Surf Coast rivals to clash for premiership glory

ONE of regional football’s biggest rivalries will write another chapter into history tomorrow (Saturday, September 7) when Anglesea and Torquay meet in the Bellarine Football League (BFL) Grand Final.

Dom Gleeson’s Torquay won both home-and-away games this year, while Jordan Keras’ Anglesea won the Second Qualifying Final two weeks ago.

The Roos and Tigers have not faced off in a BFL Grand Final since 1983, where Anglesea defeated Torquay 14.14 (98) to 13.6 (84) at Portarlington Recreation Reserve and Brian O’Keefe was named best on ground.

Anglesea is chasing its first premiership since 1999, while Torquay hope to repeat as premiers for the first time since 1987, which took place at Leopold’s Memorial Park – the same venue as tomorrow.

Roos skipper James Carr said earlier in the week the buzz was growing, but Anglesea’s recent win over Torquay showed its best footy could stack up.

“We’ve got a full squad to choose from for the first time in a long time.

“The buzz is definitely building, we always have a great rivalry with Torquay, and just walking through town on the weekend, you can see the shopfronts decked out in merch.

“It’s really huge for a small town like Anglesea, everyone’s getting behind us, everyone is super-pumped.”

Torquay has taken a different path than previous years to reach this year’s Grand Final, playing in a Preliminary Final for the first time since 2017, which saw the Tigers win its eighth flag against Geelong Amateur.

Tigers co-captain James Darke said this year’s team, boosted by the likes of Matthew Boag and Luke Mahony, had responded well to the challenges of the season.

The Tigers are also still coached by Dom Gleeson, who has already inked a one-year extension into 2025.

“Dom’s really good at making Grand Final lead-ins special and memorable in his own way, he’s always echoed how proud he is of us no matter what,” Darke said.

“We’re pretty blessed to play for such a successful club that continues to challenge for finals, but we definitely don’t take it for granted.

“We’ll just enjoy the moment when we’re out there, continue to remain present, and hopefully play some good footy.”

The BFL Grand Final begins at 2pm tomorrow.

Tale of the Tape
Round 5: Anglesea 9.15 (69) def by Torquay 13.10 (88)
Round 14: Torquay 16.11 (107) def Anglesea 12.17 (89)
Second Qualifying Final: Torquay 13.13 (91) def by Anglesea 15.8 (98)

Who’s gonna win? 

THE Bellarine Football League’s (BFL) senior coaches have had their say on who will win tomorrow’s (Saturday, September 6) Grand Final.

The Times News Group asked the coaches not taking part in the match to predict the Grand Final winner, margin and best on ground medal recipient.

Four coaches tipped Anglesea to win its first flag in 25 years, with the other four tipping Torquay to go back-to-back:

Warren Finlayson (Portarlington)
Winner: Anglesea
Margin: 17 points
Best on Ground: Dylan Pettingill

David Farrell (Ocean Grove)
Winner: Torquay
Margin: 20 points
Best on Ground: Luke Mahony

Tony Mirabella (Newcomb)
Winner: Anglesea
Margin: 8 points
Best on Ground: Dylan Pettingill

Daniel Holroyd and Riley Kershaw (Geelong Amateur)
Winner: Torquay
Margin: 16 points
Best on Ground: Matthew Boag

Heath Jamieson (Queenscliff)
Winner: Anglesea
Margin: 1 point
Best on Ground: Jordan Keras

Ben Carmichael (Drysdale)
Winner: Torquay
Margin: 20 points
Best on Ground: Charlie Ham

Mark Hovey (Modewarre)
Winner: Anglesea
Margin: 17 points
Best on Ground: Jordan Keras

Sam Schaller (Barwon Heads)
Winner: Torquay
Margin: 29 points
Best on Ground: Matt Boag