Two Blues Bounce Back with 39 point Win

Seniors:

How can a team such as Prahran Assumption which managed to cobble together a meagre four goals in eight quarters in its two previous games, somehow kick eight unanswered goals in the first quarter and a half of football in the next game?

Such are the vagaries of football for half-way through the second quarter at Toorak Park on Saturday the scoreline was a barely believable Prahran Assumption 8-2 to Ivanhoe 0-3.!

This from a team held goalless in the first quarter in its two previous games.

The Two Blues hit the ground running with early goals to Joe Slattery and the confidence and slick ball movement that had evaporated in recent weeks suddenly returned.

A four goals to nil first quarter was impressive enough but when Jack Matherson, Slattery again, Jordan Waters and Harry Taylor slotted successive goals supporters could contemplate a genuine revival.

Apart from a wobbly third quarter when Ivanhoe kicked three successive goals and a comeback threatened, the Two Blues were always in control.

The Two Blues added four more goals in the final quarter while a hapless Ivanhoe managed just seven successive pointsand so snapped a nine game losing streak with a resounding 39 point win over a potential finalist .

That was the good news, the sobering news was that eighth placed Old Paradians, locked in a Division 1 relegation battle with the Two Blues, won its third game on end.

Now the ninth placed Two Blues will need to set their sights on overhauling Whitefriars who are six points clear in seventh spot on the ladder.

Good players have been scarce on the ground in recent weeks but they were abundant on Saturday with acting captain Trent Rogers and running defender John Simonetta outstanding.

Up forward Jack Matherson and Ben Leske were lively leading targets with Waters playing a key role at ground level.

Both Prahran Assumption and Ivanhoe were ravaged by injuries to key players but that gave the Two Blues the chance to give a key defence role to Jayden Williams who has transformed from a speedy wingman to a dashing and dependable defender.

Also notable was the senior debut of 17 year-old Michael Pisker, a graduate from the Two Blues juniors where he played more than 100 games.

A loping left footer, Pisker stood out like a beacon as a class above most players on the field and will be a key component to a developing team.

No games next Saturday with the mid season bye before hosting second placed Old Geelong on Saturday week.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION  4-2    9-2  10-4  14- 4 (98)

IVANHOE                            0-3    2-5   6-6    6-13 (49)

Goals: Simonetta, Slattery 3, Rogers 2, Leske, Waters, Pisker, Taylor, J Matherson,

Best: Rogers, Simonetta, Taylor, Kerr, Pisker, Williams.

Reserves: 

Another win, albeit narrow thanks to inaccurate kicking for goal over Ivanhoe to consolidate fourth place.

Will Walford, a 1987 premiership player, wound back the clock on Past Players Day to be best afield.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION       2-2   5-6   6-10  7-18 (60)

IVANHOE                                 4-3   5-3   8-3    8-3  (51)

Goals: Ellis 3, Rice 2, Toohey, Der Jeu.

Best: Walford, Kenny, N Costin, Panagiotaros, Shaw, E Scicluna.

Club XXIII: 

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION  5-1  10-4   15-4  16-6 (102)

SOUTH MORNINGTON    0-3   2-7       5-8   9-10  (64)

Goals: Berger 6, Harris 3, Gouin 2, Baker, Morton, Steven, Farrell, Langford.

Best: Baker, Berger, gouin, Langford, Corrigan, Harris.