Geelong Amateur is the first side to knock off reigning premiers Torquay this season, but the Tigers had opportunities late. However, the Ammos won’t be getting ahead of themselves.
The Ammos trailed at three-quarter-time by four points with the two sides going goal for goal before Paddy Dowling put the visitors in front.
Torquay had most of the play in the dying minutes and with the margin at three points, a snapping ball out of congestion from the Ammos fell to Chase Loftus.
The breeze pushed his set shot to the left for a behind, but it wasn’t long before the Tigers had the ball again in an identical position.
Billy Henderson took a towering contested mark and just as Loftus’ kick did, it drifted to the left through for a behind to make it a one-point margin.
In the final seconds of the match, Dowling took a decisive mark on the Ammos’ halfback flank. But that grab was topped by Sam Bain, who flew high into the sky to take the long kick up the line from Dowling.
The siren sounded moments later and it was pandemonium for Geelong Amateur, who brought up Torquay’s fourth loss in the past two and a half seasons and ended a 15-game winning streak dating back to round 17 last season.
Former VFL gun Tom Gribble played his best game in Ammos colours, while mid-season recruits Oscar Brownless and Luke Hillier (three goals), Jai Sheahan (three goals) and Blake Sutterby were pivotal in the win.
Oscar Brownless flies high for a mark. Picture: Alan Barber
“We felt like we were playing well enough and then your destiny’s out of your hands, especially when Henderson popped up. He is a pretty experienced player and he is probably someone who has hurt us in crucial moments in the past,” Geelong Amateur coach Dan Holroyd said.
“There was a bit of doubt when he got the footy there, but once he missed and we got a couple of key marks down the line afterwards we felt comfortable again.
“The last five minutes when we were in front we just had to soak up pressure there and try and hold them off, we were probably lucky they kicked a couple of long points at the end and we were able to hold on.
“Our boys were really good with their decision and execution under pressure with the tackles and the spoiling not to give away free kicks, they were just surging at us the last few minutes, Torquay.”
Holroyd said the triumph will fill them with confidence but they certainly won’t be over-celebrating.
“As I said to the boys after the game, lets not be one of those sides who acts like we’ve won a flag just because we have got a scalp in round 13. So let’s stay focused and we’ve got our eyes on the prize for the end of the year and keep working towards that,” Holroyd said.
“To actually get the four points is good for our internal belief but make no mistake it is just a round 12 win. We’ve still got plenty of work to do here and I’m sure Torquay will come back harder at us next time we play them as well.”
Torquay remains 10 points clear on top of the ladder with Geelong Amateur in second spot. Anglesea and Barwon Heads sit just a game behind after the Roos were stunned by Queenscliff and the Seagulls defeated Ocean Grove.