GEELONG AMATEUR v TORQUAY
Scare will have Tigers switched on from first bounce, says Darke
TORQUAY star James Darke is confident a first-half reality check against Portarlington has the Tigers primed for tomorrow’s stand-alone blockbuster against Geelong Amateur.
The Tigers trailed the lowly Demons at quarter-time and led by only 12 points at the main break before going on to run away with the match.
Darke said the playing group was well aware that type of performance would be punished by Ammos and would make sure they did not serve up a repeat performance at Queens Park.
“We have had a pretty good run so far. Last week wasn’t our best game but we got four points, so we are really setting ourselves for a big one this week,” he said.
“If you look at our previous three weeks (before Portarlington), we were unbelievable with the way we played. You can’t be on your game all the time and to Port’s credit they were pretty good in the first half.
“It happened earlier in the season where we had a reality check against Queenscliff and we bounced back in a big way against Barwon Heads. I think this is a similar thing.
“If we stay switched on our best footy is hard to stop.”
Ammos have started to hit their straps in recent weeks, quickly improving from the side that made a stuttering start to the season.
The powerhouse club has won eight of its past nine matches, with a narrow loss to Ocean Grove the only blemish.
Torquay accounted for Ammos by 14 points in Round 1, but Darke is expecting a totally different contest tomorrow.
“That was blowing out the cobwebs in Round 1 and they are now showing some pretty good form,” he said.
Spearhead Mitch Day has kicked 30 goals in the past month and Darke said it was crucial the Ammos power forward was not allowed off the leash.
“He is always going to be a threat with his size and ability to kick goals outside 50m,” he said.
“It’s not going to be one bloke that stops him. We have to stop him where the supply is in the midfield and put pressure on them. “The key is to slow them down.” The 2014 Les Ash medallist returned to Torquay in the offseason and has slowly built up his form in recent weeks.
Darke said his was enjoying his time at the Tigers after spending two years playing at St Albans in the GFL.
“I am loving my footy back in Torquay. I wanted to play footy with my close mates and I’m having a great time,” he said.
“It hasn’t been too bad to find form, so I’m really enjoying it.”