Round2 match report

SOMETIMES it can be hard to evaluate the merit of a win such Prahran Assumption’s 114 point trouncing of St Mary’s in VAFA Division 1 on Saturday.
A seven goals to one first quarter was a portent of things to come as the Two Blues impressive ball movement made a mockery of the error riddled effort in round 1.
At half-time the Two Blues led by 59 points prompting coach Brett Dickinson to urge his players to aim for a 100 point win which they duly delivered.
But to be fair it must be noted St Mary’s had been decimated in the off season by the departure of 14 senior players who left with their departing coach.
That puts the wide margin into perspective but you can only deal with the opposition as it presents.
To the Two Blues credit when St Mary’s opened the last quarter with three successive goals to trim the margin to 76 points it seemed the appetite for a triple figure win had waned.
But the Two Blues proceeded to kick the last six goals of the match to put an emphatic full stop on the contest.
Obviously there were a host of good players but none better than Matthew Clifford who stamped his authority with three goals in the first quarter and finished with five.
Rory Brodie again held sway in the ruck, giving the mid-field led by Zac Podmore and Beau Adams plenty of supply.
Joe Whiting, with four goals in his first game for then club since 2018, and Tim Maya (3) were opportunists up forward , Jesse Waters controlled his wing, while Jon Simonetta, Luke Kerr and Joel Hume were all but impassable in defence.
Next week players take the Easter break before preparing for a  stern test against undefeated Old Camberwell.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 7-3. 11-7 16-12 22-14 (146)
ST MARY’S.  1-1  2-2  2-2 5-2 (32)
Goals. Clifford 5, Whiting 4, Mirabella, Maya 3, Waters 2, Stent-Powell 2, Plaza, Chapman, Brodie. Best. Brodie, Waters, Whiting, Kerr, Podmore, Clifford.

RESERVES

An improved effort albeit a wasted chance for a win against St Mary's who are experiencing the same shortage in player depth.

The game was in the balance at three quarter-time but the home team forged clear to post an 18 point win.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 2-6 3-9. 6-11. 8-15 (63)
ST MARY’S SALESIAN. 2-4. 3-10. 7-12. 11-15 (81)
Goals. Stevens, Rhodes 2, Loscviano , Graham, Joel Matherson, M Capra, Noonan.

THIRDS
Forfeit due to COVID enforced unavailability of players.