HEADS CONQUER ANGLESEA AND REMAIN UNDEFEATED

Barwon Heads have maintained their strong start to the 2021 season by defeating 2019 finalist Anglesea by 18 points away from home. Anglesea defeated Barwon Heads twice in 2019 by margins under a goal so this victory was significant for Barwon Heads and a great morale boosting victory over one of the strong clubs in the Bellarine FL.

Barwon Heads lost 4 key players from our strong victory in Round 1 over Drysdale – captain coach Mitch Herbison and key recruit Lachlan Wilson missed through injury, Matty “Dogga” Dyer was suspended and ruckman Brock Close was unavailable. Into the side for their first senior games were recruits Matthew Knox and Harry Graham whilst Andy Walsgott and Brad BJ Michell were promoted from the Reserves.

Barwon Heads set up the victory with a stunning first quarter when their intent to win the contested ball and their hardness around the contest was terrific. First gamer Matthew Knox took a great contested mark and converted to open the scoring and then opportunist Mitch “The Doctor” Phelps kicked two great snap goals. Midfielder Otto Opperman snapped two great goals and when bustling Brad Harvey kicked truly, the Heads had kicked 6 consecutive goals. On the quarter time siren Anglesea’s 100 goal full forward from 2019 kicked his first to open Anglesea’s account.

Barwon Heads opened the second quarter in the same vein but their accuracy in front of goal deserted them. Set shots were squandered despite midfielders Logan Mitchell, Nathan Brown, Braeden Eddy and Ned Aulsebrook dominating. Up back vice captain Jaydan McLauchlan was providing great rebound and in conjunction with Lee Spiteri, Lachlan Slorach, Will Jacobs, Koban Treweek and Damien Horbury, our defence was very stingy. Anglesea kicked two late goals to reduce the half time deficit to 20 points.

Barwon Heads reloaded in the third quarter but again was unable to convert their dominance into scoreboard pressure. A return of 1 goal 6 behinds was disappointing for the quarter but Xavier Everett, Harry Graham, Cam O’Leary, Kyle Polley, Zac Wright, Andy Walsgott, BJ and Charlie Nairn All continued to contribute. Anglesea were more proficient in kicking 2 goals 1 behind to reduce the lead to 19 points.

Barwon Heads controlled the last quarter and sealed the game with a couple of great snaps by Mitch Phelps and Braeden Eddy before Anglesea kicked two junk goals in the final 4 minutes to reduce the winning margin to 18 points.

Barwon Heads 9.18 (72) defeated Anglesea 7.12 (54)

Goalkickers : Phelps 3, Opperman 3, Knox 1, Harvey 1, Eddy 1

Best Players : Opperman, Mitchell, Eddy, Slorach, Brown, Aulsebrook

RESERVES WRAP

Barwon Heads have maintained their unbeaten start to the 2021 season with a convincing 38 point victory over Anglesea.

Barwon Heads were forced to make 8 changes to the Round 1 side that defeated Drysdale. Into the side came Jake Barlow, Connor McKinnon, Darcy Hewitt, Max Gumley, Harrison Mitchell, Jake Stainsby, Brad Slorach and Kevin Upton. Out of the side went the promoted trio of Harry Graham, Andy Walsgott and BJ Michell, James Wills, Noah Young and Sam Everett were all injured, Sam Allen unavailable and Peter Swinton was rested and coached the team in Shane Boyington’s absence.

Barwon Heads kicked the opening 4 goals to gain the ascendancy and pretty much controlled the game from that period against a vastly improved Anglesea reserves side.

Barwon Heads 9.11 (65) defeated Anglesea 4.3 (27)

Goalkickers : O’Callaghan 2, Hardiman 2, McKay 1, Berg 1, Mitchell 1, Booth 1, Kinsey 1

Best Players : Barlow, Chapman, Harris, O’Brien, Mitchell, Hardiman

Next Saturday April 17, Barwon Heads travel to Queenscliff to play the Coutas in another important game and our players will look forward to plenty of off field support again.

GO HEADS !!