Two Blues take another step towards finals

PRAHRAN maintained its hold on second position on the VAFA Division 1 ladder with a 66 point win over St Mary’s Salesian at Toorak Park on Saturday.

While the winning margin flattered the Two Blues it was a significant first step in a trio of matches that will define their season. 

Finals aspirants Oakleigh (fifth) and Parkside (fourth), equal on 36 points, a game and percentage behind Prahran, are to come in the next two weeks. 

St Mary’s’ loss leaves it sixth on the ladder and ends its finals aspirations.

The Two Blues struggled to put away a plucky St Mary’s in a game where goals were hard to come by.

St Mary’s missed two gettable set shots for goal in the opening minutes which could have set the visitors up for a flying start.

There were turnovers galore and late in the second quarter the scoreline read a none-too flattering 3-8 to 1-6.

It was time-on in the second term where Prahran made its move.

Max Stewart was on the end of a chain of handballs to goal at the 25 minutes, Taylor Bamford marked and goaled and when Ollie Burke ran into an open goal suddenly the lead had ballooned toa match winning 33 points.

Teenager Stewart was a shining light with his marking and delivery a class above most on the ground.

Yet again defence was the cornerstone of the win restricting St Mary’s to just three goals resulting in another percentage boost.

Jayden Williams and Patrick Ribbands were as safe as ever complimented by Scott Frangos in his best game since joining the club mid-season.

Up forward it was a struggle.

Key forward Matthew Clifford kicked the first goal of the match from 50m in a welcome return after an overseas break and was a solid contributor.

Otherwise it was a collective effort to kick goals with mid-fielders Ollie Burke and Pat Marks dominant.

Taylor Bamford was busy around goal and comeback three times premiership player James Musster chipped in with two goals to show he will be a valuable addition as the countdown to the finals continues.

PRAHRAN 2-2 6-9 9-11 13-14 (92)

ST MARY’S 1-4 1-6 2-7 3-8 (26)

Goals. Clifford, Bamford, Musster 2, Gottschalk, Plaza, Marks, Taylor, Burke, Stewart, Brodie.

Best. Oliver Burke, Max Stewart, Jayden Williams, Ben Oakley, Taylor Bamford, Scott Frangos

RESERVES

THIS was a real arm wrestle between two teams equal on nine wins vying for a finals berth.

The win keeps Prahran in third place on the ladder.

The result was in doubt late in the final quarter.

St Mary’s had held its three quarter-time lead when a set shot from Gus Perez just made the distance to put the Two Blues in front with seven minutes remaining.

Soon after a 50m penalty gave St Mary’s a set shot from 20 metres out directly in front to regain the lead but missed.

Then Perez pounced on a Tim Maya handpass to goal and seal the result with less than two minutes left.

PRAHRAN 3-2 4-7 5-8 8-10 (58)

ST MARY’S 2-1 3-3 6-4 6-5 (41)

Goals. Perez 3, Elwin 2, Partridge, Patterson, Grizzell.

Angus Perez, Jackson Devine, Oscar Hatherly, Max Howden, Blake Graham, Kyle Scott