Torquay has consolidated its spot inside the Bellarine top five after overcoming a dogged challenge from Drysdale to claim a 35-point win at McCartney Oval.
Tigers coach Dom Gleeson admits his charges were far from their best in beating the Hawks 14.15 (99) to 9.10 (64), especially during the second quarter when both teams managed just one goal apiece.
“It wasn’t a great spectacle,” Gleeson told K rock Football after the game. “The beautiful thing is we come away with the four points.
“But that second quarter for us, I don’t think we’ve played as badly this year. We’ve had our lapses, but that’s as bad as it gets.
“Skill execution-wise, it didn’t sell the Bellarine at all, I don’t think.
“It’s certainly not one for the highlight reel.”
In the end, it was Tynan Smith’s class that proved the difference between the two teams.
He finished with six goals, including four after half-time, where the Tigers outscored the Hawks nine goals to five.
North Ballarat recruit Hugh Trigg was again lively, finishing with 2.6, to end an impressive May in the forward line after starting the year at half-back.
“Triggy’s done a really good job because he came in as a forward, there’s no question,” Gleeson said.
“I just wanted him to learn our defensive side, and he learned it so well.
“He was born as a half-back flank, and you guys saw that Round 1.
“And then you swing a kid forward because he got injured… and then he kicks 11 (goals).
“How do you take him out?”
Despite the loss, which leaves the Hawks with a 2-7 win-loss record and set to miss the finals for the first time since 2019, coach Ben Carmichael was remaining upbeat.
“Although we’re not getting wins, it’s been really exciting,” he said. “Today we played our 38th or 39th player for the year. I think we used maybe 32 last year.
“So we’re getting games into guys that we probably wouldn’t get the opportunity to have a look at this early.
“But you wouldn’t know around our group that we’re two and seven. The morale is up. The guys are always trying to get better.
“We’ve got a young list out there. So every week we front up. We think we can win. And, yeah, it’s still an exciting time.”
In what is likely his final appearance for Drysdale for 2026, former Melbourne and West Coast speedster Jayden Hunt kicked two goals, including an effort that should have Socceroos coach Tony Popovic making a phone call ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Joel Watson also kicked two goals for the Hawks, bringing his season total to 23.
Torquay will monitor a foot injury suffered by Nathan Mifsud ahead of next week’s meeting with Modewarre.
However, the Tigers will likely get back key forward Lucas Anderson from a fractured scapula.
Drysdale will lose former WAFL start Jye Bolton, whose second appearance for his junior club was hampered by a calf injury sustained early in the contest.
However, teenage sensation Ollie Castro is likely to return to take on Anglesea at Ellimatta Reserve with his Talent League club, Western Jets, having the bye.
Geelong Amateur has pulled away after half-time to run out 43-point winners over grand final conqueror Anglesea at Ellimatta Reserve.
In the first and only meeting of the home-and-away season between the two clubs, the Pegs outscored the home team 8.3 to 1.8 in the second half to record a 13.10 (88) to 5.15 (45) result.
Co-coach Sam Lloyd kicked five goals for Ammos, while Charley Green contributed three majors on his return from a stint with Geelong’s VFL team.
Ayden Gras kicked three of the Roos’ five goals, taking his season tally to 27.
Queenscliff took three quarters to shake a persistent Modewarre before kicking away to maintain their four-point lead at the top of the ladder with a 52-point win, 15.15 (105) to 8.5 (53).
The Coutas led by two points at half-time, before extending the margin to 17 points at three-quarter time.
Five goals to the Warriors’ none in the final term ensured an eighth win from nine starts.
Jordy Monahan’s fine season continued, kicking five goals, while Izaac Grant contributed three majors.
Veteran Tom Hornsey kicked three goals for the Warriors.
Portarlington has maintained its recent hold over Newcomb, claiming its third win of the season with a 14-point result at Portarlington Recreation Reserve.
The Demons made it five consecutive victories over the Power, 12.15 (87) to 10.13 (73), with a 3.5 to 0.3 third quarter proving critical.
Youngster Hayden Eddy kicked three goals for Port, with Kalan Dart, Dylan O’Brien and Kelly Pickard each contributing two.
Noted for his defensive work, co-captain Tom Webster spent time in the forward line for Newcomb and finished with three goals.
In 55 previous games for the Power, he’d only kicked two goals – both last year.
Barwon Heads did its best work early in beating Surf Coast by 65 points at Summertime Pools Oval, 18.17 (125) to 9.6 (60).
The Seagulls opened up a 20-point lead at quarter time, before extending that 50 points at the main break.
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