R6 2023 | Reserves at Whitefriars
The Reserves looked to continue their winning ways, travelling out to Donvale to take on Whitefriars, a team in a similar position with matching finals aspirations. The first quarter brought the two teams’ convictions together, with neither squad giving an inch. Scoring shots were hard to come by, as the battle raged in the midfield, but straight kicking from both squads brought the game to a one-point Whitefriars’ margin at the siren.
Coming into the second term, the arm wrestle continued. Tom Golz, released from the back line, proved immense in the middle, supported by co-captain Mason Fennessy-Kent, as the game swung in terms of momentum and pressure, but the scorekeepers stayed relatively quiet. Superior goal kicking from the Unicorns brought them into the half with a slender two-point advantage, despite having three less scoring shots, and an excellent after the siren set shot from winger Evan Riddle.
Winger Allen Joseph kicks the ball forward. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
Both teams came out in the third quarter determined not to let their grasp slip on the game, and the stalemate dragged on. Some excellent efforts from James ‘Stretch’ Cusack, in the middle and up forward, were rewarded with a few majors. To their credit, Whitefriars would not go away, and responded with a few of their own. At the end of the third quarter, the lead only stood at three points with the Unicorns ahead.
The deadlock was finally broken at the start of the fourth, with two quick goals setting up a buffer that would ultimately lead MHSOB home. Whilst Whitefriars battled on valiantly, some excellent ball movement resulting in high percentage goal kicking chances, proved to be the decider, with the two-goal advantage continuing to the final whistle.
Final Score: MHSOB: 14.4-88 defeated Whitefriars: 11.10-76
Goal Kickers: B. Gunn 5, J. Cusack 3, D. Owens 2, M. Fennessy-Kent, A. Mourtikas, T. Golz, E. Riddle
Best Players: T. Golz, M. Fennessy-Kent, B. Gunn, J. Cusack, E. Riddle, A. Mourtikas