Few TV Highlights for Two Blues after Second Successive defeat
Seniors:
Last Saturday’s Prahran Assumption match was televised by Channel 31 and a highlights package will be shown from 9 am this Saturday but it will not be pleasant viewing for Two Blues fans.
A second successive loss has seen Prahran Assumption tumble from second to fourth on the VAFA Division 1 ladder.
A home game defeat by Whitefriars was followed by an even more humbling loss to a pumped up, slick Williamstown CYMS.
The Two Blues now face a season defining clash at Toorak Park next Saturday in a ‘local derby’ for with fifth placed Old Geelong.
The winner will claim a spot in the four and the Jon Anderson Cup (named after the Herald Sun, 3 AW and Fox Sports commentator, former Old Geelong player and long time Prahran supporter and former match committeeman).
A defeat could see the Two Blues plummet to as low as seventh such is the tight nature of the competition.
Channel 31 covers 16 competitions in Melbourne in a commendable contribution to grass roots football.
But apart from an interview with our president Fab Maya and a good word for our major sponsor the Prahran Hotel, the highlights reel will be light on for Two Blues fans.
Williamstown CYMS blew the game open with an eight goals to one second quarter.
And any chance of a third quarter Prahran Assumption revival kicking with the breeze was snuffed out by inaccuracy with a 1-5 return poor value for effort.
While the Two Blues matched their rivals in endeavour for three quarters, the home team was noticeably cleaner with their ball handling and more cohesive with their teamwork.
Even more damning was a rash of 25m penalties against Prahran Assumption players, reflecting a concerning lack of discipline.
The final margin of 29 points – Williamstown CYMS 19-11(125) to 14-10 (94)- flattered the Two Blues.
Half way through the last quarter the margin had ballooned to 59 points but the Two Blues kicked last four goals, thanks mainly to a remarkable solo effort by half-forward Pat Harris who ended the match with eight goals.
Harris kicked all three of the Two Blues first quarter, one in the second term and four in the last quarter.
Sadly he was the lone hand as key forwards Pete Cristoforo and Adam Sleight were out of sorts and John Robbins was also down on his earlier season form.
Clearly injuries to key players are starting to hurt, and added to a lack of discipline from his players coach Ash Mills has a challenge to turn around his team’s fortunes.
Despite the heavy defeat there were some positives for Two Blues fans.
Matt Wall and Nathan Davey were again tireless on the ball while ‘Junior’ Vuli and Blayne Dempsey, who will play his 100th senior match this Saturday, were stand outs in defence with outstanding marking displays.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 3-1 6-4 7-9 14-10 (94)
WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS 3-4 11-5 13-6 19-11 (125)
Goals: Harris 8, Wall, Sleight 2, Giansiracusa, O’Hare.
Best: Harris, Wall, Vuli, Davey, Macdonald, Hunt.
Reserves:
Prahran Assumption Reserves were no match for a last quarter rally by the home team starting what proved to be a tough day for Two Blues supporters.
So gallant last week in defeating Whitefriars, on Saturday the Reserves were flat and after a close first three quarters were unable to stem the flow of five goals to two in the last quarter.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 2-0 3-0 3-2 5-4 (34)
WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS 0-0 2-8 3-13 8-15 (53)
Goals: Ellis 2, Muir, Quirk, Webb.
Best: Boylan, Ancrum, Parsons, Laverty, Quirk, Mulraney.
Club XVIII:
Oakleigh forfeited Saturday's match v Prahran Assumption due to a lack of players.
Prahran Assumption is now third on the ladder and face a tough test against traditional rival De La Salle at 11.40 am at Darling Park.