Seniors Round 12 2021
Round 12 vs Power House AFC
Another away game for the Unicorns, as they travelled to Albert Park to take on Power House AFC who would be keen to atone from their 165 point loss when the two sides met in Round 4.
The sun was out and as usual a strong wind blowing off Albert Lake in to one pocket at Ross Gregory Oval. The Unicorns started the first quarter kicking with a slight wind advantage, and despite some uncharacteristically messy football, were able to hit the scoreboard with more conviction that their opponents. Coach Pretty would later describe the effort in the first quarter as being slightly below par, and the Unicorns were lucky that Power House didn’t convert a few forays forward. Nonetheless the Unicorns opened up a 27 point lead at quarter time.
1/4 Time: MHSOBFC 4-5-29, Power House 0-2-2
The second quarter was a tighter tussle, the Unicorns started with a couple of early goals, but then allowed Power House to take control in the midfield, and the ball was transitioning far too easily from the Power House backline to their forward 50. The unrelenting tight pressure of Power House stifled the Unicorns ability to get to the outside of the contest and use their speed. Power House finished the second quarter with the momentum going in to half time, narrowing the lead to 19 points.
1/2 Time: MHSOBFC 7-6-48, Power House 4-5-29
The Unicorns came out in the third quarter expecting a lift in effort, and it didn’t materialise for the first 15 minutes of the quarter. Power House continued their ascendancy around the contest, and the Unicorns were unable to create turnovers and convert to rebounding the length of the ground like they usually do. Power House kicked the first three goals of the quarter and closed the margin to one point halfway through the quarter. At this point in time Hellier took control of the game when moved into the Ruck, and the Unicorns steadied through goals to Smith & Tetaz. Both goals delivered through turnovers, fast play and rebounding football which hopefully would continue through to the final quarter. Power House would have been confident as it appeared the Western end of the ground to which they were kicking in the last quarter had been the slightly easier end to score at for most of the day.
3/4 Time: MHSOBFC 9-9-63, Power House 7-6-48
This reporter would have loved to be in the huddle at three quarter time to hear what Coach Pretty said to the team, because sitting on the balcony overlooking Ross Gregory Oval in the last quarter was like watching champagne football. The Unicorns flicked the switch and turned the game on its head pretty rapidly. The Unicorns run and polish meant Power House were unable to keep up and the forward 50 entries were repeated and relentless. The Unicorns were able to pile on 9 unanswered goals, including a goal on debut to Colman who had fought admirably in the ruck for most of the day. Unfortunately a peanut in a Power House jumper decided to try show how tough he was by dumping Colman after he had converted the open goal, which was the only sour point in a great quarter of football. The Unicorns ran out winners by 71 points.
Final Score: MHSOBFC 18-12-120, Power House 7-7-49
Goal Kickers: A. Wijayakumara 5, K. Smith 5, A. Horton 2, H. Radcliffe-Smith 2, C. Tetaz 2, S. Braithwaite, W. Colman
Best Players: W. Colman , K. Smith, S. Braithwaite, A. Wijayakumara, W. Hellier, M. Wilson