R12 2023 | Reserves at Parkside
Small forward Matt Acciarito celebrates one of this three goals. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
Heading out to Pitcher Park, MHSOB faced off against Parkside, the only undefeated side left in the league, with a point to prove and retaining a top-four spot on the line. However, there was enough to suggest there would be more than enough on the ground for the Unicorns to win, given how narrow their previous loss was, and their strong form leading into the game. Two debutants were given their chance, as Lachlan O’Halloran and James Dimogotsi were handed their first taste of Reserves football.
The weather provided difficulties throughout the game, but it was the visiting side who made the best of the early conditions with a blistering start. Matthew Acciarito continued his hot form in front of the big sticks picking up a few early, and Sam Hodder converted a lovely snap, enroute to a five-goal quarter for the Unicorns. Impressive as it was, it was outshone by the efforts of the defensive unit, who kept the ladder leaders scoreless, ending the term 32 points to the good.
The defensive dominance was matched in the second, as phenomenal work by the back six, particularly debutant Lachlan O’Halloran and Taylor ‘Tofu’ Raymond, thwarted Parkside’s ambitions to get back into proceedings. To the home side’s credit, they also kept a clean sheet for the term, but still went into the main break down by five goals.
Parkside did look to come back in the third, controlling the play for important periods, despite having the wind against them. However, they couldn’t convert it on the scoreboard, and their efforts only resulted in a meagre 1.2-8 return. A lone goal by the Unicorns in the quarter kept the team settled going into the last term, where, despite a winning quarter for Parkside, the Unicorns ran out 7.3-45 to 3.3-21 winners.
Of note were Xabier Twyman and William Kruyt, who both played excellent games around the ground in whatever capacity was needed. One can hope that they, along with the rest of the team, continue to perform as the race for finals intensifies.
Final Score: MHSOB: 7.3-45 defeated Parkside: 3.3-21
Goal Kickers: M. Acciarito 3, B. Gunn 2, D. Epa, S. Hodder
Best Players: L. O’Halloran, X. Twyman, T. Raymond, W. Kruyt, M. Acciarito, B. Gunn