VAFA 2020: Old Peninsula ready for season if it goes ahead
Old Peninsula has been quietly achieving goals ahead of a decision on the Victorian Amateur Football Association season.
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Amid the uncertainty of a VAFA season, Old Peninsula have been quietly laying the foundations for future success.
The Pirates have been training twice a week and lapping up information from new coach Nick Claringbold, who has taken the chance to educate his young list.
“It’s been good, the boys have been up and about and loving it, particularly the younger guys, they just want to train,’’ Claringbold said.
“We’ve had 40 there basically there every night.
“There’s a huge amount of learning going on, and the boys just keep wanting to ask questions so we’ve adapted our training to be a bit more learning and education. The boys are loving it.’’
While many leagues have cancelled their 2020 seasons, the Victorian Amateur Football Association is prepared to wait until July to make a decision.
In the meantime, Old Peninsula is just getting on with it.
After a heartbreaking finish to last season, when it lost the preliminary final after the siren in extra time, Old Peninsula has undergone a raft of changes and emerged rejuvenated, according to Claringbold.
He said the Pirates are ready to take steps forward in Division 1, whether it be this year, or next.
“If there’s a season we will progress, if there is not a season we’re going to keep training,’’ he said.
“We‘re going to keep growing and evolving, and the boys are keen to do that.
“If there’s a season we’re going to try and win a flag but it’s very much an educational season for us to try and make sure the guys are learning and getting better.
“We’re young so we want to help these boys educate and have a strong brand of footy.’’
Claringbold said the emergence of a bunch of youngsters, including Ben Watson and Ben Pulsford, through the under-19s under former Box Hill Hawks official Geoff Carr would help the club.
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And the continued development of young leaders Sam Harrison, Tom Feldgen, Alex Marshall and Blair Fletcher was exciting.
Old Peninsula champion Shaun Payze needs one game to reach his 400th senior game and has the all-time VAFA games record of 407 in his sights. He’s been training strongly.
“You can’t stop him,’’ Claringbold said. “To be fair I think he’s been the most keen.’’