BEYOND THE BOUNDARY – SEPTEMBER 2
Twelve months after exiting its first finals campaign in seven years in straight sets, Queenscliff coach Heath Jamieson says the minor premier is “better prepared” for this year’s finals campaign.
After falling into a qualifying final in 2025, the Coutas, who are chasing a first premiership since completing a hat-trick in 2013, were well beaten by Torquay before becoming Anglesea’s second victim on its way to a famous flag.
This year, Queenscliff has known their fate would be a second semi-final berth for the best part of a month, allowing Jamieson to prepare accordingly, with their opponent, which has turned out to be the Tigers, the only unknown.
“I think last year was a bit of a rush,” Jamieson said. “We didn’t know where we were finishing for a long way and sort of landed in that final against Torquay probably not prepared at all for it, I suppose, and that probably showed.
“And then the confidence that was sapped out of us in that game probably didn’t work too well into the next final.
“This year it’s just been totally different, where we’ve known where we’re going to finish for a while, and we’ve brought some recruits in that everyone knows about.
“All our younger one-point players are a year older, a little bit more experienced, done a lot more work; we’re three pre-seasons in now.
“Whether or not we’ve learned a lesson on how to play finals footy, we’ll find out, but I think we’re just much better prepared than what we have been in the past.”
With its reserves also finishing on top of the ladder, Queenscliff used last Saturday’s break for a three-period intraclub.
“We’ve had the ability to play against each other but just not with the same sort of attack on the footy or on the man,” Jamieson said.
“So, we come in with the same amount of work, just probably not as many bumps and bruises on our bodies.
“Everyone’s got an opinion on what the best run in is like.
“Unless you’ve run the data on every competition for the last 30 years, I don’t think anyone actually knows what the perfect scenario is.
“All you can do is just be clear in your mind that you’ve got a team that’s fit, ready to play and ready to go.”
Marshall Rippon and Jack Leonard are the only two players Jamieson can’t consider for selection as Queenscliff searches for its first finals win since the 2016 qualifying final.
Rippon, who arrived in the off-season along with brother Nick, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the Round 13 loss to Torquay.
Leonard hasn’t been sighted since Round 1.
Jordy McIvor-Clark will return for just his fourth match of the season – and first since Round 9 – at the expense of talented youngster Max Scott.
“Which was a tough decision,” Jamieson said.
“The footy club’s pretty lucky to be in the spot we are at the moment.
“There’s going to be a fair few guys that will miss out on a game in the reserves as well because we’re healthy and fit.”
Queenscliff and Torquay split their meetings during the home-and-away season.
The Coutas upset Travis Boak’s homecoming in Round 2, while the Tigers were the only team to leave Queenscliff Recreation Reserve in 2026 with the four points.
Jamieson says young ruck Ollie Cincotta’s ability to give Queenscliff’s midfield first use against a star-studded Torquay onball brigade will be crucial.
“Torquay are very good inside there with ‘Boagy’ (Matt Boag, (Sheldon) Ham, and Tynan Smith in the middle now, so a couple of big bodies.
“We want to make sure that we get first hands on it; otherwise, they can be pretty damaging.
“Joe’s pretty important for us in that area. He’s had a good year, and hopefully his form continues.”
More to come
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