R3 2024 | Reserves at Aquinas
The reserves took the long drive out to Aquinas College in Ringwood, determined to bounce back from a frustrating performance the week prior against last year’s grand finalists South Melbourne Districts.
From the first bounce, MHSOBFC worked industriously to stamp their authority on proceedings. A team with nine changes from the week prior; U20s star James Dimogtsi showed his immense potential displaying skill and guile far greater than his age would have suggested, and was excellent throughout the quarter and game as a whole. Coming into quarter time, the score was three goals apart, with the Unicorns holding a 4.4-28 to 1.4-10 lead.
The game tightened in the second term, as both teams traded blows. Down one end, James Lake and James Cusack worked hard to create goal scoring opportunities; buoyed by the bevy of forward talent available on the field for the green, maroon and black, whilst down the defensive end, Jack Bourke continued his exceptional start to the season, consistently breaking up dangerous play. The half time score sat at MHSOB 7.6-48, to Aquinas 4.8-32.
Lachlan O'Halloran celebrates after kicking a goal. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
Given the onus to take the game on in the second half by the coaching group, with ‘zero zero boys’ ringing in the ears of the team, the Unicorns finally exerted some genuine dominance, efficiently moving the ball and keeping it locked down. John Crilly, in his third game of Australian rules football, popped up for two majors, and James Cusack kept kicking true, on his way to a game high four goals.
The final quarter was a little more free flowing at both ends, but MHSOBFC managed to extend their lead; winning the game by 30 points. The highlight of the quarter had to be young gun Lachlan O’Halloran kicking his first with a lovely set shot and making sure to let the other team’s bench know all about it.
Next week, the Unicorns come back home to the cultural heartland of the VAFA, the Woodfull-Miller Oval, to take on arguably one of their great current rivals, Brunswick.
Final Score: MHSOBFC 14.10-94 defeated Aquinas 8.16-64
Goal Kickers: James Cusack 4, Guy A’Speculo 2, John Crilly 2, Callum Hackman 2, Lachlan O’Halloran, Max Nash, William Colman, Dinuk Epa
Best Players: James Dimogotsi, James Lake, James Cusack, Jack Bourke, John Crilly, Lachlan O’Halloran