R15 2023 | Seniors vs Whitefriars
The Castle on the Hill was treated to a good old-fashioned shootout between MHSOB and Whitefriars. MHSOB looked to rectify some disappointing losses recently and affirm their position in the division, with an outside chance of finals footy. Another U/20s debutant, Cameron Witt, also added some much-valued youth and excitement to the team.
No inch was given in the first term, with both teams moving the ball with conviction. The resulting score line reflected that, 5.2-32 to 5.4-34, as both teams routinely hit the scoreboard. Small forward Lachlan Dowling continued his superb return, kicking truly on route to a tidy six goals for the game (still one short of a bag). Tom Golz, off half back, provided excellent rebounding and tenacious contest to set up his team from the back.
Lachlan Dowling celebrates kicking one of his six goals. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
The second term ran similarly to the first, but some tighter Unicorns defensive efforts around the ground helped to wrestle back the lead and extend to a handy 14-point buffer, 10.6-66 to 8.4-52. Small forward Mason Fennessy-Kent showed his class, kicking truly, in an all-around team scoring effort, which was a welcome sight given the recent season-ending injury to key forward Matthew Pereira. Playing assistant coach Sean Lester was magnificent down back, hardly a surprise, and perennial performer Will Hellier also proved a class apart in front of goal.
Whitefriars didn’t read into the superlatives, however, and kept playing their brand of footy in the third, keeping touch with the Unicorns. In a game of large scores but small margins, slightly ineffectual goalkicking saw the Unicorns take a ten-point buffer into the crucial final term.
The final quarter was another entertaining period, as both teams looked to blow the other out of the water. The Unicorns’ superior goalkicking proved to be the deciding factor, as despite only having two more scoring shots, they successfully held on by 22 points and kept their slim finals chances alive.
Final Scores: MHSOB: 20.14-134 defeated Whitefriars: 16.16-112
Goal Kickers: L. Dowling 6, M. Fennessy-Kent 3, J. Eimutis 2, W. Hellier 2, L. Hanly 2, P. Pirozek 2, A. Tran, H. Radcliffe-Smith, A. Mourtikas
Best Players: W. Hellier, L. Dowling, T. Golz, A. Tran, S. Lester, C. Witt