Tigers appoint leaders ahead of BFL opener

A NEW season, new captains, and a new purpose for 2023 will reset the journey for coach Dom Gleeson and the Torquay Football Club, as the Tigers begin the journey back to the Bellarine Football League (BFL) Grand Final.

Last night (Thursday, March 30), Gleeson, alongside the returning Ben Raidme at Torquay’s final training season before the Round 1 against Ocean Grove, appointed Torquay’s new captains in four-time Les Ash Medal winner James Darke and key defender Ben McNamara.

“We’re super excited for James and Ben, they’re both critical pieces here at the club and we have no doubts they can lead this side to great things in 2023,” Gleeson said.

The captaincy switch marks the start of the next chapter in the leadership at the club with forward Lucas Anderson named as vice-captain in addition to Michael Croxford, Jessie Dawson, Nathan Mifsud, and Sheldon Ham making up the rest of the leadership group.

Among other list moves during the offseason, former Torquay junior Charlie Ham will don the yellow and black again following stints at St Mary’s and Werribee’s VFL side.

Ham’s return to the club offsets the departures of the retiring Roscoe Holmes and Gleeson as a player, as well as key forward Cal Currie, who moves over to Central Highlands side Newlyn this season.

“We were really proud of what Charlie was able to achieve in his time away from the club, and we were stoked to hear he wanted to come back to Torquay,” Gleeson said.

“He had a bit going on with work/life balance, so he gave up his VFL gig with Werribee and decided to come on full-time with us.

“I’m of the belief that you should play at the highest level possible, so we had extensive talks with Charlie, but what we’ve seen is he is very like his brother, Sheldon, very committed to the club and the cause.”

Gleeson noted the side’s depth had increased since 2022, which will provide relief in preparation of injuries and absences.

“Everyone is going to have equal opportunity when it comes to playing some senior footy. That said, Darke continues to impress with each week, Lucas [Anderson] is back to full-form, and some of our older guys like Billy Henderson just keep getting it done,”he said.

“This group has worked so hard over the past three years, including the two COVID years. Not to say we deserve anything, but we certainly believe we’ve built such a great club, we want to grab what’s ours.”

Torquay opens its BFL campaign at Spring Creek Reserve against the Grubbers in a twilight fixture tomorrow (Saturday, April 1). Action begins at 5.10pm.