Roos bound to Semi Final with win over Modewarre

ANGLESEA has secured a Semi Final berth in the Bellarine Football League finals with a comprehensive win over Modewarre this afternoon (Sunday, August 20).

The two sides met in the Elimination Final at Portarlington Recreation Reserve with the Roos kicking 13 majors to down the Warriors, 13.18.96 to 9.10.64.

Both teams were neck and neck through the first half, with Modewarre two points ahead at the main break.

Anglesea has defeated Modewarre in the club’s senior return to the BFL Finals. They will play Drysdale in next week’s semi.

Anglesea mustered a flurry of four straight goals to open the third term, and had outkicked Modewarre seven goals to two at the three-quarter-time break.

Leading by 33 points at the last change, Anglesea stood firm in the fourth with Modewarre failing to find a late-game push.

Anglesea forwards Jack Baker (3), vice-captain Lewis Beers (2) and Liam Holland (2) led the way for the Roos on the scoreboard, further bolstered by six other goal-scorers.

Anglesea and Modewarre had met only last weekend to conclude the regular season.

Modewarre’s Scott Hughes (3), Patrick Fitzgerald (2), and Connor Joseph (2) rounded out the side’s multiple goal-scorers, while Troy Anderson and Zack May were the only other players to add to the scoring load for coach Chris Carlon.

Noah McGregor-Dawson, Max Simpson, playing-coach Jordan Keras, Kobe Iversen-Smith, Max Virgona, and Lachlan Smith were named the Roos’ best performers.

Anglesea will return to Portarlington on Sunday, August 27 to take on Drysdale, who are still stinging from yesterday’s two-point loss to reigning premiers Barwon Heads.

Modewarre’s season is now over after securing a fourth-place finish.

Seagulls hang on in thriller against Hawks

REIGNING premiers Barwon Heads will take on a familiar finals foe in Torquay next week following an exciting two-point (11.6.72 to 10.10.70) win over Drysdale yesterday (Saturday, August 19) in Portarlington.

The first Qualifying Final began as a one-sided affair with Barwon Heads kicking six goals to one in the opening quarter against the Hawks, leading 37 points to 6 at the quarter-time huddle.

Co-coaches Ben Carmichael and Tom Ruggles’ side answered in a big way in the second, Drysdale kicking six-straight to assume an eight-point half-time lead, 7.4.46 to 6.2.38.

The see-sawing contest continued in the third with Barwon Heads winning the quarter 33-13 and taking a two-goal lead with 30 minutes to play.

Barwon Heads’ Mitch Phelps celebrates his goal. Photo: MICHAEL CHAMBERS

Some wayward kicking by the Hawks hindered Drysdale’s attempts at a comeback win, scoring 1.5.11 in the final quarter.

Barwon Heads could only muster a single behind in the fourth and closed out the contest by just two points.

Jake Hargreaves (3), James Breust (2), and Tom Ruggles (2) headlined the Hawks goal-kickers, while Barwon Heads’ Brock Close garnered a game-high four majors.

Barwon Heads’ Charlie Brauer, Charlie Hurst, Brock Close, Ned Aulsebrook, Cameron O’Leary, and Kyle Polley were named best-on-ground.

Luke Preece, Lauchlan Dalgleish, Tom Ruggles, Ben Ryan, Jack Jenkins, and Jack Preece were named best on ground for the Hawks.

Drysdale forward James Breust managed a pair of goals in the Hawks’ two-point loss. Photo: MICHAEL CHAMBERS

Seagulls forward Mitchell Phelps and substitute Cooper Ward each kicked a pair.

Barwon Heads has had Drysdale’s number over the previous two years, defeating the Hawks in both previous games this season, and twice during the 2022 finals.

If Drysdale captain Mitch McGuire and his side want a chance at redemption, they will need to defeat Anglesea in next weekend’s Semi Final.