Inaccuracy Costs Two Blues in Blayne Dempsey's 150th
Seniors:
Prahran Assumption was left to rue inaccuracy when a last quarter surge failed to overhaul Ivanhoe in VAFA Division 1 on Saturday.
A return of 4-8 to 2-2 was a case of what might have been as the Two Blues dominated the final stanza coming home with the aid of a strong wind.
Conceding a seven goal start at three quarter-time, the Two Blues had a sniff of a famous come-from-behind win with goals from first gamer Tom Marmo, Jamie Robbins and Matt Wall in the first five minutes.
The home team had the wobbles as they started to turn the ball over constantly.
But for the remainder of the quarter the Two Blues return was 1-6 and some shots that failed to register while Ivanhoe added two crucial goals into the wind to record a 16-10 (106) to 11-16 (82) win.
It was a familiar tale where questionable decision making and shoddy skills cost the Two Blues dearly.
While the laast quarter goal kicking inaccuracy was frustrating, this was a game lost in the first half.
Ivanhoe’s 5-5 return with the breeze at their back in the first quarter was only par, while the Two Blues registered a solitary point- the only goalless quarter into the wind.
The second quarter saw the Two Blues added a respectable 5-6, with former captain and four times best and fairest Adam Sleight kicking two goals in his senior comeback game, but conceded three crucial goals into the wind.
The shining light in defeat was rugby convert John Stocker at centre half-back.
His bone crunching tackles were to be expected given his background, but the revelation was his coolness under pressure and pin point disposal on a day where turnovers were rife.
Tom Keaney again battled manfully in the ruck, Harry Taylor was as industrious as ever and rewarded with three goals while Matt Wall was always dangerous but too many teammates had concentration lapses.
Unfortunately for Blayne Dempsey there was no celebration for his 150th senior game as he endured a tough day at full-back.
The loss leaves Prahran Assumption ninth on the ladder with a battle to avoid relegation now a reality.
This Saturday the Two Blues journey to Oak Park to tackle second placed Therry Penola at John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 0-1 5-7 7-8 11-16 (82)
IVANHOE 5-5 8-7 14-8 16-10 (116)
Goals: Taylor 3, Wall, Robbins, Sleight 2, J Matherson, Marmo.
Best: Stocker, Keaney, Wall, Slattery, Sleight, R Costin
Reserves:
The Two Blues suffered a surprise narrow loss to previously winless Ivanhoe.
Jon Rice had a chance to win the game with a set shot after the siren but could only register a point.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 9-12 (66)
IVANHOE 10-8 (68)
Club XXIII:
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 9-16 (70)
SOUTH MORNINGTON 6-9 (45)