Tigers tip tough tussle
TORQUAY coach Jess Standfield says she is expecting a different Ocean Grove side to front up on Saturday to the one that succumbed to the Tigers earlier in the year.
Standfield’s girls did the job, 44-29, in Round 3, but the Grubbers have been one of the form teams of the competition since then.
Their attacking style of play has seen them rise to third, and with Torquay four points behind in fourth, the match is shaping as a crucial one for Torquay’s double chance hopes.
“They definitely won’t be taken lightly this weekend, that’s for sure,” Standfield said.
“They were depleted when they played us, I know they had a few decent players out but I believe they’ve got a full line-up this weekend so we’re really looking forward to taking them on and hopefully still coming away with the four points.
“We’ve also got a full lineup, which is good because we’ve had a few out with injuries, but we’ll have everyone out on court this weekend.”
Ocean Grove has had a 7-1 record in the weeks since the loss to the Tigers, with its only loss coming against ladder leader Geelong Amateur, by five goals.
Abbey Middleton has been in stunning form in the circle, although Standfield is unlikely to move from goal defender to keep her quiet.
The Torquay coach, who has taken valuable lessons from her time with the Geelong Cougars, said while the Tigers were yet to peak this year, she was confident her team could have an impact at the pointy end of the season.
“It’s definitely about finding form at the right time of year and we were very fortunate last year, we put a few really good games together in our finals campaign and got some form and the hunger back,” she said.
“The season is quite long so it can be lost at times. So it’s just a matter of getting the girls to jell together and find that common hunger to play for each other.”
The Torquay and Ocean Grove clash gets under way at 1.45pm at Spring Creek Reserve.