Two Blues humbled at home

IT is said in football you learn more from your defeats than your wins

Certainly Prahran has some homework to digest after a humbling 3-11

(29) to 8-8 (56) loss at home against Parkside on Saturday.

Parkside, promoted from Division 2 last year, approached this game searching for a scalp against the ladder leader.

And that’s exactly how the game played out. It was like watching the Two Blues in different colours- the pressure, well drilled in defence, spread and run was impressive.

As coach Craige Milward told his players post match Parkside ‘rolled the dice’ and played with flair.

By contrast the Two Blues played as though they assumed as ladder leader, albeit after just two games, playing a low profile club they would stroll to a win on a balmy late autumn day in perfect conditions.

As Milward said ‘we learn and move on.’

It was indeed a lesson to learn- without effort wins are not handed out in VAFA Division 1.

At half-time with Prahran still goalless and with a scoreline of 0-6,  the match was all but over.

The Two Blues first goal came early in the third term from James Musster came courtesy of a 50m penalty then Ethan Plaza marked metres out from goal and converted and it was game on.

Prahran’s defence stood firm holding the visitors goalless for the quarter as the pressure rating increased.

Plaza just missed with a long set shot then Musster hit the post from 30m in the opening minutes of the last term it seemed the Two Blues had missed their chances of a comeback win.

Then Jayden Williams, outstanding in defence all day, was switched forward and snapped the first goal of the last quarter to trim the margin to 17 points.

But Parkside steadied with two more goals to ice the game.

Shaun Chapman, inspirational when switched on ball after half-time, was awarded the club’s Anzac Day Medal.

Tully Loomes was awarded the Reserves Anzac Day medal.

Prahran players wore black armbands as a mark of respect for Team Of The Century representative,1978 premiership player and 1990 coach Ross Thornton who died last week.

PRAHRAN 0-4 0-6 2-7 3-11 (29)

PARKSIDE 4-4 6-6 6-7 8-8 (56)

Goals. Musster, Plaza, Williams.

Best. Chapman, Mackenzie Mayne, Williams, Ribbands, Bell, Podmore.

RESERVES

A last quarter surge gave the Two Blues Reserves successive wins.

This was by far their best effort so far this season with a five goals to one last quarter sealing the result.

Given the seniors teams meek effort expect some promotions from the Reserves this week.

PRAHRAN 2-3 5-6 8-9 13-10 (88)

PARKSIDE 3-1 6-1 8-2 9-4 (58)

Goals. O’Sullivan 4, Jack Matherson, Campbell 2, Hughes-Churchett, Loomes, Pavlou, Forrestall, Axford-Wood.

Best: Tully Loomes, Niall O'Sullivan, Blake Graham, Daniel Campbell, Angus Perez, Michael Woods.