Close but Two Blues six point round 1 loss
CLOSE, but not close enough was the story of Prahran’s season opener six point loss to Preston at Toorak Park on Saturday.
On a sunny afternoon in ideal conditions this was a match of multiple mistakes, with both teams equally culpable.
There were four lead changes with a match high 14 points the largest margin.
In the end the Bullants had a touch more polish, with man-of-the-match Ben Douglas the difference with three telling goals in the 9-8 (62) to 8-8 (56 ) result.
The former Parkside player has troubled Prahran in the past and so it proved again.
The prelude to the match saw players from both teams line-up for a minutes silence in respect of Ben Austin, 17, who died in a tragic cricket match accident last year, Ben was also a rising star in VAFA umpiring ranks.
Considering Prahran fielded nine first gamers the Two Blues were always going to be a work in progress under new coach Ash Lever.
There were some promising debuts notably Liam Hepburn in defence, Tom Selleck on a wing and 17 year-old Tom Cotter, a product of Prahran Juniors.
A superb Cotter tackle in the second quarter won him a free kick and he converted much to the delight of his new teammates who joined the celebration.
But the theme of the day was Two Blues players continually fumbling at crucial times and their ball use too frantic.
After a low scoring first half a snap goal in time on in the second quarter from skipper Rory Brodie gave the Two Blues a slender three point lead.
When Tayla Atkinson passed to Brodie for a mark and goal early in the third quarter the Two Blues seemed in control.
But it proved fleeting as the Bullants kicked the next three goals, the last one on the three quarter-time siren.
When Preston kicked the first goal of the last term in the first minute for a 14 point lead it seemed, game over.
But the Two Blues rallied, first gamer Harrison Cook snapped a goal and minutes later Riley Hogan followed suit.
When Baxter Kan found Peter Ahern and aided by a 50m penalty the Two Blues were poised to take the lead with scores tied.
Ahern missed but scored a point so the Two Blues were poised for a come-from-behind win.
Not to be denied Preston goaled twice in the next five minutes to all but ice the game.
A snap goal from Ethan Plaza at the 27 minute mark to narrow the gap to six points gave hope for at least a draw but the Two Blues ran out of time.
PRAHRAN 2-0 4-3 5-5 8-8 (56)
PRESTON 2-3 3-5 6-7 9-8 (62)
Goals. Brodie 2, Hogan, Burke, Cotter, Cook, Giles, Plaza.
Best. Liam Hepburn, Patrick Ribbands, Riley Hogan, Rory Brodie, Oliver Burke, James Gottschalk.
RESERVES
A dominant first quarter proved the key factor in the Reserves opening the season with a win under playing coach Jackson Partridge.
The 24 point quarter-time lead was maintained throughout the game.
First gamer Ben Burrows staked his claim for senior selection with three goals while comeback Hall Of Fame inductee Jack Matherson also posted three goals in match game number 284.
PRAHRAN 5-1 7-2 10-3 10-4 (64)
Preston 1-1 2-3 5-5 6-8 (44)
Goals. Burrows, Matherson, Perez 3, Cornish .
Best. Ben Burrows, Angus Perez, Jackson Devine, Jack Matherson, Tully Loomes, Archer Patterson.
WOMENS
PRAHRAN-COLLEGIANS began their new partnership in rollicking style with a 72 point round 1 win v South Melbourne.
Season 2026 will feature a merged senior women’s team via a partnership with one of our neighbouring clubs, Old Collegians Football Club. The team is known as Prahran- Collegians, the Two Blue Lions.
After a busy pre-season and lots of collaborative work between the two clubs, including working through the logistics of a merged team, the women’s team had their first outing on Saturday at the beautiful venue of Toorak Park.
Being a new merger team we weren’t sure what to expect. The team answered with an amazing performance with a win by more than 11 goals.
The chemistry in the team was great for a new group and this is what got us over the line by so comfortably. There were great passages of play, including hard chase down tackles and snaps at goal that sailed through!
Ruth Sheridan in defence had an amazing first game at full back. Everyone worked for each other all over the ground.
Sheldon Menzies was excellent in the forward line and changing into the middle in her first game ever!
Skipper Katy Perree showed excellent leadership in the middle of the ground, running hard and winning contested ball all day. Bridie Elith was hard at the ball and provided excellent support across the backline and the midfield.
It was a very promising start and we can’t wait to play Elsternwick this week!
Go the Two Blue Lions!!
PRAHRAN-COLLEGIANS 2-3 6-6 8-9 11-12 (78)
SOUTH MELBOURNE DISTRICTS 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 (6)
Goals. Schmidt 3, Kenneally 2, Crighton, Marquet-Walker, Meachem, Menzies, Perree.
Best. Annabel Schmidt, Katy Perree, Millie Stonnill, Bridie Elith, Sheldon Menzies.