Queenscliff can put a massive dent in the finals hopes of reigning grand finalist Drysdale when the two teams meet at The Couta Bowl on Saturday.
If the Coutas can snap a nine-game losing streak against Drysdale stretching back to 2018, and each of Barwon Heads, Modewarre, and Anglesea defeats Portarlington, Torquay, and Newcomb, respectively, the Hawks will be out of the top five by six points with three rounds to play.
Since suffering a three-point loss to Ocean Grove in Round 11, Queenscliff has won three consecutive matches, including victories over top-five pair Modewarre and Angelsea.
“I would say we’ve turned a corner a little bit with our football,” coach Heath Jamieson said.
“We were close in a lot of games early in the year.
“But now we’ve matured a bit, and instead of being close in games, we’re starting to grind out results.
“Our confidence has probably never been higher as a club this year. So, we look forward to the challenge that Drysdale brings.”
Queenscliff’s 60-point loss to Drysdale in Round 6 is its biggest of the season.
“If there was one game we were disappointed with this year, it was definitely the Drysdale one,” Jamieson said.
“We’ll be looking forward to making amends.”
The Coutas have made one change, welcoming back Jake Lindrea at the expense of last week’s last-minute debutant, Harry Wall.
Drysdale will be boosted by the return of star midfielder Ben Fennell for his first game since Round 10, with Bailey Hume earning a quick recall from the reserves.
Forward Jake Hargreaves is suspended, and Flynn Chirgwin is battling a knee issue.
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Portarlington has recalled Sam Oxley and Josh Jones from the reserves for its meeting with Barwon Heads at Ron Evans Oval.
They replace suspended ruck Daniel Riosa and Damian Tabakovic.
16-year-old debutant Lachie Blacket is among five inclusions for the Seagulls, who have also named Kyle Maher, Jack Pedretti, James Syddall and James Willis.
They replace Geelong Falcons duo Joe Pike and Cooper Ward, unavailable pair Jye Bartley and Cooper Ward, and Marley Cornell, who returns to the under-18s.
Riley Mattner will play his first senior game since 2021 as Geelong Amateur made five changes for its meeting with Ocean Grove at Ray Menzies Oval.
After playing on King Island in 2022, Mattner returned to KFC Oval last year and has kicked 143 goals in 33 reserves games for Ammos.
Ammos have also named co-captain Liam Cogan for his first game since Round 1, along with debutant Xavier Whitcher and recalled duo James Lee and Xavier Muhor.
They replace Riley Ferguson (hamstring), Jai Sheahan (soreness), Oscar Brownless (unavailable), Tom Gorell (Geelong Falcons), and Will Mithen (Geelong College).
The Grubbers will be without Max Sutton and Harry Cashin due to work commitments, while 15-year-old Darcy Harrington’s form has earned him selection in the Geelong Faclons’ team this weekend.
Torquay has made two forced changes for its meeting with Modewarre at Community Bank Oval.
Captain Ben McNamara will be missing with a concussion suffered in an incident that cost Anglesea’s Tom Couch a two-week suspension, while forward Will Tamassy (ankle) is also sidelined.
Tom Grace and veteran Tim Carty are their replacements.
The Warriors have lodged an unchanged team.
Anglesea has been forced into seven changes for its meeting with Newcomb at Ellimatta Reserve.
Tom Couch will miss the first of two matches through suspension, while Ike Hardman, Jarod Bacon, Fergus Huntington, Liam Carolan, Ash Caldwell and Nicholas Swain are all injured.
They’ve been replaced by Dylan Featon, Lewis Beers, Tom Presnell, Kuiper Hede, Anton Woods, Josh King, and Matthew Connell.
For Hede, it’s his debut after 32 reserves games since graduating from the under-18s.
The Power will debut Sam Cole and welcome back Jarrad Duncan with Sam McDonald and Finn Spence unavailable.
