Anglesea spearhead Ayden Gras is confident the reigning premier can recapture the form that took the club to last year’s drought-breaking flag.
The Roos’ title defence is yet to click into gear, sitting on the edge of the top five with a 2-2 record.
They defeated Ocean Grove to open the season on Good Friday before narrowly surviving an audacious Newcomb fightback the following week.
In the fortnight before the bye, they were on the end of an 80-point hiding from Barwon Heads and fell away in the second half against Torquay to lose by 56 points.
It was following the loss to the Seagulls that coach Jordan Keras publicly questioned his teams’ motivation.
“I think a loss like that early in the season is a good reminder, especially for a side that’s probably experienced success for the first time for a lot of the people now – obviously a couple of players had success before – but as a group to realize that nothing’s guaranteed and there’s no expectation that we’re going to roll out this year and repeat the same,” Gras said.
“Barwon Heads played terrific that day.
“We’re still building into this year. We’ve got a lot of new players this year that are learning our system and structures.
“So getting an opportunity to play a good side like them and then Torquay the other week is a good reminder of what we need to get to and where we need to be.”
Anglesea has made four changes, including dropping off-season recruits Ryan Bell and Joel Hogan.
Former co-captain James Carr (ankle) and James Gray (concussion protocol) are also out of the team that lost to Torquay before the Roos’ bye.
Cam Hutchinson, Josh Jaska, Declan Everett and talented youngster Charlie Lawless are the inclusions.
The Demons have suffered a blow, with playing coach Sam Scott again sidelined, this time with a minor hamstring strain.
They will also be without Geelong West recruit Pat Eastman (personal) and Tom Callan (groin).
Matt Fromholtz, Luke Salvador and Sam McDonald have been promoted from the reserves.
BEYOND THE BOUNDARY – MAY 6 – AYDEN GRAS (ANGLESEA)
Jonty Rush and Jordy McIvor-Clark have been named for their first games of the season as Queenscliff prepares to face the improving Newcomb at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.
Both successfully negotiated a reserves hitout last week after returning from injury.
The Coutas have also included Luke Ford, who has spent the opening five rounds in the reserves.
Ollie Skurrie, Nat Stephens, and Patrick Bradley have been omitted.
The Power has named Northern Territory young gun Ollie Poulson for his first game of the season, while Ollie Marshall returns after missing the win over Geelong Amateur.
Kyle Sykstus will be missing for an extended stint after being hospitalised with a punctured lung suffered last week, while Werribee VFL-listed Foster Gardiner has been cleared back to Ovens and Murray club North Albury after a cameo appearance last week.
Barwon Heads has made two changes for its meeting with Drysdale as it looks to keep its unbeaten start to the season at APCO Cafe 24/7 Oval intact.
Oliver Poon, the son of former Torquay spearhead Michael, and Joel Bartley will make their debuts – Poon after crossing from GFNL club Grovedale.
They replace Kye Smith (knee) and Dan Shaw (shoulder).
The Seagulls, who play eight of their home games in the first 11 rounds, have so far beaten Portarlington, Anglesea and Queenscliff.
Their only loss was a seven-point defeat by Geelong Amateur at KFC Oval.
The Hawks have lost Paddy Power to a season-ending knee injury. He’s been replaced by James Robbins, who has exited the concussion protocol.
Former captain Josh Hopgood, who last played a senior game in mid-2024, has been promoted at the expense of Chris Jreige.
Injury-hit Geelong Amateur has named debutant Oscar Kattwinkel among five changes as it prepares to host Ocean Grove at KFC Oval.
Still eligible for under-18s, Kattwinkel is quick across the ground and can play either on a wing or half-back.
Defender Daniel Grose will make his first senior appearance of the season after undergoing off-season ankle surgery, while Archer Hanegraaf, John Thornton, and Zac Nelson return.
They replace Sprio Alesios (knee), Hamish Shepheard (adductor), Hugh Goddard (concussion) and Andrew Browne (managed), with one more out to be confirmed.
After 38 games in the reserves, junior product Levi Norman will make his senior debut for the Grubbers.
Coach Dave Farrell is excited about his intensity and running power, which will be important on KFC Oval.
Zane Kneebone, who was a late withdrawal from last week’s loss to Torquay, returns.
Lenny Allen and Baden Pohlner have been omitted.
Captain Morgan Fenton and experienced trio Damon Hemphill, Tom Hornsey and Ollie Butler will return as Modewarre faces Surf Coast for the first time.
The Suns have named debutant Ethan Waldron among three inclusions, with fellow youngsters Riley Cotter and Koby Nielsen also back.
However, co-captain Joss Howlett is facing at least three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, while Luke Cartelli (calf) and Tyler Flanigan (hamstring awareness) could return for the meeting with Anglesea next week.
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