On the eve of the mid-season bye, MHSOBFC Reserves made the journey out to Donvale to face up against familiar opposition, the mostly thereabouts and always competitive Whitefriars Reserves. With both teams aspirant for a top four finish (the Unicorns leading into the match two wins to the good), the opportunity beckoned for either side to lay down their finals credentials under the warm autumn sky.

Byron Gunn’s 100th game was cause for much excitement in Round 7, away against the Old Yarra Cobras. After seven and a half years at the club, many claims in preceding years that he was done, and swapping from full-back to become one of the greatest reserves full-forwards the game has ever seen, the achievement was not to be taken lightly. With his familiar lumbering gait, Byron led the team out onto the oval.

Round 6 of the VAFA 2025 Season was special for a number of reasons, as the Woodfull-Miller Oval played host to a triple header. The Jnrcorns, the Reserves and the Seniors all played host at home, with a luncheon bringing many of the MHSOB faithful down to enjoy the day. Most importantly, this week marked Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Round, as the whole club was honoured and privileged to don orange socks, and to raise awareness and support for an incredible cause.

Round five of the Division 2 Reserves Season brought together two sides in different postcodes on the ladder, with MHSOB’s 3-1 start firmly placing them into the early conversations for September action. Their counterparts this Saturday would be the winless St. John’s, who had stumbled out of the blocks thus far, a tough draw, some tough luck, and a lack of players accounting for their story so far. Despite that, a full side marched out against the Unicorns as play began at Thomas Carroll Reserve, the home side determined to change their fortunes.

Off the losing end of a strongly contested affair to a deservedly rewarded West Brunswick, the ‘Corns Reserves had little time to reflect as their next fixture brought them to modern rivals, and currently undefeated side in St. Mary’s Salesian Reserves, hosted the side for Round 4. With a heartbreaking semi-final loss inflicted by the Saints to slam shut the flag ambitions of the Unicorns side the year prior, the bitter memory was not far from the team’s minds as play began on a typically windy Saturday out at Ferndale Park.

MHSOBFC hosted ladder leader West Brunswick at the beloved Woodfull-Miller Oval in a contest between the two teams atop the table. With West Brunswick winning their Reserves Grand Final in Division 1 the year prior, the game presented an opportunity for a youthful Unicorns group to engage against quality opposition, with both sides harbouring dreams of silverware come springtime.

The second round of the 2025 season brought together the MHSOB Reserves, buoyant following their dominant 93-point win against old foes Hawthorn Reserves, and newly promoted Canterbury Reserves. Canterbury had fought hard against St Mary’s Salesian Reserves away at Ferndale Park, but fell away in the second half to the eventual 58-point victors.

After a phenomenal 2024 season that came agonisingly short of a place in the big dance, the MHSOB Reserves made their way back out for the Opening Round of 2025 against Hawthorn Reserves at Rathmines Road Reserve.

With the 2024 regular season done and dusted, attention and excitement turned to the finals series. MHSOBFC, having put together an incredible body of work, were rewarded with a second placed finish, pitting them against the imperious Brunswick, whose dominance had resulted in them qualifying for the finals atop the ladder. The two teams met at the windswept neutral venue of La Trobe Oval in Bundoora, so warmups were completed with intensity and last words of advice metered out before play began.

The culmination of the 2024 regular season served up a tantalising fixture for the Division 2 Reserves die-hards, the second-placed Unicorns looking to solidify their finals credentials after a disappointing loss against ladder leaders Brunswick, and welcoming third-placed St Marys Salesian to the Woodfull-Miller Oval. 

The Unicorns travelled out to Gillon Oval to take on ladder leaders Brunswick, both coming off wins in their previous round match ups, against Bulleen-Templestowe and Whitefriars, respectively.

MHSOBFC journeyed out to a sunny Ted Ajani Reserve in fine form, off the back of a convincing 47-point win over Elsternwick, as the push for a top two finish intensified with only three games to go before finals. Their opponent, Bulleen-Templestowe, whilst not in the finals picture, were trounced by the Unicorns earlier in the year, and despite not registering a single point in the last encounter, were eager to change the outcome this time around, on their home deck.

With a win guaranteeing finals footy for the Magoos, Elsternwick came into the game in a good patch of form, most notably defeating then-undefeated ladder leaders Brunswick. In far more agreeable conditions, the game also was underlined by three special milestones, the 50th game donning the maroon and green for the tireless Alex Mourtikas, as well as crowd favorite Dinuk ‘Juice’ Epa. The final commendation went to MHSOB Reserves legend Shannon Keough, the two-time Best and Fairest winner and current Assistant Coach lacing up the boots for the 164th and last time, much to the delight of his teammates.

Continuing our winning momentum and mentality, MHSOBFC delivered a stellar performance at the Woodfull-Miller, the theatre of dreams, triumphing over a Wattle Park Animals side with a final score of 165 to 14.

Continuing our winning momentum and mentality, MHSOBFC delivered a stellar performance at the Woodfull-Miller, the theatre of dreams, triumphing over a Wattle Park Animals side with a final score of 165 to 14.

In a clash that had fans on the edge of their seats, MHSOBFC continued their red-hot winning streak, outmuscling a high-flying Hawthorn In mud-soaked battle royale at the hallowed Woodfull-Miller Oval. This gritty triumph not only solidified the Unicorns' status as the team to beat, but also catapulted them within striking distance of the top spot, trailing league leaders Brunswick by a mere game.

Off the back of a convincing win last round against St Marys Salesian, MHSOBFC made their way back home for their final game before the mid season bye against Aquinas. The two teams had had vastly contrasting seasons, with the Unicorns sitting second on the table, and their opponents second last. The two teams had met once prior this season, with the green, maroon & black winning at Aquinas College by 30 points.

Fresh off a strong win against formidable opponents South Melbourne, MHSOBFC looked to continue their strong form in their push for the top two, and faced the current holder of second place, St Marys Salesian, who fought for a gritty last-round win against Elsternwick. Separated by a game and percentage, the fate of both sides’ aspirations were in play, as Brunswick sat undefeated above them in top place.

Coming off a well-earned bye, the Unicorns resumed their promising start to the 2024 season down at Lindsay Hassett Oval, home of the South Melbourne Districts, just barely two months after their last encounter, where an inspired Swans took home the points at the Woodfull-Miller Oval.

MHSOBFC returned to the Woodfull-Miller Oval with a performance for the ages, dismantling Bulleen Templestowe in a staggering 301-point victory. From the first bounce, it was clear that MHSOBFC meant business; the Bullants were quickly put on the back foot as the Unicorns' forwards found their range early and often.