Two Blues move up to third on the Division 1 ladder

PRAHRAN took a positive step towards a return to finals action in VAFA Division 1 on Saturday.

The Two Blues, fourth on the ladder, journeyed to Ferndale Park to take on fifth placed St Mary’s Salesian equal on three wins each.

So this was an ‘eight point game’ with the Two Blues emerging victors 14-3 (87) to 9-6 (60) and moving into third place on the ladder.

The final scoreline doesn’t reflect how close the match was with scores level at three quarter-time.

But coming home to the scoring end, a mystery as there was only a mere zephyr of a breeze, the Two Blues slammed on seven goals to two. Curiously 18 of the 23 goals for the match came at the end opposite the grandstand.

Riley Hogan, prominent all day, emerged as the match winner.

In the first two minutes he found Ethan Plaza for the all important first goal of the final quarter.

Then Hogan goaled on the run twice in the next five minutes.

When Patrick Marks kicked a crumbing goal and then burst clear from the centre clearance with a long goal quickly repeated by Mackenzie Mayne it was game over.

Earlier in the game the Two Blues were frustrated by the home team’s tactics of deploying a loose man in defence and getting numbers back with D’Arcy Grant racking up the intercept marks.

It worked so well that despite Prahran dominating possession the only goal of the first quarter came in time on thanks to a dubious free kick to Rory Brodie.

A long running goal from Tyson Giles in the first minute of the second quarter kick was met with a quick reply by St Mary’s.

But three unanswered goals to Harrison Cook, Jackson Partridge and Taylor Bamford gave the Two Blues a handy 19 point lead at half-time.

When Hogan goaled in the first two minutes of the third term after Patrick Ribbands and Josh Stefanutti were involved in a chain of passes, it seemed the game was safe.

But St Mary’s upped their intensity and added four unanswered goals to tie the scores at the last break.

The difference between the two teams was the Two Blues had a touch more polish exemplified by first season player Liam Hepburn, formerly from St Kevin’s, who was a stand out in defence with his pin point disposal.

Despite the winning margin the Two Blues are not without their concerns.

The midfield and defence were the cornerstones to the win but the forward line remains a work in progress despite its accuracy in front of goal.

PRAHRAN 1-2 6-2 7-3 14-3 (87)

ST MARYS SALESIAN 2-1 3-1 7-3 9-6 (60)

Goals. Hogan 4, Marks, Bamford 2, Giles, Partridge, Brodie, Cook, Plaza, Mayne.

Best. Liam Hepburn, Benjamin Oakley, Jake Stent Powell, Harrison Cook, Angus Perez, Riley Hogan

RESERVES

A hard fought win by the Reserves elevated them to second place on the ladder.

Three teams, Parkside, Prahran and Kew are equal on five wins and one loss, separated by percentage.

Key forward James Elwin was again a major factor with five goals which brings his season tally to 14 from just three games.

PRAHRAN 3-2 4-4 8-6 9-8 (62)

St MARY’S SALESIAN 0-1 4-1 5-2 7-6 (48)

Best. James Elwin, Billy Chapman, Kyle Scott, Gus Alekna, Taz Spinks, Tully Loomes

WOMENS

A first Division 3 win for our Two Blue Lions team after promotion from Division 5.

Our women’s team were coming off their first loss of the season when they arrived at Glen Huntly Park in the fog at 8am to play Caulfield Grammarians.

The contest started as it would finish - with the opposition contesting the play around the ball making it difficult to get the ball outside to our kickers. The whole game was an arm wrestle that we didn’t get control of until the third quarter.

In a low scoring affair our women battled hard all day and came away with a hard earned and deserved 12 point win in a low scoring affair.

There were some excellent passages of play into our forward line and unbelievable work by our defenders to keep the opposition from putting a score on the board.

The team continues to improve and learn each week and look forward to the facing off against Old Haileybury this week.

In short, a great effort from our women who should all be very proud!

PRAHRAN-COLLEGIANS 0-1 0-4 2-6 3-7 (25)

CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS 0-1 1-1 1-1 2-1 (13)

Goals. Meich 2, Schmidt 1

Best. Mikayla Collins, Katelyn Fleming, Hannah Singleton, April Pierlot, Alina Meich, Rhianna Klisura