Torquay coach Dom Gleeson says the yellow carding of Luke Mahony was crucial in seven-point loss

Torquay coach Dom Gleeson says his side’s upset seven-point loss to Anglesea shows the competition is far tighter than some thought — but one moment proved to be a telling blow.

Anglesea’s Dylan Featon is claimed by Torquay’s Clay Page and Luke Mahony, with the latter receiving a yellow card in the final term. Picture: Mark Wilson

The loss of influential Tiger Luke Mahony with a yellow card came at exactly the wrong time for the reigning premiers in a seven-point qualifying final loss, Torquay coach Dom Gleeson says.

Mahony, who with three goals was one of the reigning premiers’ most damaging forwards on Saturday against Anglesea at Portarlington, alongside Jesse Dawson (also three), was reported following a midfield collision with Will Batson.

Post-match Gleeson said with just one point in it at the final break, the sidelining of Mahony was a telling blow for his Tigers.

Torquay coach Dom Gleeson praised the fitness of Anglesea who ran out the game strongly for the second match in a row. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I felt like we were coming, we lost a rotation which is pretty important, particularly in the last quarter,” Gleeson said.

“Luke Mahony got sent off with the yellow card ... he’ll be right I think.

“I’m really proud of them, it’s hard not to be, they’ve been up for so long.

“And today they were still up, we just didn’t get the result.

“We only lost by seven points and I don’t think we were at our best.”

However, Gleeson paid tribute to the fitness and resilience of Anglesea who ran out the game strongly for the second match in a row, qualifying for its first BFNL grand final since 1999.

“Anglesea are a phenomenal side who play really good footy, and I think we did too at times as well,” he said.

“They pressured us, we didn’t hit out targets, we fumbled a fair bit under pressure.

“They’re a phenomenally fit side, they ran out the game really well

“I think they’re very well spread in their midfield.

“Which probably talks to how well they’ve recruited.”

A great promoter of the improving standard of the BFNL, Gleeson said Anglesea were worthy grand final qualifiers.

“I think (the match) just speaks really highly to the level,” he said.

“Contrary to what people think, we’ve now lost two games this season, we’ve had really challenging games against Anglesea.

“The message to us is that we’ve got to stay positive, the best thing about it is we get to play next week.”

When asked if the Tigers could have put the game out of Anglesea’s reach by half time, kicking 4.5 in the second term after taking an 18-point lead at the first break, Gleeson said finals were all about shifting momentum.

“Finals footy there’s going to be swings, we didn’t have the ball at times,” he said.

“(It’s) quite stressful as a coach.

Anglesea’s Will Batson tackles Tom Diamond. Picture: Mark Wilson

“You want to put them away but they took control of the ball, and then they got that run on.

“Momentum is a wonderful thing, if you could create and stop it, flick a switch, you’d do it.

“They’re a good side and they’ll be hard to beat grand final day.”

Gleeson praised the game of key defender Weylin Doyle – judged the Tigers’ best by the club – who made Dylan Pettingill earn every possession and kept him to three goals — two came from free kicks.

“He did an exceptional job, he was one of our better players,” Gleeson said.

“(Pettingill) has that ability doesn’t he?

“Each time he’s been a bit of a handful (this year).”

He also said Charlie Ham performed well in a variety of roles, coming off the back of the square while drifting forward to kick two goals.

“He got thrown around a bit, that might have unsettled him at times,” he said.

“We asked a lot of him ... he’s starting to mature as a footballer and we can throw him in multiple positions.”

Originally published as Torquay coach Dom Gleeson says the yellow carding of Luke Mahony was crucial in seven-point loss