Round 1 match report
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION fumbled and eventually stumbled its season opener at Toorak Park falling 13 points short of Glen Eira.
Not surprisingly skills were at a premium in a scrambly first half arm wrestle.
The Two Blues in particular seemed 'short of a gallop' as the intensity of the first battle for premiership points for the season brought a rash of errors.
Glen Eira’s kicking skills improved considerably in the second half as the Two Blues squandered chances aplenty.
The first quarter proved telling as the Two Blues kicking with the aid of the southerly breeze dominated inside 50s for the paltry return of 1-3 while holding Glen Eira scoreless.
Promoted from Division 2 after an unbeaten season Glen Eira proved a formidable. well drilled opponent matching the Two Blues in intensity and hit the front mid-way through the second quarter courtesy of a snap from the goal square and a 50m penalty.
Ruckman Rory Brodie, clearly best afield in the first half kept the Two Blues in the game with the first two goals then hit the post with a kick after the siren to level scores at half-time.
The momentum was all with the visitors in the crucial third quarter adding 5-0 into the breeze while the Two Blues again wasted chances with a 3-7 score line.
It was a day for defenders with Jon Simonetta and first gamer Pat Ribbands excelling while Brodie enhanced his reputation as the best ruckman in Division 1.
As coach Brett Dickinson said post game the effort could not be faulted but the Two Blues will need more reward next Saturday when they visit St Mary’s.
In a sobering first round for the club all three teams were defeated.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 1-3 2-4 5-10 6-10 (46)
GLEN EIRA 0-0 2-4 7-4 9-5 (59)
Goals.Brodie, Mirabella 2, Maya, Grogan.
Best. Simonetta, Brodie, Podmore, Adams, Ribbands, Waters.
RESERVES
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 1-3 defeated by GLEN EIRA 10-10
Goal. Graham, Best. S Capta, Loshiavo, Rhodes, M Capra, Bamford, Forrestall.
THIRDS
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 0-1 (1) defeated by MAZENOD 16-12 (108).