Anglesea has stormed into the Bellarine preliminary final, and a meeting with last year’s grand final opponent Torquay, after a 42-point win over Queenscliff in Sunday’s first semi-final.
The Roos were fast out of the blocks at Portarlington Recreation Reserve, slamming on five goals to two in the first term, opening up a 23-point lead and never really looking back, running out 16.18 (114) to 10.12 (72) winners.
Coach Jordy Keras said the strong start was key.
“I think it was a pretty hot contest early,” Keras said.
“But we were pretty keen to try and get a couple on the board, particularly off the back of their performance last week, we thought there might have been an advantage there.
“We were pleased to have a couple of goals break on them after that.”
Anglesea forward Ayden Gras was the main difference between the two teams, finishing with five majors, to take his season tally to 76 majors, while Ryan Baker (three) and Dale Kerr (two) also contributed in front of goal.
Queenscliff battled hard through Jye McHenry (three goals) and Patrick Bradley (two), but couldn’t peg back the Roos’ spread of contributors.
Keras said the group had taken lessons from the Round 18 draw with the Coutas a fortnight earlier.
“We didn’t feel like we were playing great footy that day; we were down by five goals and got back in the game pretty quickly,” he said.
“So we felt if we brought that effort and intensity and played our style for longer today, we could get the job done.
Anglesea expects Torquay to respond after being well beaten by Geelong Amateur in the second semi-final.
“It was an uncharacteristic Torquay performance … Ammos were comprehensive all over the ground, which is unusual for Torquay,” he said.
“But we’ll be expecting a pretty fiery Torquay to bounce back. And we’ll be just as ready to hopefully make it to the game that matters on the big stage.”
X: @krockfootball
QUEENSCLIFF 2.1, 6.5, 8.8, 10.12 (72)
ANGLESEA 5.6, 7.8, 12.16, 16.18 (114)
GOALS: Queenscliff: J. McHenry 3, P. Bradley 2, J. Rush 2, J. Monahan, C. Durran
GOALS: Anglesea: A. Gras 5, R. Baker 3, D. Kerr 2, L. Smith, N. Collins, J. King, J. Walters, D. Everett
BEST: Queenscliff: N. Stephens, P. Bradley, C. Durran, L. Kidd, K. Keenan
BEST: Anglesea: A. Gras, L. Smith, M. Virgona, W. Batson, J. Walters, J. Keras
