R6 2023 | Thirds vs Elsternwick AFC

After a disappointing result last weekend, Saturday’s match against Elsternwick AFC at home loomed as a real litmus test for the Thirds.

It was hard fought through the midfield with both teams controlling the ball through periods of the match. First gamers for the Unicorns Zach Kangelaris and Jack Reed both proved to be handy additions to the midfield alongside Dinesh Francis and the always-competitive Will Vann. There were some great passages of play finished off by lowering the eyes to hit up the leading forwards.

The backline held up strongly throughout the whole match, keeping Elsternwick goalless in the last quarter. The best of the backmen was Sam Tralaggan, coming up into the Thirds from the U20’s, playing a great game stopping the ball and providing a lot of drive off the half back line. 

Overall, it was a mature performance from the team to absorb Elsternwick’s pressure and then go the other way taking advantage of opportunities going inside forward 50. No Jamie Shulman in the side meant that the forward line had to find other alternatives to goal, with Sam Bonser the best of them kicking seven goals and Dan Giusti kicking his first goal.

The Thirds come up against Wattle Park AFC next week in the first of five away games, which will be a critical period of our season attempting to continue our winning form.

Final Score: MHSOB: 13.2-80 defeated Elsternwick: 6.9-45

Goal Kickers: S. Bonser 7, D. Francis 2, P. Melilli, L. Allan, D. Giusti, P. Pechlivanis

Best Players: S. Bonser, Z. Kangelaris, W. Vann, D. Francis, S. Tralaggan, S. Longo