Two in a row for the Two Blues
COMING off a season defining win against West Brunswick the week before and facing the lowly placed Ivanhoe AFC, it was important that Prahran arrived at Ivanhoe Park with the right mindset to get the job done.
The conditions were miserable throughout the day with frequent passing showers and a very heavy ground under foot.
The Two Blues started the game with some very promising ball movement, playing some quality team football in the first 10 minutes which allowed them to kick the first of the game through a strong mark from key forward Shaun Chapman.
In response, Ivanhoe bunkered down and were stronger in the contest for the second half of the quarter kicking two quick goals against a shell-shocked Prahran. A late goal to Beau Adams on the run gave Prahran the lead into the first break, albeit a much slimmer margin then what the boys were expecting when they arrived at the ground.
The arm wrestle continued in the second quarter with PFC finding the muddy conditions difficult to get a run on. Mackenzie Mayne was fighting hard in the middle while Jayden Williams was proving strong in defense, taking numerous intercept marks across the back 50.
Kicking four goals to one in the second term, Prahran took a 27-point lead into the main break.
The Two Blues came out after the main break looking like a different side. Ethan Plaza was the highlight of the third quarter, kicking two goals in quick succession. The first from a downfield free kick followed by a creative kick off the ground from 20 metres out.
Prahran went into the final term 11.6.72, leading Ivanhoe 4.0.24.
Contested footy was the theme of the fourth quarter with both teams finding it difficult to get a clean possession. Ben Galbraith provided plenty of run off the half back line often finding the footy in his hands.
Prahran finished the game with a 64-point win and were able to hold Ivanhoe goalless for the last quarter. An important 4 points helping PFC consolidate their position in 4th on the ladder, moving ever so closer to the sides above them.
Ethan Plaza and Shaun Chapman were strong up forward all day kicking 7 goals between them.
An important month lies ahead of the senior side with Prahran playing Oakleigh, Kew and UHS-VU. All vying for the same position on the ladder.
Prahran: 3.2.20 7.3.45 11.6.72 13.11.89
Ivanhoe: 2.0.12 3.0.18 4.0.24 4.1.25
Goal Kickers: E. Plaza (4), S. Chapman (3), J. Partridge, T. Beddison, T. Seaman, B. Adams, A. Maxwell, R. Brodie
Best Players: M. Mayne, J. Williams, R. Hogan, S. Chapman, E. Plaza, A. Perez
Photo by Trevor Evans.
Reserves
The reserves continued their winning form as they continue to fight for the hotly contested top four positions on the ladder.
Prahran peppered the goals for most of the first half with inaccuracy proving to be their biggest rival. A strong defensive setup helped keep Ivanhoe goalless in the first half.
The goal kicking woes continued in the second half as it seemed to be the theme of the day. Prahran finishing with a 19-goal win 16.24.120 to 1.1.7.
Much like the senior side, the next month of footy is extremely important. Playing three teams above them on the ladder, the time is now for the reserves to make their mark on the 2023 season.
Prahran: 5.6.36 9.10.64 11.17.83 16.24.120
Ivanhoe: 0.0.0 0.0.0 1.1.7 1.1.7
Goal Kickers: O. Burke (5), D. Marrows (3), P. Pavlou (2), D. Sinclair, V. Brigante, N. O''Sullivan, T. Bamford, B. Graham, J. Noonan
Best Players: M. Woods, T. Spinks, H. Taylor, D. Marrows, J. Noonan, D. Hughes Churchett
For weekly PFC updates on all of our teams and our Club sent directly to your inbox, subscribe to our weekly newsletter below.