Tigers secure Grand Final berth in Barwon Heads barrage

Torquay captain Ben McNamara beats out Barwon Heads forward Brock Close. Photos: MICHAEL CHAMBERS

TORQUAY Football Club is heading back to the Bellarine Football League Grand Final with a dominant 15.9.99 to 5.12.42 win over coastal rivals Barwon Heads.

The minor premier Tigers are back in the big dance after goal-kicking sharpshooter Lucas Anderson led the way up front, slotting six goals over the Seagulls defence.

It was an evenly balanced start to the contest with the Torquay kicking three goals to Barwon Heads’ two and boasting a 21-14 lead quarter time, but the Tigers began its surge in the following term.

Torquay’s four second-quarter goals put some distance between themselves and the two-time reigning premiers, limiting the Seagulls to a lone goal in the same stretch.

Torquay’s Jacob Ireland (41) and Barwon Heads’ Ned Aulsebrook (34) fight for the loose ball.

The momentum stayed with the Tigers again in the third, amassing a 37-point lead by the final break 72-35, before finishing the job in the fourth to claim the match by 57 points.

Today’s result was eerily similar to last year’s Second Qualifying Final in which the Tigers defeated Barwon Heads by 75 points.

However, Barwon Heads will still get the chance to play in this year’s Grand Final, if the Seagulls can win in next week’s Preliminary Final.

Torquay had seven players hit the goal-scoring list, headlined by Lucas Anderson’s six majors.

Tom Diamond (two goals), Nathan Mifsud (two goals), Will Tamassy (two goals), Jesse Dawson, Charlie Ham, and Chase Loftus all added to the scoreboard.

Torquay’s Oscar Lewis (left) and Barwon Heads’ Cooper Ward (right) battle for the contested possession.

Weylin Doyle, Ben McNamara, Baxter Mensch, Chase Loftus, Nathan Mifsud, and Lucas Anderson were named the Tigers’ best.

Finn Cornell, Charlie Walter, Lachlan Wilson, Ryley Stuhldreier, and Sammy Baker were named the Seagulls’ best.

Seagulls forward Brock Close managed a pair of goals, but was Barwon Heads’ only multiple goal-getter. Harrison King, Cooper Heard, and Lachlan Wilson round out the team’s contributions.

Barwon Heads will feature in next week’s Preliminary Final against either Drysdale or Anglesea, who play in tomorrow’s Semi Final.

Torquay will get the week off to prepare for the Grand Final on September 9 in Newcomb.