Gleeson says best team won on the day
EVEN in the pain of grand final defeat, Torquay coach Dom Gleeson was effusive in his praise of premiers Barwon Heads after Saturday’s 14point loss.
Gleeson said he was “really proud” of his group, admitting Barwon Heads was better across every line.
“They were awesome. They strung it together, kicked goals at crucial times, coached really well and the scoreboard sells it,” said Gleeson, who was tireless in midfield.
“They had better players all over the ground, and it’s a credit to them. I have a lot of respect for (co-coaches) Mitch (Herbison) and Troy (Mitchell).”
After conceding six opening-quarter goals, Torquay worked its way into the game in the second and appeared in a position to strike before halftime.
They trailed by 24 points at three-quarter time, yet confident with the knowledge they would kick with a breeze in the final quarter.
But Barwon Heads duo Jaydan McLauchlan and Chris Martin both goaled to start the last quarter and effectively killed off the contest, much to the delight of the Barwon Heads faithful.
“I feel like as a coaching group we did everything we could,” Gleeson said.
“We knew they’d get their run from halfback and we coached to that. We took some critical players out of the game at times.
“In the third quarter we coached really well and played how we wanted to, but those two quick goals early in the last (hurt us). Then they were able to defend it.”
Jack Heathcote and Callum Currie held up their end of the bargain, both kicking three goals for the Tigers. Defender James Saker and midfield pair Nick Garner and Ben Raidme were gallant in defeat.
Having finished the season strongly to make finals after a stint outside the top-five (they sat sixth after Round 14), Gleeson said the club should be proud of its achievements.
“To come from potentially not making it (finals), to finishing third and then make a grand final, is an exceptional job,” Gleeson added.
The Ash medallist, who has committed to coaching on next year, will also announce soon whether he will play on in 2020.
“To lose the grand final … if we had have won it I think I’d be closer to retiring, but I’m a stickler for bad punishment,” he said.
“I think I’ll go again, but there’s a lot of time and I’ve got to have surgery.”