Payze reaches game 400 this weekend

It’s been a long time coming but Old Peninsula champion, Shaun Payze, will finally become just the second player in VAFA history to notch 400 senior games when he runs out against PEGS this weekend.

Stranded on 399 at the end of the 2019 season, the 41-year-old Pirate went agonisingly close to reaching the milestone if not for an after-the-siren goal from UHS-VU in the Division 1 preliminary final.

Speaking to The Age’s Peter Ryan last year, Payze said he would’ve found it hard to retire on 399.

“That said, it’s a long way at my age I couldn’t absolutely guarantee it but certainly my intention would be to keep playing,” Payze said.

“You’re a long time retired.”

Thankfully, Payze decided to continue his career and will add another significant milestone to his CV after kicking his 1000^th goal two years ago.

Payze debuted in 1998, represented the Big V in 2000 and won the Fullerton Medal (Division 2) in 2005.

Old Peninsula will take on PEGS at 2pm tomorrow and we encourage everyone in the Mt Eliza area to head down to Peninsula School Ground and support a VAFA and Pirate champion.