Modewarre has climbed back into the Bellarine top five and, at the same time, regained control of its 2024 destiny after overcoming Barwon Heads by 34 points at Howard Harmer Oval.
The Warriors went into the contest knowing a loss could leave it one win and significant percentage outside the top five with two rounds remaining.
However, a 12.12 (84) to 7.8 (50) victory has them half a game ahead of the sixth-placed Seagulls ahead of meetings with Newcomb and Drysdale to round out the home-and-away season.
“It was a crucial game against a team around us, so I couldn’t be prouder of the boys,” coach Mark Hovey said.
“From start to finish, they were just unbelievable.”
Hovey praised his players’ adaptability, with ruck Zack May and key defender Michael Harper both sidelined.
“We had to shuffle things around a little bit,” he said. “Tommy Hornsey went into the ruck and played his best game of the year. He was amazing on a pretty good ruckman (Luke Davis).
“Matt Farrelly went forward. We played a kid, Cooper McKim, in his first game as a midfielder.
“The boys were good at being pretty open-minded that we were going to have to do a few things a little bit differently.
“To their credit, they all played their roles really well and accepted any different thing we threw at them.”
Connor Joseph’s impressive season continued with a five-goal haul, taking him to 47, second only to Newcomb star Jake Duke.
However, Jack Barrow’s career-high four-goal contribution won rave reviews from Hovey.
“He probably flies under the radar a little bit, but he’s really crafty and creative,” Hovey said.
“We play him as an inside mid inside our 50, which sounds a bit weird.
“But, we just need him to get to as many contests as he can.
“He’s really creative and brings other players into the game, but today, he got some reward for the really good work he’s been doing over the last few weeks.”
Modewarre faces a tricky meeting with Newcomb next week, with a win potentially making the final-round meeting with Drysdale a ‘playoff’ for a qualifying final berth.
However, Hovey knows the Warriors can’t underestimate the Power, which is coming off a second win of the season after beating Ocean Grove.
“Newcomb, at their ground, is a bit of a challenge,” he said.
“I know there are some sore boys after today… but they’ve got to get themselves right and ready to play.
“We’ll take Newcomb on, and then we’ll worry about next week when we get to it.
“Newcomb’s our priority at the moment.”
Youngster Harry Hyland (two goals) was the only multiple goalkicker for Barwon Heads, with Ryley Stuhldreier and Kal Hinchcliffe battling hard.
The Seagulls travel to Queenscliff in Round 17 needing a win before facing minor premier Torquay on the final day of the home-and-away season.
Newcomb broke through for its second win of the season with a 40-point result over Ocean Grove at Ray Menzies Oval.
The Power took charge of the contest in the opening term, opening up a 19-point lead, and were never seriously threatened by the Grubbers, whose upset of Geelong Amateur the previous week faded quickly into the background.
Jack Duke’s one hand on the BFNL leading goalkicker award became two with a six-goal performance that took his tally for the season to 66.
It’s the most goals in a season by a Newcomb player since Leigh Morrison’s 61 in 2007 – the year of the Power’s most recent finals appearance.
Captain Ryan Jackman and the experienced Andrew Steele were also important for Tony Mirabella’s men.
Craig Goodger and Glenn Campbell battled hard for the Grubbers.
Drysdale handed Geelong Amateur its biggest loss of the 2024 season after posting an 87-point victory at Mortimer Oval.
An eight-goal-to-two final term was the exclamation mark on the 19.15 (129) to 6.6 (42) win, which keeps the Hawks’ hopes of snatching the double chance alive.
In an injury-impacted season, midfield star Ben Fennell returned to his best form, kicking four goals.
Captain Mitch McGuire and ruck Matt Pigott were also keys to Drysdale’s performance.
Tom Gribble kicked two goals for Ammos, with Blake Sutterby and Luke Hillier their best.
Coming into Saturday’s clash with Queenscliff, Tom Hooper had kicked just one goal in ten previous senior appearances for Torquay.
However, Hooper, who played one game for Drysdale in 2018, proved he’s no slouch in front of goal, finishing with eight majors as the home team demolished the Coutas by 103 points at McCartney Oval.
The visitors were no match for the second semi-final-bound Tigers, who posted a 20.13 (133) to 4.5 (29) result.
A five-goal, best-on-ground performance from Simon Umbers was the highlight as Anglesea climbed back into second spot with a 46-point win over Portarlington at Ron Evans Oval.
The Roos kept the Demons at arm’s length for most of the afternoon, recording a 13.20 (98) to 8.4 (52) victory.
Captain Mitch Turnbull kicked three goals for Portarlington.
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