Newsletter 2, 2021

PAFC Newsletter 2, 2021

 

EXCITEMENT, apprehension, a venture into the unknown.

All of the above and more precedes the serious business of chasing four premiership points starting on Saturday at Trevor Barker Oval,

our ‘home ground’ for this week only while Prahran Cricket Club competes in its semi final at Toorak Park.

No fewer than 11 new players will don the Two Blues jumper under the tutelage of first season coach Matthew Boland in VAFA Division 1.

Saturday will be the culmination of the longest ‘pre season’ in history.

Boland was appointed coach in October 2019 yet because of the outbreak of COVID not a ball was kicked in anger in 2020.

We hope to see plenty of Two Blues fans at Sandy to tackle St Mary’s in an all important bid to kick the season off with a win under captain James Musster and his vice captain Matthew Clifford.

Reserves start at the later time of midday and seniors at 2.30 pm because of a preceeding VFLW match.

 

1987 PREMIERSHIP President Alf Blamey celebrates 90th birthday on April 10, co-incidentally round 1 of the new football season.

Alf, pictured right, with another premiership president Jack Morgans at a recent Jack Morgans Lunch day is much loved fixture at Toorak Park.

“Fredo” as his great mate Sir Rupert Steele used to call him, has barracked for the Prahran Two Blues for as long as he cares to remember.

Alf’s favourite moment following Prahran was the 1978 grand final win over Preston at the Junction Oval in front of 30,000 fans.
“It was unbelievable, it had everything, you’ve never seen fights like it. We were behind at half-time and in the end won easily.’’

“Kekka (Sam Kekovich) lifted, we wouldn’t have won without him,’’ he said.

Blamey nominated Ken Emselle is the best Prahran player he has seen.

“We’ve had a lot of good players but he was probably the best, he was so consistent. In my youth George Hawkins was the star.’’

Hawkins kicked 164 goals in season 1939.

Of course in Prahran’s halcyon days of the 1970s when VFA flags fluttered in 1970, 73 and 78 Alf was better known as one of Melbourne’s leading rails bookmakers.

Bookies were regulars at VFA football in those days of Sunday fooball when there was no Sunday racing and VFL matches were mainly played on Saturdays.

 JUNIOR FOOTBALL, NETBALL

PRAHRAN juniors will kick off 2021 on Sunday April 16 with a staggering 27 teams, including eight girls teams.

Our juniors now have access to Romanis Oval for Friday night training, a major breakthrough thanks to the support of Stonnington Council.

Our 15 netball teams are in season 1 in the Prahran Netball Association.


MAX HOLMES DEBUTS FOR GEELONG

FORMER Prahran Juniors and Sandringham Dragons player Max Holmes played his first senior game v Hawthorn on Easter Monday.

Holmes was Geelong’  first pick in this year’s NAB AFL Draft.

 The Cats traded their 2021 first round pick in a straight swap for Richmond’s 20th selection to draft the Sandringham Dragons midfielder.

 Max joins recent PJFC draftees Abbie McKay (Carlton AFLW), Toby Bedford (Melbourne) and James Rowbottom (Sydney)

 

SOCIAL CALENDAR, SAVE THE DATES

May 8, Breast Cancer support theme Pink day ladies luncheon, first home game luncheon
June 19, Sports /auction night
July 3, home game luncheon, Basil Cleary day
July 17, State Bank 1990 re-union
August 7, Team of the decade/2011 premiership reunion

September, Jack Morgan’s luncheon, 1970 premiership re-union, date tbc
September Presentation night date tbc.