Queenscliff has produced a stunning defensive effort, holding Torquay to its second-lowest score of the season to win its fifth Bellarine League premiership.
Led by a best-on-ground effort by inspirational captain Caleb Whitley, who won the Josh Finch Medal, the Coutas claimed a 51-point victory, 14.14 (98) to 6.11 (47) at PlasterCom Oval.
Queenscliff, which was chasing its first flag since 2013, held the Tigers to just one goal in the first half to take a 32-point lead into the main break.
Torquay threatened early in the second half to get back into the contest, kicking consecutive goals through Tynan Smith and Hugh Trigg to cut the margin to 26 points.
However, it was as close as the Tigers would get despite four goals from Tynan Smith.
Veteran Jake Hedley, who returned for last week’s preliminary final for his first senior appearance since Round 1, took some telling marks inside forward 50 and finished with three goals.
He is now a four-time premiership player after being part of the hat-trick of flags between 2011-2013
Izaac Grant returned from a groin injury that kept him out of the preliminary final and contributed two goals, while Max Annandale was lively and deserved better than his return of 1.6.
Queenscliff’s only negative was a fractured cheekbone suffered by key defender Trent Thompson.
More to come
X: @krockfootball
