Anglesea to welcome back a host of key players ahead of their elimination final with Modewarre

With Modewarre winning nine of its past 11 games since a loss to Anglesea, it’s shaping up to be a ripping rematch this Sunday. We reveal where the game could be won and lost.

In some ways, it had to be Anglesea.

Modewarre’s season has been on a stunning upwards trajectory ever since they were beaten by the Roos in round 7 by 29 points.

Under new co-coaches, Tom Hornsey and ex St Albans mentor Chris Carlon, the Warriors have won nine of their last 11 matches ever since, including the past five.

They have only lost to minor premiers Torquay and Drysdale, while taking the scalps of Barwon Heads by 22 points back in June — a 197-point turnaround after being wiped off the park by the Seagulls in round 4.

Anglesea coach Jordan Keras. Picture: Alan Barber

And while Modewarre returned the favour last Saturday, beating Anglesea by five straight kicks, the Roos were missing some heavy artillery, including their chief goal kicker Dylan Pettingill (51 majors from 12 games), who remains under an injury cloud.

It should be noted all of Anglesea’s best players from that round 7 match – co-coach Jordan Keras, Lachlan Smith, Dylan Pettingill, Jack Baker, Fergus Huntington, Harrison Veale – were missing last Saturday.

However, Carlon is feeling confident with his charges building some momentum in recent weeks, mixing hard running with strong contested ball.

“No matter who Anglesea put out on the park we know we’ll give ourselves a good show on the weekend,” Carlon said.

Modewarre coach Chris Carlon instructs his charges against Anglesea. Picture: Alan Barber

He believed it took some time for the playing group to adjust to new methods, sitting 2-5 after seven rounds with an average score of less than 60 points per game.

But the club is now firmly on the right track, finishing fourth after the home and away season.

“We brought in a different method and changed a few things,” Carlon said.

“It was more just settling things down a little bit, we’ve always known we had a talented list, it was just making sure they all play well together and understand the way we want to play.

“And coaches we had to understand them as well.”

Who mans the Warriors’ forward line weapons?

Carlon said how Modewarre’s forward line functions, and its ability to convert early opportunities, were the key to Saturday’s result.

Boasting two of the better goalkickers in the BFL – Hornsey and Connor Joseph – the pair have slotted over 100 majors this season.

Since round 7, the Warriors have also racked up six scores of 97 points or more.

“How our forward line is going to function is probably one of the key things,” Carlon said.

“We’ve got a good spread of goalkickers in our forward line.”

Tom Hornsey celebrates a goal against Anglesea in the final round. Picture: Alan Barber

Last Saturday, Oscar Balderas went to Hornsey, with the latter kicking four majors, leaving him second on the BFL goal kicking table after the home and away season.

“There’s not too many defenders who can stand the size of Tom,” Carlon said.

“That was a good like-for-like match up.”

However, Carlon anticipated Daniel Midolo, who played forward last weekend in the absence of some key goalkickers including Pettingill, to take Hornsey again this year.

“I’d expect him to roll back with some forwards coming in,” he said.

“It’ll be an interesting match up whoever they send to him.”

Good ins for the Warriors

While the Roos were missing a host of names, the Warriors were also without its milestone man and champion, Josh Finch, who played his 300th for the club in June.

However, up and coming midfielder Matt McKim was also MIA due to a knock on his leg.

But he trained during the week and is expected to take his place against Anglesea.

Modewarre’s Josh Finch missed last Saturday’s match against Anglesea due to AFLW commitments with Geelong. Picture: Alan Barber

“He’s probably been building to being one of our top midfielders over the last few years, (he) always had good ability and he’s a good size for a midfielder,” Carlon said.

“His breakaway pace from a contest has been really good and his consistency has been better than years gone by.”

Curbing Lachlan Smith

Carlon says the Roos midfielder was a “cut above” when they last played in round 7, but the Warriors were unlikely to tag him.

“He was explosive from the contest and we understand he’s probably their prime mover in the midfield,” Carlon said.

Modewarre co-coach Chris Carlon said his match committee would put plenty of time into curbing Lachlan Smith.

“I don’t think we’ll tag anyone to be honest, we’ve won nine out of our last 11 games so we’re probably doing something right.

“We need to just play our own game. We feel like we’re good enough to go head to head with them.”

Who takes Dylan Pettingill?

Carlon has intimiate knowledge of one of the BFL’s leading forwards, Dylan Pettingill, having worked with him at the Supersaints in 2020 when he was senior coach.

However, it just depends if he gets on the park with Pettingfill under an injury cloud.

“He’s an exceptional athlete, he moves really well and he’s great in the air,” Carlon said.

“He’s got that X Factor.

“He can create something out of nothing so we’ve got to make sure we’re on him at all times, and don’t give him any space.”

Dylan Pettingill after kicking a goal against Drysdale. Picture: Mark Wilson

Carlon hinted tall key defender Nat Matthews could go to Pettingill, who has enjoyed a breakout year with the Warriors.

However, there is also Geelong-listed Morgan Fenton, who in Carlon’s eyes is one of the league’s premier defenders.

“He’s an exceptional defender,” he said.

“So we’ve probably got two options to play on Dylan, depending on what the conditions are like on the weekend.”

Originally published as Anglesea to welcome back a host of key players ahead of their elimination final with Modewarre