UHS-VU fight off late scare, as Prahran go through to GF

Prahran were clinical in their Qualifying Final defeating Parkside by 60 points, 12.8 (80) to 2.8 (20). The difficult conditions at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, meant both sides needed to adjust — with Prahran winning the toss and kicking with the breeze.

Prahran’s midfield got to work early, winning the centre clearance battle five to nil in the first term — with Rory Brodie providing first use for his teammates.

Parkside’s defence struggled to defend one-on-one and when Shaun Chapman put through his first, signs were looking ominous.

With the Devils trailing at quarter time by only 19 points, Prahran knew they needed to apply elite pressure against the breeze, and they certainly did.

“I thought our pressure applied to the ball carrier was outstanding, which was a real focus going into the game,” Prahran coach Craige Milward said.

The Devils, a team that like to take the game on, were forced back on numerous occasions due to the ongoing heat.

Even kicking against a four-goal breeze, Prahran were able to outscore their opposition with their remarkable efficiency, scoring three times from just four inside 50’s.

At half time, the Prahran coaching staff would’ve been rapt with the team’s execution of the fundamentals — a tackle count of 22-12 in their favour and plenty of work to do for the Devils.

The third term was owned by Prahran, as they continued to dominate the inside 50 battle 9-2.

On any chance given — the numerous turnovers made by the Devils, in their defensive half were pounced upon. With Rory Brodie dominating in the ruck and taking big clunks down the line, there was nowhere to go for the Devils.

“(Rory Brodie) was outstanding, for him to be able to ruck for three-quarters of the ground, for an entire game… just a tremendous athlete,” Milward said.

Trailing by 53 points at three-quarter time, Devils coach Rick Frost wanted to hear more voice from his side and urged the players to build some momentum for next week’s Preliminary Final.

Last term was a stalemate, as both sides were eager to get unscathed with injury.

In the other fixture of the weekend (a win or go home eliminator), a late last quarter surge was not enough for Ormond, as UHS-VU held on in a five-point thriller, 7.12 (54) to 6.13 (49).

The Vultures started strongly with the breeze, with Esubalew Ramsay and Harrison Kennedy dominating the contested ball against a young Monders midfield. As the Skipper steered one late in the quarter, to give them a 16-point buffer at quarter time.

The Monders had a plethora of inside 50’s in the second quarter, but credit to youngster Archie Frazer, who showed a calm head down back for the Vultures.

Only one goal was scored for the second term, as it was turning into a real arm-wrestle as UHS-VU lead by eight points at the main break.

In the third the game opened up in favour of the Vultures, who kicked four goals to the Monders’ one.

When Patrick Brookes kicked a ripping check side goal, his side were 26 points up at three-quarter time — but with the Monders kicking with the breeze in the last, it was never over.

Ormond knew it had to be bold because there was no second chance and crucial clearance wins gave them the perfect start.

Senin Seymour set the crowd alight with some strong dash across the half-back, as Jackson Hille started to throw his weight around and be influential in the contest.

Noah Seiderman kicked a much-needed steadier for the Vultures, with seven minutes remaining — but Ethan Hanley responded with a big time goal on the run.

Vultures skipper Harrison Kennedy won a match-defining centre clearance and his side were able to lock the ball in their forward half, for the dying minutes.

Monders defender Benjamin Hardwick was exceptional on Div 1’s leading goal scorer Brandon Jackson keeping him scoreless and Matthew Oaten was superb down back.

Starting in the thirds midway through the season, Vultures half-forward Tristan White played his role beautifully in his senior debut, embodying a great story of perseverance.

“Our pressure and attack on the contest was as good as it has been for the year and after a slump mid-year, it’s been great to bounce back the way we have,” Vultures captain Harrison Kennedy said.

A disappointing result for the Monders, who gave it their all to the very last second — but couldn’t hit September with the right momentum.

This weekend, it’s a huge Preliminary final with Parkside taking on UHS-VU. Head-to-head the Vultures have beaten the Devils on both occasions this year, with a combined total of 18 points, so expect another beauty.

Vultures forward Brandon Jackson has kicked a combined 10 goals against the Devils, so it will be interesting to see how Rick Frost’s men structure up.