GLEESON WEIGHS FINALS GAMBIT
TORQUAY playing- coach Dom Gleeson says he’s a “genuine 50-50 chance” for Saturday’s qualifying final against Barwon Heads, factoring in his side has a double chance should it lose.
The Tigers are guaranteed a ticket into the second week of finals regardless of the result and Gleeson, who has missed the past two matches with a foot complaint, could not confirm himself a certain starter before training last night.
“I feel reasonably confident but I’m the coach so I could quite easily say yes but I rely quite heavily on my physio, who is at training every Thursday night,” he said.
“I am genuinely a 50-50 chance. If it was an elimination I’d probably be reckless enough and play but having that extra week, I feel like it will do me the world of good and I might turn from 50-50 to 80-20 really quickly.”
Captain Ben Raidme (soreness) and forward Billy Henderson, who has played the last two games in the reserves, also had to prove their fitness.
“We rested him last week but he really needed it,” Gleeson said of Raidme.
“He had to really carry us against Port during that game, where he probably did a number on himself, but hopefully he can get back this week, if not it will be the following.”
Henderson won’t be able to play reserves if he misses selection in Torquay’s best 22, with the Tigers’ 12 o’clock team earning a week off with the minor premiership.
The smart forward kicked 60 goals in his side’s 2017 premiership season including seven in the grand final, but is working his way to full fitness from a back issue.
“He’s got into some decent form but we’re not so sure if we roll him out in a final when he hasn’t played for three months,” Gleeson said.
“It’s great our reserves finished on top but he doesn’t get another game if he doesn’t play with us this week.
“But he’s a great player and amazing through finals periods which we saw first-hand in 2017, so excited to see, if he does get a chance to play, what he can do.”
Gleeson said if all three players were cleared to play, Torquay would be bolstered by the inclusions. “I feel like we round out the team pretty well but in saying that, I think we’ve got the depth this year to cover for us,” he said.