Angelsea will play in its first grand final in 24 years after outlasting minor premier Torquay by seven points in Saturday’s second semi-final at Portarlington’s Ron Evans Oval.
Without a flag since 1999, the Roos overcame deficits at every change to claim a 15.8 (98) to 13.13 (91) victory.
The win snapped an 11-match losing streak against the Tigers dating back to 2018.
With accurate kicking keeping it in the contest, Anglesea kicked 3.5 to 2.3 in the final term.
A goal from the dynamic Dylan Pettingill gave the Roos the lead at the 11-minute mark before Simon Umbers extended the buffer to 12 points less than three minutes later.
Torquay star Charlie Ham pulled the margin back to seven points before Roo Anton Woods responded to ensure his team will be running onto Leopold Memorial Park on September 7.
The Tigers will have to go via a preliminary final against the winner of tomorrow’s first semi-final between Drysdale and Modewarre if they are to stay in contention to claim consecutive flags for the first time since 1987.
“It was a phenomenal game of footy,” Torquay coach Dom Gleeson said. “For those watching it and not tied to either team, I think they would all agree that it was really good footy.
“There were peaks and troughs – they got some momentum, we got some momentum.”
“As a coach, watching on, it was quite stressful, particularly when we felt like we didn’t play all that well.
“We started well and played pretty good footy. Then, the ability of Anglesea to claw us back was really evident.
“It just shows how good the shape of the competition is in at the moment.”
BFNL: SCOREBOARD – SEMI-FINALS
Gleeson believes Torquay was its own worst enemy at times.
“I feel like, as good as Anglesea were, the perceived pressure that came after Anglesea pressed us and pushed us and defended us really well, the perceived pressure was in there.
“I’m going to put it on our group as well that they didn’t play well, and they need to bounce back.”
Weylin Doyle was tasked with quelling Pettingill’s influence and won plaudits from Gleeson.
The Anglesea gun was restricted to three goals after 13 majors in his past two outings.
“He did very well, Weylin; I’m pretty happy with him,” Gleeson said.
“I probably needed two of him, to be honest. We called him up in the midfield late in the game, and he got us the momentum back.
“It’s probably something that, as coaches, particularly me, we should have made the move a bit earlier.
“But, when he’s going so well on one of their key targets, you’ve got to rob Peter to pay Paul, and we don’t ready to do it early in the game.
Luke Mahony, who was yellow carded in the final quarter for an incident with young Roo Will Batson, and Jess Dawson each kicked three goals for the Tigers.
Pettingill’s three goals for the Roos were supported by two apiece from Tom Couch and Lachie Smith.
Smith, Max Virgona and Ash Caldwell were best for the winners.
X: @krockfootball
