Grubbers and Roos in top-three contest this weekend

Ocean Grove vs. Anglesea @ Ray Menzies Oval, Saturday 2:10pm
OCEAN Grove looks set to be boosted by the return of Pete Hardy, Luke Cartelli and Kaiden Long for Saturday’s clash with fellow top-three contender Anglesea. The Grubbers have joined Geelong Amateur on seven wins and four losses after a 21-point win over Ammos. Ocean Grove was also missing Corey Walter and Nick Lynch, has coach Paul Lynch has played down the injury issues that have impacted at Ray Menzies Oval in 2018. “We’re having a bit of a rough trot with injuries, but like every other club – and I don’t think I’ve coached against a football club that hasn’t had a rough trot with injuries – I’m a big believer you’ve got to survive your injuries,” Lynch said. “They’re as common as kicks, marks and handballs nowadays. I like the Alistair Clarkson theory of one solider comes in for another.” Hardy’s return is timely, with he and Glenn Campbell like to have the match-ups on Roos’ forwards Jordan Erskine and Dale Carson.

Last meeting: Round 6, 2018: Anglesea 18.11 (119) def. Ocean Grove 12.8 (80) @ Alcoa Oval

Prediction: Anglesea by 7 points

Torquay vs. Barwon Heads @ Spring Creek Reserve, Saturday 2:10pm
BARWON Heads will look to further consolidate top spot when it travels to Spring Creek Reserve for its second meeting of the season with Torquay. When the two sides last met in Round 6, the Seagulls handed the reigning premier an 89-point hiding. However, co-coach Mitch Herbison is well aware they won’t have it as easy this time around. “They’d had a tough run leading up to us and they’ve clicked into gear a little bit since then,” he said. “They’re going to be a tough opposition next week. They’ve got some star players there and if they get going they’re a really hard team to beat. They’re a team that can score really quickly and hurt you if you’re not playing the right way. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready to go from the start.” Last week, the Tigers saw off an early challenge from Newcomb to move ahead of the win-loss ledger for the first time the opening round of the season.

Last meeting: Round 6, 2018: Barwon Heads 25.14 (164) def. Torquay 10.15 (75) @ Howard Harmer Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 21 points

Modewarre vs. Portarlington @ Community Bank Oval, Saturday 2:10pm
IT is not quite must-win territory for Modewarre, but a loss to Portarlington would be a massive blow to its chances of a third consecutive finals appearance. The Warriors are coming off a 38-point win over Drysdale in which Mitch Fisher showed his undoubted class in just his second game back for the club. Sidelined through injury for the majority of the first half of the season, Fisher kicked six goals to ultimately prove the difference. Jayden Cogan played arguably his best game for the club after arriving from St Joseph’s last year. Portarlington couldn’t back up its upset win over Geelong Amateur the previous week and were handed a 115-point hiding by Anglesea. However, there has been some good news for the Demons in the past week, with Luke Williams, Brock Williamson, John Olliff, Lachie Fearnsides and Jordie and Tom Sabell re-signing for 2019.

Last meeting: Round 6, 2018: Modewarre 23.12 (150) def. Portarlington 7.9 (51) @ Community Bank Oval

Prediction: Modewarre by 51 points

Drysdale vs. Queenscliff @ Mortimer Oval, Saturday 2:10pm
LIKE Modewarre, Queenscliff can’t afford too many slip-ups over the final seven rounds if they are to be a part of finals action. The Coutas, who were more than competitive in a 17-point loss to Barwon Heads last week, will be keen to avoid a repeat of their Round 1 loss to Drysdale. On that day, the Hawks dominated in claiming a 47-point win, with Matt Hebbard kicking three goals. Drysdale has been unable to build any momentum in 2018, with injuries to key players, including Hebbard, Adam Nolan, Josh Hopgood and Rob Corden-McKinley having an impact. Only five Hawks have played every game this season, making it tough for coach Wade Chapman to have something resembling his best line-up in action.

Last meeting: Round 1, 2018: Drysdale 11.13 (79) def. Queenscliff 4.8 (32)

Prediction: Queenscliff by 22 points

Geelong Amateur vs. Newcomb @ Queen’s Park, Saturday 2:10pm
FROM the relative comfort of a 7-2 win-loss record a fortnight ago, where it held a two-game buffer on fourth-placed Ocean Grove, Geelong Amateur’s double-chance hopes have taken a hit in the past fortnight. After being on the end of a shock loss to Portarlington, Ammos couldn’t go the distance with the Grubbers and suffered a 21-point defeat to sit just five per cent clear in third spot. Newcomb continues to be competitive in patches but was unable to match it with Torquay after quarter time, when the Tigers kicked 13 goals to the Power’s four over the final three quarters. One positive for Newcomb has been the season of forward Andrew Mead-Harding. He has 26 goals from 11 games, the most in a season at the Power since Luke Edmondson in 2013.

Last meeting: Round 5, 2018: Geelong Amateur 17.11 (113) def. Newcomb 9.9 (63) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval

Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 41 points