Two Blues Soar to Fourth on the Ladder after Demolishing Ivanhoe

Seniors:

Prahran Assumption soared to fourth place on the VAFA Division 1 ladder after delivering a 166 point demolition of winless Ivanhoe on Saturday.

The percentage boost from 88.63 to 139.88 saw the Two Blues edge out Preston Bullants from from fourth place, an unlikely scenario after two heavy first round defeats. The Two Blues kicked the first 20 goals of the match, with the goal drought ended by an Ivanhoe soccer goal late in the third quarter. Although the Two Blues were often guilty of over possessing the ball, their power running and passing game was at times exhilarating to watch.

Key forwards Jack Matherson (seven goals) and Will Brereton (six), who put on a marking clinic, feasted on constant supply. The Two Blues kicked 9-5 to three points in the first quarter to set the scene for the match.

Undermanned Ivanhoe was powerless to match the wave of Two Blues runners as the margin spiralled beyond 100 points early in the third quarter. Such was the plight of the Magpies it was difficult to assess the merit of the win but what the match did emphasise was how potent the Two Blues' speed across the ground is. Riley Hogan made a series of charges through the mid-field from half-back with Jayden Williams, Jimmy Gottschalk, Tom Quinn and Tim Webb launching a wave of forward forays. James Musster racked up possession after possession and fellow mid-fielder Harry Taylor was just as dominant with four goals and direct assists in six other goals. Trent Rogers, cast in the unlikely role of support ruckman to Ryley Conlan, was a powerhouse around the ball. Next Saturday we return to Toorak Park for a Grand Final re-match with West Brunswick. 

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 9-5 15-8 23-12 30-18 (198) d IVANHOE 0-3  0-4  2-7 4-8 (32)

Goals: Matherson 7, W Brereton 6, Taylor 4, Heeps 3, Maya, Adams, Conlan 2, Hogan, Falcone, Gottschalk, Whiting.

Best: Musster, W Brereton, Matherson, Quinn, Taylor, Hogan.

Reserves: 

A deserved first win for new coach Adam Hall as the Two Blues dominated all day.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 5-4 7-8 12-9 16-14 (110) d IVANHOE 2-0 3-1 3-1 3-2 (20). 

Goals: Noonan, Dempsey 4, Hickey, Panagiatoros, 2, Soultnakis, Bamford, Laverty, Donahoo.

Best: Donahoo, Noonan, Hickey, Soultanakis, Torpey, Hall. 

Club XXIII:

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 0-2 2-2 2-2 6-5 (41) lost to RICH. CENTRALS 3-5 4-7 11-11 16-11 (107).

Women's:

A last quarter fade out consigned the Two Blues to a second successive defeat.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 0-0 0-2 2-1 2-1 (13) lost to WESTBOURNE 1-1 3-2 3-2 6-7 (43).

Goals: Bransden 2.

Best: Raeburn, Welsh, Mathias, Suriano, Bransden, Sanders.