IT was 150 years in the making, as Penshurst won a thrilling Mininera and District Football League Senior Grand Final by five points against Wickliffe-Lake Bolac at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

It was a battle of first and second, with a combined one loss during the season, with the Bombers going down to the Magpies in the only clash between the two sides in the home and away season.

Bombers playing-coach, Jayden Watson said it was an amazing feeling to receive the premiership cup after the game.

“It is a bit surreal at the moment, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” he told The Spectator after the game.

“The game was on a knife’s edge, and it fell our way fortunately, so I am sure we will enjoy it.

“From the boys’ perspective, to come back from three goals down is a fantastic effort, it is a testament to their fitness that they ticked off all the pre-season boxes, it is definitely worth it and they get the reward for that now.”

Wickliffe-Lake Bolac elected to kick with the wind in the first term, with the Magpies taking 10 minutes to put their first goal on the scoreboard.

The Bombers managed one goal against the wind to go into quarter time trailing by 15 points.

Penshurst had the better of conditions in the second quarter and a goal four minutes into the term narrowed the deficit to just four points, and by half time, the margin was down to one point in the Magpies’ favour.

The third term saw the black and white push out to a 15-point lead by three quarter time.

The Bombers didn’t grab the lead until halfway through the final quarter, with the Magpies getting a shot at goal in the final 90 seconds to tie the game, but missing, as the Bombers hung on to win, 8.5 (53) to 7.6 (48), finishing with two down on the bench after Jack Kruger broke his arm and Ian Milera injured his shoulder.

Bombers skipper and 2024 W.J. Lewis Medallist, Josh Rentsch, was awarded the best on ground medal, while Sam Weston collected the AFL Victoria Country Medal.

Ian Milera topped the goal tally with three majors, while Archie Page and Jayden Watson kicked two each, including the latter’s second goal which gave the red and black the lead for the first time.

“I was just thinking I didn’t want my knee to give way, but it came off the boot pretty nicely, so probably won’t forget that one for a while,” Watson said.

“I just couldn’t believe when it (Pies’ shot on goal) went through for a point, we had to defend the absolute life out of it in the end, we were prepared to do anything, we had blokes jumping on top of it, we just had to run the clock down.

“It wasn’t easy all day, we usually give our first gives and we’re away, but we missed our handballs at times, it was definitely greasy.”

Early in the game the Magpies were outnumbering Penshurst to contests around the ground and their spread saw the team find plenty of space in transition.

Watson urged his team to get back to their brand of football at half time and backed the players to improve their efforts across the ground.

“We had to lift our workrate, at times we rushed it and kicked it back to them, and it was playing into their hands,” he said.

“We were better off holding onto it, getting a reset stoppage further up the ground and going again, they love to rebound out of the back line.

“He (Milera) is an absolute weapon; I have never seen someone so elusive and he can just make people look silly at times

“His finishing ability is second to none, he is a star.

“We also threw Josh in there (ruck) more predominantly; it wasn’t quite a forwards day and it paid off for sure.”

To lift the cup in a milestone year wasn’t lost on Watson, as 2024 marks 150 years of the Penshurst Football Netball Club.

“I think it is huge for the supporters and the club, to capitalise it in our 150th year, it is like a crowning moment,” he said.

“I can’t believe it, just to come back where it started and impart some of my knowledge, I just get enjoyment out of seeing the boys develop … I couldn’t be more grateful to get this opportunity.”