R7 2024 | Reserves vs Whitefriars
Byron Gunn takes a mark deep inside forward 50. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
MHSOBFC took respite from their predominantly away fixture thus far, returning to the Woodfull-Miller Oval to take on a familiar foe in Whitefriars. The visiting side had started the season strongly; coming into the game with twin threats in the division’s leading goalkicker, Lucas Zita, and the most effective defence to date. The Unicorns finished their previous year winning their last six matches to make the finals, while Whitefriars missed out in fifth position (whom they beat in the penultimate fixture of the regular season).
Needless to say, there was no love lost between the two proud sides as they stepped out to begin the first term. The physicality of the travelling team was strongly matched by their counterparts, as MHSOBFC pushed their opponents onto the back foot from the start. Alex Mourtikas, drifting between midfield and forward positions, was sublime, and the returning Anthony Horton was a bull in the contest. The effort was matched by the defensive group, who limited the Whitefriars forwards to just two scoring shots (unfortunately though, they kicked two straight). The Unicorns forward unit was in fine form, and took the majority of their chances to close the quarter in convincing fashion, leading 6.2-38 to 2.0-12.
The second term tempered the flow of the home side, but not enough to claw back any of the arrears. Zac Smooker, in an incredibly rare stint with the Reserves (much to the joy of his teammates), was resolute, stopping multiple efforts on the line. Down the other end, the forward unit had more mixed results, but Dinuk Epa continued showing his class and stamina, seemingly with unlimited juice left in the tank. James Cusack kicked true, as did Byron Gunn (though somewhat errantly at first). The game took a well deserved break, and the Unicorns held a healthy 33-point lead.
To the resounding cries of their coach Matt Brancatisano, the Unicorns were charged to push the first half score line from their heads, and go and win the game, again. His remarks were certainly effective, as the Unicorns stonewalled Whitefriars, allowing them a single point for their endeavours. Jack Bourke was effortless in his work rebounding the ball forwards (and ended up with a goal for his troubles, too). Despite injury changing the complexion of the forward line, the attacking unit were consistently outworking their opponents; with returning favourite Zac Comley-Burns kicking multiple majors.
Holding a commanding 59-point lead going into the final term, the game still held hope for both sides; after all, both teams came from behind at the start of the last quarter to win in their previous games. Whilst Whitefriars’s return of 4.3-27 for the term was their best output for the match, they were powerless to weather the onslaught as the Unicorns piled on six more majors, with six multiple goal kickers for the game, notably including young gun Bailey ‘Better Baz’ Gallop. The quarter was a formality in terms of the result, but the physicality and energy from both sides endured to the final whistle.
Final Score: MHSOBFC 19.10-124 defeated Whitefriars 8.5-53
Goal Kickers: Zac Comley-Burns 3, James Cusack 2, Dinuk Epa 2, Bailey Gallop 2, Byron Gunn 2, Alex Mourtikas 2, Nafi Anaan, Jack Bourke, Mason Fenessy-Kent, Josh Grierson, Robert Rae, Jake Smith
Best Players: Alex Mourtikas, Zac Comley-Burns, Jack Bourke, Dinuk Epa, Anthony Horton, Zac Smooker