HEADS CHALLENGED BUT RESPOND IN DECISIVE MANNER

Barwon Heads ventured to Queenscliff in Round 3 action on a sunny Saturday afternoon in front of a very good crowd. The Seagulls made 4 changes – out of the side went Brad Harvey and Brad Michell (injured), Damien Horbury (rested) and Charlie Nairn (omitted).

Back into the side came Brock Close and Matthew “The Dog” Dyer, Jake Barlow on his first senior game for 7 years and Noah Young for his first senior appearance in 2021.

From the opening bounce the pace of the game was fast and furious as both sides traded goals – Queenscliff were obviously keen to get their first win of the season and they were dominating the midfield with clearances and continued to outnumber Barwon Heads around the contest. Heads kicked 5 opening quarter goals through Braeden Eddy (2), Mitch Phelps, Brock Close and Matthew Know hitting the scoreboard but the Coutas also kicked 5 goals in the opening stanza. Heads lost key defender Lachlan Slorach in the first quarter and things got worse in the second quarter when Mitch Phelps and Matthew Knox were forced from the ground through injury.

The second quarter saw Queenscliff dominate and their confidence continued to grow and if not for some wayward kicking for goal, the Coutas could have been 5-7 goals in front instead of the 17 point lead at half time. Against the flow the Heads were able to kick two goals – a magnificent running goal from Cam “Wolf” O’Leary and Matty Dyer also converted. Another late injury to Otto Opperman saw the Heads 3 goals behind and no bench for rotations in the second half as the Coutas could sniff their first win of the season.

The half time break allowed coaches Troy Mitchell and Mitch Herbison to address our first half woes and to challenge the team to respond to the enormous challenge in front of them. The third quarter begun and certainly the Seagulls were able to considerably lift their intensity and to gain ascendancy in the midfield. Brock Close stepped up and Nathan Brown, Ned Aulsebrook, Cam O’Leary, Braeden Eddy and Matty Dyer started to dominate. Mr Fixit, Kyle “Kizza” Polley was swung forward with immediate impact and Will Jacobs and Xavier Everett were swung up back and with the support of J-Mac, Koban Treweek, Harry Graham and Lee Spiteri started to strangle the Coutas. Mid sized forward Noah Young kicked 3 goals for the quarter and Kizza, Wolf, Zac Wright and Otto also hit the scoreboard as the Seagulls kicked 7 goals to 1 for the quarter.

The final quarter saw the Seagulls continue to dominate play as a tiring Queenscliff lost their run and didn’t have the same intensity as the first half. Logan Mitchell continued to work hard in the midfield and Jake Barlow and Andy Walsgott were busy as the Seagulls responded by kicking the opening 5 quarters of the quarter through Brock, Wolf, Dogga, Otto and Nedda to secure our third straight victory before the Coutas kicked the final two goals of the game.

Barwon Heads 19.14 (128) defeated Queenscliff 12.16 (88)

GOALKICKERS : Young 3, O’Leary 3, Eddy 2, Close 2, Dyer 2, Opperman 2, Phelps 1, Knox 1, Polley 1, Wright 1, Aulsebrook 1

BEST PLAYERS : Polley, Eddy, Jacobs, Dyer, Young, O’Leary

RESERVES WRAP

Barwon Heads reserves have continued their winning start to the season by defeating Queenscliff by 114 points in Round 3. It was great to see Charlie Walter make his senior football debut and he impressed in the midfield and kicked 2 goals. Evergreen Billy Pelham returned after a hamstring injury and was his normal reliable self up back. Promising youngster Luke Potiriadis returned after an ankle injury it was also great to see the hard working James Wills back after concussion sustained in Round 1.

Youngster Charlie Nairn responded in great style from his omission from the senior side with a dominant display capped off with 7 goals. Sam Allen played further up the field yet was still able to hit the scoreboard with 5 goals. Maddison Hardiman continued his consistent form and Riley Berg was also impressive.

Barwon Heads 22.15 (147) defeated Queenscliff 5.3 (33)

GOALKICKERS : Nairn 7, Allen 5, Walter 2, Hardiman 2, Gumley 2, Mitchell 1, Berg 1, Wills 1, Young 1

BEST PLAYERS : Nairn, Allen, Hardiman, Stainsby, Berg, Beckwith

Next Saturday 24th April sees competition heavyweights Barwon Heads and Torquay clash in around 4 action at Barwon Heads with both clubs undefeated at Senior and Reserves level in 2021. Both clubs Colts sides will also play at 10.00am.

It promises to be a great day of football so get along and support the mighty Heads.