Can lightning strike twice for Port?

Anglesea vs. Portarlington @ Alcoa Oval, Saturday 2.10pm
ALL eyes on whether Portarlington can use the momentum gained from its first-ever win over Geelong Amateur to challenge finals-bound Anglesea. The Demons shocked the local football world when it defeated Ammos by six points, snapping a 45-game losing streak against the competition powerhouse. Off-season acquisition Luke Williams played arguably his best game for Portarlington, and he will be crucial this week if he spends time in defence in making sure the Demons structure up well enough to curb the influence of Jordan Erskine and Dale Carson, who have kicked 33 goals apiece in 2018. The Roos did enough to see off Queenscliff by 12 points, giving Paul Carson’s men their seventh win of the season, just one short of the number of victories they had in 2017.

Last meeting: Round 16, 2017: Anglesea 16.10 (106) def. Portarlington 8.7 (55)

Prediction: Anglesea by 41 points

Drysdale vs. Modewarre @ Mortimer Oval, Saturday 2.10pm
A TRICKY trip to Mortimer Oval confronts Modewarre, which needs to beat Drysdale to stay in touch with the top five. If either Torquay or Queenscliff was to claim the four points, and the Warriors were upset by the Hawks, they would be two games adrift of a finals spot with just seven rounds remaining. When the two teams met back in Round 5, an inaccurate Modewarre overcame a slow start to beat Drysdale by 35 points. Both teams were losers in Round 10. The Warriors couldn’t go the distance with premiership favourites Barwon Heads, falling by 13 points. While the Hawks were always behind the eight-ball against Torquay, falling by 68 points.

Must-win for Modewarre

Last meeting: Round 5, 2018: Modewarre 9.20 (74) def. Drysdale 5.9 (39) @ Community Bank Oval

Prediction: Modewarre by 22 points

Newcomb vs. Torquay @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval, Saturday 2.10pm
TORQUAY has the chance to move itself back into top five for the first time since Round 1 when it travels to Newcomb for a meeting with the Power. The Tigers win over Drysdale in Round 10 has seen them join fifth-placed Queenscliff on five wins. If they can beat Newcomb and the Coutas fall to ladder -leader Barwon Heads, they will put themselves in the box seat for another finals appearance. 2017 grand final best-on-ground Billy Henderson produced his best performance of the season with a six-goal haul. He is likely to have BFL interleague teammate Jack Hudson for company on Saturday afternoon. Newcomb hasn’t beaten Torquay since 2007, but will take heart from Portarlington’s performance against Geelong Amateur.

Last meeting: Round 16, 2017: Torquay 19.14 (128) def. Newcomb 6.6 (42) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval

Prediction: Torquay by 38 points

Queenscliff vs. Barwon Heads @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, Saturday 2.10pm
TWO games clear with eight rounds remaining, Barwon Heads is inching closer to claiming its first minor premiership in 25 years. The Seagulls were challenged by Modewarre before holding their nerve to win by 13 points. Kyle Polley showed his seven-goal haul against Portarlington the previous week wasn’t a fluke, contributing another four majors to give him 18 for the season, third behind only league-leading goal kicker Mitch Phelps (33) and co-coach Mitch Herbison (23) at Barwon Heads. Queenscliff, which is coming of f a 12-point loss to Anglesea, could find itself outside the top five with a loss to Barwon Heads, as Torquay sits ready to pounce.

Last meeting: Round 5, 2018: Barwon Heads 17.24 (126) def. Queenscliff 3.8 (26) @ Howard Harmer Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 35 points

Ocean Grove vs. Geelong Amateur @ Ray Menzies Oval, Saturday 2.10pm
TOP-three aspirants Ocean Grove and Geelong Amateur meet in a clash that could well be crucial in determining who has the double-chance come the finals. The Grubbers, who sit one win behind Ammos, won the previous meeting between the two teams in Round 2 by 10 points. Paul Lynch’s men returned to form with a 79-point win over Newcomb in Round 10. However, all eyes will be on how Geelong Amateur responds to its shock loss to Portarlington last week. Ammos look set to be without star captain Daniel Lovick for at least month with a broken foot. They will welcome back a number of key players for the meeting with Ocean Grove, including Kane Smith, Chris Kangars and veteran forward Matt Walsh.

Double-chance impact.

Last meeting: Round 2, 2018: Ocean Grove 9.15 (69) def. Geelong Amateur 8.11 (59) @ Queen’s Park

Prediction: Ocean Grove by 11 points