Tigers tie up loose ends ahead of finals opener

A PLETHORA of Torquay Tigers will return to Spring Creek Reserve in 2024, after the club confirmed the re-signings of senior players earlier today (Thursday, August 24).

The Tigers, who will play its first final of 2023 this Saturday against two-time reigning premiers Barwon Heads in Portarlington, has locked in more than half of next year’s senior playing list, headlined by returning co-captains Ben McNamara and James Darke.

Torquay defender and co-skipper Ben McNamara said he, alongside the competition’s leading goal-kicker Lucas Anderson and Jesse Dawson, were quick to pull the trigger on resigning for 2024.

“It was good to get it out of the way heading into finals,” McNamara said.

“It was something Dom [Gleeson] and the senior coaches spoke to a few of the seniors boys about a couple weeks ago, it was a bit of a no-brainer for us.

Torquay co-captain Ben McNamara (right) said it was a “no-brainer” to sign as a Tiger in 2024. Photo: MARCEL BERENS/SPORTS MEDIA IMAGES

“It just sort of sends a message that the club has got a future ahead of it and some extra stability among the senior playing group.

“It also means we can turn our full attention to Barwon Heads this weekend with both teams in good form at the moment.”

The full list of 16 returning players includes Lucas Anderson, Michael Croxford, James Darke, Charlie Ham, Weylin Doyle, Billy Henderson, Max Hurley, Oscar Lewis, Ben McNamara, Baxter Mensch, Clay Paige, Tim Carty, Tom Grace, Jacob Ireland, Nick O’Farrell and Jesse Dawson.

A total of 16 senior Torquay Tigers have declared their return to Spring Creek Reserve in 2024.

Gleeson, who is contracted to coach into 2024, said it was after Round 13 that he and the coaching group started thinking towards next season.

“It creates a buzz around the club saying we’re in this for the long run, we’re not just in this for a quick success if we get one.

“We’ve been very fortunate with this group, I’ve always said this is a special group.

“A few of the boys, we went through a lot last year when we got to this point and didn’t get the job done, but we’ve had a few players stick fat and want to get the job finished this year.

“We’re looking forward to the next few weeks and it’s a great feeling to know the future is looking bright as well.”

Torquay co-captain and four-time Les Ash medallist James Darke is among the returning Tigers signed on for 2024. Photo: MARCEL BERENS/SPORTS MEDIA IMAGES

The winner of Torquay and Barwon Heads’ clash on Saturday will go straight through to this year’s Bellarine Football League’s (BFL) Grand Final.

The Tigers demolished the Seagulls, 19.11.125 to 7.8.50, in the Second Qualifying Final last year, but McNamara isn’t suggesting a similar result this weekend.

“It’s going to be a good challenge, I expect a good, hard, close game,” McNamara said.

“I don’t think it’s gonna go down like it did last season. I expect it go down to the wire, like most parts of the games we’ve had against this side this year.”

Action between Torquay and Barwon Heads starts at 2pm on Saturday, while Drysdale and Anglesea clash in the Semi Final on Sunday to cut the finals pool down to three.