Anglesea coach Jordan Keras hasn’t ruled out bringing back key defender Jordan Harrison from injury for Saturday’s Bellarine grand final against Geelong Amateur.
The experienced Harrison, affectionately known as ‘Glove’ for his close checking abilities, has been sidelined since the elimination final win over Drysdale with a hamstring issue.
However, with league-leading goalkicker Mitch Day looming large in the Pegs’ goalsquare, Keras has a call to make, with Harrison the most suitable match-up on the Roos’ list.
“Hopefully, he trains fully the whole week,” Keras said.
“I think he’s one of the best match-ups in the comp for Mitch Day, so fingers crossed he can get up.”
Keras also hasn’t ruled out young gun Charlie Lawless getting an opportunity if the Geelong Falcons season comes to an end in today’s Talent League season comes to an end today at the hands of Gippsland Power.
Anglesea booked a berth in consecutive grand finals after snapping a three-game losing streak against archrivals Torquay following a 39-point preliminary final victory at Grinter Reserve.
The Seas led by one point at half-time after both teams had used the northerly breeze.
Torquay was set to benefit in the third quarter, and when Tynan Smith goaled within 45 seconds of the resumption of play after a strong mark in the goalsquare, the Tigers were back in front.
That was cancelled out seven minutes later by Roos spearhead Ayden Gras, who kicked truly from a set shot, before Smith again marked in the goalsquare to give Torquay a five-point advantage.
It would be the Tigers’ last goal of the quarter, with Anglesea co-captain Jack Walters kicking two of his four goals for the afternoon and Harry Ling chipping in with one of his three season-high goals of the contest.
Trailing by 15 points at three-quarter time, any hopes of a Torquay comeback became more remote when Dale Kerr pushed the margin out to 21 points in Anglesea’s favour.
Jesse Dawson, who, along with Lucas Anderson, kicked three goals for the Tigers, gave his team some hope after just sneaking a set shot over the line.
However, goals from Gras, Declan Everett, Keras, and Lachie Smith ensured the Roos will have a crack at winning their first flag since 1999.
Keras admits he got to savour the closing stages when he knew his team was safely entrenched in the decider.
“In my head, I thought, ‘My God, we’ve actually put this to bed at the 20-minute mark’, and I didn’t think that was going to be possible against Torquay,” he said.
“They’re a fierce, competitive side, and I took a moment to sit back and just think, ‘My God, my boys, they’re just getting it done’.
“There are so many of them that put their hands up again today, and I’m just super proud.
Walter’s performance was a standout, but Keras was keen to point out the contribution of some unsung heroes.
“Guys that I spoke about during the week, that got their opportunity because they got plenty of opportunity during the year,” he said.
“They stepped up today; played above themselves.
Jimmy Gray and Ethan Barry. Noah Collins. These are the sort of guys that – they don’t surprise me, but geez, they played above the level today.
“I’m proud of those guys, too.”
First semi-final hero Ryan Baker suffered what Keras labelled a “decent corkie”, but expects him to be right for the grand final.
Captain Ben McNamara and the experienced Ollie Tate were named best for Torquay, which last missed a grand final in 2018.
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TORQUAY 5.2, 7.3, 9.5, 10.7 (67)
ANGLESEA 2.2, 7.4, 11.8, 16.10 (106)
GOALS: Torquay: L. Anderson 3, J. Dawson 3, T. Smith 2, B. Dyer, C. Heard
GOALS: Anglesea: J. Walters 4, A. Gras 3, H. Ling 3, L. Smith 2, J. Keras 2, D. Kerr, D. Everett
BEST: Torquay: B. McNamara, O. Tate, W. Doyle, T. Smith, A. Hanley, M. Boag
BEST: Anglesea: H. Ling, I. Hardman, J. Walters, D. Kerr, J. Gray, C. Hutchinson
