Full-strength Seagulls a big threat

IT is 2-0 in favour of Torquay, but Tigers coach Dom Gleeson says recent form against Barwon Heads counts for little as two full-strength sides go head to head in tomorrow’s preliminary final.

Torquay will regain suspended pair Jesse Dawson and Josh Hovey, while Barwon Heads is likely be strengthened by the return of Jason Kerby, Bobby Wallace and Zach Gubbins.

The Tigers enjoyed an 89- point win over the Seagulls in Round 10 before collecting a 35-point victory in Round 18.

But Gleeson noted Barwon Heads was missing a host of stars in both meetings, with former Geelong champion Corey Enright unavailable.

“They were closer to full strength when we played them last time, but you add Enright, Kerby, Wallace and Gubbins . . . I’ve named five of their best eight players,” he said.

“There’s a lot of respect between Torquay and Barwon Heads and they respect the way they go about it. They’re timing their run perfectly.”

The Tigers were left to lick their wounds after a 22-point second semi-final loss to Geelong Amateur but Gleeson was adamant the feeling around the group was “really positive”.

“The first thing I said to the group was I was disappointed with our output,” he said.

“Geelong Amateur is really instilled in finals football, and they were never going to be easy to play against, and they were tough again.

“We just couldn’t get it on our terms in any way. Moving on to this week, we’ve got a really challenging week with a full-strength Barwon Heads, who we haven’t played with a full list to choose from.

“We’ll also be full strength, too, so it’s going to be a challenging game for the group. It will be a ripping game down at Drysdale, a ground we’ve only played at once during the year, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“Yes, we’ve played well against them previously, but it all goes out the window come prelim final.” SAT, AUGUST 26 SUN, AUGUST 27 SAT, SEPTEMBER 2 SAT, SEPTEMBER 9