SEAGULLS LOSE ANOTHER THRILLER

Barwon Heads have dropped to third on the ladder after losing away to Anglesea by 2 points – this is now our third close loss in 2019 after losing to Geelong Amateurs after the siren by two points in Round 3 and Anglesea at home in Round 8 by 4 points.

Barwon Heads entered this crucial clash with 4 changes – Brock Close, Braeden Eddy and Jayden McLauchlan returned and Max Melzer made his first senior appearance since Round 2. Out of the side went Ben Stephens through injury, Darcy Hewitt, Dylan O’Leary and Noah Young.

In still conditions the game opened in a highly contested manner and you could sense that this was going to be a tight battle and go down to the wire. Anglesea opened the scoring with competition leading goalkicker Jordan Erskine kicking the first major and this was followed another through Jacob Nolan. Mitch Herbison, Brock Close and Ryan Harvey were busy early in the midfield and the Heads got on the board after a Harrison Mitchell snap. Anglesea were on top and Jack Haintz kicked his first to open a little break for the home side. Oliver Wiltshire had some early touches and Chris Martin and Dogga Dyer had some early touches up forward. The Heads hit back with consecutive goals to Brad Harvey and Damien Horbury to close the gap and the defence led by Kyle Polley, Max Melzer, Michael Philp and J-Mac were strong.

The second quarter begun with the Heads kicking consecutive running goals through Brad and Ryan Harvey to grab the lead for the first time. Anglesea then wrestled control through their midfield and our defence was under the pump. Tall forward Jacob Nolan kicked consecutive goals and then Joel Donaldson kicked his first as the seas opened up a nine point lead at the long break and Barwon Heads were lucky to be this close on the scoreboard.

Coach Troy Mitchell had some stern words at half time and the Heads responded with Mitch Phelps getting involved and kicking the opening goal to reduce the margain. Midfielders Otto Opperman, Braeden Eddy, James Wills and Ned Aulsebrook lifted and Zac Walter was beginning to have a major impact. Lachlan Slorach and Matty Beckwith were playing their role up back as both sides traded goals. Brad Harvey was great up forward and he kicked consecutive goals only for Anglesea to respond with goals to Haintz, Kerr and Rice to regain the lead by 10 points.

The final quarter was always going to see both sides not relent but the Heads came out firing to kick the opening three goals through Brad Harvey, Herbi and Ned to open up a 9 point lead. The game was now being played between the arcs as the time clock clicked over 15 minutes. Anglesea midfield had been on top all day especially through their captain Ryan Williams and it was significant that Dale Kerr kicked a magnificent stoppage goal to get the home side crowd roaring. Anglesea were pressing hard and when Jordan Erskine marked and goalled after a pin point pass, the Heads were again behind. An enthralling five minute ensued before Dale Kerr executed a great smother and then followed up to kick a running goal to extend the lead. The Heads refused to lay down and Brad Harvey knocked on to his brother Ryan who calmly converted to again reduce the margain. Both sides were frantic and the Heads had a chance through BJ whose shot on goal fell agonising short as players on both sides threw themselves into every contest but the siren sounded with Anglesea prevailing by 2 points.

Anglesea 12.11 (83) defeated Barwon Heads 12.9 (81)

GOALKICKERS : Brad Harvey 5, Ryan Harvey 2, Horbury 1, Herbison 1, Aulsebrook 1, Mitchell 1, Phelps 1

BEST PLAYERS : Brad Harvey, Ryan Harvey, Polley, Walter, Eddy

RESERVES WRAP

Barwon Heads recorded a solid win over Anglesea with a 79 point victory to maintain its third position on the ladder.

Barwon Heads 14.14 (98) defeated Anglesea 3.1 (19)

GOALKICKERS : Pocock 4, Kinsey 3, Xavier Everett 2, Chapman 2, Lowson 1, Sam Everett 1, Dylan O’Leary 1

BEST PLAYERS : Barrett, Chapman, Xavier Everett, Dylan O’Leary, McIntyre, O’Brien

Next week Barwon Heads plays Ocean Grove at home in the “Battle of the Bridge” – two wins are critical !!

Cuzza