Two Blues Tune Up for Crucial Clash

Seniors:

This was very much the preliminary bout before next Saturday’s heavyweight clash with top-of-the-ladder Hampton Rovers. Relegation bound Brunswick NOBS was never going to pose a serious threat for a finals aspirant and Prahran Assumption duly delivered a 83 point win at Toorak Park on Saturday. With Preston Bullants bowing out of the finals race after a loss to Hampton Rovers the race for the fourth spot is between the Two Blues and Oakleigh. Belief is building after four wins in a row but the ultimate test in VAFA Division 1 awaits next Saturday- Hampton Rovers on their home patch. The gradual improvement of the Two Blues as the season has progressed continues with the eveness of the team a standout. First season players Joel Hume, Joe Whiting, James Falcone, Brent Chapman and Nat Martin have been key contributors to complement regulars from last year’s premiership team. Saturday’s match was virtually decided by quarter time when the Two Blues, kicking with a stiff northerly breeze, tallied 4-5 to 0-1. Ryley Conlan goaled in the first 30 seconds and Jack Matherson made it two goals in the first two minutes. Whiting and skipper James Musster figured in several scoring shots as the Two Blues running game cut holes in the visitors defence. A two goals apiece second quarter left the Two Blues holding a 31 point lead. Impressively the Two Blues then put the foot down and slotted seven goals to one, Dan Freeman moved to a deep forward role responded with two goals in the first two minutes. The last quarter saw more of the same and Tom Quinn capped a top game with the play of the day with a long running goal. Key forwards Brent Chapman and Matherson logged another six goals between them but Matherson’s 2-6 return for a second successive week is concerning. While his leading and marking have been outstanding against a team such as Hampton Rovers his conversion rate will need to improve. Again the Two Blues defence was rock solid with Hume, Tim Webb and Whiting all but impassable. In a rare clean sweep this season the seniors, Reserves and Thirds all won,

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 4-5 6-9 13-12 17-15 (117) d BRUNSWICK NOBS 0-1 2-2 3-2 5-4 (34). 

Goals: Chapman 4, Falcone, D Freeman, Matherson 2, Maya, Taylor, Conlan, Bremner, Martin, Dickinson, Quinn.

Best: Hume, Quinn, Webb, Chapman, Dickinson, Falcone.

Reserves:

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 1-3 5-8 8-14 14-21 (105) d BRUNSWICK NOBS 1-3 2-4 5-4 5-5 (35)

Goals: Thompson 5,Taylor, Henshaw, Capra 2, Noonan, Joel Matherson, Panagiataros

Best: Henshaw, Thompson, Quinn, Seaholme, Hall, Donahoo. 

Club XXIII:

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 6-4 9-9 11-11 16-16 (112) d MHSOB 0-0 0-2 1-3 1-4 (10).

Goals: Davidson 4, Vine, Derbyshire 3,Stewart 2, Gouin, Rundle, Candy, Farrell. Best: MacDonald, Gouin, Farrell, Anderson, Derbyshire, Slaven,