R3 2024 | Thirds vs Canterbury
Back at home for the first time this season and kicking off another triple header, MHSOBFC were looking to shake off an underwhelming start to the year and break through for a much-needed first win to kickstart their 2024 campaign. Their opponents were Canterbury, who they faced three times last year for two huge wins and a draw.
In a tight opening quarter, MHSOBFC battled their way to a 14-point lead against the plucky Cobras. Another similarly contested second quarter where both sides kicked two goals apiece (although some gettable opportunities went begging for the Unicorns) saw the home side go into the main break 19 points in front.
A half-time rev up from coach James Yucel was met with a response from his troops who found some rhythm in the third quarter to constrict the opposition's attacking avenues and keep them goalless. In the meantime, they registered three goals themselves to take a commanding 37-point advantage into the final change. A resounding effort kicking four goals to one saw the first win chalked up, as the Unicorns marched away to win by 59 points, reflecting the discipline and dominance shown in the second half.
The returning Sam Bonser proved too classy for the Canterbury defence, kicking seven goals from clever leading patterns and bodywork in a standout best on ground performance. Veteran ruckman Adam Ashton again put in a mountain of work, winning the hitouts convincingly all over the ground to feed his midfielders, in particular Jye Gillespie and Mitch Pulkka, who positioned themselves perfectly all day at the contest while also winning plenty of their own ball. Key defender Nathan Wood was impenetrable in leading a miserly defensive group that held the opposition to just 27 points, while expat Tom Sears proved a handful at ground level as a small forward kicking three very impressive goals from open play.
A second home game in as many weeks against Box Hill North awaits the Unicorns, who will be keen to square the ledger at 2-2 to keep the momentum going this season.
Final Score: MHSOBFC 12.14-86 defeated Canterbury 4.3-27
Goal Kickers: Sam Bonser 7, Tom Sears 3, Avinash Nair, Josh Kulasingham
Best Players: Sam Bonser, Adam Ashton, Nathan Wood, Jye Gillespie, Mitchell Pulkka, Tom Sears