It was an afternoon to remember for the Modewarre faithful, as the Warriors ensured Josh Finch’s record-breaking appearance for the club was a winning one in beating Barwon Heads by 11 points at Mt Moriac.
Playing his 330th game for Modewarre, the 38-year-old four-time Les Ash medallist broke Paul Meesen’s long-standing mark against the Seagulls.
Warriors coach Mark Hovey was impressed with how his players harnessed the emotion of the day to claim a 12.4 (76) to 9.11 (65) victory.
“It was an important game in the context of our season, but the bigger picture was it was a huge occasion for the club, and everyone understood the importance for Josh and his family,” Hovey said.
“I couldn’t have been happier with their effort, and we got there in the end.
“We knew our effort and emotion weren’t going to just win this game; we had to have a bit of method, and we had to play our way as well.
“We had control right up towards the end, and they kicked a couple of late goals to get a bit closer.”
Cal Farrell was a standout for Modewarre following a move into the midfield rotation after starting the match forward, while captain Morgan Fenton limited Barwon Heads talisman Mitch Herbison to two goals.
Fellow defender Oscar Hocking also impressed.
“He probably took 14 marks,” Hovey said.
“He’s a bit uncanny because the ball would come down, and he looks like he’s under the ball because he’s got such a long reach, but he still marks them.
“He’s probably been our best recruit by a mile.
“And, I would have thought if you’re picking the team of the year, he’d have to be centre-half back.”
After three consecutive losses to open the season, Modewarre has won three of its past four matches to remain within touching distance of the top five.
Hovey says this middle-third of the season is when teams are tested.
“The first six games, everyone’s still up and about from the start of the season, and the weather’s still quite mild,” he said.
“The last six, you’re either looking forward to finals, or you’re probably looking forward to the end.
“But the middle part of the season is when it can get a bit dark and a bit dreary, and motivation can be a little bit harder.
“But I always find this is a part where you need to be at your best because you set your season up.
“And last year, we got on a bit of a run where we beat Ammos, Drysdale and Anglesea within three weeks.”
Connor Joseph was best in front of goal for Modewarre, which next faces Angelsea, with three majors.
Herbison and Jack Henderson kicked two apiece for the Seagulls, who face a crucial meeting with Newcomb next week.
Drysdale has handed Torquay its third loss of the season with a 25-point victory at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
Leopold recruit Lachie Nelis continued his fine first season in brown and gold, while Lauchie Dalgleish and Ben Fennell, who kicked three and two goals, respectively, were also important in the 12.10 (82) to 7.15 (57) result.
Captain Ben McNamara was named the Tigers’ best, with Paddy Hughes, who was squeezed out of Geelong’s VFL team, also impressed in his first Bellarine appearance in 13 months.
Queenscliff has shown no mercy to an injury-hit Portarlington, handing out the first triple-figure hiding of the season, in a 102-point victory at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.
Recruit Izaac Grant followed pre-bye hauls of six and five with another five goals in the 21.18 (144) to 5.12 (42) victory.
After never kicking more than one goal in his first 32 games, Patrick Bradley also starred with five majors.
Sol Bowtell and Will Baker also impressed.
Tom Panuccio and Riley Hayden were named the Demons’ best.
Anglesea pulled away from Newcomb in the final quarter to record a 48-point win at Grinter Reserve.
The Roos led by 15 points at three-quarter time before piling on six goals to one in the final term to claim a 12.16 (88) to 6.4 (40) result.
With league-leading goalkicker Ayden Gras held to two goals by Power defender Tom Webster, Lachie Smith stepped up to kick three majors.
Ike Hardman and Liam Carolan also impressed.
Joe Clarke and Jack Duke each kicked two goals for Newcomb.
Mitch Day and Sam Lloyd have combined for 11 goals as Geelong Amateur ran out 79-point winners over Ocean Grove at Queens Park, 15.20 (110) to 4.7 (31).
Day kicked six and Lloyd five, as Ammos maintained its one-game buffer on top of the ladder.
Lachie Allan finished with two goals for the struggling Grubbers.
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