R10 2024 | Seniors at St Marys Salesian
If you’re reading this and have been away from Melbourne for a few weeks, you could be forgiven for thinking it had rained for the three days leading up to and throughout the round 10 contest, given the cumulative seven goals and 28 behinds. In fact, it was as good as breezeless, and a few of MHSOBFC’s players even had sunscreen on.
The team was thrilled to have Mitch ‘Titch’ Wilson back in the side, as well as Hugh Radcliffe-Smith for his first game of 2024, but the majority of the attention was on the debuts of reserves’ standouts Gordon Beet and Nick “Stallion” Campbell.
After a frustrating loss to South Melbourne last week, the seniors stayed within a game of the top four courtesy of other results falling their way, so the trip to Ferndale Park to play St Marys Salesian for the first time this year was an important contest. The Unicorns started well, following on from the reserves’ winning tone, and full forward Mathew Periera slotted two majors in the term. The team’s pressure upfield also forced poor forward 50 entries by the home side, and at quarter time MHSOBFC led 2.3-15 to 0.2-2.
The rest of the game was an arm wrestle played mainly between the arcs. In fact, the Unicorns had more ‘out on the fulls’ trying to release via the narrow northern-side wing than goals kicked for the game. One major to midfielder Liam Littore in the second quarter gave MHSOBFC a seven-point buffer at half time.
Captain Sean Lester breaks free from a tackle. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
The message from Head Coach Bernie Pretty at halftime (and at all breaks) was about effort, and this was on high display for the last 60 minutes. The midfielders continued to go to work, and the defensive unit held strong led by the reliable Oscar Sargeant. Midway through the third quarter, midfielder Nick McKinnon broke the forward 50 arc and ran in to kick an important goal, the only major for either side in the term, and a 13-point lead at the final break.
In the last quarter, St Marys Salesian pushed hard but through some desperate defending and much needed composure with the football, the Unicorns held on for a vital four-point victory. This leaves the team in sixth spot on the ladder, a game and percentage behind fourth, with Aquinas at the Woodfull-Miller Oval next week. Approaching the mid-season bye, MHSOBFC’s fate really is in their own hands.
Final Scores: MHSOBFC 4.13-37 defeated St Marys Salesian 3.15-33
Goal Kickers: Mathew Pereira 2, Nick McKinnon, Liam Littore
Best Players: Sean Lester, Anthony Tran, Nick McKinnon, Will Hellier, Brayden Swenson, Mathew Pereira, Oscar Sargeant