Two Blues' Surge Home for Win Number Three
Seniors:
A five goal to one final term has seen Prahran Assumption breakthrough for its third victory of the 2015 season, defeating Whitefriars by 27 points on Saturday.
It looked as if the Two Blues were destined for yet another close finish, as Prahran have been accustomed to this year, before a resounding last quarter saw them record a 13.17-95 to 10.6-66 win at Whitefriars College Oval.
Tim Webb was outstanding in defence for the Two Blues, Ged Hogarth looked dangerous playing in the ruck and up forward, booting three goals. And Harry Taylor, son of Collingwood and Richmond spearhead and former Two Blues coach Brian Taylor, continuously put himself into dangerous spots and was damaging with disposal, whilst also hitting the scoreboard with two majors.
The Two Blues were a man down early in the first quarter as Michael Bremner copped a heavy head clash in which he could not recover from, leaving Prahran minus one the remainder of the match.
The casualty though did not affect the Two Blues whatsoever in the opening period, and if not for its inaccuracy could have grown on its nine point buffer at the first change.
Old habits began creeping in for Prahran in the second quarter. Poor turnovers and bad decision making resulted in a four goal to two advantage to the Whitefriars and a relinquishment of the lead at half time for the Two Blues.
Dubious umpiring decisions were a talking point of not just the second term, but entire game. The Whitefriars handled the decisions better though, spreading from the free kick contests and leaving the arguing Prahran players flat footed and in their wake.
Prahran had re-established the control of the game for most parts of the third quarter, before two late goals to the Whitefriars left both sides deadlocked at 59 points with a quarter to play.
In previous weeks you could almost write the script for the Two Blues final quarters… a tight finish with Prahran falling ever so short of a victory. Not this time.
The Two Blues attack on the footy was second to none. They hunted both man and ball ferociously. An Iliesa Vuli mishap from a kick out, resulting in a goal, the only blemish for Prahran in the term.
Consecutive goals to Hogarth, John Robbins (Prahran’s lone selection in the VAFA representative side) and Stephen Conlan sealing the deal and providing new coach 'Ace' McMahon with his first win as senior coach.
The Two Blues have now drawn level with Whitefriars at three wins and seven losses for the year.
Prahran now return to Toorak Park next Saturday where it will try to seek revenge from an early season close loss to Kew. It won’t be easy though as Kew have yet to drop a game and sit alone at the top of ladder with a 10-0 record.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 3-5 5-7 8-11 13-17 (95)
WHITEFRIARS 2-2 6-4 9-5 10-7 (67)
Goals: Robbins 4, G Hogarth 3, Taylor, Scicluna, 2, Maya, Conlan.
Best: Webb, Dempsey, G Hogarth, Musster, Scicluna, Taylor.
Reserves:
The Two Blues Reserves moved into third place on the ladder after a 94 demolition of lowly Whitefriars.
Key forwards Rick Ellis with eight goals and Andy Siekai with seven revelled in the constant inside 50m supply.
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 6-3 12-5 16-8 21- 12 (138)
WHITEFRIARS 0-1 4-1 5-4 6-8 (44)
Goals: Ellis 8, Siekai 7, Cammisotto 3, Rice 2, Hall.
Best: Slattery, Forbes, Siekai, Ellis, Dimasi, Macdonald.
CLUB XVIII:
PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 15- 7 (97)
RICHMOND CENTRALS 9-10 (64)