In a match of wildly fluctuating fortunes at Gillon Oval on Saturday, Old Peninsula left a gallant Brunswick shell-shocked, turning a four-goal deficit at the 10-minute mark of the third quarter into an impressive seven-goal win.

The game started in wet conditions, which the NOBs enjoyed more than the Pirates, with Joe Gale soccering through the opening goal with the outside of his right boot after seven minutes. After that, the ball lived in Old Peninsula’s forward line for the next 10 minutes, but Brunswick defended stoutly and refused to concede before Andre Jaycock snapped a very classy major on the counter-attack, capped off by a third for the term through Matt Deeth, who was on the end of another nice transition from defence.

The second term was full of action, starting with the Pirates’ opening goal from the first bounce, which was immediately cancelled out by Oscar Watt roving the pack in the goal square, before the visitors again narrowed the margin to two goals. Watt again answered for the NOBs before Jaycock slotted a long set-shot to establish a 24-point lead after 12 minutes, but there were more twists to come, starting with a lucky holding-the-ball free kick to the Pirates in their forward line which was duly converted, quickly followed by their fourth and fifth for the term, the last one courtesy of a fortuitous right-angle bounce. An entertaining first half ended with Brunswick seven points in front but the Pirates on the charge.

The next twist came at the start of the third quarter, as the NOBs burst out of the blocks with three majors inside five minutes. Playing at full-forward, Gale led, marked and goaled in classic style, then new recruit Mitch Hicks roved a defender’s dropped mark and slotted his first major for the club, before Gale’s banana from beside the behind post restored Brunswick’s 24-point lead and had the home crowd jumping. But then came the biggest twist of all, as the Pirates clicked into gear from the 10-minute mark, kicking 4.6 to hit the front for the first time in the game in the shadows of three-quarter time.

The Pirates carried their momentum into the final term and by the four-minute mark had opened up a 19-point advantage. Gale kicked his fourth soon after to keep the NOBs in the hunt, but Old Peninsula had the answers, killing off the contest with the next three goals. Brunswick kept trying, with a late goal to Sam Kiebert good reward for effort, but the Pirates proved to be too strong on the day.

Best for Brunswick was the versatile Lewis McKenzie, who is relishing the step up to Division 1, while reigning best and fairest winner Rowan Hogenbirk was another good four-quarter contributor. Gun recruit Fletcher Banfield was again impressive, Josh Mackie was good, Will McKenzie battled hard in the ruck and Gale’s four goals kept the NOBs in the contest.

After three home games to start the season, the NOBs will be leaving Gillon Oval to return to their old stomping ground in Brens Oval to take on UHS-VU for the first time since 1971. It is going to be a big day, see you there!