This was one that got away. It is hoped that Brunswick NOBSPC won’t be left to rue it come the end of the season, but make no mistake this was a game we should have won at Gilllon Oval on Saturday against PEGS.

More shots at goal and domination of general play for much of the day were not capitalised on: poor field and goal kicking being the main culprits. The work effort was, in the main, tremendous, but a lack of polish and forward pressure told in the end.

PEGS kicked the first four goals of the game early through their tall timber, which ultimately proved to be decisive. Once we found our bearings we controlled play for the rest of the first quarter but proceeded to have a number of shots at goal that could be described as almost apologetic such was the lack of intent showed.

The opening to the second term was much better, with more direction in our play, although the behinds kept on mounting. The gap was closed at halftime but there is no doubt we had been the better team and should have been leading.

The third quarter proved to be decisive. Again we were dominant, again our goals were hard work, but we finally hit the front by a point late in the term and it looked like we would get reward for effort after all. That proved to be very short-lived as PEGS snuck through two goals in the shadows of three-quarter time to take an 11-point lead.

Still we came, reducing the margin back to five points with a gettable shot to take the lead mid-way through the final term. A wayward miss would sum up our day as PEGS took advantage of our largesse and finished off as they started by kicking goals via their tall forwards.

Exemplifying the great effort shown over four quarters was tough nut Dean Beaumont, along with Scott Thomas, Lachlan Ezard, Chris Horsley, Cameron Fox and Danny King. We also saw flashes of class from Gerrard Bence, Adam Oakley and Damon Byrne, all of whom will be better for the run after missing some football, while Anthony Argento and Lewis White continue to improve week-on-week.

All in all, there was much to like about this performance and, in an even Division One competition, this week at Oakleigh looms as an early-season eight-point game.