VAFA 2021: Old Peninsula holds off Therry Penola to register first win of season

There was great sportsmanship after a player was injured during Old Peninsula’s gripping win over Therry Penola in VAFA Division 1.

Old Peninsula won its first game for the season on Saturday. Picture: Pearcey Photography

A fast-starting Peninsula Old Boys won their first match of the 2021 season by 12 points against Therry Penola after three crucial second half goals from best afield Brett Macauley on Saturday.

Having dominated the game early with their slick, play-on at all costs approach, Peninsula’s lead was reduced to just five points in time-on of the final term before Macauley’s soccered the clincher a la Lionel Messi to roars of delight from a small but enthusiastic home crowd.

Peninsula won 12.14 (86) to Therry’s 11. 8 (74).

Coach Nick Claringbold dared his team pre-match to be bold and take risks.

“Let’s out run them,’’ he said.

The Pirates, under-sized everywhere around the ground, led by 12 points at quarter time and 25 at the main break after the wind strengthened, favouring the home team.

One of the team’s few six-footers, Alex Marshall, was again rock-like across half back before hurting his jaw. He insisted on playing out the match and took several fine defensive marks in the last quarter as Therry attacked incessantly.

First gamer Nick McNamara was cool in heavy traffic and Sam Harrison active in a new forward line role. Josh Goudge was excellent overhead and featured in several important shares with his precise field kicking.

Having spent two day’s recovering from a virus on match-eve, No.1 ruckman Mike McLellan was again pivotal as Therry threw everything into a second half comeback.

He showed great sportsmanship in the final term when Therry’s ruckman was injured in one of their direct duels, McLellan running across to the boundary line and wishing his opponent the best.

The play of the day came via a reflex, inspired knock-on from Tom La Brooy to James Bravo on the member’s boundary line which resulted in a goal to sticky-fingered Ben Carr, who again was a key contributor.

The Pirates meet Oakleigh, again at home, this weekend.