Two Blues Draw in Season Opener Thriller

Seniors:

A draw is never the desired result in the first round of a season but for Prahran Assumption it was a reprieve from what seemed certain defeat.

In a dramatic VAFA Division 1 season opener in perfect conditions at Toorak Park, a goal on the run from deep in the forward pocket at the 29 minute mark gave Old Paradians a six point lead and seemingly clinched victory.

But in keeping with the trend of a see-saw game, the Two Blues were not to be denied and from a centre square clearance Jordan Waters was rewarded for his attack on the ball with a free kick from 35m out.

Waters kicked truly and less than a minute later the siren sounded with Prahran Assumption 12-13 and Old Paradians 13-7 tied on 85 points.

It was just reward for Waters, the smallest man on the field, who was an inspiration all day.

As coach Ash Mills said post game this was a match the Two Blues should have won with 25 scoring shots to 20 and a dominance of inside forward 50m entries .

But in truth a draw was a fitting result.

All day Old Paradians, Division 2 premier last season, were slicker with their ball movement, their conversion never better evidenced than in time-on in the first quarter when they slammed on four goals in what threatened to be a match winning burst.

The last quarter was tension packed. Goals to Robbins and Simpson levelled the scores after 12 minutes, then for the next 17 minutes neither team could convert a goal.

After kicking six straight goals in the third quarter the visitors' poise deserted them in clutch moments with three gettable misses for goal keeping the door ajar for the Two Blues.

Pre match the under sized Two Blues were expected to struggle in big man duels but Tom Keaney was supreme in the ruck, feeding on ballers James Musster, Paul Donahoo, Trent Rogers, Harry Taylor and Waters.

Up forward Jamie Robbins was a constant threat with four goals from outside 50m and Matt Wall with two telling goals.

In defence Blayne Dempsey had an outstanding last quarter thwarting many an Old Paradians attack.

The positive for the Two Blues was the output of its younger brigade, in the main Assumption College past players.

Round 2 will see the trek to Ballarat's St Pat's ground to take on Brunswick North Old Boys St Pats.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 3-3  6-6  9-11 12-13 (85)

OLD PARADIANS               5-3   6-4  12-4  13-7 (85)

Goals: Robbins 4, Wall, Simpson 2, Williams, Waters, Taylor, Ellis.

Best: Keaney, Taylor, Robbins, Musster, Waters, Webb.

Reserves:

Grand finalists for the past two years the Two Blues started a new season on a promising note with a 20 point win over Old Paradians.

Jon Rice with six goals was a stand out.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION  1-5   7-7   9-10  13-11 (89)

OLD PARADIANS               3-0   4-0   5-2    9-6 (60)

Goals: Rice 6, Bamford 3, Marno 2, Da Riva, MacDonald.

Best: Rice, DaRiva, Bamford, MacDonald, R Costin, Delahenty.

Club XXIII: 

The Clubbies kick started the season at 9.20 am at Toorak Park but found Hawthorn too strong.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 3-2   6-3   6-4  8-5 (53)

HAWTHORN                     5-2    10-5  12-11 16-15 (111)

Goals: Berger 5, Dakin, Scott, Gunthorpe.

Best: Berger, Michael, Goiun, MacTiernan, Scott, Storer.