Therry Penola aiming for third consecutive promotion in Victorian Amateur Football Association

HISTORY says back-to-back promotions in the Victorian Amateur Football Association marks the end to a club’s rise through the grades, but Therry Penola is looking to buck that trend.

Therry Penola coach Dennis Castaldi and captain Jarrod Egglestone celebrate their 2013 premiership success. Picture: Supplie...

HISTORY suggests back-to-back promotions in the Victorian Amateur Football Association marks the end to a club’s rise through the grades, but Therry Penola is looking to buck that trend.

The Lions claimed the 2013 Division 2 premiership in Dennis Castaldi’s first season at the helm, before producing an undefeated regular season in Division 1 last year culminating with a grand final defeat against Williamstown CYMS.

While a club’s rise or fall usually plateaus after consecutive moves in the VAFA, Therry Penola won’t accept consolidation.

Fifteen years ago, the Lions claimed their most decorated premiership — a Premier C flag with Castaldi a member of the winning side.

Rewind another 15 years, and the Lions also featured in the Premier C grand final. They earned promotion to the second tier despite losing that decider. But Castaldi knows it will take more than favourable history for the Lions repeat the leap to Premier B.

“I think the sides (in Premier C) will be physically stronger and I would suggest clubs would be a lot more even; the players from 10 to 18 won’t drop as quickly as last year,” he said.

“We’ve just got to improve across the board, you can’t pick one area. The whole club has to improve at least 10 per cent.”

Premiership stars Ben Harding (overseas) and Jarrod Hanlon (retired) will leave voids, while Darcy Grant has moved to the Essendon District Football League.

Matthew Killey (Western Border Football League), Yoshiaki Kitamori (Western Australia) and Matthew Scarpino (EDFL) will help alleviate the departures, but Castaldi called on the young brigade to again step up.

“We’re going to have to use a few more under-19 players this year,” he said.

“A lot forget (captain) Jarrod Egglestone is only 23 — in football terms that’s still young.

“I think our forward line is still pretty potent. When you’ve got two blokes that can kick goals like the Bannisters (Corey and Jarrod), you’re going to be dangerous.”

Castaldi said he was looking forward to seeing where the Lions sat in the Premier C pecking order.

“I’m jumping out of my skin,” he said.

“I am excited. I’m glad preseason is over like every coach and player would be. It’s going to be a challenge. I need to improve, myself, as a coach; it’s going to be a lot more tactical.”

Therry Penola opened its season away from home against Old Haileyburnians on Saturday (after deadline),

The Lions are inviting their life members back to John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve for Saturday’s clash with Oakleigh.