R1 2025 | Reserves vs HAWTHORN
After a phenomenal 2024 season that came agonisingly short of a place in the big dance, the MHSOB Reserves made their way back out for the Opening Round of 2025 against Hawthorn Reserves at Rathmines Road Reserve. Both sides entered the field with familiar feelings of nerves, anticipation, and excitement, but could also be forgiven for a distinct sense of déjà vu, given the identical fixture played out a year prior. The Unicorns would be looking to repeat a winning result, punctuated by a lazy eight majors from Matthew Robertson. Whilst some things stayed the same, the fixture also brought with it a host of changes. 7 debutants were named for the Unicorns, made more pleasing by six players from the Club’s U19s squad taking the step up for the first time. Undeniably, this is indeed an exciting portent for the Unicorns in the not-so-distant future.
In near-perfect conditions (though Rathmines Road Reserve retained its customary wind to the hillside end), the Unicorns did not stand on ceremony, bursting out of the blocks. The summer break did not seem to affect the side, as the ‘Corns midfield bulls got to work. Luke Stone didn’t seem to remember he had already won the Best and Fairest the year prior, and reintroduced himself to his counterparts with trademark tenacity. He was supported superbly by one of the newest members to the team, Dexter Ryan, who continuously threw himself into the ruck contest, and was tireless with his follow up efforts.
The Unicorns’ forwards were the beneficiaries of their teammates’ seemingly voracious appetite for the ball, most fortunate of whom was Byron Gunn, who, seizing upon the seemingly good graces of the football gods, wobbled through four majors for the opening term. Effectively smothering the slower, deliberate ball movement of their opposing numbers, the Unicorns were able to limit the forward entries of their opponents, an incredibly miserly effort resulting in only three scoring shots for the home side. With a debut goal from Blake Italiano to lift the side as the quarter ended, the first quarter of the new season sent out a strong statement, as the ‘Corns went into the break five goals to the good, 6.2 38 to 1.2 8.
Blake Italiano breaks clear from a contest. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
Kicking to the hillside end in the second term, the Unicorns looked to build on their beginnings and keep an experienced Hawthorn side from delivering a riposte. The Unicorns looked to their experience to hold fast, and Orlando Seelander answered the call, the full back decisive in the air and effective on foot, supported well by some promising understudies, Sam Tralaggan and Adam Stikolzik. The continued efforts of the back end and the commitment of the middle six to wear down their opponents' game plan and energy bore fruit. First gamer Asher Claney showing no signs of nerves on debut with an impassioned display, whilst 286 games his senior, stand in captain Mason Fenessy-Kent showed no signs of slowing down, either.
The forward line was able to capitalise on the quantity and quality of opportunities provided, with Aaron Shipperlee kicking the first of assuredly many majors in the Maroon, Green and Black, and club favourite Lachlan Sharrock also troubling the scorer’s table with two of his own. The main break had the Unicorns entering the rooms with a spring in their step, having steered themselves to a commanding fifty-eight point lead, 12.8 80 to Hawthorn’s 3.4 22. Whilst Nick Campbell would have hoped to be marshalling his troops on the field, the captain-coach had to be content with providing his instructions donning the turtleneck rather than playing jersey, as he rallied his charges. Full of snakes and focused on the task at hand, the Unicorns made their way back out on the field knowing their opponents would have to make their stand imminently as they sought to flip the unfavourable script playing out on their home turf.
The third term was successful for Hawthorn in their application, as the game became an arm wrestle, the ball encamped in their forward half of play for large periods of the term. The back six were bent, but remained unbroken against the onslaught. Tom Sears was ever-present, his off-season perseverance and endeavour coming to the fore, complemented by the reliable Gordon Beet. Despite the pressure, the Unicorns still managed to make gains against the run of play. Whilst their accuracy wavered in the gusty conditions, Mason Fenessy-Kent showed that he was never too far away from the big sticks, kicking true with a thumping effort from beyond the arc. That, and a fortuitous snap from full forward Byron Gunn, were the only majors in the term, a dogged 2.4 return undoing the determined effort put up by Hawthorn, who were only able to take 2 points from their counterparts for their troubles. Going into the final term, the lead had eased out to a comfortable 72-point buffer, 14.12 96 to 3.6 24.
Whilst self-preservation may have been on the mind of some of the Unicorns longer in the proverbial tooth, the injection of youth on the field cared not for such thoughts, and were relentless in their energy and endeavour through the final term. Nafi Anaan, hot off a stellar 2024, was given just reward for his efforts with a major, and young gun Matthew Giarracca also kicked truly, to the delight of the travelling supporters. James Lake, the reigning marksman for the reserves side, took the time to start his account, but special plaudits went to John Crilly, his deserved goal ticking off a strong showing, and another example of continued dedication to their craft over the summer months. The final whistle drew to an end proceedings, the Unicorns kicking off their season deserved winners, 19.17 131 to Hawthorn’s 5.8 38, arguably an unfair depiction for the home side, who can take the positives of their second half into the coming weeks.
For the Unicorns, the next fixture conjures up the excitement of the unknown, as Division 2 newcomers Canterbury Reserves make their way to the spiritual home of the VAFA, the Woodfull-Miller Oval
Final score: MHSOBFC Reserves 19.17 131 defeated Hawthorn Reserves 5.8 38.
Best Players: A. Claney, L. Stone, B. Gunn, D. Ryan, O. Seelander, B. Italiano.
Goals: B. Gunn 7, L. Sharrock 2, N. Anaan 1, A. Claney 1, J. Crilly 1, M. Fennessy-Kent 1, M. Giaracca 1, B. Italiano 1, J. Lake 1, A. Shipperlee 1, L. Stone 1, H. Webb 1.