A horrific lower leg injury suffered by talented youngster Clay Page has further soured a 43-point loss to start Torquay’s quest for a hat-trick of Bellarine premierships.
The new season was barely five minutes old when the incident occurred as Page went to lay a tackle on a Geelong Amateur opponent at McCartney Oval.
He’s suffered a dislocated ankle, a broken fibula, and a syndesmosis injury, with surgery likely in the next 48 hours.
“He was the tackler, and he just got his boot stuck,” coach Dom Gleeson said.
“It was one of those freak accidents – you could see the dislocation from about 80m away.
“It doesn’t look great for Clay for 2025.
“I called him earlier, and he’s had plenty of the green (pain relief) stick, and he seemed up and about.”
Despite the incident occurring early in the Tigers’ biggest defeat since the 2022 grand final, Gleeson says it didn’t significantly impact the final result.
“From the get-go, Ammos jumped us,” he said.
“It was always a concern. You read K rock news and see all the recruits they were getting, so we knew we were up against it.
“Did it hurt the group? A lot of the boys are close with him, (but) I can’t really answer that.
“The boys responded at certain times of the game, but Ammos were far too good today.”
Geelong Amateur co-coach Riley Kershaw saw the incident unfold.
“It was quite sickening,” he said. “To be honest, it was probably one of the worst things I’ve seen on a football field, and it was right in front of us.
“It was shocking, and it was horrible.”
In other Bellarine results;
Six goals from recruit Ayden Gras helped Anglesea to a thrilling six-point win over Drysdale at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
The Roos led by 16 points at three-quarter time and kicked the first goal of the final term before the Hawks responded with four consecutive majors to snatch the lead midway through the period.
However, Simon Umbers had the final say, with a long goal at the 21-minute mark proving enough for a 16.15 (111) to 16.9 (105) victory.
Tom Ruggles finished with five goals for Drysdale.
Newcomb has overcome being held scoreless in the second quarter to claim a 14-point victory over Queenscliff at Grinter Reserve.
Trailing by three points at three-quarter time, the Power kicked four goals in the final term to come out on top, 10.8 (68) to 7.12 (54).
Reigning leading goalkicker Jack Duke and Jake Watson kicked three goals apiece for the winners, while youngster Jordan Monahan finished with three majors for the Coutas.
Ocean Grove held Modewarre goalless in two quarters on its way to a 20-point win at a windswept Mt Moriac Reserve.
The Grubbers kicked four goals in the opening term to lead by 27 points but trailed the Warriors by 14 at half-time after the home team slammed on eight majors.
However, Dave Farrell’s men resumed the lead thanks to six third-quarter goals, eventually running out 14.10 (94) to 11.8 (74) winners.
Barwon Heads overcame a plucky first-half performance from Portarlington before storming to a 55-point victory at Howard Harmer Oval, 20.13 (133) to 11.12 (78).
The Demons held a two-point lead, but the Seagulls put the game out of reach with an eight-goal-to-one third quarter.
Jack Henderson and James Syddall kicked four goals apiece for Barwon Heads, while Teia Miles was best in front of goal for Portarlington with three majors.
X: @krockfootball
