Two Blues Back In Form with 99 Point Win
Seniors:
After three successive losses Prahran Assumption supporters finally had something to cheer about courtesy of a 99 point drubbing of Melbourne High School Old Boys at Toorak Park on Saturday.
There has to be a question mark on the merit of the win relative to the standard of opposition of the VAFA Division 1 cellar dweller, but nonetheless the ease of the victory made a statement the season may not be over for the Two Blues.
A loss by fourth placed Old Geelong to North Old Boys means Prahran Assumption now trails by just four points with the bonus of a percentage advantage of almost 20.
On a day where the Two Blues most famous supporter Ivan Barlow celebrated his 70th birthday, Prahran Assumption re-discovered its mid-season form.
Luncheon guests who had listened to guest speaker Collingwood defender Lachy Keeffe’s interesting pathway to the AFL were treated to some of the Two Blues best football of the season.
The scoreline read 8-4 before MHSOB posted its first goal four minutes into the second quarter.
With Pat Harris back to complement tall forwards Adam Sleight and John Grigg, the strike power returned as the trio bagged 11 goals between them
On ball Daniel Anglin in his 50th game for the club and Trent Rogers were as industrious as ever and Ged Hogarth, John Simonetta and Blayne Dempsey were dominant in defence.
A three quarter-time lead of 77 points wasn’t enough for coach Ash Mills who urged his charges to target a 100 point margin.
After John Robbins ran into an open goal to slot the Two Blues fifth unanswered goal for the quarter and his fourth for the match the margin had ballooned to 105 points.
But with less than a minute of play remaining Anthon Svirskis kicked his fourth goal of the day for MSHOB to deny the Two Blues a triple figure triumph.
Next Saturday Prahran Assumption journeys to the Ajani Reserve for a clash with relegation bound arch rival Bulleen Templestowe in a bid to keep its finals hope flickering.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 7-4 10-9 16-11 21-14 (140)
MHSOB 0-1 2-5 4-6 5-11 (41)
Goals: Sleight 5, Robbins, Grigg 4, Harris, Rogers, G Hogarth 2, Anglin, Dean.
Best: Sleight, Grigg, Rogers, G Hogarth, Anglin, Dempsey.
Reserves:
Prahran Assumption kept a firm grip on the double chance with a routine win over lowly MSHOB.
The defining match for the Reserves is likely to be round 16 v third placed Therry Penola which could well decide second place on the ladder.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 4-1 6-6 11-8 16-11 (107)
MHSOB 0-2 2-3 2-5 2-5 (17)
Goals: Ellis 6, Ancrum, Cupples, T Candy 2, Forbes, Hall, Rice, N Costin.
Best: Ellis, Forbes, Hall, Haynes, Williams, Laverty.
Thirds:
Old Xaverians, the traditional VAFA Clubbies powerhouse, overwhelmed the Two Blues with a 137 point thumping.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 1-2 2-3 3-3 3-5 (23)
OLD XAVIERIANS 7-5 9-9 15-14 24-12 (160)
Goals: Ploenges 2, Mitchell.
Best: Slaven, McGrath, Michaelm Walford, O'Connor, Ryan.