Warriors and Grubbers to face off in crucial clash

Modewarre vs. Ocean Grove @ Community Bank Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

AS THE season approaches its halfway mark, Saturday’s clash between Modewarre and Ocean Grove is entering must-win territory for the Warriors. Despite the loss to Torquay, the Warriors are still only one win outside the top five. However, the Grubbers will be no pushover as they look to stay in touch with the top three. They were disappointing in again being on the end of an upset by Drysdale, missing a chance to stay two games clear inside the top five. The last meeting between the two teams was last year’s elimination final, when Modewarre ran Ocean Grove off its legs to claim a 47-point win. The Warriors will look to do the same again.

Last meeting: Elimination Final, 2018: Modewarre 17.11 (113) def. Ocean Grove 9.12 (66) @ Ron Evans Oval

Prediction: Modewarre by 13 points

Barwon Heads vs. Portarlington @ Howard Harmer Oval, Saturday 2.10pm

COMING off its first loss of the season, Barwon Heads will look to take its disappointment out on cellar-dweller Portarlington. The Seagulls held a 27-point three-quarter time lead over Anglesea last week, before the Roos came bounding home to narrow the gap at the top of the ladder to one game with a five-point win. Seagull Mitch Phelps was held goalless for the first time since joining the competition, but that’s unlikely to happen in consecutive weeks. On the other hand, Portarlington failed to capitalise on its opportunities in the opening term, kicking 1.9 to trail by seven points. From then on, the Power slammed on 18 goals to six to claim a 79-point victory.

Last meeting: Round 2, 2018: Barwon Heads 20.21 (141) def. Portarlington 2.5 (17) @ Ron Evans Oval

Prediction: Barwon Heads by 84 points

Drysdale vs. Newcomb @ Mortimer Oval, Saturday 2:10pm

WHICH Drysdale will turn up this week? The one that brings four quarters of concentration and pressure that has resulted in wins over Queenscliff and last week’s upset of Ocean Grove? Or the version that lost to both Portarlington and Newcomb during a six-match losing streak? The Hawks started to find themselves in relegation discussion as a result. And while that talk hasn’t completely vanished, there is renewed hope at Mortimer Oval. They face a Power team for the second time this season that will enter the clash full of confidence after putting away the Demons by 79 points. It was the first time Newcomb had reached triple figures since Round 1, 2013, its highest score since the 2007 grand final, and biggest win since the 2007 second semi-final, ironically against a Wade Chapman-coached Drysdale team. The Hawks are hoping to welcome back star trio Josh Eddy, Josh Hopgood and Kyle Davis.

Last meeting: Round 3, 2018: Newcomb 12.8 (80) def. Drysdale 6.8 (44) @ Newcomb Sand & Soil Oval

Prediction: Drysdale by 11 points

Geelong Amateur vs. Anglesea @ Queens Park, Saturday 2.10pm

YOU have to look back to the opening round of 2000 to find Anglesea’s last win over Geelong Amateur at Queen’s Park. In fact, the Roos have beaten Ammos just three times since, with the most recent victory coming in Round 1, 2011. However, Anglesea will start favourite against Ammos on Saturday after becoming the first team to upend Barwon Heads in 2018. This is the second meeting between the Roos and Ammos this year, with the visitors escaping Alcoa Oval with an eight-point on Easter Saturday. Two months later and both sides have proven they will be thereabouts come the end of the season. Geelong Amateur co-coaches Jarrod Young and Rowan McSparron will look to the midfield to work hard defensively to ensure the supply to star Anglesea forwards Jordan Erskine and Dale Carson is limited.

Last meeting: Round 1, 2018: Geelong Amateur 14.12 (96) def. Anglesea 13.10 (88) @ Alcoa Oval

Prediction: Anglesea by 17 points

Torquay vs. Queenscliff @ Spring Creek Reserve, Saturday 2.10pm

THE prize for the winner of the return meeting between Torquay and Queencliff is not just the four points, but a spot inside the top five as we turn for home in season 2018. The Tigers fought hard to hold off Modewarre to claim a 13-point victory in Round 8, while the Coutas were made to pay for a slow start against Geelong Amateur. They could manage just one goal in the first half but kicked nine after the main break to bring the margin back to a more respectable figure. With a trip to Anglesea to follow, this is almost must-win for Queenscliff. Coach Steve Clark will be hoping his team brings the same effort that resulted in a 35-point win over Torquay in Round 2.

Last meeting: Round 2, 2018: Queenscliff 15.16 (106) def. Torquay 11.5 (71) @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Prediction: Torquay by 8 points