbeaten run to five wins in handing Queenscliff a 100-point hiding last round, with former Geelong VFL and South Barwon star Mark Corrigan kicking four goals in his first game for the club. His appearances for Barwon Heads will be dictated to by his commitments at Essendon. After getting back on the winner’s list against Anglesea, the Tigers were unable to go the distance with Ocean Grove, leaving them in a precarious position at 2-3. A loss here wouldn’t be fatal, but if results go against them, Dom Gleeson’s men may be two games adrift of the top five with a third of the season completed. Stopping league leading goal kicker Mitch Phelps will be a key. He has 26 goals from the opening five rounds.

Last meeting: Preliminary Final, 2017: Torquay 16.12 (108) def. Barwon Heads 11.17 (83) @ Mortimer Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 11 points

Portarlington vs. Modewarre @ Ron Evans Oval, Saturday 2:10pm

MODEWARRE had to fight hard to get past Drysdale to register its second win for the season. The Warriors won by 35 points, however that margin should have been greater, with inaccuracy again rearing its ugly head. After kicking 6.20 in the loss to Queenscliff the previous week, Modewarre tallied 9.20 against the Hawks. Portarlington were always going to struggle to back up from their Anzac Day win over Drysdale off a four-day break. The Demons tried hard again Anglesea but were powerless to stop the Dale Carson-Jordan Erskine combination. Recruit Pasquale Saccuzzo has made an impressive start to his time at Portarlington, while Luke Williams played his best game since arriving from GFL club St Albans. Former Melbourne and Richmond utility Ricky Petterd made his first appearance for Modewarre. However, coaching commitments with VFL club Box Hill will rule him out this weekend.

Last meeting: Round 9, 2017: Modewarre 16.17 (113) def. Portarlington 5.7 (37) @ Ron Evans Oval

Prediction: Modewarre by 31 points

Geelong Amateur vs. Drysdale @ Queen’s Park, Saturday 2:10pm

LADDER positions tell us Geelong Amateur will start clear favourite against Drysdale. However, cocoaches Rowan McSparron and Jarrod Young won’t need to be told that the Hawks seem to bring a little bit extra when they meet Ammos. Amateur took more than three quarters to shake off a plucky Newcomb, but were missing a handful of key players, including captain Daniel Lovick, star forward Mitch Day and quality midfielder Bradley King. Drysdale battled hard against Modewarre off just a four-day break but couldn’t make the most of a fast start. The Hawks are averaging less than eight goals a game, a number which is unlikely to get it done against Geelong Amateur.

Last meeting: Round 14, 2017: Geelong Amateur 13.10 (88) def. Drysdale 6.6 (42) @ Queen’s Park

Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 41 points

Queenscliff vs. Newcomb @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, Saturday 2:10pm

WHICH Queenscliff is going to turn up this week? The one that rolled reigning premier Torquay? Or the one that was on the end of a 100-point hiding by the unbeaten Barwon Heads? With Newcomb no longer the pushover they have been for the majority of the past decade, the Coutas will be wary of the Power, especially after they were lucky to escape with a draw in the early part of 2017. Newcomb kept Geelong Amateur honest for more than three quarters, leading at stages during the third quarter before Ammos got on top. Leopold recruit Kirby O’Connor has been impressive for the Power since arriving at the club and would likely be challenging fellow former Lion Jack Hudson for the club’s best-and-fairest.

Last meeting: Round 15, 2017: Queenscliff 28.22 (190) def. Newcomb 9.5 (59) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Prediction: Queenscliff by 22 points