Two Blues on the Slide

Seniors:

Finals prospects are fading fast for Prahran Assumption after successive losses have seen the Two Blues slide from fourth to fifth on the VAFA Division 1 ladder.

Defeats at the hands of Yarra Valley and last Saturday Whitefriars, two teams consigned to the bottom half of the ladder, will surely spell the end to a run of three finals campaigns.

At a windy and damp Donvale Reserve, Whitefriars led all the day and the 11-13 (79) to 8-5 (53) 26 point margin flattered the visitors.

This from a team that managed a paltry 2-16 the previous week!.

Every time the Two Blues threatened Whitefriars replied with a goal within a minute as they dominated centre clearances.

The prospect of a second half revival was all too brief.

Kicking with the aid of a cross breeze a long goal from Daniel Anglin was a promising start. 

But four unanswered goals to Whitefriars signalled ‘game over.’

The last chance for a tilt at the finals will come when the VAFA resumes on Saturday week when Prahran Assumption meets fourth placed Old Geelong at Como Oval in the ‘local derby.'

For some unexplained reason the Two Blues have lost their way since a remarkable nine goals first quarter v Old Mentonians in round 10.

As Mick Malthouse once famously said ‘confidence, you don’t where it comes from, or where it goes to.’

Certainly the Two Blues are bereft of confidence with a lack of run and lamentable skills obvious side effects.

The introduction of four Under 19 players by Whitefriars highlighted the lack of pace in the Two Blues line-up.

If not for the deeds of Hogarth brothers Ged and Josh the Two Blues plight would have been even worse on Saturday.

Ged Hogarth with four goals, and in the second half Pat Harris (two), were the only forwards to pose a threat as Whitefriars time and again swept the ball downfield after an inept forward foray.

The week’s break cannot come soon enough for the beleaguered Two Blues who are now six wins six losses and yet to play any of the top four in the second half of the season.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 2-1 5-1 6-2 8-5 (53)

WHITEFRIARS 2-2 6-4 10-6 11-13 (79)

Goals: G Hogarth 4, Harris 2, Anglin, Grigg.

Best: Musster, J Hogarth, G Hogarth, Anglin, Radywonik, Hunt.

Reserves: 

Another brave effort from the Two Blues with outstanding first and last quarters.

The match was in the balance at three quarter-time with the margin narrowed to nine points but a third goals to nil last quarter sealed the result.

The Reserves are now equal second, third on percentage, and now face a crucial clash with second placed Old Geelong on Saturday week.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 4-5 4-10 6-13 9-15 (69)

WHITEFRIARS 0-1 1-3 6-4 6-7 (43)

Club XXIII: 

A good win over third placed Mt Lilydale at Righetti Oval one of the better results for the season.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 15-11 (101) d MT LILYDALE 9-10 (64)