Two Blues Back on Winning List
Seniors:
It wasn’t exactly convincing, but Prahran Assumption recorded its second win of 2015 with a 29 point victory over Yarra Valley on Saturday afternoon.
A seven goal to one third term was the catalyst for Prahran, en route to a 19.12-126 to 15.7-97 win at Doncaster Reserve, thus keeping the hapless Bushrangers stranded winless at the bottom of ladder.
The win was the Two Blues first away success to end an unwanted sequence of 12 successive losses as visitors.
Despite the winless record coming into the match, the Two Blues knew not to take Yarra Valley lightly, having dropped both matches to them last season.
Knowing the repercussions that would follow if going down again, Prahran Assumption made sure to leave nothing in the change rooms, and came out with fierce attack on the contest. The Two Blues dominated the first quarter, and when not in possession, made sure to hunt the Bushrangers ferociously, which was clearly evident.
Anytime a Yarra guernsey went near the ball a sea of blue were there to make life hell.
Despite compete control though, the Two Blues could not let its dominance be felt on the scoreboard, taking just a three point lead into quarter time, thanks largely to Mick Leston who booted three opening term goals for the Bushrangers from minimal forward entries.
The second quarter saw a much more even affair as Yarra Valley began getting first use of the footy, which gave its dangerous key forwards a chance to utilise their abilities.
Prahran and Yarra combined for 12 goals in the second quarter which saw the lead sea-saw before two late John Robbins goals gave Prahran a three point lead at the half.
Quarter three was all one way traffic. An early Evan Scicluna goal thanks to the Two Blues frantic forward pressure set the blueprint for the third quarter. Yarra Valley simply could not get its hands on the footy and watched as Prahran kicked seven unanswered goals.
It wasn’t until the 30 minute mark of quarter when Nick Paton broke through to kick the Bushrangers first and only goal of the quarter. Those seven goals the exact margin with a quarter to play.
In an ugly final term, the Bushrangers gave a little yelp early before Prahran steadied and the game fizzled out as both sides were just waiting for the final siren.
Daniel Anglin was sensational for the victors as he displayed the crucial contested brand of footy he is renowned for. James Musster was also deadly with his ability to break the lines and Ged Hogarth was impressive in the ruck as he went up against bigger bodies.
Mathew Shaw kicked five, four in the first half, and defender turned forward Blayne Dempsey chipped in with four.
The mood was dampened after the match with news coming through that one of the clubs more experienced players Josh Hogarth had broken his collar bone and would be spending some time on the sidelines.
Prahran will now return home to Toorak Park for a match up with Old Geelong playing for the Jon Anderson Cup before the entire league has a bye the following round.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 3-4 9-6 16-11 19-12 (126)
YARRA VALLEY 3-1 9-3 10- 5 15-7 (97)
Goals: Shaw 5, Dempsey 4, Robbins, Musster , Simonetta 2, Adams, Scicluna, Matherson, Waters.
Best: G Hogarth, Musster, Anglin, Shaw, Maya, Dempsey.
Reserves:
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 13- 16 (94)
YARRA VALLEY 6-16 (52)
Goals: Ellis 5, Rice 4, Slattery 2, Jones, Bell.
Best: Boylan, Hill, Francis, Rice, Kelly, Burton.
Club XIII:
PRAHRAN ASSUPTION 16-12 (108)
IVANHOE 11-10 (76)