Tigers maul Roos to set up preliminary final showdown with Geelong Amateur

Torquay earned a spot in the preliminary final by defeating Anglesea at Portarlington Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

Anglesea’s hopes of a first premiership since 1999 ended in 13.7 (85) to 5.12 (42) loss to Torquay in the first semi-final.

Torquay coach Dom Gleeson said he was very pleased with how his side played..

“Overall the performance was really outstanding,” Gleeson said.

“We had plenty of avenues to goal, we got the ball into our forward half regularly, and we defended really well.”

Anglesea were ahead after a scrappy first quarter, and had they been sharper with their chances could have taken a more substantial lead. Instead they finished the quarter narrowly ahead at 1.5 (11) to 1.2 (8).

Torquay started the second quarter very strongly.

They played at a tempo that Anglesea couldn’t match. Torquay were clinical in taking their chances, and looked like they might kill the game off by half-time.

But Anglesea showed resilience to stop the stampede and were soon putting pressure back on Torquay.

In fact, Torquay was probably the happier side to hear the half-time siren.

Storm clouds rolled over as the second half began.

Torquay started the third quarter in a similar way to how they did the second, and soon established an almost insurmountable lead.

Anglesea’s defence was under constant pressure. In their desperation they conceded a couple of free kicks right in front of goal, both of which Torquay assuredly converted.

Torquay then ended the third quarter with a 12.6 (78) to 3.8 (26) lead.

Just as they did at the start of the game, Anglesea showed in the final quarter that they could match Torquay. But Torquay fully capitalised on the periods of the match where they were on top, finishing comfortable winners as a result.

On Saturday, in the second semi-final, Barwon Heads earned a spot in the grand final after thrashing Geelong Amateur 23.10 (148) to 9.5 (59).

Geelong Amateur had finished top of the ladder ahead of Barwon Heads by two points, but Barwon Heads had defeated them 14.9 (93) to 8.4 (52) when the sides last met on the final day of the home and away season.

Barwon Heads grew more dominant as the game progressed, scoring 95 points in the second half, despite Geelong Amateur having only conceded that many points in an entire match once this season.

In the reserves, Barwon Heads narrowly missed our on guaranteeing themselves a place in the grand final, as they were defeated by Torquay 7.6 (48) to 6.3 (39).

The first semi-final was more one-sided.

Modewarre’s 10.12 (72) to 4.8 (32) defeat over Drysdale ensured their place in the preliminary final.

Both seniors and reserves preliminary finals will be played on Saturday at McCartney Oval in Torquay. In the seniors, Torquay will play Geelong Amateur, while in the reserves, Barwon Heads will take on Modewarre.