Ocean Grove captain Max Sutton said his side would treat its 49-point loss to Torquay in round 12 as a way of “learning from the best”.
Torquay had to work hard at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval on June 22 to brush off a very inexperienced Ocean Grove side, which debuted three more youngsters.
“Going into the game we did highlight they are the best of the best and they have been for a number of years now,” Sutton said of Torquay.
“They’re a very solid outfit, but we looked at it just to see where we are at. I thought it was a great challenge for us and I think for the first three quarters, with such a young group, our pressure was unreal. We forced them into 60-plus turnovers so I thought that for three quarters we challenged them.”
Jack Stephenson, Lachie Allan and Darcy Harrington all made their senior debuts and with Hugo Walsh (five games) and Jack Connolly (three games), the Grubbers are fielding an inexperienced side. Harrington is still only 15-years-old.
“Those three boys coming up, they’ve played some really good footy – young Darc is still in Under 16s and he’s a very handy young footballer,” Sutton said.
“And then Lachie and Stevo, having those guys come up to provide a little bit of run, they definitely didn’t look out of place.”
The Grubbers have been hit hard by injury this season with key big men Kye Annand (lacerated kidney) and Ed Dayman (ankle) out for the rest of the season and Patrick Norton concussed before half time during the Torquay game while Jacob Talarico sustained a shoulder injury.
Battling against the class of star Tiger midfielders Baxter Mensch, Matt Boag and James Darke, Sutton said it was no surprise that Torquay finished the game the stronger of the two sides.
“During that last quarter I think there were two debutants, myself and then a third or fourth string ruckman lining up in the centre,” Sutton said.
“We just thought ‘what an amazing challenge’.”
Attention now turns to the Battle of the Bridge across the river in Barwon Heads on Saturday June 29.
“It’s always a great contest between us and over there as well, they’ve got a big supporter base behind them,” Sutton said.
“But I reckon we’re ready to go and it would be a good scalp to get. With the young group that we do have, we just need to get that sort of experience into them. Chuck them in the deep end and just go out there with nothing to lose.”
A SEVEN-GOAL third quarter allowed Torquay to win the reserves clash, 16.4(100) to 6.5(41). Three goals each to Hunter Locke, Griffen Wilson, Jonti Wylie and Reef Page kept the Tigers’ unbeaten season in both grades intact. Craig Goodger and Leighton Driscoll were best for the Grubbers.
ROUND 12
OCEAN GROVE vs TORQUAY
Ocean Grove 1.2(8), 2.4(16), 4.5(29), 5.7(37)
Torquay 1.1(7), 6.5(41), 8.7(55), 12.14(86)
GOALS
Ocean Grove: Jack Connolly, Jacob Talarico, Nathan Down, Nick Bourke, Brady Pritchard. Torquay: Banjo Dyer 2, Luke Wittman 2, Nathan Mifsud 2, Tom Diamond 2, James Darke, Jesse Dawson, Matthew Boag, Tom Grace.
BEST
Ocean Grove: Max Sutton, Brady Pritchard, Harry Cashin, Nathan Down, Jye Walker, Jacob Talarico. Torquay: Baxter Mensch, Oscar Lewis, Banjo Dyer, Matthew Boag, Weylin Doyle, Tom Diamond.
