Torquay forward Lucas Anderson says he’s far more healthier and happier footballer after a tough 2022

The BFL’s premier forward says he has been “craving” an opportunity to get revenge against an old foe after bagging six goals in a qualifying final.

What a difference a year can make.

Twelve months on, Torquay’s premier forward Lucas Anderson is happier, healthier and back to peak form as the Tigers took a major step towards avenging last year’s grand final loss to Barwon Heads.

There was a familiar feeling for the 18-1 Torquay on Saturday at Portarlington.

Beating the Seagulls by 57 points in a qualifying final to progress to the BFL decider in a fortnight’s time, it was a similar margin to last year’s defeat of Barwon Heads in the same fixture, with Anderson kicking three that day.

However, history shows it was the Seagulls who claimed the 2022 premiership after keeping the Tigers to just 3.11 and Anderson goalless at Grinter Reserve.

A year later and Anderson far more settled after a challenging 2022 amid health complications with his newborn, the former Joeys goalkicker celebrated with six against the Seagulls on Saturday.

With strong contested marking and a massive roost from outside 50 just before half time, it took him to 80 goals for the season — an equally huge jump on last season’s haul of 18.

Lucas Anderson and Barwon Heads’ Kyle Polley fly for the ball in the 2022 BFL grand final. Picture: Mark Wilson

Chatting to the Geelong Advertiser after the game on Saturday, Anderson said revenge had been on his mind for 12 months.

“Me, personally, I’ve been craving this opportunity for 12 months,” Anderson said.

“I think I’m 10kg heavier than what I was this time last year

“I had gastro too moving into the finals.

“I feel a million times better personally, but as a group we know what we have to do now.

“We learned so much from last year.”

On Saturday, Anderson overcame a slow start personally – copping a falcon and dropping a relatively easy mark on the lead in the opening 10 minutes – to have four majors by half time.

“I was actually bleeding from the nose and the mouth from that, it got me good,” he said of copping a ball to the face.

Fortunately, that dropped mark was deemed a free kick for a push, allowing Anderson to slot the first of his sextet.

Anderson praised his midfield group for providing plenty of opportunities, as the likes of Baxter Mensch, Chase Loftus, Clay Page and co went to work.

Torquay’s Lucas Anderson celebrates one of his six goals in the qualifying final. Picture: Mark Wilson

“It’s nice, when the midfield’s moving it quickly it makes our life so much easier,” he said.

“I always build myself up for the better teams.”

Anderson has kicked 20 goals from three games against Barwon Heads this season, and also has bags of 10 against Drysdale and Queenscliff in 2023.

He also praised the excellent defensive work from captain Ben McNamara on Saturday, who was best on ground until he went off in the third quarter with a corky.

“He was awesome, he’s such a leader Benny,” he said.

“He’s a very strong man, when he’s on like he was today, we build so much confidence off that as a forward group and a midfield group.”

Anderson anticipated a tough few weeks on the track in a bid to stay “match-hardened” for the decider, with coach Dom Gleeson admitting the Tigers backed off a bit too much after that qualifying final win last August.

Originally published as Torquay forward Lucas Anderson says he’s far more healthier and happier footballer after a tough 2022