New Coach Same Storyline for Two Blues
Seniors:
Prahran Assumption has started its next chapter under new coach Anthony McMahon in the worst possible way, with a 16 point defeat to St Pat’s NOBs at home on Saturday afternoon.
It was a case of new coach, same old story, as a combination of missed goals, missed targets and poor decisions resulted in a 12.13.85 to 16.5.101 defeat leaving Prahran stranded at eighth spot on the ladder with a two and seven record, and staring down the barrel of relegation.
Luke Egan’s surprise departure as senior coach during the bye week hoped to be the change Prahran needed to turn its year around. The two parties, both Prahran and Egan, reportedly agreed things hadn’t exactly gone to plan and decided heading in another direction was best for the club. Egan was two wins and six losses in his eight matches in charge of the Two Blues.
The first quarter went goal for goal at NOBS/St Pat’s held a five point advantage at quarter time. Two John Robbins goals was the highlight for Prahran in the opening quarter.
St Pat’s began getting on top of Prahran around the ground in the second term and booted the first three goals. They looked like putting a real strangle hold on the game before Stephen Conlan booted a much needed steadier for the Two Blues.
Conlan was arguably the most influential player on the ground during the second quarter. A host of strong marks went unrewarded for himself and Prahran with Conlan failing to add another major to his tally. A late goal to Luke Kerr brought the Two Blues to within seven points at the main break, while many would say they were lucky to be so close.
Blayne Dempsey gave the Two Blues the ideal start to the second half when he kicked truly to bring Prahran within a point. But such was the tale of the day, any time Prahran challenged, St Pat’s steadied and took back control of the match. The NOBs went on to kick four of the next six goals and have an 18 point cushion with a quarter to play.
Prahran had a pulse early into the fourth when Ged Hogarth goaled to bring the deficit back to just 12 points, but true to fashion St Pat’s eased the game back under its control, and when St Pat’s snapped truly once again the match, and now almost certainly Prahran’s season, was over.
John Simonetta was outstanding in defence for the Two Blues in defeat, whilst Stephen Conlan also battled hard in the ruck and up forward. Club legend, Adam Sleight, struggled as he came straight back into the senior team after missing a fair chunk of the season with a knee injury.
The Two Blues have now dropped both games against St Pats with the first a heart breaking round one defeat by just one straight kick.
Prahran will now hit the road to take on Whitefriars at Whitefriars College Oval next Saturday afternoon. The Whitefriars are currently in sixth position with three wins from nine matches, and are fragile after getting smashed to the tune of 106 points against Ormond last Saturday.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 5-2 6-8 9-10 12-13 (85)
NOBS/ST PAT'S 5-1 8-3 13-4 16-5 (101)
Goals: Robbins, Conlan 2, G Hogarth, Simonetta, Dempsey, Kerr, R Costin, Sleight, Adams, Maya.
Best: Musster, Simonetta, Adams, Waters, Vuli.
Reserves:
The Two Blues Reserves recorded an astounding 37 scoring shots to nine on the way to a thumping win over NOBS/St Pat's to cement fourth place on the ladder.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 15-22 (112)
NOBS/ST PAT'S 6-3 (39)
Goals: Cupples 4, Kelly 3, Rice, McAleer 2, Wiggins, Giansiracusa, Favola, Forbes.
Best: Francis, McAleer, Cupples, Nair, Slattery, Boylan.
Club XXIII:
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 8-6 (54)
OLD XAVIERIANS 13-9 (87)