Barwon Heads star Damian McMahon has labelled Geelong Amateur as the team to beat for the Bellarine premiership as the home-and-away season enters its final six home-and-away rounds.
The St Mary’s premiership player saw first-hand the Pegs’ potency last week, with the Seagulls on the wrong end of a 44-point loss at Queens Park.
The victory kept Ammos three games clear at the top of the ladder with six rounds to play, with only a significant form reversal preventing the Queens Park outfit from having two cracks at playing in their first grand final in eight years.
“They’re quality,” McMahon told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“On the weekend, if we took our chances, we probably could have been even at three-quarter time, and then who knows?
“But they’re just a quality outfit. The way they move the footy, every error you make, they make you hurt, which shows a really good side.
“Their ball use is elite, and if you allow them just to play an uncontested game in control, they’re good; they’ll tear everyone apart.
“But it’s a good comp. Anyone can beat anyone.”
Barwon Heads sits a game outside the top five with a 5-7 record, but has a superior percentage to fifth-placed Anglesea.
A Seagulls win over Portarlington at Ron Evans Oval tomorrow and an Anglesea loss to Torquay will see them leapfrog the Seas.
However, despite a significant loss to the Tigers last week and some key players sidelined, McMahon knows the Demons won’t be a pushover at home.
“It’s a really good comp in terms of that evenness,” he said.
“Every week, you’ve got to show up. And if you don’t show up, you’re going to be behind the eight-ball.”
Barwon Heads will unveil teenager Taiyo McEncroe among four inclusions for tomorrow’s clash.
The Seagulls also welcome back Zach Walter, Darby Graham and Sam Hill.
They replace Charlie Hurst (unavailable), Tom Swift (concussion), Jack Henderson (AC joint) and Michael Philp, who will be overseas for the remainder of the home-and-away season.
Portarlington has been forced into a season-high eight changes.
Among those sidelined for the Demons are Scott Greenhough (hand), Riley Hayden (hamstring), Will Foott (knee), and Nick Sing (illness).
However, Kelly Pickard and James Goetz are among the inclusions, with Werribee Districts recruit Trae Cook to make his debut.
A mixed bag at selection for Geelong Amateur ahead of its mouthwatering match-up with Queenscliff at Queens Park.
Riley Ferguson, Tom Gorell, and Luke Hillier are all overseas.
However, co-captain Liam Cogan, Blake Sutterby and Nick Maishman are back.
The Coutas have lost gun forward Izaak Grant (ruptured spleen) and Jake Lindrea (back).
Zac Henderson returns to the senior team for the first time since Round 2, while Bailey Prato has been recalled from the reserves.
Torquay has lost emerging forward Will Montebello to a hamstring injury ahead of its meeting with Anglesea at McCartney Oval.
Montebello has kicked 24 goals and formed an impressive combination with Banjo Dyer in the absence of Lucas Anderson.
He’s expected to return after the bye.
Gun midfielder Paddy Hughes has been recalled to Geelong’s VFL team, and youngster Van Rahilly has earned a Geelong Falcons call-up after impressing since making his senior debut in Round 9.
Premiership player Tom Diamond and uncapped ruckman Joe Darby are among the inclusions.
The Roos will be without captain James Carr, Matt Connell, and Will Batson, but get back Jordan Harrison and Noah Collins, with Ethan Barry recalled from the reserves.
Ocean Grove has named a debutant with a connection to the club’s past among six changes for its clash with Modewarre at Ray Menzies Oval.
Geelong Falcons-listed Tom Teague is the nephew of four-time Grubbers premiership coach Mark Neeld.
He will become the 40th player used at senior level by Ocean Grove this year.
Experienced duo Glenn Campbell and Anton Woods have also been named for the Grubbers, with veteran Jye Walker (unavailable) and Jet Kneebone (ruptured spleen) among the outs.
Newcomb will welcome back NT talent Oli Poulson for its clash with Drysdale at Grinter Reserve.
The Power has also included Ollie Marshall and Pat McGinley, replacing the unavailable Jack Drought and injured duo Peter Gordyn and Jude Poyser.
The Hawks appear set to take in the same team as the one that had the better of Anglesea last week.
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