Two Blues win by two points in a thriller

HISTORY was to repeat itself when Prahran and Kew fought out another thriller on Saturday but this time the footy Gods were on the Two Blues side.

In their first round clash at Victoria Park last year Kew held off the fast finishing Two Blues to win by one point

This time the margin was two points in favour of the Two Blues 10-13 (73) to 10-11 (71) as Kew peppered the forward 50 in the closing minutes of a tense tussle.
The final quarter siren sounded with the time clock showing 33.45 minutes, which for Two Blues players, coaching staff and supporters seemed like an eternity.

This was a season defining win for the Two Blues, still fifth but out of the four on percentage only from Kew,

As coach Brett Dickinson told his troops post game the Two Blues are now a legitimate contender: “if you didn’t believe before you should believe now.”

Make no mistake this was a win of considerable merit, especially considering key playmaker Joe Bell was sidelined in the first five minutes with what was feared to be a broken collarbone later disagnosed as ligament damage.

There were heroes and villains aplenty.

After Prahran opened the match with three unanswered goals, two on the run from Ethan Plaza which proved increasingly valuable as the low scoring game progressed, gradually Kew worked their way back into the match.

Their pressure rating rose and a goal at the 28 minute mark of the third quarter gave the home team the lead for the first time.
Kew had all the momentum with home ground fans finding voice and the Two Blues seemed doomed to yet another narrow defeat.

Kew missed an easy set shot in the opening minute of the last termj then after seven scoreless minutes first season player Jackson Partridge snapped a goal and against the run of play Prahran had regained the lead 7-10 to 7-8.

Two minutes later Partridge ran into an open goal to extend the lead to eight points.

Kew goaled from a free kick a minute later so it was game back on.
Adam Heatley, unnoticed in the first half, sprang to life with a dominant last quarter marking and goaling from 40m out to restore an eight point lead.

Kew replied at the 18 minute mark and the margin was back to two points.
Then an errant Kew clearance from defence went out on the full, Tim Maya made the most of the precious possession passing to Shaun Chapman who converted from 40 metres out.

Beau Adams, constructive up forward all day, was switched on ball for the last quarter and proved telling with a centre square clearance finding Matthew Clifford who could only score a point.

Kew rebounded and seemed certain to take a mark in the goal square but the ball bubbled and Pat Ribbands made a deft deflection for a point when a clumsy tackle would have meant a free and a certain goal.

As the clock ticked past 29 minutes and the Two Blues in possession mode Luke Kerr had a brain fade kicking into the man on the mark from just inside the goal square gifting Kew a goal and bring the margin back to four points.

Kew had two chances to snatch the lead but long shots resulted only in points.
With ruckman Rory Brodie in charge at the numerous ball ups from stoppages as he had been all game, the siren finally sounded with Prahran deserved winners.

PRAHRAN 3-4 6-5 6-10 10-13 (73)
KEW 1-1 4-3 7-7 10-11 (71)

Goals. E. Plaza 2, J. Partridge 2, A. Heatley, M. Clifford, S. Chapman, J. Gottschalk, R. Brodie, B. Adams
Best: :R. Brodie, J. Musster, E. Plaza, P. Ribbands, J. Partridge, B. Adams.

RESERVES

LAST year Kew won the corresponding game by a thumpi9ng 20 goals but this was a huge turnaround with the improvng Two Blues within a goal of victory mid-way through the last quarter.

Kew rallied for a 13 point win but finals are still a definite aspiration.

PRAHRAN 2-1  4-5  4-6 6-10 (46)

KEW 2-3  4-9  5-10 8-13 (61)

Goals. J. Noonan 2, M. Grogan, A. Perez, T. Beddison, D. Marrows
Best :A. Perez, J. Matherson, D. Campbell, J. Panagiotaros, M. Woods, J. Forrestall.

THIRDS

SECOND  win for the season for the Thirds despite a scoreless last quarter.

PRAHRAN 2-2 4-6 7-8 7-8 (50)

PARKSIDE 2-1 3-3 6-5 6.-10 (46)