Barwon Heads produce their worst second half of the season in 22-point loss to Anglesea

A withering, public half time spray from a star ruckman has failed to have the desired impact, his side dropping yet another match to a BFNL challenger.

It was another disappointing performance against a BFNL challenger from Barwon Heads. Picture: Alan Barber

Up by nine points in enemy territory with fifth place on the line, you could mount a decent argument Barwon Heads was travelling OK on Saturday.

However, star ruckman Luke Davis apparently wasn’t quite seeing things the same way, going by his withering spray to his teammates just moments before the third term started at Ellimatta Reserve in sodden conditions.

In the middle of the Seagulls’ huddle, deep in the forward line, Davis singled out several players in what appeared to drift into the grey area between public dressing down and motivational pep talk.

It would have done Adam Kingsley proud.

While a nine-point lead perhaps flattered the visitors – it felt like the leather spent far more time in Anglesea’s forward half than theirs – the game was certainly put for grabs with both sides on 28 points coming into the Round 15 clash in a desperate battle for fifth spot.

But the all-time rev up failed to have the desired effect, as the Roos suddenly found their forward line precision on the back of midfield dominance, booting 7.5 to 2.4 over the next two quarters as the Seagulls yet again dropped a game against a BFNL challenger.

Heading into the Round 15 fixture, the Seagulls had lost games to the top bracket by an average of 41 points, with just two scalps for the season, Queenscliff and Drysdale.

And the unenviable record continued as the visitors kicked their worst second half score of 2025.

There had been glimpses the home side was clicking into gear in the second term, with a brilliant goal-of-the-day contender from Doncaster recruit, Declan Everett, quickly matched by the returning Simon Umbers.

A sensational boundary line conversion from Dale Kerr towards the Ellimatta Rd end got the third term underway in perfect style for the Roos.

Barwon Heads players depart Ellimatta Reserve. Picture: Alan Barber

The visitors would hit back soon after to take a nine-point lead, but it would be the final yelp for the game as Anglesea finally started to make the most of their territory dominance.

It quickly became the Ayden Gras Show, who had been well held by Tom Swift to that point,

booting four majors for the quarter.

His second was perhaps the pick of the bunch, getting boot to ball in the goalsquare after the Roos went coast to coast via Lachlan Smith from half back.

Down back, Max Virgona provided great drive and was precise by foot while Ryan Baker was immense in defence in a BOG performance, reeling in countless defensive marks.

Barwon Heads Ryan Harvey had the tough assignment of keeping Anglesea's Jordan Keras quiet. Picture: Alan Barber

And Anglesea’s midfield depth began to dominate the clearance battle with the likes of Smith, Jordan Keras, Will Batson, Harrison Ling and Dale Kerr having their moments.

When Batson wheeled onto the left for his side’s 12th and final goal, it was party time as the Roos stole fifth spot from the Seagulls with found rounds to go.

By the closing minutes, the home side had the luxury of resting Keras about 100m off the ball, deep in the forward line, as Anglesea won a bruising, stoppage-heavy encounter, 12.15 (87) to 9.11 (65).

Jordan Keras was all smiles after the Roos’ second consecutive win. Picture: Alan Barber

Earlier, Simon Umbers, playing his first game since Round 3, matched Everett’s effort just moments before with a sensational check side from the right pocket.

And then Everett snapped another after finding himself in prime position at the front of a pack spillage.

After recording 1.5 in the opening term, the Roos simply couldn’t miss as the home side put three on the board in less than three minutes.

It had been a far different vibe in the opening term as the Seagulls were able to find forwards in space on the rarer occasion they went inside 50.

Up the other end, the Roos’ forward forays were clogged up by often a mass of bodies and repeat stoppages.

Barwon Heads tall forward Darby Graham clunked a big grab and then hit up Darcy Griffin for the Heads’ second while Angus Ford, back from Geelong Falcons duties, didn’t take long to have an impact — his handball set up the Heads’ third as the visitors took a 13-point lead at the first break.

Anglesea's Simon Umbers, playing his first game since Round 3, celebrates a goal. Picture: Alan Barber

However, there were telltale signs of how the game might evolve, with the ball spending far more time in the home team’s half, and Keras was confident the tide would turn during his quarter time address.

Anglesea had benefited from four free kicks within striking distance but simply couldn’t finish their work.

There was plenty of dirty ball with it appearing a strategy to just move the ball forward at any cost, with plenty of soccers out of contests.

But it would be Gras who broke the game open after half time with a booming set shot conversion, that opportunistic major in the goal square and then his fourth on the siren.

Mobbed by his teammates, a 16-point buffer felt much larger considering the conditions and how badly the Seagulls had fallen off the pace.

The Roos now have a chance to bank three in a row at just the right time next Saturday against Modewarre.

Meanwhile, Barwon Heads simply must down Newcomb in Round 16 otherwise they will most likely miss the finals for the second season in a row.

Originally published as Barwon Heads produce their worst second half of the season in 22-point loss to Anglesea