Two Blues in fight for finals

PRAHRAN is fighting for its finals survival after a horror day at Oakleigh on Saturday.

There is an old football axiom that the ladder does not lie.

Well, in the case of Prahran, third, and Oakleigh, fifth on the VAFA ladder, it does lie because on Saturday Oakleigh inflicted its second win for the season over the Two Blues.

In round five the margin was just six points, but on Saturday it was a 45 point thumping.

With three rounds remaining before finals Oakleigh is perfectly poised to replace the loser of next Saturday’s Prahran v Parkside clash at Toorak Park. Prahran holds third place on percentage from Parkside with both on 10 wins along with Oakleigh.

This was a dark day for the Two Blues who, suddenly, from cementing second and the double chance, now face the prospect of missing the finals in a virtual elimination final.

Oakleigh’s final three games are against teams in the bottom half of the ladder and only a monumental upset would deny them three wins.

On Saturday Oakleigh was simply too quick, and too skilful while the Two Blues general skill level and in particular their goal kicking was so poor it bordered on comical.

A first quarter return of 0-6, four from set shots, kicking with the aid of northerly breeze while conceding three goals to Oakleigh did not bode well.

Prahran’s goal drought ended courtesy of a 50m penalty to Matthew Clifford in the second quarter.

At one stage in the third term the Two Blues scoreline read a staggering 1-13.

Any hope of a revival was the third quarter when the Two Blues had the breeze again.

Gus Perez goaled in the first five minutes but despite dominating inside 50s only Josh Stefanutti could add a major.

When Oakleigh goaled twice in the first five minutes of the final quarter it was game over. As Oakleigh grew in confidence so the Two Blues wilted conceding six last quarter goals.

Both teams ended up with 19 scoring shorts but there was a chasm in skill between the teams.

 The Two Blues forward line has been its Achilles heel all season and its shortcomings were on full display on Saturday.

PRAHRAN 0-6 1-11 3-15 4-15 (39)

Oakleigh 3-0 7-3 7-4 13-6 (84)

Goals. Clifford, Perez, Stefanutti, Brodie.

Best.

RESERVES

A comprehensive win the Reserves all but certainly secured a finals berth.

Prahran is two games, and percentage, clear in third place on the ladder with three games to play.

This game was over at half-time with a depleted Oakleigh held to a solitary scoring shot and trailed by 42 points.

PRAHRAN 3-1 6-7 7-7 11-12 (78)

Oakleigh 1-0 1-0 3-4 4-4 (28)

Goals. Elwin 4, Patterson 2, Langtry-Kierce, Partridge, Axford-Wood, Lever, Amalfi.

Best. Oscar Hatherly, Nicholas Phimister, Otto Langtry-Kierce, Gus Alekna, Blake Graham, James Elwin

WOMENS

THE Two Blue Lions recorded a huge victory over ladder-leaders, Parkvale Vultures, in a complete team performance that has given the group plenty of belief and confidence heading into the final two rounds of the season.

The midfield set the tone from the opening bounce, with Trinity Meacham, Sheldon Menzies, Katy Perree and Aoife O’Driscoll outstanding around the contest. Their grunt work around the coalface restricted the Vultures’ use, while the relentless forward pressure from the entire forward line kept the ball locked in the attacking 50 for long periods, giving the forwards repeat scoring opportunities.

We burst out of the blocks with excellent energy and intention, with Madeline Marquet-Walker slotting an early first quarter goal. The second and third quarters developed into a tight, hard-fought contest, with momentum swinging between the two sides. The defensive unit, led by Ruth Sheridan, Mikalya Collins and Ciara Kelly, stood tall under repeated forward entries and restricted the Vultures to just two goals for the entire match.

Holding a one-goal advantage at the final change, the challenge was set for the team to lift once more. The response was emphatic, with our team producing a dominant final quarter, kicking four unanswered goals to seal an impressive victory. Marquet-Walker finished with a game-high four goals in a dominant display across half-forward.

Across half-back, April Pierlot was instrumental with her ability to win the football, her line breaking dash and composed ball use, which set up a number of the Two Blue Lions' scoring opportunities.

Alice Leahy continued her excellent run of form, providing valuable support in the ruck while also making a significant impact around the contest with her strength and competitiveness.

The challenge doesn't get any easier this weekend when we take on Hawthorn. It presents another exciting opportunity for the group to test themselves, and after such a brilliant team performance, they'll head into the contest full of confidence.

PRAHRAN 1-0 3-2 3-2 6-6 (42)

Parkside 1-2 2-2 2-2 2-3 (15)

Best. April Pierlot, Sheldon Menzies, Madeline Marquet-Walker, Trinity Meachem, Alice Leahy, Aoife O’Driscoll