Mid-strength battle brewing

IT’S the battle within a battle.

Barwon Heads’ Mitch Herbison, Mark Corrigan and Braeden Eddy going head to head with Modewarre’s Josh Finch, Mitch Fisher and Jeremy Ollis.

It’s a mouth-watering contest that will shape tomorrow’s second semi-final.

And Herbison, arguably the best of the crop, is adamant the game will be won in the centre. “Getting on top in the midfield is pretty important,” he said.

“With (John) Meesen, Finch and Fisher in there, they’ve got some good ball winners and when they get the ball in attack they’ve got some really dangerous forwards.

“So it’s important for us to get on top in the midfield and play the game in our half.”

Corrigan’s return could not be more timely, with the South Barwon premiership player bolstering the Seagulls’ already star-studded midfield.

He will take some of the attention away from Herbison, who is likely to garner a close tag.

The Warriors are yet to confront a Seagulls midfield with both Corrigan and Herbison, adding another layer of intrigue.

Corrigan has missed both meetings, while Herbison played in attack in Round 10 and sat out the most recent clash in Round 17.

One thing’s for certain, the co-coach will start in the guts tomorrow.

“I’ll spend most of the day in midfield, depending on match-ups and how the game’s going,” Herbison said.

“A few things will dictate who goes in there with matchups up forward. We’ll try to spread the load with Ned Aulsebrook, Braeden Eddy and Cam O’Leary.

“I think they will back their midfield in with the players they’ve got in there. They would feel they could get the job done. They’re all great ball winners.”

Herbison was an interested onlooker last Saturday as Modewarre withstood stern challenges from Anglesea to record a 25-point win.

He was impressed with the resolve of the Warriors, who overcome a second-quarter blitz to power over the top of the ’Seas. “I thought they played a great game. It was a pretty scrappy contest with the conditions, but both teams had a crack,” Herbison said.

“I think they (Modewarre) work really well as a unit, they don’t rely on anyone to get the job done. It’s something we try and do as well, so hopefully it’s a good contest.”