Tigers finding rhythm after rocky start

TORQUAY coach Dom Gleeson admits it has been a different start for the Bellarine Football League’s seniors reigning premier but he is excited about what lies ahead.

After losing their opening two matches to Geelong Amateur and Newcomb, the Tigers bounced back with a 16.19 (115) to 5.12 (42) triumph against Barwon Heads in Round 3.

A grand final rematch awaits tomorrow (Saturday, April 26) when Torquay travel to Anglesea’s Ellimatta Reserve for a 2.10pm clash.

“It’s a war of attrition, every year we see teams winning at this time of year and then falling at the finishing post or the other way – losing at the start and building into some form late,” Gleeson said.

He said the Tigers felt they did well to maintain most of their list following the premiership but then lost some players late in pre-season and sustained injuries.

Ed McCoy went to GFL club St Joseph’s, Chase Loftus switched to the Swan Districts in the WAFL and Harry McLeod is studying medicine in Horsham.

Meanwhile, recruit Blake Grant tore his hamstring before Round 1, Luke Mahony is out with groin issues, and centre half-forward Lucas Anderson is coming back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury but will not be far away.

“There’s a list as long as my arm of players we lost,” Gleeson said.

The Tigers are looking forward to the big test this weekend against the Roos, who they beat by 62 points in the 2024 decider.

“I love this league and the fact we call ourselves villages, village versus village, us versus Anglesea,” Gleeson said.

“They’re led really well by (coach) Jordy (Keras) and his team.

“We got them on a good day in the grand final last year but I don’t think it will be that easy this year.”

Playing coach Keras has been happy with the Roos’ start to the year which has featured two wins.

“I counted maybe 12 new players in round one into our side from the grand final so it’s been a massive turnover,” he said.

“The guys that have come into the side have picked up on what we want to work on.”

Gun recruit Tevan Nofi (Leopold) is still out with a dislocated elbow he sustained in a practice match.

Anzac Day will feature clashes between Drysdale and Portarlington at 2.10pm and Newcomb and Ocean Grove at 6.30pm.