R4 2025 | Reserves vs at St.Mary’s

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.

In a low-scoring but high-effort affair, the Unicorns started brightly, as Dinuk Epa crept out of play to a vacant forward line and took full advantage to begin proceedings. In a game where the outcome was more or less in the balance for the entirety of proceedings, young gun Matthew Giarracca’s polish was evident from the beginning. His efforts, coupled with the model of consistency that is Luke Stone, helped drive the limited forward entries into more dangerous areas, and equally helped maintain the field of play away from the back end. This was solidified by a truly Scrooge-like display from the back six, Oscar Sargeant accumulating a hefty Supercoach score (in turn for the half back to be tagged in the second half of the game), supported well by his fellow backmen. In all, the Unicorns gave away just four points for the term, and took a hard-earned 16-point buffer for their efforts, 3.2 20 to 0.4 4.

St. Mary’s made sure to use the favourable end of the ground in the second term to their advantage, as they attempted to exact the same outcome on their adversaries. In a game where scoring shots were at a premium (with thirteen each for the final count), the Saints were lights out in front of the big sticks with four majors from as many attempts, the same amount of efforts allowed by the Unicorns in the first term, but for the opposite effect. In trying conditions and circumstances, the Unicorns were represented exemplarily by a returning club favourite, as Jarrod Growse showed little rust. Adam Stikolzik, thrust into the forward line and later the ruck, was perpetual in his endeavor for his side. Spurring the team on with his second efforts and endurance, Growse and Skikolzik helped keep the ship afloat, and the Unicorns rode the tide to squeak past the post at half time, up 5.2 32 to 4.4 28.

Adam Stikoltzik celebrates his goal with his team-mates. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.

With a grinding contest with few scoring opportunities, Coach Cambo challenged his charges to seize their moment as the match pushed into its latter stages – all on the field would need to stand up. Whilst all players on the field could attest they showed their mettle, the stinginess of the MHSOB side proved crucial, as just one point entered the scorekeeper’s books for the home side. Whilst not necessarily rampant down the other end of the field, the team did enough to push the needle just a little bit further in their direction, and the side’s return of 2.1 was vital to the context of the match. With the lead extended to three straight kicks (16 points to be exact, 7.3 45 to 4.5 29), the Unicorns could afford to be imperfect in the final quarter – but not by much.

St. Mary’s threw the first punch of the final term, kicking truly, and putting the defensive resolve of the Unicorns under immense pressure with repeat entries, whilst effectively stifling the ball movement past halfway for large swathes of the term. Despite the tension, the Unicorns stuck fast, and worried glances were replaced with jubilation as James Lake popped up and kicked his second of the game, which would ultimately turn out to be the sealer. Despite the knife’s edge, the game was so delicately balanced going into the term, all members of the Unicorns could be satisfied by their performances as they bitterly held on to their lead, and took home with them the win and put the bittersweet memories of the year before to bed, fifteen-point winners.

In a game where most things could have been considered a draw, it was the ability to take advantage of the opportunities provided in front of goal, and fight tooth and nail defending their own, which would please the side the most going into next week’s game against the luckless St. John’s Reserves, languishing winless at the bottom of the table.

Final Scores: MHSOBFC 8.5-53 defeated St Mary’s 5.8-38

Goals: James Lake 2, Nafi Anaan, Dinuk Epa, Mason Fennessy-Kent, Jarrod Growse, Max Mclean, Adam Stikoltzik

Best: Oscar Sargeant, Jarrod Growse, Adam Stikolzik, Matthew Giarracca, Luke Stone, Nafi Anaan.