VAFA 2021: Peninsula loses to Kew by almost 10 goals

Imposing ruckman Mike McLellan succumbed to an ankle injury as the Pirates lost again in VAFA Division 1.

Peninsula's Tom “Flying” Feldgen takes a mark at full stretch. Picture: Pearcey Presents

A late injury to Peninsula’s No 1 player Mike McLellan further soured a dog of an afternoon for the Pirates on Saturday.

McLellan rolled his ankle on the cricket pitch at the Harry McDonald Oval and had to be assisted from the ground by two trainers.

The club hope there is no ligament damage but he is still unlikely to play against second-placed Whitefriars this weekend.

“There is a big dip from the grass to the actual cricket pitch,” said Peninsula Pirates’ director of football Dave Logan.

“You hate to see anyone get injured like that, whether they’re young or old.’’

Tyson Jackson kicks a goal in his first game. Picture: Pearcey Presents

The athletic 190cm McLellan has been his team’s solo ruckman all season.

“He’s worth three players to us,’’ said Logan.

After a promising start in which they kicked three early goals into the wind, the Pirates were beaten by Kew by almost 10 goals, 16.13 (109) to 8.5 (53). It was the club’s fifth loss in the first six rounds.

First-gamers Nate Turner and man-mountain Tyson Jackson were both promising, Jackson likely to substitute for the injured McLellan as No.1 ruckman this weekend at Donvale.

“We’ve got the youngest list in the comp and have blooded 11 over the first month and a half for their first taste of senior footy,’’ said Logan.

“We already have a long injury list. We certainly didn’t want Mikey to go down.”

Coach Nick Claringbold had urged his team to forget their previous poor starts and be the dictators and early goals to debutant Jackson and hardworking captain, flying Tom Feldgen were heartening.

Shortly afterwards, Jake Williams and Benji Pulsford featured in the play of the day with some slick handballs which saw James Bravo goal from 35 metres to reduce Kew’s lead to just 10 points shortly before the quarter time siren.

Peninsula's Tom Feldgen fires for goal. Picture: Pearcey Presents

...and celebrates. Picture: Pearcey Presents

A Williams smother to stop a late goal attempt by a Kew opponent was inspiring, before Kew’s bigger-bodied midfielders created a run of scoring opportunities in mid match.

From 22 points behind at half time, the Pirates trailed by 10 goals at the last break, veteran Shaun Payze calling his team’s third quarter meek and unacceptable.

“We’re better than this. Come on. Get your heads up. Let’s finish off well,’’ he told the group at three-quarter time.

One of the few highlights for the term was a Shai Bolton type leap deep in the forward pocket by Brett Macaulay.

Rather than taking mark of the year, he was free-kicked for interfering with his Kew opponent.

Feldgen and Ben Stewart were their team’s only multiple goalkickers, Josh Goudge again adjudged best player, just ahead of strong midfielder Adam Smrdel and running defender Jimmy Logan, two more of their team’s four quarter contributors.

Injuries to Tom La Brooy, Ben Watson and Blake Hillman will be further assessed this week. Alex Marshall is still at least a week away with his recurring knee problems.

“We just can’t take a trick right now,’’ said Logan. “But a new week and a fresh opportunity…we can’t wait.’’