Long day for Two Blues

SATURDAY June 21 was the winter solstice, our shortest day of the year but it must have felt like the longest day of the year for Prahran players and supporters.

A second half capitulation to Parkside after such a promising first half added to the woe of season 2025 with the Two Blues now winless after 10 rounds in Premier C Grade.

This match was an arm wrestle for most of the day with stoppage after stoppage.

Kicking against the breeze in the first term the Two Blues did well to hold Parkside to a 10 point lead.

After a goalless opening 17 minutes Matthew Clifford landed a long goal from a free kick to break the deadlock.

An horrendous Parkside turnover from a kick in presented Diezel Brousse de Laborde with a goal to give the Two Blues the lead for the first time.

Then a brilliant goal on the run from Peter Ahern added to the lead.

Against the flow Parkside goaled but then a long Ollie Burke kick landed in space with teenage first gamer from Prahran Juniors Max Stewart running into an open goal in what should have been a real team lifter.

But after leading by seven points at half-time the Two Blues surrendered, failing to add to their score of 5-2.

Meanwhile Parkside, the team the Two Blues defeated in last year’s Division 1 grand final piled on 8-5.

The third term was especially damning with the inside 50 count of 20-1 in favour of Parkside.

PRAHRAN 1-1 5-2 5-2 5-2 (32)

PARKSIDE 2-5 3-7 8-9 11-12 (78)

Goals. Burke, Clifford, Diezel Brousse de Laborde, Ahern,  Stewart.

Best. Patrick Ribbands, Ryan Smyth, Peter Ahern, Billy Chapman, Max Milward, Jonny Simonetta

RESERVES

FIFTH win for the season for the Reserves under playing coach Jackson Partridge.

With the game seemingly under control at three quarter-time leading by 14 points and coming home with a stiff breeze Parkside gave the Two Blues a scare kicking two quick goals to narrow the margin to three points.

But goals to James Elwin and Manni Juricic iced the game.

The Reserves are now fifth on the ladder.

PRAHRAN 1-2 4-4 6-5 8-7 (55)

PAKRSIDE 2-1 2-2 4-3 6-3 (39)

Goals. Elwin, Edwards 2, Perez, Loomes, Juricic, Graham.

Best. Hayden Taylor, Michael Woods, Tully Loomes, Kyle Scott, Nick Edwards, Angus Perez

WOMENS

OUR mighty Prahran Womens Team travelled to a windy North Brunswick for a later than normal start time of 11.30am.

With a new look forward line, our team was eager to improve our scoring. Despite plenty of attacking football and a significantly increased number of forward line entries in the first half, we unfortunately were unable to convert our opportunities.

A couple of unlucky misses, resulting in not being able to create any scoreboard pressure. On a positive note, we were winning centre clearances, even though we were up against a far stronger and mature team.

Having only one player available on our interchange (who was brave enough to play with the flu!!!) limited and restricted our second half, where North Brunswick started scoring freely with taller and stronger forwards.

Again, our team has improved in so many ways with great handball link ups and kicking to position - our players are just getting better every week.

Another great and encouraging performance! Our next win is not too far away!

PRAHRAN 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 (1)

NORTH BRUNSWICK 0-0 2-2 4-5 5-5 (35)

Best. Jessy Brown, Marielle Caponas, Liana Edwards, Katy Perree, Rebecca Rose, Laura Perree