Anglesea earn Grand Final spot in thriller against Torquay

THE Anglesea Football Club is one win away from its first premiership since 1999 with a resounding Second Qualifying Final win over neighbouring rivals and reigning premiers Torquay this afternoon (Saturday, August 24) in Portarlington.

In a grandstand finish, the Roos outkicked the Tigers three goals to two in the final quarter to record the win 13.9 (91) to 15.7 (98) at Portarlington Recreation Reserve.

Both sides arrived at the game with their kicking boots on, combining for seven goals straight in the opening term, with Torquay scoring five of them to gain the early advantage (30-12).

The Roos outscored Torquay in the following quarter 29-32 to trail at the main break, 59-44.

The game’s pace slowed in the third quarter, with neither side able to pull away and just one point separating the two teams, 76-75, at the break.

Roos goalkicker Dylan Pettingill opened the fourth quarter with the first major of the term to give his team the lead, which was backed up by Simon Umbers increasing the lead with a goal from 35 metres out.

 

 

Charlie Ham put the Tigers back in contention at the 22-minute mark, but the Anglesea faithful went into raptures shortly after with Anton Woods kicking the game-sealing goal.

The win for Anglesea was its first over Torquay this season, securing a week of and the Roos’ place in this year’s BFL Grand Final, the club’s first since 2000.

Pettingill led Anglesea’s goal-getters with three and nine other Roos managed to get onto the goalkicking list, with vice-captain Lachlan Smith and Tom Couch kicking a pair each.

Jesse Dawson also acquired three goals, as did Charlie Ham, Clay Page and luke Mahony with two each.

Today’s loss was only Torquay’s second of the season, and the Tigers will need to earn its way to the Grand Final by winning next Saturday’s Preliminary Final against either Drysdale or Modewarre.

The Hawks and Warriors play their Semi-Final at Ron Evans Oval tomorrow (Sunday, August 25) from 2pm.