Goals Galore in Two Blues Toorak Park Triumph
Seniors:
A season high 24 goals scoring spree highlighted Prahran Assumptions demolition of Whitefriars in VAFA Division 1 at Toorak Park on Saturday.
It was goals galore in the Two Blues’ most impressive performance in a topsy-turvy season, capped by a volley of eight goals in the third quarter which led to a massive 87 point win.
True to the season script of loss, win , loss, win, loss and now win the Two Blues squared the ledger at three wins-three losses after six games.
Despite the win Prahran Assumption remains fifth, a game outside the four, but with the second best percentage in the competition.
Coach Ash Mills said despite the landslide win he believed there were still parts of the game that are open to considerable improvement .
For long time club supporters this was a win to be savoured, albeit against an undermanned opposition.
It was the first time Prahran Assumption, or before that its joint venture partner Southbank, had beaten Whitefriars since 1991.
The bevy of tall forwards, so cumbersome in the wet the previous week, proved an imposing presence on a near perfect Toorak Park surface.
John Grigg (five goals), Ged Howarth (three), Pat Harris and Adam Sleight with two goals apiece marked the ball almost at will thanks to some excellent delivery.
Joining in the rout were on ballers, Matt Wall who proved unstoppable with six goals, including three scene setting majors in the first quarter, John Robbins (four) and the brilliant James Musster with two goals.
The Two Blues began well with a seven goal first quarter kicking with a northerly breeze, but Whitefriars added four goals in an entertaining first quarter.
By half-time Whitefriars was in serious trouble being outscored 3-4 to 2-0 with the wind.
The Two Blues then blew the game apart with four unanswered goals in the first 15 minute of the third quarter and in total eight .
While the forward line was functioning smoothly the return of Blayne Dempsey in defence was telling with his pin point delivery setting up numerous scoring opportunities with ‘Junior’ Vuli no less effective.
A typical blue collar effort from on baller Daniel Anglin was evidence of how sorely missed he was the previous week v Yarra Valley when his heavy duty work in the slosh would have been invaluable.
The challenge for the Two Blues is sustaining Saturday’s success. The Two Blues have not won two games in succession or away from home this season so the clash with bottom-of-the-ladder MHSOB next Saturday will prove telling.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 7-2 10-4 18-10 24-12 (156)
WHITEFRIARS 4-2 6-2 8-2 11-3 (69)
Goals: Wall 6, Grigg 5, Robbins 4, G Hogarth 3, Musster, Harris, Sleight 2.
Best: Wall, Vuli, Robbins, Grigg, Anglin, Maya.
Reserves:
This game was effectively over at quarter time after Whitefriars slammed home seven goals into the breeze.
The rest of the game was relatively even but the Two Blues commendable start to the season with three wins has now been followed by three heavy defeats.
The one bonus was the successful return from injury of key running player Ed Macdonald.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 1-3 3-4 5-7 7-12 (54).
WHITEFRIARS 7-2 11-5 13-9 14-13 (97)
Goals: Rice 3, Forbes, Williams, Webb, T Candy.
Best: Macdonald, Webb, Williams, Ellis, Ancrumn, Radywonik.
Club XXIII:
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 2-2 5-2 7-5 12-7 (79)
OLD GEELONG 3-3 6-5 6-8 8-9 (57)