Queenscliff coach Heath Jamieson has paid tribute to the club’s reserve grade team, which set the tone for the day after his senior charges defeated Torquay at McCartney Oval for the first time in seven years.
The Coutas’ ’12 o’clockers’ recorded a rare win over the Tigers, before the 2pm team snapped a nine-game losing streak against the two-time reigning premier with an 18-point victory, 13.11 (89) to 9.17 (71).
“I’d love to mention the 12 o’clock boys and their win today, because that’s what set us up for our game,” Jamieson said.
“We take a whole club approach to things. I was really happy with the way that the 12 o’clock team got the result today.”
Jamieson admits that when star Tiger Charlie Ham snatched the lead back for the home team midway through the final term, Queenscliff was going to find it hard to leave Torquay with its fifth win of the season.
However, goals to gun recruit Izaac Grant, Will Baker, Isaac McCabe, and Jonty Rush ensured a famous victory that extended the Coutas’ winning streak to four.
“We were headed in the last quarter for the first time all day,” Jamieson said.
“When they kicked that goal, you’d probably think, ‘Shit, are they going to run away with it now, the more experienced side?’
“But to our boys’ credit, they didn’t back away from what we do, and we continued to do it late in the game.
“We didn’t waver from what makes us a good footy side. It’s what got us the result in the end.”
Jamieson was full of praise for the performance of captain Caleb Whitley, who played a starring role in Queenscliff’s backline as the Tigers were held to a single-figure goal tally for the third consecutive week.
“It’s probably going to be one of the better games I’ve seen from a defender this year – he was in everything,” Jamieson said.
“He got his dominant position perfect, and won a lot of balls that come inside our defensive 50.
“He’ll be sore tonight, but he played a really good game.”
Lachie McKane and Lachie Kidd were also crucial for the Coutas, with Grant and Rush each kicking three goals.
Mackenzie Burns and Paddy Hughes finished with three majors for Torquay and were named as the Tigers’ best.
Queenscliff’s next challenge is Barwon Heads at Howard Harmer Oval, while Torquay will look to avoid three consecutive losses for the first time since before Covid when it hosts Newcomb.
Geelong Amateur made sure it didn’t become a victim of a club that had sacked its coach during the week, kicking the first eight goals of the contest on its way to beating Portarlington by 62 points at Ron Evans Oval, 16.13 (109) to 6.11 (47)
Ammos appeared set for a massive victory when it led by 47 points early in the second quarter, but to the credit of the Demons, who parted company with Darren Findlay on Thursday, they were competitive for the remainder of the contest.
Co-captain Harry Kershaw and young gun Tom Gorell each kicked three goals, with big man Hamish Shepheard impressing in his ruck battle with Portarlington star Scott Greenhough.
Defender Nick Sing, who held Mitch Day to two goals, and former captain Will Foott were the Demons’ best.
Anglesea sharpshooter Ayden Gras has opened up a seven-goal buffer on Mitch Day in the race for the Bellarine goalkicking title after slotting five majors in a 65-point win over Modewarre at Ellimatta Reserve, 20.11 (131) to 10.6 (66).
The Roos were never seriously threatened after an eight-goal-two first quarter gave the home team a 40-point lead at the opening break.
Gras now has 40 goals in his first season at the club after crossing from St Joseph’s.
The returning Dale Kerr finished with three majors, while Harry Ling and playing coach Jordan Keras stood out for Anglesea.
Fellow former Joey Oscar Hocking, Connor Joseph, and Scott Morter each kicked two goals for the Warriors.
Recruit Jake Whybrow kicked six goals, and the returning Cam O’Leary contributed five as Barwon Heads handed Newcomb a 115-point hiding at Howard Harmer Oval.
An 11-goal third quarter was the highlight as the Seagulls kicked the highest score of the season and posted the biggest margin with the 29.13 (187) to 9.18 (72) result.
Veteran forward Jack Duke finished with four goals to be the disappointing Power’s best.
Lauchie Dalgleish’s impressive form in front of goal continued as Drysdale posted a 59-point win over Ocean Grove at Ray Menzies Oval.
The former Essendon player kicked seven goals in the 12.19 (81) to 4.8 (32) result, to give 14 goals from the past three rounds.
Hugo Walsh was named best for the Grubbers, whose winless streak extended to seven.
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