TWO BLUES STRONG SECOND HALF OUTCLASSES SAINTS – Prahran Assumption played impressively after half-time to easily outplay and beat St. Marys Salesian by a big margin at Toorak Park, Armadale. Prahran Assumption Reserves finished by far the better to beat SMS Reserves by 40 points. After an even first-half, Kew took control to beat St. Marys Salesian Womens Team (1) by 46 points at Ferndale Park, Glen Iris. Kew Reserves outplayed SMS Womens Team (2) winning by 56 points.
AROUND THE GROUND – Our Round 15 fixture was versus Prahran Assumption at Toorak Park, Armadale. The Two Blues (coached by Brett Dickinson) were in sixth position on the ladder and vying with Oakleigh and Old Camberwell for a place in the finals. They had beaten Oakleigh in a tight contest the previous week. In our earlier game at Ferndale Park, PA had won comfortably.
Weather conditions were good, sunny with a wind advantage to the southern end, but the playing surface of the ground was badly chopped-up particularly in the muddy centre cricket pitch area. Nonetheless, the surface was good underfoot and dried out during the day. Toorak Park has a lot of history, is the home of Prahran CC in Premier cricket competition in the spring and summer months, and was the home of Prahran (VFA) in the past. PA now share the ground and facilities with Old Xaverians AFC (VAFA) A Grade.
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ONES – Prahran Assumption played impressively after half-time to easily outplay and beat St. Marys Salesian by a big margin at Toorak Park, Armadale.
Prahran Assumption kicked to the High Street end aided by a three goal wind. However, it was SMS first on the board when Dan Stafford held a good mark and goaled from 30 metres. It was a bit of an arm-wrestle for most of the term but PA was able to open their account with majors by Zach Podmore and Brett Dickinson. The Saints’ Jack Ryan (having a rub down from the trainer in front of the coaches box) had to take swift evasive action to avoid being crushed by an opposing player being tackled nearby on the boundary line (a near thing) !! Barry ‘BJ’ McNally slotted a clever goal from deep in the forward pocket, and the defence had held the Two Blues to only two goals at the 25 minute mark. A bad error by the visitors at half back allowed Matt Clifford in for a PA six-pointer, and when he slotted another soon after his team held a 16 point lead at quarter-time. It was hoped SMS would use the wind well in the second quarter, but the Two Blues lifted their intensity and the visitors intensity fell away. The home team used good skills to move the ball forward and kicked accurately proving scoring was possible at the sheltered Malvern Road end. Five goals straight were scored with Clifford, Shaun Chapman and Podmore amongst the goalscorers. The Saints replied through Jack Elliston and Sid Jones but missed three set shots from 35 metres out directly in front late in the term to trail by 31 points at half-time.
Following the interval it was all Prahran Assumption as the SMS resistance fell away badly. Despite the best efforts of Ash Lim, Liam Moulday, Dean Thorson and Heath Chipperfield, the home team added 8-6 with Tony Mirabella (extremely dangerous around the big-sticks) kicking multiple six-pointers. At orange time the Two Blues advantage had increased to 84 points. The final stanza was along similar lines with PA totally in control managing another seven majors. The Saints were unable to score a solitary goal in the second half in a very disappointing performance.
From the game – Prahran Assumption are in a three way battle with Old Camberwell and Oakleigh to take fourth place and play finals. This was reflected in their second half when they added 15-10 while holding SMS to only 3 behinds. Goalkickers Matt Clifford (9) and Tony Mirabella (8) were outstanding in attack for their team.
SMS coaches Erwin Leyden and Matt Higgins were pleased with the first quarter effort, and if three bad misses had been goals late in the second term the difference would have been much less at the long interval. However, from that point on, PA ran away with the game and there was seemingly little resistance from the visitors. An inability to move the ball forward or hit the scoreboard was the most concerning aspect.
Therry Penola at Glen Iris next Saturday.
Scores – (Ones) –
Prahran Assumption 4-4 9-4 17-10 24-14-158
St Marys Salesian 2-0 4-3 4- 4 4- 6- 30
SMS – Goals – Jack Elliston, Sid Jones, Barry McNally, Dan Stafford.
SMS – Best – Ash Lim, Liam Moulday, Dean Thorson, Heath Chipperfield, Jack Elliston, Joel Mattiske.
Prahran Assumption – Goals – Matt Clifford 9, Tony Mirabella 8, Zach Podmore 2, Shaun Chapman, Brett Dickinson, Blake Graham, Nat Martin, Joseph Whiting.
Prahran Assumption – Best – Matt Clifford, Riley Hogan, Luke Kerr, Tony Mirabella, Zach Podmore, James Everest.
In other matches – Therry Penola 53 d. Peninsula 44, Glen Eira 75 d. Kew 73, Old Camberwell 88 d. Oakleigh 47, PEGS 130 d. Whitefriars 20.
Ones – Ladder after Round 15 – PEGS 52, Kew 48, Glen Eira 44, Old Camberwell 38 – 161.9%, Prahran Assumption 38 – 132.6%, Oakleigh 36, Therry Penola 20, Whitefriars 12 – 67.0%, Peninsula 12 – 64.2%, St. Marys Salesian 0.
Next Saturday – SMS vs. Therry Penola – at Ferndale Park, Glen Iris – commencing 2-00 pm.
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TWOS – Prahran Assumption Reserves finished by far the better to beat SMS Reserves by 40 points.
SMS went to the High Street end favoured by a three goal breeze in the opening term. Andrew Morris got his team off to a great start with a fine set shot goal from 45 metres at right half forward. Prahran Assumption gradually got into stride and played some good footy scoring majors through Ryan Bedwell, Marcus Grogan and Ben Hann. Andrew Ellis booted a late six-pointer for the Saints leaving them 8 points in arrears at first change. The Two Blues took charge in the second stanza and used the wind to add three goals by Grogan, Hayden Taylor and Bedwell. Nathan Simcocks was lively for the visitors, who defended well, and a major by Ellis reduced the margin to 22 points by the long interval.
After the break, SMS played their best footy and dominated the quarter. James ‘Baz’ Barrie (in the ruck) was well supported by the onballers while the whole team lifted around the ground. Monty Herbert-Morgan and Paul Morris were excellent at the back and ‘Baz’ was able to slot two six-pointers to reduce the deficit. Andrew Ellis provided highlight of the game when he won the ball on the centre wing, had two bounces and kicked a great running goal from 35 metres. The Saints were only 4 points down, but a late goal to Prahran Assumption through Taylor (against the run of play) increased their lead to 10 points at final change. The Two Blues ran the game out well in the final term adding five six-pointers from Joel Matherson, Vincent Brigante, ruckman Hann (2) and Grogan while holding the fading visitors scoreless. By siren time it was PA by 40 points.
From the game – Prahran Assumption won three of the four quarters and deserved their win.
SMS Coaches Andrew and Adam Howell did a great job revving up the players throughout the contest, and the Saints third term was particularly good, Andrew Ellis producing both play and goal of the day. An inability to go on with the job in the final quarter was disappointing, and indicates a lack of match fitness for many players. However, some good footy played by both sides in a well-umpired match.
Next Saturday, Therry Penola at Ferndale.
Scores – (Twos) –
Prahran Assumption 3-2 6-4 7-4 12-4-76
St Marys Salesian 2-0 3-0 6-0 6- 0-36
SMS – Goals – Andrew Ellis 3, James Barrie 2, Andrew Morris.
SMS – Best – Andrew Ellis, Nathan Simcocks, Monty Herbert-Morgan, Cam Timms, Paul Morris, Dion Duggan.
Prahran Assumption – Goals – Marcus Grogan 3, Ben Hann 3, Ryan Bedwell 2, Hayden Taylor 2, Vincent Brigante, Joel Matherson.
Prahran Assumption – Ben Hann, Pat Ribbands, Marcus Grogan, Adam Heatley, Peter Pavlou, Joel Matherson.
In other matches – Peninsula 97 d. Therry Penola 30, Kew 108 d. Glen Eira 56, Old Camberwell 66 d. Oakleigh 23, PEGS 132 d. Whitefriars 2.
Twos – Ladder after Round 15 – Kew 54, Old Camberwell 52, PEGS 44, Glen Eira 36, Peninsula 32, Oakleigh 30, Prahran Assumption 24, Whitefriars 16, Therry Penola 8, St. Marys Salesian 4.
Next Saturday – SMS vs. Therry Penola – at Ferndale Park, Glen Iris – commencing 11-40 am.
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WOMENS ONES – After an even first-half, Kew took control to beat St. Marys Salesian Womens Team (1) by 46 points at Ferndale Park, Glen Iris.
The Bears were pushed in the opening two quarters by the a good defensive effort from the Sainters (boosted by the inclusion of a few quality players) but steadied after the interval to register a comfortable victory. For Kew, Tarra Donnan and Lara Stevens both kicked two goals, with Amelia Dawborn, Dakota Villiva and Lucy Aitken amongst other good players. For SMS, Rebecca Grant and Chloe Soderstrom slotted the majors, while Natasha Sutherland, Amy Kerr, Ruby Edwards, Emily Roos, Lucy Dobbyn and Rachel Douglas were named best.
Next weekend, please note a Sunday game.
Scores – (Womens Ones) –
Kew 1-0 3-1 4-5 8-11-59
St. Marys Salesian 0-0 0-0 0-1 2- 1- 13
Next Sunday – Melbourne University vs. SMS – at Melbourne University Oval, Tin Alley, Parkville – commencing 2-00 pm.
WOMENS TWOS – Kew Reserves outplayed SMS Womens Team (2) winning by 56 points.
The Bears proved to be too good for the tenacious Sainters who defended reasonably well over three of the four quarters. For Kew, Caitlin Fay and Jessica Powrie each booted two six-pointers, while Emma Klemm, Kiara Camilleri and Eilish Boyd were adjudged best. For SMS, Felicity Campbell, Courtney Lee, Georgia Champion, Rebecca Johnson, Olivia Giblin and Emma Turner were good contributors.
Next weekend, please note a Sunday game.
Scores – (Womens Twos) –
Kew 2-2 6-3 6-4 8-8-56
St. Marys Salesian 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0- 0
Next Sunday – Melbourne University vs. SMS – at Melbourne University Oval, Tin Alley, Parkville – commencing 12-00 pm.