Two Blues to return to Division 1, Raiders hold on in thrilling semi

Prahran Assumption will return to Division 1 after just one season after they proved too strong for West Brunswick in their second semi-final, running out 24-point winners at Trevor Barker Oval. In a low-scoring affair whereby just 12 goals were kicked for the day, the Two Blues came from seven points down at half time with six goals to one in the second half. Tom Freeman starred for the winning side in a BOG display, while Ariel Steinberg, Gerard Hogarth and Josh Hogarth kicked two goals each. Craig Mitchell was the best of the Westies as they now reload and take on Old Paradians in next week’s preliminary final.

Old Paradians held on in the dying minutes to claim a thrilling three-point victory over Melbourne High School Old Boys and advance to the Division 2 preliminary final. Led by a BOG performance from David Huntley, the Raiders held tight as the Unicorns came from 29 points down at the last break with four unanswered goals in the last term. Kane Smith was outstanding for the Unicorns with four goals and they had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth but missed the set shot, allowing the Raiders to maintain possession for the remainder of the match. The Raiders will now face the Westies in a do-or-die preliminary.