Two Blues over power arch rival Therry Penola

ON a day when Prahran Assumption celebrated 2011 and 2017 premiership re-unions at Toorak Park the Two Blues of 2022 struggled to rise to those dizzy heights.

Drizzling rain earlier in the day made for a slippery surface and with Therry Penola, undermanned but strong on endeavour, life was tough for the Two Blues.

A lack of discipline also hurt the Two Blues, conceding second quarter three 50 metre penalties- against James Gottschalk, Jayden Williams and Ethan Plaza- in the second quarter gifting in 2-1 for the visitors.

Such  a lapse that would surely be fatal against the better teams in the competition.

At half-time the Two Blues had their noses in front 5-5 to 3-3, hardly the form of a top four team.

But the game opened up in the second half with Two Blues skill level rising and Therry Penola’s effort waned.

The last quarter proved a rout, slamming on 5-8 to one point.

In the end it was a 67 point win - 13-18 (94) to 4-5 (29) which kept the Two Blues safe in fourth place albeit with appointments with the three top teams to come.

Wins against Therry Penola are always to be savoured.

The clubs have enjoyed a keen rivalry for more than a decade, heightened by the fact the Two Blues 'recruited' former player and Under 19s coach Ash Mills as senior coach in 2012.

Matthew Clifford was again a stand out with five goals while teenagers Ethan Plaza and Pat Ribbands encouragingly showed considerable promise .

With injuries to key players several regular Reserves players have been asked to stand up for senior duty to play a team role.

The most notable of this group on Saturday was Matthew Noonan who relished a hit-up forward role and was rewarded with a career best two goals.

Yet again the Prahran Assumption defence was stingy with Jon Simonetta, Joel Hume and Williams maintaining their good form.

The Two Blues defence is second only to undefeated PEGS in the points against column, evidence of their fine season to date.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 2-1 5-5 8-10 13-18 (94)
THERRY PENOLA 1-1 3-3 3-5 4-5 (29)
Goals. Clifford 5, Noonan 2, Plaza, Maya, Chapman, Stent-Powell, Ribbands, Waters.
Best. Clifford, Waters, Plaza, Adams, Brodie, Stent-Powell.

RESERVES
A well deserved second win for the season with the Two Blues gaining momentum.
Setting a trend for the senior game the Two Blues over powered Therry Penola in the second half.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 2-5 4-7 6-10 10-17 (77)
THERRY PENOLA 1-1 2-1 2-4 2-4 (16)
Goals. Beard, Campbell, Hann, Bowes 2, Juricic, Panagiatoros,
Best. Bowes, O’Dwyer, Campbell, J Noonan, Joel Matherson, Juricic.

THIRDS
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 3-1 4-2 4-4 4-4 (28)
RICHMOND CENTRALS 3-1 4-1 6-5 8-5 (53)