Anglesea surges late to knock off Drysdale in Finals opener

ANGLESEA are one win away from its first Grand Final in 24 years, after conducting an unstoppable fourth quarter surge to defeat Drysdale in yesterday’s (Saturday, August 17) First Qualifying Final.

The Roos booted six goals to zero in the final term to secure a 10.9 (69) to 14.12 (96) win over the Hawks yesterday afternoon at Portarlington Recreation Reserve, setting up a huge Week 2 meeting with regional rivals Torquay.

Anglesea came out of the blocks firing with the first three goals of the game, two of which by Roos forward Dylan Pettingill, but the Hawks responded in-kind with five straight majors to take the lead at quarter time.

 

 

The pace of the contest slowed to begin the second term, before Joel Watson got things going for Drysdale in the 11th minute and Cameron Delaney put some space between the two sides with converting a 50 metre bomb to round out the first half.

The Hawks maintained much of the control in the first half, limiting Anglesea’s inside 50s and causing frustrations inside the Anglesea camp at the main break down by four goals.

However, true kicking for Pettingill again punished the Hawks prior to half-time to give the Roos a shimmer of hope with two quarters still to be played.

Lewis Beers got Anglesea off to a positive start to the third quarter by kicking the first of the second half, before Anglesea brought the deficit to within a kick midway through the stanza thanks to majors from Simon Umbers and playing-coach Jordan Keras.

A late goal on the eve from three-quarter time by Anton Woods brough the score to 68-58 in Drysdale’s favour.

 

 

Pettingill put Anglesea in front at the 10-minute mark of the fourth, before skipper James Carr, key forward Liam Holland, and Lachlan Smith piling it on in the latter stages of the contest.

Anglesea’s advantage proved unassailable, with the Roos setting up a potentially historic clash against Torquay next Saturday for a spot in the Grand Final.

Pettingill led the way with five majors, while Beers nabbed a brace. Keras, Umbers, Carr, Smith, Jarod Bacon, Woods and Holland all hit the scoreboard. Delaney, Ben Fennell and Watson each kicked two for the Hawks.

Drysdale will play next Sunday the winner of today’s Elimination Final between Geelong Amateur and Modewarre in the Semi-Final.

Check out our photos below shot by Marcel Berens.