R3 2025 | Reserves vs West Brunswick
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.
In (thankfully) better weather than the blistering day a fortnight prior, both teams kept the heat on each other in a tightly contested affair. The Unicorn’s aggressive free-flowing game style was met head-on by the almost surgical ball movement of their opposition, and the ball camped itself for the majority of the term in the middle of the ground. Henry Lake would’ve been right at home playing against this team the year prior, displaying a strong tandem of youthful exuberance and a cool head under pressure, well backed up in the middle by Mason Fennessy-Kent. The forward entries of both sides were limited and failed to routinely push the state of play past the 50-metre line, such was the pressure exerted by the midfield units. Despite the difficulties, both teams started accurately in front of the big sticks, and the siren sounded, leaving West Brunswick a goal to the good, 4.1 25 to MHSOB’s 3.1 19.
West Brunswick strived to create a buffer for themselves in the second term, utilising their forward press effectively. Undoubtedly, the side is very well drilled, at times as if playing with an extra man on the field. The Unicorns stuck to it, Orlando Seelander leading by example as captain, keeping the clamps on a quality opponent, and further up the field, Reserves returnee Oscar Sargeant was tireless in his presentation and clinical in his disposal. The efforts of both sides were comparable leading into the main break, with the sides putting up thirteen and fourteen scoring shots apiece, but West Brunswick consolidated their slender first quarter lead and took off the ground 16 points to the good, 9.5 59 to 6.7 43.
Max Mclean starts his set shot routine. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
The second half presented a mixed bag for the young Unicorns side, as West Brunswick turned the gears. Whilst the third term only listed a solitary major for the home side, a hallmark of a suffocating West Brunswick defensive effort, they couldn’t be rebuked for lack of trying, as play remained for long periods in the forward zone. Dexter Ryan dominated all day in the ruck, and Max McLean shone through, his efforts complemented by two goals for the game. Despite the positives, the class of their adversaries was evident, and the visitors pushed the advantage and left the quarter 6 goals to the good, 13.7 85 to 9.9 63.
Much the same befell the Unicorns in the fourth term; their continued efforts were pleasing, but the outcome somewhat concealed them. The reigning premiers cashed in as the minutes ticked by, and left the game deserved winners, 18.13 121 to 9.9 63. Nonetheless, the Unicorns can take plenty of positives from their endeavour, and the experience gained will only further the team and their lofty desires.
The Unicorns leave home next round, juggling their democratic duties and a reunion against an old foe, St. Mary’s Salesian, with a score to settle, as the side’s quest for the big dance the season prior was halted by the Salesians in heartbreaking fashion in the semi-final.
Final Scores: MHSOBFC 9.9-63 defeated by West Brunswick 18.13-121
Goals: Max McLean 2, Lachlan Sharrock 2, Dinuk Epa 1, Byron Gunn 1, Henry Lake 1, James Lake 1, Dexter Ryan 1.
Best: Henry Lake, Mason Fennessy-Kent, Dexter Ryan, Mark Fenwick, Orlando Seelander, Oscar Sargeant.