Two Blues go to top of the ladder

PRAHRAN posted its best win of the season in VAFA Division 1 on Saturday in a spiteful clash with Parkside, and then received an unexpected bonus post siren.

After the players, coaching staff and supporters completed a rousing rendition of the club theme song, injured player Jesse Waters announced via the VAFA website Prahran was now top of the ladder after the surprise loss by UHS-VU at home against Old Peninsula.

This was a win of character and committment.

The Two Blues were greeted by a hostile home crowd at Pitcher Park but were in control in a low scoring game for the first two and a half quarters before the momentum suddenly changed.

An 18 point lead, 3-9 to 1-3, vanished in a matter of minutes after two Parkside goals courtesy of 50 metres penalties. Then mid-fielder Joey Bell was left prone on the ground behind play. A melee ensued and another 50m penalty resulted in a Parkside goal and suddenly the margin was just one point and the Two Blues seemed to be unravelling.

The Two Blues stemmed the bleeding for the next goalless 10 minutes until the three quarter-time siren which proved pivotal.

At the final break coach Craige Milward asked his players what the fallen teammate Bell meant to them.

The answer was a committed team effort which netted 3-4 while holding Parkside to 1-0

As Milward told his players this was a ‘blue collar’ win, 6-15 (51) to 5-4 (34) no doubt the Two Blues best for the season.

The win means Prahran is eight points and percentage clear on fourth placed Parkside.

There were heroes aplenty, none more so than skipper Rory Brodie who was tireless in the ruck and around the ground. His marking, and that of several Parkside players, was remarkable given the miserable conditions.

James Musster, distinctive in long sleeves, wound back the clock with a masterful effort on ball ably assisted by Mackenzie Mayne.

Up forward Matthew Clifford with 2-5 was a constant threat.

Going into the last quarter with a one point lead goals were going to be like gold.

Enter Ollie Burke who accepted a Jon Simonetta pass and duly delivered a 45m set shot five minutes into the quarter.

When Riley Hogan slammed home a goal on the run at the 18 minute mark the margin was 16 points and surely game over.

But two minutes later Parkside goaled from a free kick to keep the game alive.

The Two Blues controlled the territory battle for the rest of the term with Max Milward icing the game with a snap goal on the siren.

PRAHRAN 1-4 3-6 3-11 6-15 (51)

PARKSIDE 0-2 1-3 4-4 5-4 (34)

Goals. Clifford 2, Plaza, Hogan, Burke, Milward.

Best. James Musster, Rory Brodie, Mackenzie Mayne, Joel Hume, Matt Clifford, Jonathon Simonetta.

RESERVES

TOUGH day at the office for the Reserves who proved no match for second placed Parkside.

After a promising first quarter the Two Blues were overrun being scoreless in the second half.

PRAHRAN 2-3 4-4 4-4 4-4 (28)

PARKSIDE 1-0 5-3 8-6 10-10 (70)

Goals. Jack Matherson 2, Bowes, Marrows.
Best. Patrick Rhodes, Jack Matherson, Joel Matherson, Daniel Campbell, Blake Graham, Connor Thomson