Two months out from being Surf Coast’s first opponent as it starts life as a senior football club, Torquay coach Dom Gleeson admits, “I’d be lying to you” if he denied dropping past Suns training for a look.
Local footy’s newest rivalry will commence on Easter Saturday, April 4, at Banyul-Warri Fields, with the Bellarine’s longest-serving mentor wary of what the Suns can produce in their maiden campaign.
“I truly believe that they’ll be a quality side and I really respect what they’re doing and how they’re putting a side together,” Gleeson said.
“Daily, it seems they’re unearthing another recruit.
“A lot of people are… I think disrespecting them early days, saying, ‘Oh, they’re a new club. Are you going to roll out your best side?’
“Absolutely. We’re not playing with our food. We’re going to roll out our best side because I feel the players that they’ve recruited have talent that will win games this year, and a lot of them.
“I’m excited for them to come in. Would have rather have (played) them at home in Round 1, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Torquay had a nomadic existence during pre-season while a major ground renovation continues at McCartney Oval.
Training has been held at Connewarre and Deakin University, with a return home tentatively scheduled for mid-March.
“It’s been exciting, and there’s been some challenges, but we’ve been very fortunate with the local council offering us makeshift grounds.
“Connewarre, we’ve been training out there for the majority of the time. The club’s been good enough to invest in a few sessions at Deakin Reserve.
“It’s been great because I think our boys need to see a bit of adversity, and we know what’s ahead of us, which is a great redo of Spring Creek, which I think is like the heart of the Torquay town.”
The Tigers’ quest for a hat-trick of premierships ended at the preliminary final stage after an inconsistent 2025 season.
Despite consecutive losses to start and finish the home-and-away season, Gleeson’s men still managed to secure second spot on the ladder with 12 wins.
However, after belting Queenscliff by 105 points in the qualifying final, Torquay suffered consecutive 39-point losses to Geelong Amateur and Anglesea, respectively, to bow out of the premiership race at the preliminary final stage.
“There’s no doubt we were disappointed,” Gleeson said. “I think last year was a little bit of a different year with how we started.
“We got our nose to the grindstone and started to get some wins, and we became really addicted to the wins and forgot about the side of football why we play, and that’s fun.
“Looking back, I think we went just a little bit hard, and we’re a bit fatigued at the end of the year.
“And there is a piece of me too that, yeah, we’re disappointed, but we were pretty proud of our neighbours in Anglesea doing what they did and going all the way through and winning it.
“Would have preferred it to be us, no doubt, but they went all the way through and won it, and I think it was a great story for them.”
NEW FACES AND DEPARTURES
Torquay’s recruiting has been highlighted by the return of favourite son Travis Boak after his glittering 387-game AFL career with Port Adelaide.
The 37-year-old is keen to emulate his late father, Roger, and play in a premiership with the Tigers.
“He’s really driven,” Gleeson said.
“I’ve spent the last couple of weekends with him, at various events and whatnot, and he’s super excited to the point where I think he’s getting a bit toey about it.
“We’ve got an A-grade player coming into our system that I think will be beneficial for us off the field.”
Boak’s availability is still being worked through after he joined Carlton in an off-field role.
“I’ve put a Google Sheet together, and he’s going to reply back to me with his availabilities, and then we’ll go from there,” Gleeson said.
“Round 1: I’m just not certain. Round 2 is Gather Round, so it’s just going to be week to week.
“It’s no different to what a lot of clubs have to do with their VFL players and Talent League players as well.”
Gleeson is also excited by the addition of Mitch McGrath (Newlyn), Spencer Meagher (Spotswood), and recently signed Caloundra duo Dylan Pascoe and Liam Rodgers.
Confirmed departures are Seamus Doyle (North Heidelberg) and Oscar Lewis (Woorinen).
Uncertainty surrounds former Geelong VFL midfielder Paddy Hughes, who has been linked with a move to Colac and District club Lorne.
While veteran Ollie Tate is weighing up retirement after one season in yellow and black, after crossing from GFNL club Leopold.
Torquay will face Bell Park in a practice match at Deakin Uni on Friday, March 20, before it meets with Surf Coast.
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