To the outsider, consecutive losses to start the Bellarine season appear to have been a blip on the radar for Torquay.
The Tigers have squared the ledger at 2-2 after following up their Good Friday belting of Barwon Heads with a gutsy 33-point win over Anglesea at Ellimatta Reserve yesterday.
Reigning Ash medallist Matt Boag (illness) and Charlie Ham (knee) withdrew from the Torquay lineup on Saturday morning, while Cooper Patton’s day ended in the opening moments with a broken finger.
However, despite climbing into the top five for the first time this year, coach Dom Gleeson stopped short of saying his team are back on track.
“It’s certainly good to be two and two; (it’s) better than the alternative,” Gleeson said.
“We’re still not there as a list yet. We had Boag and Charlie Ham pull out late today, and Oscar Lewis pulled out late on Thursday.
“So, we’ve still got a pretty long list of injuries.
“Having said that, our opponent did today as well, so it was probably a level playing field.”
After trailing by five points after a low-scoring first quarter, Torquay took control of the contest with a four-goal burst late in the second quarter that helped the visitors to a 17-point lead at half-time.
Consecutive goals to Jesse Dawson, who finished with five majors for the contest, early in the third term strengthened the Tigers’ advantage, with 21 points as close as the ‘Seas would get for the remainder of the contest.
“We just played our game style, as boring as that sounds, and executed it,” Gleeson said.
“It’s always going to be very hard to come up against quality players that Anglesea have got.
“We know they’re not as strong as they’d like to be, just through injury and probably personnel change – a bit similar to us, really.
“It’s hard to remain at the top.
“But I thought the playing group just responded well the last two weeks.
After Banjo Dyer’s eight goals in Round 3, fellow Torquay youngster Will Montebello stepped up this week to join Dawson in kicking five majors.
Nathan Mifsud and Hugh Darke also impressed for the Tigers.
St Joseph’s recruit Ayden Gras shot to the top of the Bellarine goalkicking table with a six-goal haul and was among Anglesea’s best along with Dale Kerr and Ike Hardman.
In Saturday’s other results;
Five goals apiece from Geelong Amateur playing co-coach Sam Lloyd and veteran spearhead Mitch Day trumped the six goals from Barwon Heads great Mitch Herbison in a shootout at Howard Harmer Oval.
Ammos remained the Bellarine’s only unbeaten team following a 17.14 (116) to 13.20 (98) result.
Jai Sheahan and Sam Bain were standouts for the winners, while Damian McMahon and Kyle Polley impressed for the Seagulls.
Former Western Bulldog Roarke Smith made a surprise appearance, and veteran forward Tom Hornsey made a successful return from injury, as Modewarre opened its account with a 43-point victory over Queenscliff at Mt Moriac Reserve.
The pair both influenced the contest, with Hornsey, who had been sidelined with an abductor injury, kicking five goals in the 14.10 (94) to 6.15 (51) result.
Scott Morter played an admirable supporting role to Hornsey, finishing with three goals.
Smith, who played 47 AFL matches, was aligned to the Warriors while on the list of VFL club Port Melbourne last year, but didn’t play a game.
He has also made two appearances with Central Murray club Balranald this year.
Lachie Kidd and Will Baker, who returned to kick two goals, were best for the Coutas.
X: @krockfootball
