Dom Gleeson will become the first coach in Bellarine history to reach the 200-game milestone in the first half of 2026 after signing a one-year contract extension with Torquay.
The news that the three-time premiership mentor would remain in the role was announced a short time ago at a Tigers’ past players’ function ahead of today’s clash with Drysdale at McCartney Oval.
“From a club perspective and from a community perspective, his record speaks for itself,” Torquay president Cam Healy said.
“But when you get to go and see what he does on a Tuesday night with his (coaching) team – Aaron Nesbitt, Stuart Hill, Marty Lanyon, Peter Raidme, Ben Kennedy – who are some really, really good names and influential names in community football, that team just does some remarkable work.
“I’m in awe of the preparation they go through on a Tuesday and a Thursday night, the way they execute on game day, by the way they carry themselves, by the way they coach, by the way they sweep the sheds at the end of the game.
“They’re great friends, and I think the club is blessed to have such great leaders take us into 2026.”
Since taking the reins at McCartney Oval ahead of the 2015 season following a distinguished VFL career with Werribee and Geelong, Gleeson has coached Torquay on 188 occasions for 148 wins and 40 losses.
The Tigers have played finals in all but one season of Gleeson’s tenure, winning flags in 2017, 2023 and 2024.
After a scratchy start to this year, Torquay has won eight of its past ten outings to sit a game clear in second spot heading into the meeting with the Hawks.
Healy says Gleeson’s message and coaching style still resonate with the list.
“From what I watch, with all my exposure to football, I still see how, in my opinion, he’s still completely got all the players,” Healy said.
“And we’re constantly being able to inject new blood into our program with the Torquay Development Program for all the kids coming through our junior program.
So it’s not like it’s the same voice. We’ve gone from the Sam Wormalds and the Jared Mathers and the ‘Cliffie’ (Josh) Grays, and it’s a whole new wave.
It’s the Aaron Nesbitts, the Sheldon Hams, the Charlie Hams, James Darke.
“So there’s a whole new group of people that haven’t been there for the 11-year tenure.”
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