Two Blues Celebrate a Great Club Day but Lose Fourth Home Game

Seniors: 

Sometimes winning is not everything. Saturday was always going to be a significant day for Prahran Assumption on the occasion of Tim Maya’s 150th senior game and a tribute luncheon to club legend of 60 years the late Basil Cleary.

The return of so many of Basil’s friends from the Commonwealth, State Bank and Southbank days and the presence of his family made for a heart warming pre game luncheon.

The occasion demanded a concerted effort from the Two Blues. But while the effort was there and overall the day was a success goals, and so four precious premiership points, proved elusive.

A return of 6-10 is not going to win many games and while Peninsula also had its issues in front of goals drew away for 31 point win.

With key forwards Callum Wilson, Jack Matherson and Brent Chapman all missing kicking a winning score was always going to be the challenge.

Conceding a two goals start early in the first quarter was disappointing but the second quarter was more telling. While the Two Blues piled up inside 50s they frittered away chance after chance. Jimmy Falcone finally goaled from a snap after 26 minutes of dominance to take a two point lead in a low scoring arm wrestle. But a 50m penalty conceded on the stroke of half-time was a demoralising blow.

The third quarter was more of the same with both teams missing gettable goals but edged out to 16 point lead at three quarter-time. Peninsula kicked the last three goals of the game to make the margin 31 points, an unfair reflection on the closeness of the game. Worryingly it was a fourth loss from five home games, hardly the form to warrant a finals berth.

First quarter: Peninsula was first out of the blocks and led by 13 points before Falcone goaled from a 50m penalty. 

Second quarter: The Two Blues dominated general play and piled up the inside 50s. In a low scoring arm wrestle goals were like gold and as the misses kept coming the more frustrating it became. Will Brereton missed from 10m out directly in front hitting the post after a pass  from Musster. Falcone snapped a goal to give the Two Blues the lead for the first time . But a minute later conceded a 50m penalty on the stroke of the half time siren.

Third quarter: With Brett Dickinson sidelined for the day Ryley Conlan took first ruck duties and began to dominate around the ground. Peninsula goaled against the run of play before Harry Taylor and a Mark McGill combined to find Michael a Bremner for a quick reply. This was a nearly day for milestone player Maya. He narrowly missed on the run then in heavy traffic in the goal square  ‘goaled’ only for the kick to be ruled touched. The last two goals of the quarter went to Peninsula to open a handy 16 point lead.

Fourth quarter: Skipper Musster was tireless as he tried to lift his team. A great solo run from Falcone saw Will Brereton mark in the goal square again and this time converted. But a Peninsula reply from the boundary line was telling, A Tom Keaney snap goal kept hopes flickering, but the Two Blues effort fell away as Peninsula kicked the last three goals to open a 31 point margin, an unfair reflection of the closeness of the game.

Goals: Falcone 2, Keaney, W Brereton, Bremner, Musster

Best: Musster, Taylor, Adams, Falcone, Conlan, T Quinn

Reserves:

Goals: Noonan, Thompson, M Capra

Best: Landini, M Capra, Luff, B Quinn, Dempsey, Bamford.

Club XXIII: Bye

Women's: