R13 2023 | U20s vs Old Xaverians
With the memory of an important victory against St Bernards last weekend, the U/20s were faced with their toughest task of the season: win against Old Xaverians at the ‘Castle on the Hill’ to put a finals birth within serious reach.
MHSOB started off on the back foot as the away side peppered away at the point posts and missed key opportunities to establish a lead. Vice-captain Ron Shamrak led from the back as his overhead intercept marking would be a staple of a career-best game. MHSOB 2.3-15 to the visitors’ 1.6-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The second term saw MHSOB play some of their best footy of the season with electric ball movement off the half back line leading to many scoring opportunities, as key contributors Gabe Wines-Winch and Matt Giarracca moved the ball with a high level of class and composure. With some extraordinary goal celebrations from Bailey Gallop and James Dimogotsi, the Unicorns went into half time with a ten-point lead 6.8-44 to Xavier’s 4.10-34.
As ruckman Brayden Swenson and key forward Will Young sat injured on the bench, the Unicorns had a tough second half of footy ahead and the opposition were up to the task. With Ron Shamrak’s stand out first half, the new full back put on an excellent display of kicking, marking and run out the backline, which in turn helped set up Lachie Sharrock for several goal opportunities for the aspiring Coleman medal winner (just two goals behind the divisional leader). The third quarter would come to a bitter close with Old Xaverians kicking a flurry of goals to take a four-point lead into the final quarter: 8.8-56 to 7.10-52.
The last term was an incredible lesson for the entire Unicorns team as a tired squad would run out of legs. The warm weather, though great for spectators, and a reduced bench got the better of the remaining players. A valiant effort and arguably the best game played all year ended in a seven-point defeat. With finals looking less likely now, there was no denying the improvement the team has seen since the start of the season, and what they can accomplish in the future.
Final Score: MHSOB: 9.10-64 defeated by Old Xaverians: 9.17-71
Goal Kickers: L. Sharrock 4, B. Gallop 2, J. Dimogotsi, B. Munasinghe, B. Swenson
Best Players: M. Giarracca, G. Wines-Winch, L. O’Halloran, L. Sharrock, J. Dimogotsi, R. Shamrak