BFNL Football Preview | Round 15
AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s Senior Football matches in the Bellarine Football Netball League.
Torquay vs Drysdale
McCartney Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 26th July, 2025
With a top three spot at stake for both clubs, this shapes like the match of the round.
A win for the Tigers would give themselves an eight-point buffer on the Hawks.
For the Hawks, a win would draw them level with the Tigers and dependent on results jump Queenscliff to reclaim third spot.
Torquay currently ranks elite for total handballs per game,
Averaging 153.1 handballs per game, Dom Gleeson’s key figures, James Darke and Nathan Mifsud average 18.6 and 11.9 handballs er game.
Drysdale average 50.6 inside 50’s per game, ranking only average in the competition,
Last time they played the Tigers, Ben Carmichael’s side totaled 36 inside 50’s and won the game,
Efficiency going inside 50 this weekend could be an important factor.
Ben Fennell leads his side, averaging 7.2 score involvements per game.
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Anglesea vs Barwon Heads
Ellimatta Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 26th July, 2025
Anglesea got their season back on track with an important win against Portarlington.
Barwon Heads answered with a tough win, overcoming cross-town rival Ocean Grove in the last quarter.
Both sides currently sit on 28 points with the Seagulls, supported by an extra 14% on the Roos.
A win for either side ensures fifth position, and an important one game buffer on the opposing side.
The Roos rate average for contested possessions, averaging 156.8 per game, last weekend, they were plus 10 a number Jordan Keras would like to see more often.
Max Virgona and Declan Everett have been important, both averaging 9.8 contested possessions per game.
Barwon Heads average 39.4 clearances per game, rating below average in the competition.
However, the last two weeks have seen an uptick bettering their season average in both games, which have led to back-to-back wins.
Clearly, an area Sam Schaller’s has addressed and seen an improvement in.
Finn Cornell and James Syddall average 3.1 and 2.7 clearances per game.
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Geelong Amateur vs Portarlington
Queens Park Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 26th July, 2025
A tough fought win for Geelong Amateur’s last weekend has their sights on the minor premiership.
Portarlington trailed for much of the game last weekend but were gallant in defeat.
Ammos currently average an elite 108.5 marks per game, in tricky conditions last weekend, they totaled 76 marks.
Clearly Riley Kershaw’s men have found other avenues to move the football playing to all types of conditions.
Sam Lloyd and Daniel Weigl lead the way, averaging 9.5 and 7.5 marks per game.
Over the past three weeks, the Dees have averaged 40.6% for forward 50 entries an area Nathan Storer would be looking to improve on.
Kelly Pickard and Max Ruiter both average 12.7 and 11.2 kicks per game respectively and should be influential by foot.
Queenscliff vs Modewarre
Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 26th July, 2025
Queenscliff displayed a mature performance last weekend defeating Newcomb who earlier in the season defeated them.
Modewarre displayed some impressive signs against the reigning premier,
However, a last quarter fade hurt their chances of upsetting.
The past month, the Coutas have averaged 78.3 marks per game, ranking below their season average of 85.6.
Heath Jamieson would be working his magic to improve this number, with losses against Drysdale and Geelong Amateur’s to show from it.
Kai Keenan and Joseph Cincotta average 5.8 and 4.5 marks per game respectively.
Modewarre currently rank below average for total handball per game, averaging 115.6 per game.
However, in the past six of their past seven games, they have exceeded this number.
Mark Hovey clearly wants to put some speed on the ball.
Matthew Fitzgerald and Damon Hemphill average 7.6 and 7.0 per game.
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Ocean Grove vs Newcomb
Shell Road Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 26th July, 2025
Both sides are trending in the right direction, with four quarters’ performance being their biggest hurdle
Ocean Grove were disappointing in the last quarter against Barwon Heads, scoring one point.
We’ve seen with Newcomb they too can fade in the final quarter, recently fading when they threatened to defeat Drysdale in round thirteen.
The last three weeks, the Grubbers have averaged 89.7 turnovers per game, a major area Dave Farrell would be finding ways to improve on the track.
Hugo Walsh and Harry Cashin should be key figures, both averaging 13.6 and 12.7 kicks per game, respectively.
Over the past month, the Power has averaged 106.5 marks per game, a baseline which usually generates wins.
However, they have turned the football over, an average of 85.3 per game over the past month, a key indicator Tony Mirabella would be looking to improve on.
Rebounding defender Blake Ritchie and off-season recruit Joe Clarke average 12.1 and 10.6 kicks per game.
Tune into AFL Barwon TV from 2.10pm on Saturday to watch live coverage of this big clash!
