Gulls and Ammos clash the highlight of final round

Geelong Amateur vs. Barwon Heads @ KFC Oval – Saturday 2.10pm

GEELONG Amateur and Barwon Heads will meet in one of the most-anticipated BFL final round clashes in recent years. Having bounced back from a 53-point loss to Anglesea in Round 15 with consecutive wins over Modewarre and Drysdale, Ammos holds a one-game buffer on the Roos at
the top of the ladder. “Most teams go through a flat patch at some point during the year, and we knew that with our young squad that there would be a couple of little of rough patches,” coach Kane Tenace said. “The last two weeks, getting back to the way we know we can play, is very pleasing.” However, a loss to the Seagulls and an Anglesea win over Newcomb will see Geelong Amateur start its finals campaign from a qualifying final. A loss for Barwon Heads will likely see it drop to an elimination final, with Modewarre and Torquay starting favourites in their final round clashes.

Last time they met: Round 3, 2019: Geelong Amateur 11.9 (75) def. Barwon Heads 10.13 (73) @ Howard Harmer Oval

Prediction: Geelong Amateur by 9 points

Modewarre vs. Portarlington @ Community Bank Oval – Saturday 2.10pm

MODEWARRE appears destined to start its fourth consecutive finals campaign from the elimination final unless a couple of results go its way. The Warriors should take care of Portarlington. However, they will need two of Geelong Amateur beating Barwon Heads, Drysdale overcoming Anglesea, and Newcomb upsetting Torquay to sneak into third spot. Co-coach Seamus Orr made his return from a fractured wrist through the reserves last week. With finals only a week away, he may be keen to play in the later game this week. Modewarre won’t be taking the Demons lightly after they gave Torquay a fright last week. Portarlington only trailed by three points at three-quarter time, but couldn’t go the distance with the Tigers, who pulled away for a 62-point win with a nine-goal last quarter.

Last time they met: Round 6, 2019: Modewarre 21.22 (148) def. Portarlington 4.3 (27) @ Ron Evans Oval

Prediction: Modewarre by 74 points

Drysdale vs. Anglesea @ Mortimer Oval – Saturday 2:10pm

ANGLESEA heads into the final round of the home-and-away season knowing it can finish anywhere between first and fifth, depending on the result of its clash with Drysdale and that of three other Round 18 matches. The scenario the Roos would love to see play out is a win over the Hawks and Barwon Heads beating Geelong Amateur. That would give them the minor premiership for the first time in 20 years. However, a loss and wins for two of Barwon Heads, Torquay and Modewarre would consign Paul Nigro’s men to an elimination final. Three consecutive losses, including to Ammos last week, has continued the Hawks’ finals drought that extends back to 2013. Veteran Mitch Scott is expected to return from suspension.

Last time they met: Round 3, 2019: Anglesea 22.8 (140) def. Drysdale 10.3 (63) @ Alcoa Oval

Prediction: Anglesea by 26 points

Newcomb vs. Torquay @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval – Saturday 2:10pm

AFTER being given a fright by Portarlington, expect Torquay to be on top of its game for a clash with Newcomb that may determine whether the Tigers finished with the double-chance. As well as hoping for a win over the much-improved Power, Torquay will be barracking for a Geelong Amateur victory over Barwon Heads. If both those scenarios play out, the Tigers will book a berth in the qualifying final. After its upset win over Drysdale, Newcomb again pushed Anglesea for much of the afternoon, with Roos spearhead Jordan Erskine (six goals) again proving the difference between the two teams.

Last time they met: Round 6, 2019: Torquay 14.17 (101) def. Newcomb 2.5 (17) @ McCartney Oval

Prediction: Torquay by 22 points

Queenscliff vs. Ocean Grove @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve – Saturday 2:10pm

THERE will be nothing but pride on the line when Queenscliff and Ocean Grove meet in the final round of the season for the fifth consecutive year. For the Coutas, injuries to key players have cruelled their year. In all, Steve Clark has used 45 players at the senior level in 2019, with only Che Durran and Nathan Monk appearing in every match. Remarkably, the Grubbers have used 51 players at 2 o’clock, with only four – Cam Marchbank, Logan Taylor, Ollie Monteith and leading goalkicker Jake Ward – playing every game in a year to forget for the In the previous meeting between the two clubs, Queenscliff prevailed in a thriller by four points at Ray Menzies Oval.

Last time they met: Round 3, 2019: Queenscliff 13.11 (89) def. Ocean Grove 12.13 (85)

Prediction: Ocean Grove by 11 points