Two Blues tormented by another one point defeat

YOU could not make this up!
Hot on the heels of a one point loss to Kew the previous Saturday, Prahran Assumption was tormented by another one point defeat seven days later, this time at Toorak Park to VAFA Division 1 ladder leader PEGS.
But while the Kew loss was frustrating, this second successive one point loss watched on by a host of past players from the State Bank/Southbank era, hurt much, much more.
To paint the picture, when PEGS kicked the all important first goal of the last quarter at the 12 minute mark to open up a 16 point lead it seemed the Two Blues brave fight had come to an end.
But then the home side hit back with a quick reply by Jon Simonetta, then Matt Noonan goaled to narrow the gap to two points.
When Tim Maya ran into an open goal at the 20m mark the Two Blues had hit the front,
Shaun Chapman added another with a left foot snap a minute later to stretch the margin to 11 points and a remarkable victory was in their grasp.
Then PEGS goaled at the 22 minutes mark. For the next eight minutes both teams contested fiercely with the Two Blues hanging on grimly.
With the time clock nearing 30 minutes and the Two Blues five points ahead the ball sailed into a huge pack of players deep in PEGS forward line and then hit the ground as the siren sounded, signalling unbridled joy for the coaching panel and supporters and most players.
But wait.... the umpire had awarded a free kick for holding to PEGS, 25m out from goal directly in front!.
The PEGS player duly converted and a five point ‘win’ turned into a bitter, even cruel one point loss.
Coach Brett Dickinson somehow composed himself to deliver a heart felt tribute to his troops post game.
“We are taking this as a win, the football Gods didn’t give us what we deserved but I’m proud of your efforts. But this should hurt, “ he said.
Indeed, losses don’t inflict any more emotional pain than losing after the siren, more so because of an umpiring decision regardless of whether the verdict was right or incorrect.
And especially after a round 3 draw with Old Camberwell and the Kew one point loss.
As players and supporters tried to gather their thoughts and fathom what had happened in those final frantic seconds, the reality is the Two Blues have shown they are the equal of any team in the competition but now slip out of touch with the top four.
This was truly a remarkable game.
While PEGS led at each of the end of the first three quarters the Two Blues were always in the contest trailing by 11 points at three quarter-time.
Around the stoppages the Two Blues held the edge but PEGS had the better skills and its switch of play style delivered a string of easy goals.
The Two Blues had a sniff at three quarter-time and so it proved adding 4-3 to one goal in a stunning 10 minutes burst.
Then came that agonising final few minutes.
The Two Blues deserved to have some heroes, none more so than key defenders Jayden Williams and Joel Hume who were magnificent given the quality of their opponents.
Jon Simonetta also proved hugely influential, first in defence then when moved forward.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 2-1 4-3 7-6 11-10 (76)
PEGS 4-2 7-3 9-5 12-5 (77)
Goals. Clifford, Chapman, Maya, M Noonan 2, Plaza, Forrestall, Simonetta.
Best. Williams, Hume, Clifford, Musster, Chapman, Simonetta.

RESERVES

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 1-1 1-1 1-1 2-6 (18)
PEGS 9-4 17-11 24-14 26-16 (172)
Goals. Bamford, Grogan.
Best. Woods, M Capra, Tho,sponsorship, Quinn, Pavlou, J Matherson.

THIRDS

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 0-0 0-1 1-1 1-1 (7)
KEW 4-4 6-7 9-14 12-20 (92)