R15 2024 | Seniors vs Elsternwick
This weekend we returned to the Woodful-Miller oval for round 15, a must win game against Elsternwick, to keep our season alive. We had drawn with them earlier in the season and were confident leading in given that result.
The perfect day for footy, no breeze, some sun and the setting of the castle on the hill in the background. The third of a home triple header, with a strong performance from the Juniorcorns and another win from our reserves setting the tone. We’d also heard that good news that due to earlier results that day the thirds had qualified for finals. Plenty of reason for us to start well and continue the momentum. Unfortunately, Elsternwick snuffed that confidence earlier with a strong first team where they lead by 4 goals at the first break.
Having twin tall & athletic targets of Will Hellier and Hugh Radcliffe-Smith forward gave us plenty to attack through, however Elsternwick were able to nullify many of our forward advances. An arm wrestle second quarter meant the half-time margin was 23 points.
Chris Wright (Front) escapes from an Elsterwick tackle. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
The premiership quarter evidenced why Elsternwick have been in the top 4 for the entire season, putting on another 5 goals despite our midfield & defensive efforts. We snuck 3 home for the quarter, giving us a 45 point deficit at the last break.
A few positional changes and a view to the future. I’ll let the reader decide who is Batman and who is Robin, but youngsters Cam Witt & Brayden Swenson were fantastic in the last quarter, with repeat stoppage clearances from Cam hitting his mate on a lead inside 50. Brayden slotted the difficult one from the boundary and has promised us a little more goalkicking practice with his set shots this week.
In the end Elsternwick were too strong and rightful winners by 34 points. Recruit Nick “Pop-Up” McKinnon continued his strong form this year. Will Hellier gave us a great target forward, and Hugh created plenty of opportunities on the wing. Oscar Sargent was the best of the backs, but it was the young guys, Cam & Brayden who were our best.
Final Scores: MHSOBFC 4.9-33 defeated by Whitefriars 7.10-52
Reggie Award – Cam Witt
Goals: Will Hellier 4, Hugh Radcliffe-Smith 2, Nick McKinnon, Ben Field-Pimm, Nick Campbell, Brayden Swenson, Matt Robertson.
Next week we travel to Ted Ajani Reserve to play Bulleen-Temp.