Two Blues fall short again

TWICE Prahran threatened to win its first game in VAFA Premier C Grade at Toorak Park on Saturday but ultimately fell short again.

An opening volley of goals to Matthew Clifford (2)  and Ollie Burke saw the Two Blues 3-0 to 0-1 in the opening 10 minutes kicking into a southerly breeze.

It was a dream start and the platform to a win at last.

What followed was so typical of the malaise of the Two Blues this season who suddenly became bystanders as Glen Eira slammed on eight unanswered goals in the next 24 minutes!.

'Embarrassing' was the word coach Craige Milward used at the break and who could argue.

But worse was to follow as the Gryphons kicked the opening two goals of the second quarter to make it 10 goals in succession.

Tyson Giles snapped the goal drought with a dribble goal 22 minutes into the quarter.

The Two Blues lifted their intensity in the third term and a long Clifford goal from outside 50m was encouraging.

Then the Two Blues coughed up successive goals courtesy of 50m penalties.

Conceding a 31 point deficit at three quarter-time it was seemingly game over for a second time.

But a clever snap goal on the run from Jon Simonetta ignited the Two Blues.

Rory Brodie marked and converted as did Mackenzie Mayne and eight minutes into the last quarter the margin was trimmed to 12 points.

Glen Eira rallied and after a 10 minute stalemate goaled and the Two Blues lapsed again conceding the final three goals of the game.

It has been the story of the season for the Two Blues who have simply been unable to maintain their best football for long enough and their lapses have proved to be fatal.

To be fair in defence of the Prahran backline Glen Eira boasted two key forwards the equal of any in Premier C Grade on the evidence of Saturday in Rhett Weidemann and Ben Reid who both bagged four goals.

Unfortunately Saturday's contest was marred by the extraordinary number of 50m penalties awarded against both teams with Prahran the chief offender, some warranted, some questionable to say the least.

PRAHRAN 3-1 6-5 8-7 11-8 (74)

GLEN EIRA 8-2 10-4 13-8 16-11 (107)

Goals. Clifford 4, Giles, Brodie 2, Burke, Mayne, Simonetta.

Best. Patrick Marks, Rory Brodie, Riley Hogan, Matt Clifford, Tully Loomes, Jake Stent Powell

RESERVES

A hard fought win over a surprisingly competitive Glen Eira kept finals hopes flickering.

With fourth placed AJAX losing the gap narrowed to six points to fifth placed Prahran which must win its final two games and rely on AJAX losing both.

Again key forwards Josh Stefanutti (5) and James Elwin (3) with eight goals between them were the difference.

PRAHRAN 2-3 7-5 8-8 10-12 (72)

GLEN EIRA 3-3 4-3 5-5 9-6 (60)

Goals. Stefanutti 5, Elwin 3, Amalfi, Partridge.

Best. Michael Woods, Angus Perez, Matt Hughes, Nicholas Phimister, George Torney, Angus Morschel.