R18 2023 | Seniors at Brunswick
The Seniors were treated to the final game in the career club stalwart Tom Rendell and the debut of two more U/20s – Nafi Anaan and Will Young – taking on Brunswick at Alec Gillon Oval.
A bright start ensued, with MHSOB hitting the scoreboard strongly. Captain Julian Eimutis began as he has all season, kicking the first of two goals for the game, and Petro Pirozek, VAFA’s Round 17 Rising Star winner, was silky by foot. The Unicorns took a two-goal lead into quarter time.
The game tightened up in the second term with both teams fighting hard across the ground, including Tom Golz as a chief contributor. With each side contributing five scoring shots, a highlight was Jack Bourke, the Reserves emergency with the latest of call ups after key forward Larry Hanly went down with an ankle injury in the warmup, kicking a goal in his senior debut. The half time score read MHSOB 6.8-44 to Brunswick 5.6-36.
VAFA Round 17 Rising Star Petro Pirozek earns another hard-fought possession. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
Brunswick dug in throughout the third term and ensured the game remained an arm wrestle. Mitchell Wilson was tireless on the back flank, and Hugh Radcliffe Smith worked hard through the ruck and forward line. The game was to be decided in the last with the slimmest of margins to work with, MHSOB one point to the good.
Unfortunately, Brunswick showed their mettle as a finals team and broke through, making the most of their opportunities forward and defending with intent, and kicking away to win by 19 points. A disappointing end after such a brave effort. Congratulations to Tom Rendell on a wonderful playing career and will be sorely missed in the green, maroon and black.
The Seniors finish the season in sixth position (7-10-1 record), a disappointing outcome given how open the division was this season. However, it has been a transition year in a lot of ways with nine U20s debuting in the team, boding well for what’s possible in 2024 and beyond.
Final Scores: MHSOB: 9.11-65 defeated by Brunswick: 12.12-84
Goal Kickers: J. Eimutis 2, N. Volk, R. Rae, P. Pirozek, J. Bourke, J. Gauci, C. Pearson, A. Mourtikas
Best Players: T. Rendell, J. Eimutis, T. Golz, H. Radcliffe-Smith, P. Pirozek, M. Wilson