
Tonners survive a scare, while Lions lift out of the drop zone
Just one game separates third and sixth after Round 11 of Premier Men’s action. Ladder leaders Old Brighton saw off a stiff challenge to their 14-game winning streak at Brighton
Therry Penola came good on a season of dominance to make it into the Division 1 Grand Final and return to the Premier sections. After being rattled with their first loss of the season in last week’s semi-final and the passing of favourite son, Ricky Bannister, it seemed the task of beating an in-form Old Geelong side might be too much to ask.
Therry got the start they needed with four first quarter goals to, but their stamp on the game with a five goal haul in the second to lead by 24 at the main break. Old Geelong had shown great spirit in the second half of the season and were not going to go down without a fight with Leahy, McKay and O’Brien leading the charge. They held Therry to one goal in the third and narrowed the gap to 17 points at three quarter time.
In the end the class and determination of Therry Penola held sway with Old Geelong unable to make any further inroads into the Lions’ lead. Jarrod and Corey Bannister kicked 7 between them with great support from Lyons, Marangon, and many others. At the final siren, a big cheer went around the ground at Sandringham and Therry were through to face Williamstown CYMS in the big one.
In Division 4, West Brunswick battled all day against a relentless Canterbury Cobras side before pulling away in the last quarter to win by 22 points. Canterbury led by a goal at three quarter time and were looking like snaring promotion in their first VAFA season. However, performances from Touzel, Baker and Nuity up forward got the Magpies across the line.
Canterbury could consider their first season in the VAFA as a tremendous success in reaching the preliminary final. Eckersley had 3 goals to his name and were represented well by Walmsley, Giles, Nichols and many more. With a strong pre-season you would have to think they would be amongst the favourites for the Division 4 flag in 2015.
West Brunswick now move into the grand final against the undefeated Hawthorn Amateurs. The Magpies will be motivated to improve on the semi-final match which ended in a narrow win to the Hawks.
West Brunswick also earn promotion into Division 3. The first time in that section since 2010.
Just one game separates third and sixth after Round 11 of Premier Men’s action. Ladder leaders Old Brighton saw off a stiff challenge to their 14-game winning streak at Brighton
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