Dom Gleeson says “love of the game” was key to his re-signing as Torquay coach for the 2026 season.
The Bellarine games record-holder agreed to terms on a 12th season in charge at McCartney Oval last week, with the former Geelong and Werribee VFL star to become the first coach in competition history to reach the 200-game milestone in the first half of next year.
Gleeson revealed his connection with his players and staff, as well as the support of his family, which also made the decision to continue a simple one.
“My family have been involved since my kids were born, and they’re now 10 and 12; they’ve been here since the very start,” he said.
“And my wife – we met when we were very young, so football’s in our DNA, and we love it.
“It fits with our Saturdays. We don’t know what to do without it. And now with kids playing, it’s Saturday, Sunday, and then we roll back into Monday.
“The support staff make it really, really easy for me to do my work.
“Family, work, and then footy comes third, so the balance is great,
“It’s support, yes, but it’s love. I certainly love Tuesdays and Thursdays’ coaching and being out there.”
However, before 2026 rolls around, Torquay hopes to claim a hat-trick of flags for the first time in the club’s history in mid-September.
The Tigers will likely have to overcome a star-studded Geelong Amateur in September, whom they face tomorrow for the first time since being on the wrong end of a 43-point result in Round 1.
“Round 1, we certainly weren’t at our best,” Gleeson said.
“Ammos bruised our ego a little bit coming off a premiership, and they played some brilliant footy. So we’ve been excited to get back to this point.
“I’m hoping they’re fully fit. We’re not far off, as well. And I think we will get a gauge going into finals of where we need to be.
“They’re certainly in the measuring stick.”
Spearhead Lucas Anderson is back after missing the past two games following a head knock, with Will Montebello and Oscar Lewis joining him, but Banjo Dyer remains sidelined with an ankle issue.
Van Rahilly and Hamish McGowan will be on Geelong Falcons duty.
Ammos get back experienced midfielder Riley Ferguson and talented youngster Charley Green, who was a late withdrawal last week.
They replace Xavier Muhor (knee) and Riley Mattner (bruised lung).
However, veteran big man Hamish Shepheard is unlikely to play until the final round meeting with Newcomb.
Barwon Heads great Mitch Herbison will play his first game since Round 7 when the Seagulls travel to Grinter Reserve to take on Newcomb.
The Seagulls have also included Harry Hyland, Kallum Hinchcliffe, Matt Beckwith, and debutant Rupert Flanders.
They replace Geelong Falcons duo Angus Ford and Lachie Blacket, Cam O’Leary (unavailable), Ryan Harvey (ankle), and Tom Swift (illness).
The Power will be boosted by the return of leading goalkicker Jack Duke, Jake Watson, and Judd Smith.
They replace Tommy Williams, Mason Andrews, and Reece Smiljanic.
Full of confidence after beating Newcomb last week, Ocean Grove will look to put a dent in the top-three hopes of Drysdale when they travel up Grubb Road.
The Grubbers get back Geelong VFL player Taj Wyburd, along with Harry Cashin and Jai Hale, with Tyson Ruck recalled from the reserves.
The retired Glenn Campbell, Geelong Falcons-bound Tom Teague, and injured duo Ben Bennett (syndesmosis) and playing co-coach Nick Bourke (broken finger) are among the outs.
The Hawks will be boosted by the return of recent Werribee VFL debutant Luke Preece and Sunraysia recruit Paddy Power.
They replace Andrew Crosbie (unavailable) and Mitch Wilson.
Modewarre has named veteran forward Tom Hornsey and the experienced Ollie Butler for its “last roll of the dice” meeting with Anglesea at Mt Moriac Reserve.
Win, and the Warriors, who will wear an Indigenous guernsey designed by Nathan Patteron, will pull to within a game of the top five with two rounds remaining.
However, a loss will end their hopes and put the Roos, who will go into the clash unchanged, in a strong position to play finals.
Jonty Rush will return for Queenscliff as it looks to avoid a potential tripwire against Portarlington at Portarlington Recreation Reserve.
He replaces Archie Gladman.
The Demons have lost Nick Sing and Steve Heppel.
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