Reality Check for Two Blues
Seniors:
A disciplined Whitefriars unit brought Prahran Assumption back to reality at Toorak Park on Saturday.
Playing to a defensive game plan, Whitefriars beat the Two Blues at their own game dominating clearances, normally a Prahran Assumption strength.
Despite the 21 point defeat Prahran Assumption remains second on the ladder on percentage over Whitefriars.
After five games it is apparent there are three categories of teams in the Division 1 VAFA competition. Undefeated Hampton Rovers is the stand out team, winless Glen Eira is headed for relegation while the other eight teams are remarkably even.
Just one game separates second and ninth teams on the ladder who will fight out the three remaining finals berths.
Prahran Assumption went into the match warm favourite to win on its home turf, but Whitefriars was relentless in its pressure from the start.
The longer the game went the more frustrated the Two Blues became as Whitefriars more than matched the Two Blues in clearances and stifled their free flowing style.
As coach Ash Mills said post match: “we are not that bad.’’
It was a timely lesson in the importance of pre-match preparation which he said was poor and a reminder the return to some ill-disciplined acts must be reduced if the team is to be a finalist this season.
Whitefriars was a Division 1 finalist last season and gave the Two Blues a lesson in intensity as they adjust to a higher standard after promotion from Division 2.
The first half was a real arm wrestle - only five goals were scored with a Whitefriars goal on the siren giving the visitors a six point lead.
Whitefriars added 3-6 to 2-1 in the third quarter to stretch the margin to 17 points.
Coming home with the advantage of a slight breeze, Two Blues supporters still held hope of a revival.
But two Whitefriars goals in the first five minutes signalled game over.
This was a game for the defences with Two Blues co captain Jack Matherson and Liam Hunt outstanding all day for the Two Blues.
But the normally potent Two Blues attack was subdued.
Peter Cristoforo was off target all day while Adam Sleight and Pat Harris struggled to cope with the Whitefriars tactic of playing numbers behind the ball although both improved in the second half.
Playmakers Nathan Davey and Matthew Wall typified the Two Blues dirty day. Both were frustrated by the big bodies and relentless tackling of Whitefriars and gave away multiple 25m penalties.
The loss of speedy on-baller James Musster with a wrist injury proved crucial.
But Two Blues fans can look forward to the likely prospect of welcoming back from injury key players Ed Macdonald and Ash Parsons for next Saturday when the Two Blues journey to Williamstown CYMS in a crucial clash .
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 1-5 2-6 4-7 7- 12 (54)
WHITEFRIARS 2-3 3-6 6-12 10-15 (75)
Goals: Sleight 3, Cristoforo 2, Harris, Robbins.
Best: Hunt, Matherson, N Costin, Anglin, Pascoe, Vuli.
Reserves:
After a spluttering start the Two Blues Reserves have hit form posting a third successive win against Whitefriars.
Despite a rash of injuries and defections, the Two Blues’ determination more than made up for any lack of talent.
The game was virtually over at half-time with the home team holding a six goals lead.
Prahran Assumption is now fourth on the ladder with co coaches Neil Wallmeyer and “Cookie’’ Ancrum extracting maximum effort from their charges.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 5-3 9-4 11-6 13-7 (85)
WHITEFRIARS 1-4 3-4 4-5 6-8 (44)
Goals: Sampson 3, Ellis , Burmeister 2, Hogarth, Muir, Candy, Rice, Ancrum, Stewart.
Best: Kirkman, Hogarth, Durnan, Quirk, Ancrum, Laverty.
Club XVIII:
The Prahran Assumption Club XVIII has won back to back games for the first time this season as they accounted for a strong but inaccurate Old Geelong by 50 points.
After a disrupted start to the season the Two Blues move to third on the ladder and face the winless Oakleigh away this Saturday.
The result flattered the Two Blues as the game was much tighter and the contest more fierce than the final score indicates. OGs used the ball well and are a talented side but were unable to put scoreboard pressure on the Two Blues due to inaccuracy in front of goals.
For the Clubbies, Craig Berger (5 goals), Skipper Sam Cooper (3 goals) and Nick Gouin (2 goals) provided key forward targets.
In the mid-field, Con Faraci hit top form in a BOG performance, Bill Neasey relished his run on the ball and Nick Koehler had the ball on a string.
Crispin Myres and Brett Michael were rock solid in defence.
Luke Godessi turned in a fine performance in his 50th game (all consecutive) – well done Lukey G!
Prahran Assumption 17.5-107 def Old Geelong 7.15-57
Goals: C. Berger 5, S. Cooper 3, N. Gouin 2, D. Edwards 2, M. Ploenges, N. Koehler, C. Myers, C. Morton, L. Farrell
Best: C. Faraci, N. Koehler, C. Berger, N. Gouin, B. Neasey