Two Blues move to second after percentage booster

PRAHRAN ventured out to Monash University on Saturday in search of not just a win but a percentage booster and emerged mission accomplished.

The Two Blues posted an imposing 28-17 (185) to Monash Blues 4-0 (24) which equated to a percentage boost from 171 to 193.

With second placed Parkside losing to fourth placed Kew, it means the Two Blues are now second on the VAFA Division 1 ladder with a healthy percentage advantage over both Parkside (170) and Kew (158) who are all equal on 36 points.

Despite the mammoth winning margin the Two Blues were far from flawless.

Especially in the second quarter the Two Blues were sloppy with their disposal, and in fact conceded more inside 50s for the term.

It has to be stated that Monash had 19 players unavailable and as the game progressed it was plain to see.

After a competitive first half Monash was helpless as the Two Blues piled on 18 goals in the second stanza.

There was a smorgasbord on offer and players queued up with no less than 13 goal kickers.

Key defender Patrick Ribbands was sent forward in the third quarter to join in the party and kicked his first goal since 2022.

Josh Stefanutti kicked four goals in the space of five minutes in the third quarter and ended the day with six goals.

Patrick Marks put on a clinic with three goals in the opening five minutes of the last quarter.

Captain Rory Brodie was opposed to a first gamer ruckman and handed out a lesson in the craft and gathered possessions at will.

While the focus was on Prahran’s highest score for the season, it is worth noting that Monash Blues managed a mere four scoring shots, further evidence the Two Blues have the best defence in the competition.

The post match mood in the rooms was subdued with news promising teenager Tom Cotter received a knee injury in the closing minutes of the match with subsequent scans to reveal the extent of the damage. 

PRAHRAN 6-4 10-7 19-12 28-17 (185)

MONASH BLUES 0-0 2-0 2-0 4-0 (24)

Goals. Stefanutti 6, Marks 5, Bamford 4, Partridge, Stent-Powell, Selleck 2, Brodie, Ribbands, Giles, Elwin, Cotter, Hogan, Gottschalk.

Best. Mackenzie Mayne, Taylor Bamford, Patrick Marks, Rory Brodie, Joshua Stefanutti, Ethan Plaza 

RESERVES

A 100 point win over a severely depleted Monash Blues kept the Reserves in third placed on the ladder.

The Two Blues will need to keep winning and there is strong competition for positions in the top four.

While the result was never in doubt the Two Blues really stamped their authority in the third quarter adding 8-5 while keeping the home team scoreless.

PRAHRAN 3-7 6-13 14-18 17-23 (125)

MONASH 1-0 3-1 3-1 4-1 (25)

Goals. Adams 3, Matherson, Phimister, Dicker, Alekna, Patterson 2, Perez, Graham, Scott, Forbes.

Archer Patterson, Gus Alekna, Angus Perez, Nicholas Phimister, Jordan Adams, Oscar Hatherly.

WOMENS

GALLANT in defeat by the Prahran-Collegians team against second placed Old Hailebury.

PRAHRAN-COLLEGIANS 1-0 1-1 3-2 4-2 (26)

Old Hailebury 2-1 3-1 5-3 5-7 (37)

Goals. Mee, McPhillips, Collins, Schneider.

Best. Sheldon Menzies, Millie Stonnill, Ashton Cotton, Ella Sundstrom, Hannah Singleton, Ciara Kelly