Seniors Round 2 2022
The MHSOBFC clash with Ivanhoe was long awaited, as neither side got to test each other out in the 2021 shortened season. After a pleasing first round victory against Yarra Valley, this was a good chance for the Unicorns to work out the 2022 pecking order.
There was plenty to be excited about before the bounce, with Julian Eimutis making a memorable debut for the corns. The first quarter was a see-sawing affair, with both teams showing glimpses of what they were capable of.
Ivanhoe put the pressure on with two quick goals, but were quickly answered thanks to some midfield prowess from the likes of dominant big ruckman Brendan Cook and excellent forward craft a.k.a free kick winning ability from Kane Smith. The teams would go in to quarter time tied at 3.2.20, and with the breeze favouring the corns in the 2nd, they set to work.
The triple J combination, Jules, Jamie Lawson and JRS quickly got onto in the middle and the Unicorn machine began to find its gears. Steve “Dead-mo” Edmonds found plenty of the ball down back, and with the run and carry of the Unicorns it was quickly slipping away from Ivanhoe. A 5 goal to none second term capped off with a Jimmy Tran classic, bursting out of the middle and seemingly icing the game into half time.
While Scott Selwood was not included in the Ivanhoe lineup, it appear that at halftime they were able to range Two Meter Peter (or A. Close copy of him), who started to put a somewhat undersized backline under pressure. Despite the height mismatch, the defence would stand tall and the ball use and run generated from down back would allow Ashan Wijayakumara to get “off the chain” and snag a couple of key goals.
Another quarter that shared 3 goals for each team, but no doubt the best of the lot saved for Jules, who kicked truly and got mobbed by his teammates in a similar fashion to Buddy’s 1000th, all be it at the home of amateur football and not the SCG.
Tired legs started to creep into the fourth and with Steve Edmonds was ruled out with concussion, and A. Close for Ivanhoe began to assert his 30cm height advantage over the nearest tallest player for the corns.
Some desperate defending from veterans Sean Lester and Sam Hayes, combined with great two way running from Tony “The Tank” Tran would ensure that the Corns would keep a slender advantage when it mattered, running out victors by 12 points.
Final Score
Mhsob 3.2-20 8.7-55 11.8-74 13.13-91
Ivanhoe 3.2-20 3.6-24 6.9-45 11.13-79
Goal Kickers: A. Wijayakumara 4, J. Tran 2, W. Cardwell, J. Eimutis, C. Tetaz, K. Smith, M. Stella, J. Radcliffe-Smith, H. Radcliffe-Smith
Best Players: J. Eimutis, S. Edmonds, J. Tran, S. Lester, W. Cardwell, A. Wijayakumara