Torquay’s Lucas Anderson boots two goals in another thumping victory over Portarlington

A BFNL champion has made a memorable return to the field, almost 15 months after a season-ending knee injury.

Torquay’s Lucas Anderson celebrates a goal with emerging forward Banjo Dyer. Picture: Mark Wilson

It was the cherry on the top for the reigning premier’s fourth successive high-scoring Saturday.

Torquay produced its second-biggest win for the season – and fourth score of over 100 points in a row – as key forward Lucas Anderson returned to the field for the first time since a season-ending knee injury in Round 4 last year against Geelong Amateur.

Anderson was mobbed by teammates at McCartney Oval after slotting his first major early in the second term against Portarlington, playing his first game in more than 14 months since that April 20 injury.

“(It) felt great to be back,” Anderson said post-match.

However, it was one of his understudies, Banjo Dyer, who produced yet another bag with six — his third haul of five or more this season.

For the visitors, who had won the past three in a row, it was another huge loss at the hands of the Tigers, dropping their past nine games since the 2021 season by an average of 141 points.

Torquay’s Lucas Anderson played his first game since April 20 last year. Picture:Mark Wilson

The Demons, without star Teia Miles (rested) and captain Max Ruiter due to an injury suffered at training, were simply outrun and outgunned in the devastating 24.18 (162) to 4.7 (31) loss.

After an indifferent start to the BFNL season – including dual back-to-back losses – the Tigers appear to be hitting their straps with four wins on the bounce and the 11-1 Ammos looming in Round 16.

The home side was utterly lethal to half time, with a precise 13.3 on the board through a series of accurate conversions from the set shot.

Port, who have been missing key pieces in Kelly Pickard, Mitch Turnbull and Jack Dorgan for several weeks, simply came up a bit short in the class department.

The likes of Charlie and Sheldon Ham, Oliver Tate, Nathan Mifsud, James Darke, Paddy Hughes, Matt Boag and Paul Burchell were unstoppable at time, and it felt like the Demons went relatively long periods without getting their hands on the leather, such was the Tigers’ ability to switch play and retain possession with minimal fuss.

The reigning premiers were also able to run the ball through the middle on occasion, with the damaging Charlie Ham and Mifsud gifted too much time and space.

Up forward, Dyer had plenty of support from another young gun, Van Rahilly, who booted three in just his fourth senior game.

One of 21 Torquay one-pointers, the Geelong Falcon was playing under-16s footy last year.

Torquay’s Lucas Anderson celebrates a goal with emerging forward Banjo Dyer. Picture: Mark Wilson

At quarter time, co-coach Nathan Storer said the Demons had to curtail the Tigers’ run and spread and adapt to the heat of the game.

However, despite a mini, Connor Menadue-led response in the second, it was one way traffic for the rest of the match.

In all, Torquay boasted 12 individual goalkickers with Will Montebello (two), Charlie Ham (two), Angus Hanley (two) and Jesse Dawson (two) also booting multiples, while Cooper Heard reeled in a superb one-hander to make Australian gully fielder Cameron Green proud.

Portarlington defenders Braydon Poole and Mitch Howard enjoyed some defensive wins but they were simply underwhelmed by a Tigers forward line where senior coach Dom Gleeson doesn’t rely on any one player.

Charlie Ham was absolutely everywhere off half back, while kicking two stunning goals to underline a classy performance.

The Demons, however, collected the ball under constant pressure from the Tigers, and their disposal was either sloppy or went for the wrong option.

There was a terrific chasedown tackle from Blaide Dowie on the wing, but it stood out such was Torquay’s ability to find time and space.

Torquay coach Dom Gleeson. Picture:Mark Wilson

In a similar vein against Barwon Heads last Saturday, Tiger forwards were queuing for their lick of the ice cream forward of centre.

The Premier Data numbers won’t be known for a few days but it’s almost certain to indicate the home team doubled Portarlington’s inside 50s, uncontested marks and grabs inside 50.

Connor Menadue shaped as the Demons’ most damaging forward but he was often swamped by a sea of yellow and black defenders.

Port broke the run of nine consecutive goals early in the second when Dylan O’Brien brilliantly cut off a Tigers defensive exit to kick truly, then Harry Sedgmen, after a terrific contested mark, found Menadue in the goal square for another.

Torquay young forwards Will Montebello and Van Rahilly. Picture: Mark Wilson

The visitors were suddenly matching the Tigers in the contest and tried to clamp down on their uncontested marking game.

However, a 3.2 to 6.2 second term would prove to be easily the most competitive quarter for the match.

The frustration wasn’t lost on Portarlington’s star ruckman Scott Greenhough, who took the players aside for further instruction following a scoreless third term.

It could have been a far uglier scoreline with Torquay kicking 5.10 in the last.

Portarlington’s dirty day continued after Sedgmen was taken from the field with concussion before the siren.

Originally published as Torquay’s Lucas Anderson boots two goals in another thumping victory over Portarlington