Forwards fire

MODEWARRE co-coach Josh Finch says Warriors forward Josh McDonald is in the form of his life after his stunning seven-goal outing against Geelong Amateur on Saturday.

The Warriors stormed into third spot to earn a double chance after Queenscliff coughed up a disappointing loss to Ocean Grove in the final round on the weekend.

It was on the back of another McDonald haul; his seven majors in the 10.7 (67) to 5.7 (37) win fresh off a five-goal return against Barwon Heads just a week earlier.

Finch said the small forward, who plays above his height, was in sublime touch at the right time of the year.

“His last three weeks are the best he’s played for the club in my time playing with him,” Finch said.

“Really strong in the contest, body craft is really good and he’s a great kick of the footy.

“He’s a real good focal point, but if it’s not him kicking goals it’s ‘Forbesy’ (Luke Forbes) and if it’s not ‘Forbesy’ it’s Nath (Ablett).

“We feel like we haven’t had one of those Mitch Phelps or Jordan Erskine (types) who’s kicked 60-odd, but we’ve got a really good even spread and that makes us a strong, functional forward line.”

It was McDonald who kept the side in the game with two goals within a five-minute patch in the third term, the first coming from a set shot, marked on the lead from a lace-out kick, before he won a holding the ball decision in the same spot 30 metres from goal.

With a four-point lead and the wind to the Warriors’ advantage in the last, Finch said the three-quarter time message was simple.

“I implored them to draw a line in the sand and step up in the moment and take it,” he said.

“I just said to the boys, one thing we haven’t seen at this club is we haven’t beaten Ammos enough. I don’t know the record, but over 20-odd years we’ve probably only beaten them two or three times.”

Ablett missed the game with tightness, but will return for the qualifying final against Anglesea, while Josh Bouwman continues to push for a comeback.

Finch said his side has the belief to replicate its game style away from home.

“It was just about belief and that’s what we’ve talked about to the guys since that bye before Round 14, believing that we’ve got the cattle and believing in our game style,” he said.