R18 2023 | U20s vs St Bedes/Mentone

Following back-to-back losses against St Kevin’s and Old McKinnon/Glen Eira, the U20s were looking to end their season on a high against St Bedes/Mentone at home in front of a crowd of senior, reserves and thirds players. With the seniors finishing their season the previous week, the U20s had a large influx of returning players for the final game.

MHSOB started off hot with the midfield dominance at the hands of Petro Pirozek, Cam Witt, James Dimogotsi and Brayden Swenson proving too much for St Bedes/Mentone. The Unicorns kicked the first six straight goals before an improved finish from the Tigers led to a quarter time score of 7.6-48 to 2.0-12.

 The second quarter was even better from the Unicorns with the team getting in sync right across the ground in perhaps their most dominant quarter all season. A product of this movement was Lachie Sharrock kicking three goals in the first half, as he attempted to chase down the division’s leading goal kicker at the other end of the ground. After an eight-goal quarter, MHSOB brought up the century within a half of footy: 15.11-101 to 3.0-18.

After a dominant first half, the boys were expecting a stronger response in the third quarter from the away team. The quarter was much more contested around the ball and the pressure was up, but with great defending from the whole defensive group, the Unicorns kept St Bedes/Mentone scoreless for the term. With one quarter to play, the score was 18.16-124 to 3.0-18.

Going into the final quarter, the objective was set clearly by the coaches: enjoy the last quarter of the season but try and put a big score on the board. In one of the best moments of the season, key defender Minro Eshwara, held goalless his whole career, was put up forward in the final quarter. After a perfect pick up at pace, Minro broke one tackle and sidestepped another opponent before kicking a snap goal on the run. It sent his teammates and the crowd into a wild celebration. It capped off a much-improved season for the U20s, finishing with a 129-point victory. It was their sixth win of the season and culminates in a sixth-place finish on the division ladder.

Final Score: MHSOB: 22.24-156 defeated St Bedes/Mentone: 4.3-27

Goal Kickers: P. Pirozek 5, L. Sharrock 3, N. Wood 2, J. Dimogotsi 2, W. Young, B. Munasinghe, E. Harty, E. Kossyvas, B. Swenson, S. Tralaggan, L. O'Halloran, C. Witt, M. Eshwara, N. Anaan

Best Players: P. Pirozek, J. Dimogotsi, N. Anaan, M. Giarracca, B. Swenson, C. Witt