Externally, Torquay’s 49-point win over top-of-the-ladder Geelong Amateur has raised a few eyebrows.
However, Tigers’ coach Dom Gleeson was quick to use the word perspective following the 16.16 (112) to 9.9 (63) result, which guaranteed the two-time reigning premier will start their finals campaign out of a qualifying final.
However, their rivals were missing a number of key players, including playing coach Sam Lloyd, big man Hamish Shepheard, co-captain Liam Cogan, and their Geelong College and Geelong Grammar students, who will be available later in the month.
“I didn’t even really have to talk to the players about it,” Gleeson said. “They’re under no illusion that Ammos weren’t fully fit.
“But we can only play who we’re up against, and the boys performed really well, and there were some great individual efforts.
“We put a bit of time into this week, as you do, leading into finals
“It was a great contest, and we came away with it, but we’re under no illusion that that’s the team that’ll be in finals for Ammos.”
Gleeson was impressed with the even contribution, but it was a seven-goal effort from Tynan Smith that proved the difference.
“We played him as a full forward, and we know we can throw him on ball, but our onball brigade is going really well,” Gleeson said.
“He just had one of those days, which forwards can have.
“Again, I’ll go back to the team. You know, Lucas Anderson was back. He draws a crowd. Cooper Heard draws a crowd. (Will) Montebello draws a crowd. And Tom Hooper draws a crowd.
“Tynan was one who got out today.
“And it mightn’t be him next week. It might be someone else. But that’s just the benefit of having such a strong forward line.”
Anderson, who suffered a head knock against Anglesea last month, returned sporting a helmet, and kicked one goal.
Reigning Ash medallist Matt Boag continues to make a case for a repeat in 2025 after another stunning midfield performance, while four-time winner James Darke was again important, along with experienced half-back Ollie Tate.
In his 100th appearance for Geelong Amateur, Mitch Day kicked three goals to maintain his five-goal lead on Anglesea’s Ayden Gras in the race for the BFNL goalkicking title.
Defenders Spiro Alesios and Tom Zeitz were named Ammos’ best.
Torquay will continue its fine-tuning for a sixth consecutive finals appearance against potential qualifying final opponent Queenscliff next week.
While Geelong Amateur should make the minor premiership – and two cracks a first grand final berth in eight years – a certainty when it travels to Ocean Grove..
A Jayden McHenry-inspired Queenscliff has a narrow hold on third place after kicking away late to beat Portarlington by 32 points at Portarlington Recreation Reserve.
Leading by a solitary point at three-quarter time, the Coutas outscored the Demons, who led by 11 points during the third quarter, 6.8 to 2.1.
Leopold premiership player McHenry finished with seven goals, giving Queenscliff the target it required in the absence of the injured Izaak Grant.
Kelly Pickard and Braydon Poole each kicked three goals for the Demons.
Drysdale sits less than three per cent behind Queenscliff in fourth spot after overcoming Ocean Grove by 45 points at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
The Hawks put the Grubbers at arm’s length early, with a five-goal-to-one final quarter the icing on a 15.10 (100) to 7.13 (55) result.
Lauchie Dalgleish finished with four goals for Drysdale, with Jake Hagreaves chiming in with three.
Ben Fennell (40 disposals) and Lachie Nelis (37) kept racking up possessions in the Hawks’ midfield.
Harry Cashin and Joe McDonald were best for the Grubbers, who had seven individual goalkickers.
Anglesea maintained its one-game break on sixth-placed Barwon Heads after a strong second half resulted in a 51-point win over Modewarre at Mount Moriac Reserve.
The Roos led by just five points at the main break before kicking 10 goals to three to claim a 15.20 (110) to 9.5 (59) result.
Ayden Gras and Will Batson kicked three goals apiece for Anglesea.
Connor Joseph was best up forward for the Warriors, finishing with four goals.
Barwon Heads remains a finals chance after taking care of Newcomb by 39 points at Grinter Reserve.
Led by strong performances from leaders Lachie Wilson and Kyle Polley, and three goals from Darcy Griffin, the Seagulls ran out 14.13 (97) to 7.16 (58) winners.
Jack Duke returned from suspension to kick four goals for the Power, whose losing streak extended to 12.
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