Anglesea coach Jordan Keras says the reigning premier will focus on beating Modewarre before worrying about other results that could impact whether it snatches an elimination final berth on the final day of the home-and-away season.
Like Cold Chisel, the Roos find themselves standing on the outside looking in on the top five following last week’s one-point loss to Drysdale.
A win over the Warriors is a necessity if Anglesea wants to be part of elimination final action.
However, they are also reliant on either Barwon Heads suffering a shock loss to Ocean Grove in the Battle of the Bridge or Newcomb losing by a significant enough margin that the Kangaroos’ percentage would usurp the Power.
With Anglesea (1615) and Newcomb (1609) holding similar totals in the ‘for’ column, the Roos need to make up an against 84-point difference in the ‘against’ column.
“We’ll aim to play our best footy for two hours on Saturday, and no doubt keep an eye on the scores elsewhere,” Keras said.
“Footy can change a lot in a week. We found that out (last week).
“We blinked, and we’re more of a chance not to play finals.
“Hopefully the same thing happens this week – we blink, and we’re in.”
Anglesea has lodged four changes, with Noah McGregor-Dawson, James Baker, co-captain Dale Kerr and premiership co-captain James Carr all sidelined.
McGregor-Dawson has entered the concussion protocol for an incident that cost Hawk Jake Hargreaves a five-match suspension.
Baker is suspended but likely would have been out with a calf problem; Kerr has a back concern, while Carr has a knee issue.
In better news, Ryan Baker, Jason Ashby, and Keras all return, with Alex Braaksma recalled from the reserves.
For the playing coach, it will be his first appearance since he suffered a hamstring tendon injury in the win over Newcomb in Round 13.
It’s typically an injury that requires 8-12 weeks on the sidelines.
“I couldn’t have worked any harder to get myself going,” the 32-year-old said
“It’s one of those injuries where you’ve got to make sure you do the work properly because if you don’t, there’s just no way of getting through it.
“It’s been a tough slog to rehab; it’s really hard. I’m not used to probably having a rehab this hard at my age.
“When you’ve got your own business and young family and things, you forget how hard it is to deal with a significant injury and try and get up.
“I think I’m ready to go, but we’ll see how it plays this week.”
Modewarre, which is chasing a sixth win to finish the first season of Josh Finch’s second stint as coach, have included Nat Matthews and Avery Knight for Eamon Roberts and Mitch Ringin, who return to the finals-bound Warriors’ reserves.
Newcomb (4th, 9-8) will take an unchanged team into its clash with Torquay (3rd, 13-4) at McCartney Oval.
Either a win or a narrow loss will guarantee the Power a first finals appearance since winning their last premiership in 2007.
However, a substantial loss to the Tigers, a significant Anglesea victory over Modewarre, and a Barwon Heads victory against Ocean Grove would break Newcomb hearts.
Barwon Heads (5th, 9-8) will look to make an elimination final berth a certainty when it makes the short trip to Ray Menzies Oval for the second Battle of the Bridge meeting of the season against Ocean Grove (10th, 3-14).
The Seagulls have included Jack Henderson, Noah Young and Joel Bartley, replacing Luca Vella (unavailable) and Dan Shaw.
A loss to the Grubbers and an Anglesea win over Modewarre would see Barwon Heads miss the finals.
The Grubbers have sent Jack Thomson back to their finals-bound under-18s, while Ryan Cook has been omitted.
Joe McDonald and Shannon Waldron return.
Fresh off the bye, minor premier Queenscliff (1st, 15-2) will get back Che Durran and Max Annandale for their trip north for a meeting with Portarlington (8th, 8-9) at Portarlington Recreation Reserve.
The Coutas, who will return to the ground in a fortnight for the second semi-final, have omitted Ned Coffey and Tom Bakker.
The Demons have included Blaide Dowie and Liam Vagg for Lachie Hart and Matt Fromholtz.
Young gun forward Charley Green will make his return from injury when Geelong Amateur (2nd, 14-3) travels to Summertime Pools Oval for the first time to take on Surf Coast (11th, 2-15).
Green, who kicked seven goals from four appearances with Geelong’s VFL team, has been sidelined since late May.
Ammos also welcome back James Hickey, Daniel Grose and Andrew Browne after they missed last week’s win over Portarlington.
The Suns have made one change for the final match of their first campaign.
Mitch Gaunt will replace co-captain Joss Howlett (ribs).
Drysdale (8th, 8-10), which can’t qualify for the finals, has the bye.
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