June 7th Preview: Cross-Town Rivals and Top of the table clash
AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s men's football matches across the Geelong and Bellarine FNL competitions.
Geelong Football League
St Mary’s vs North Shore
Windsor Park (Norlane), 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
The Saints were handed their first loss of the season to ladder leaders St Joseph’s in the match of the season.
Luke Rayner’s squad look to bounce back in a big way against the developing side, North Shore.
Mark Hounslow’s Seagulls will utilize their week off to good effect and impact from the first bounce.
Saint stars, Patrick Dowling and Chris Jansen are both averaging 25 or more disposals and two plus goals per game, expect both to have an impact.
Seagulls will look to rebound off their half-back line with Lachlan Hayes, a key figure, amassing a tick under 13 rebound 50’s per game.
Geelong West Giants vs Colac Tigers
West Oval Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
The Giants come into this game with back-to-back loses hoping to put their season back on track against a tough opponent in the Tigers.
Greg Mallor’s side sits tenth on the ladder with a 2-4 win-loss ratio, a win will put them back in the midfield pack, for Seb Ross’s squad, an opportunity to entrench themselves in the top five.
Expect the Giants marking game to be prevalent, averaging 93 marks per game, rating above average.
Gun midfielders, Ethan Liddle and Lachlan Taylor to have an influence, both averaging over 25 disposals per game.
The Tigers contested football brand will be evident, with team averages of 170 contested possessions per game, rating elite.
Tall timber, Zachary Zdybel will be a key focal point around the ground, averaging a whooping 121.5 ranking points.
Grovedale vs Bell Park
Burdoo Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
Both sides will look for bragging rights as the ladder begins to tighten, a win for both sides will keep their finals aspirations alive.
The Dragons are looking for a third consecutive win and hope to establish themselves amongst the flag contenders.
Jacob Spolding’s squad will utilize their early clearance game dominance against the Dragons averaging 48 clearances per game, rating elite in the competition.
Young Tiger, Jak Tute’s influence on the game will be evident, averaging just under 20 disposals, 4.8 clearances per game and 4 tackles per game in their midfield.
James Saker’s side will look to move the football with pace, evident with their kick to handball game, averaging 216 kicks per game and 140 handballs per game, rating above average in the competition.
Expect both Zac Mirkovic and Fraser Marris to have an influence on the game, both averaging over 11.5 kicks per game, and 4.5 marks per game.
Lara vs Leopold
Lara Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
Stark contrasts after the bye, with Lara still winless after six rounds, and reigning premier looking to catapult themselves into the top five, currently sitting seventh on the ladder.
Brett Henderson’s developing side will look to apply the pressure early, averaging 39 effective tackles, rating below average, expect a shift if the heat is on early.
Cats gun Darby Henderson will be heavily relied upon throughout the game, averaging an extraordinary 49 disposals per game, Thomas Gunther will also be around the contest, averaging 28 disposals per game.
Luke Kelly’s squad will look to win the football in the coalface, rating above average in contested possessions, averaging 161 per game.
For the Lions, Connor Giddings will be dangerous inside 50, averaging a tick under three goals per game.
St Albans vs South Barwon
St Albans Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
It should be an interesting game of football, both sides sitting on three wins, and three losses, an opportunity for either side to find a little gap in a tight competition.
Improving squad St Alban’s were gallant in defeat against Newtown, a mid-season bye may provide the Saints with a week to freshen up after they fell away in the second half against Newtown.
South Barwon also comes into this game, with questions after their defeat to Leopold, after trailing by five points at three quarter time but faded late.
Rick Munn’s outfit will look to apply the heat early having only led after quarter time twice against North Shore and Lara.
Clearance and tackle pressure will be a key factor, rating above average in clearances and effective tackles.
Midfield gun, Fletcher Keck is averaging 25 plus disposals per game, while also averaging over 15 contested possessions per game and 5 tackles per game, expecting his presence in the midfield to be felt.
Look for Mark Neeld’s Swan’s to be dangerous up forward, rating above average in goals, inside 50’s and contested possessions.
A whooping seven players are averaging a goal or more per game emphasizing their ability to hit the scoreboard.
St Joseph’s vs Newtown & Chilwell
Herne Hill Reserve, 2:10PM, Sunday 8th June, 2025
The ladder leaders are the clear side, teams are hunting after their remarkable comeback against St Mary’s in the fourth quarter, trailing by 26 points at three quarter time.
Newtown will look to send a reminder to the competition of their own credentials; they’re looking for their fifth win in a row.
Ron Watts side will look to control the football, amassing 224 kicks per game, and averaging 96 marks per game, both rating above average.
Expect St Joseph’s firepower up forward to be potent, with Paddy De Grandi averaging just under 4 goals per game when he isn’t required by Geelong’s VFL Team, young key forward Oscar Morrison and Hunter Lewis will also be important, both averaging 2.9 and 2.5 goals per game respectively.
Steve Johnson’s will rely on his teams tackling pressure, rating above average for effective tackles, 47.6 per game.
From an individual standpoint, Mitch Diamond will be influential off the half back line, averaging 5.7 intercept possessions, while in the midfield, Ned Harris will be dangerous averaging 25 disposals per game, to go with just under 9 clearances per game.
Be sure to tune in via Krock Football
Bellarine Football League
Torquay vs Newcomb
McCartney Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
Both sides look to get their seasons back on track, Torquay are looking for the first win in two weeks after they faded in the last quarter against Queenscliff.
While Newcomb Power look to respond after a heavy defeat of 115 points.
Dom Gleeson's outfit rate above average in clearances, contested possessions, handballs and inside 50’s, expect the Tigers to stretch the Powers defense through run and overlap.
Leopold recruit, Oliver Tate will have a large influence on the game, averaging over 30 disposals per game, to go with just under 5 rebound 50’s per game.
Tony Mirabella’s squad will look to their competitive brand of football that led to their surprise win against the Tigers in round 2, they currently rate below average in contested possessions, something he would like to improve on.
For the Power, young intercept gun, Tom Webster will be heavily relied upon out of their back half, averaging 8.4 intercept possessions per game, to go with 3.4 intercept marks.
Anglesea vs Geelong Amateur
Ellimatta Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
Top of the table clash with both sides in winning form, Anglesea are looking to take another major scalp after defeating Modewarre by 65 points.
Ammos are looking to put a buffer on the competition after they crusied past Portarlington by 55 points.
Jordan Keras’s squad will look to move the football with pace, rating above average for kicks, handballs and marks. Expect plenty of potential scoring chains through their ball movement.
Roos star, Harrison Ling will be significant among their midfield brigade with his tackling pressure, amassing 6 tackles per game, to go with 22 disposals per game.
Look to Riley Kershaw’s side to move the football quickly, like the Roos, rating elite with team disposals, inside 50’s and marks.
Deniliquin recruit, Hamish Shepheard will be impactful among Ammos midfield with his clean hands in tight stoppages, averaging 15.6 handballs per game, as well as 7.6 clearances per game.
Modewarre vs Drysdale
Mount Moriac Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
Both sides look to continue their finals aspirations, Modewarre’s form has been hit and miss after a heavy defeat to Anglesea, a response is required to stay within striking distance of the top five.
Drysdale are looking for a fourth consecutive victory after a confident win against Ocean Grove.
Mark Hovey’s Warriors side will require efficient kicking inside 50, averaging 41% forward 50 entries.
Zack May’s 54 hit outs per game will be required to provide supply to his on-ball brigade to create scoring opportunities.
Ben Carmichael’s Hawks should utilize their clearance and contested possession dominance in the midfield, rating above average for both.
Look to Lachlan Dalgleish to be dangerous up forward; after kicking a bag of seven against Ocean Grove last week, he’s now averaging 2.5 goals per game.
Barwon Heads vs Queenscliff
Howard Harmer Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
Both sides are coming in with positive form lines, shapes for a cracking game of football.
The Seagulls are coming off a 115-point triumph over Newcomb, while the Coutas come into this round having defeated the reigning premiers by three goals and are looking for a fifth victory in a row.
Sam Schaller’s squad have used their kick-mark game to good effect, rating above average for both kicks and marks as a team. Expect the Seagulls to move the football quickly, with their smaller ground.
Altona recruit, Jake Whybrow will look to hit the scoreboard; after kicking a bag of six against Newcomb, he’s currently averaging 1.7 goals per game.
Heath Jamieson’s side will look to make the ground big with their ball movement, they currently rate above average in total disposals, kicks, handballs, inside 50’s and marks.
Coutas major ball winners, Lachie Kidd, Jordy Mcivor-Clark, Che Durran, Sol Bowtell and Caleb Whitley all average over 23 disposals per game, expect all key to have an influence on the game.
Portarlington vs Ocean Grove
Portarlington Recreational Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 7th June, 2025
The Demons are after their first win since round three, with a change in their coaching department, with former coach, Darren Findlay parting ways, a win for the demons would be enormous for the Portarlington faithful.
The Grubbers also have their own winless drought, dating back to round one, Dave Farrell’s squad would like to rectify their early season form with a win.
The Dees will look to their clearance game and tackling pressure to assert early dominance over the Grubbers, rating above average in both statistics.
Former Hawthorn footballer, Teia Miles will be influential around the ground, with averages of 32 disposals, 5 inside 50’s and 5 rebound 50’s, look out for Nicholas Sing to impact with his toughness around the ball, averaging 4.6 1%’s per game.
The Grubbers disposal efficiency will be a key indicator of the result of the game, averaging 118 effective kicks, to a league average of 156, an improvement in this area could allow for more inside 50’s, resulting in shots on goal.
Farrell will look to key players, Gus Bourke, ruckman Jacob Talarico and Joseph McDonald around the ground, all averaging over 83 ranking points per game.
Be sure to tune in via Krock Football or the AFL Barwon website.
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