Torquay recruit former Anglesea goal kicker Blake Grant

A BFNL powerhouse has recruited a former rival goalkicker who has returned to the Bellarine after a three-season break.

Former Anglesea player Blake Grant will play for the Tigers in 2025. Picture: Mark Wilson

Defending champions Torquay has pulled off another handy off-season move by signing former Anglesea goal kicker Blake Grant.

Grant, who had played footy at Donald FC with friend, former Roo and champion North Geelong pace ace Dale Kerr, last turned out for Anglesea in an elimination final in 2021 against Ocean Grove.

However, Tigers premiership coach Dom Gleeson told this masthead Torquay had snared the ex-Roo through Grant’s friendship with fellow forward, Lucas Anderson.

While the Tigers have lost some undeniable quality in Baxter Mensch, Reef Page and Eddy McCoy ahead of the 2025 BFNL season, they signed Leopold player Oliver Tate fresh from back-to-back GFNL premierships earlier this year, and now Grant.

This masthead revealed Grant was one of the leading forwards in the BFNL from the past 10 seasons for total goals, and kicked 65 majors over three seasons with Donald in the North Central Football League from 46 matches.

Blake Grant celebrates a goal against Barwon Heads. Picture: Mike Dugdale

(“Tate’s) been sensational,” Gleeson said.

“Blake Grant is the other one I wanted to mention as well.

“Once you add those (two) to the mix, we’re just as strong if not stronger than last year.

“(Grant) lives in Armstrong Creek, but obviously had ties to Anglesea.”

However, he said Anderson, who is returning from an ACL injury in Round 4 against the Ammos which wiped out his 2024 season, had played the main role in that acquisition.

“His best mate, once again, the best recruiting person in the land, Lucas Anderson, he’s got us two recruits this year,” he said.

“They’re best mates and have always wanted to play footy together.

“They’re getting towards the twilight of their careers and they want to play together.

“Blake’s gone and travelled, he likes this level of footy and we know he can play this level of footy.

“We’re really happy to have him.”

Gleeson said Anderson was “going OK” with his recovery but still had a bit of work to do: “We haven’t put a time on him, hopefully he’ll be good in a few weeks.”

Originally published as Torquay recruit former Anglesea goal kicker Blake Grant