Warriors overrun wounded Tigers
MODEWARRE snared a crucial comeback victory over Torquay yesterday to remain firmly in the BFL finals race.
In one of the tightest seasons in recent history, just percentage splits the sixth-placed Warriors and fourth-placed Barwon Heads.
Down by 21 points at three quarter-time, Modewarre kicked six goals-to-one in the final quarter to run over the injury-depleted Tigers 11.10 (76) to 8.8 (56) at Community Bank Oval.
In a case of deja vu, the Warriors were 14 points down at three-quarter time when the two sides met on Good Friday this year before bagging eight goals-to-none in the final quarter that night to win.
This time it was Nathan Ablett and Jake Kilmartin who did the damage in the final term to help their team over the line.
Ablett kicked both of his goals in the fourth quarter, taking a number of strong marks on the lead and kicking truly in his first senior game of 2019 after overcoming injury.
“Having the breeze in the last quarter and having the belief we could run the game out played a big factor,” Modewarre co-coach John Meesen said.
“Both teams struggled with the wind early. They had the wind in the first quarter and we made it a bit of a fight, then when we had the wind they were good defensively as well.
“The game opened up in the second half. The key for us (in the last quarter) was to make sure we still lowered the eyes and hit up guys rather than continue to bomb it.
“I think we did that. Nathan Ablett was crucial in the last quarter and kicked a couple of big goals just by being in front and taking a couple of good marks.”
Cody Grant and Ollie Butler were crucial for the Warriors, while Jesse White, Sam Wormald and Will Tamassy stood tall for Torquay.
Modewarre heads into the bye full of momentum courtesy of the win and faces stiff challenges against Newcomb, Drydale and Geelong Amateur in the final six games.
“We did a bit of a preview of our next seven weeks last week and we have got some tough games coming up. Any of these games, in particular today, against a really good opponent, when you can take four points away, is really pleasing,” Meesen said.
“We don’t take anyone lightly and anyone can beat anyone on their day … we have got Newcomb after the bye and they gave us a real big scare earlier in the year so we have to be on to beat them.
“And of course Drysdale and Ammos, we were lucky to beat Drysdale earlier in the year and Ammos gave us a bit of a touch up at their home ground. We are looking forward to playing them again.
“It is even. Last year we won 11 games and we finished third and this year 11 games might miss out on finals because it’s so even.”
AMMOS HOLD ON
Geelong Amateur held out Newcomb in a low-scoring affair at Grinter Reserve, claiming a crucial six-point win.
Down at the main break, Ammos kicked four of their six goals for the match in the third quarter before the Power added two goals in the final term to get within a kick but ran out of time to cause a major upset.
SEAGULLS STRONG
Barwon Heads overcame Queenscliff at Howard Harmer Oval, finishing with a 47point win.
Mitch Phelps bagged four goals for the Seagulls, who were best served by Zach Walter, Kyle Polley and Chris Martin.
The Coutas were unable to find a multiple goal scorer but will now set itself for two winnable fixtures against Portarlington and Ocean Grove in the back third of the year.
HAWKS INTO THIRD
At Mortimer Oval, Drysdale moved into third spot on the ladder with its 93-point defeat of Portarlington.
Jarrod Garth kicked six goals for the Hawks, who were also well served by Taylor Bonner and Charlie Woodford with three majors each.
The Demons were again competitive thanks largely to the performance of Daniel Measures.