Round 15 - Old Peninsula v Geln Eira / Old McKinnon
Innacuracy haunts the Pirates’ as Glen Eira clinch a one point thriller at Packer Park
Author: Frank Bowen
Facing top-of-the-table Fitzroy with With Glen Eira enjoying the advantage of a strong wind in the opening term, the Pirates set up defensively to stem the flow and limit the damage. The backline stayed composed under the pressure, repelling the majority of the home sides entires to hold them to just three majors for the quarter. Heading into the first change trailing 20 to 9, the Pirates’ had executed their defensive strategy well to keep themselves firmly within striking distance.
The Pirates struggled to find the goals until Bails reeled in a strong contested mark slotting the opening goal of the term. The boys began to dominate territory but they were unable to get reward from the hard work on the scoreboard.
Inaccuracy plagued the Pirates’ throughout the quarter, highlighted by set shots directly in front drifting wayward, alongside a string of minor scores. Glen Eira made the boys pay for their wastefulness, capitalising against the run of play with two quick goals in a heavily congested term to carry a 33 to 21 lead into the main break.
Facing a twelve-point deficit, the Pirates’ pressed hard early in the third term as Bails delivered a classy major from long range to cut the margin in half. Following a string of Glen Eira majors, Jesse Somdecerff then produced a moment of magic with a running goal to once again get within a goal.
However, the hosts answered with composure, aided by the favourable breeze, with three quick fire majors to stretch their advantage to 26 points at 3QT.
Harnessing the breeze for one final charge in the last term, the Pirates’ knew a fast start could turn the game on its head. Despite Glen Eira snaring the initial major of the quarter to expand their lead to 32 points, the game was still not put to bed.
Nelson sparked the momentum with an elite set-shot from deep on the boundary line, before Bails mirrored an almost identical goal just moments later to reduce the margin to 19 points.
As the clocked ticked over to 30 minutes and the siren nearing, two more majors sailed through, getting the Pirates’ within an astonishing 7 points. Another clearance going the Pirates’ way found the chest of Craig Sanders on the lead, breathing more life into the final minute. Unfortunately the siren sounded before the ball could find the big sticks. His final kick at goal calmly sailed through to bring the final margin to an agonising point.
Inaccuracy was the story of the day, 9.14 serving as a frustrating reminder of what could have been.
Final Score
Old Peninsula 9.14 : 68
Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 10.9 : 69
Best Players
George Fletcher
Hamish McLeod
Craig Sanders
Tom Feldgen
Kurt Thiele
Jake Williams
Goal Kickers
3 – Bailey Payze
2 – Craig Saunders
1 – Nelson Forrest
1 – Andrew Hochegger
1 – Kip Smyrk
1 – Jesse Somdecerff
