R6 2025 | Reserves vs Aquinas OC
Round 6 of the VAFA 2025 Season was special for several 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.
After watching a resounding win by a resurgent Jnrcorns, the Reserves welcomed Aquinas under a cloudy sky, the rain holding off as play began. The Unicorns were upbeat after a dedicated win over St. John’s the week prior, whilst Aquinas looked to bounce back after a tough outing away at St. Mary’s Salesian.
Whilst both teams were full of vigour in their opening salvos, the resistance provided by the visitors rapidly melted away under the pressure of a red-hot Unicorns outfit. Debutant Thomas Bulmer was immovable in the guts of play, his strength and instincts helping push the ball forward into prime movers Luke Stone and Reserves returnee Zac Comley-Burns. The weather withheld its damp embrace for the first term, the ball zipped around the field, and deep entries rewarded the forward unit, as Byron Gunn took three for the term, his lack of mobility complemented well by the perpetual motion of Nafi Anaan at half forward. The seemingly continuous movement of play downfield helped minimize the opportunities of their counterparts, and they were held to two majors alone for the term.
Whilst the Unicorns might’ve wished they could’ve kept playing, the siren rung to give the sides a brief respite. Keeping the scorer’s table busy, the home side burst out of the gates to establish a forty-point buffer, 8.4 52 to Aquinas’ 2.0 12.
The heavens began weeping in the second term, a light but continuous pitter-patter emphasizing maintaining the quality of ball movement as the near-perfect conditions of the prior term began to wane gradually. Coming into his own was Tom Sears in the back pocket, if anything, improving as the rain came down, a proverbial duck to water. His class helped to lead his fellow back six with standout results, a measly two scoring shots (for 1.1) allowed, and a total of four for the entire first half, a resounding success.
The wall so solidly erected down back propelled play again into the forward half of the Unicorns, who were relentless in their efforts to gain upon their lead. Josh Grierson was superb in the ruck, feeding it down the throats of his midfielders, who propelled it in the forward line. The attacking unit also showed continued resistance to Aquinas's efforts to ease the stress, with strong follow-up efforts led by Dinuk Epa and the tenacity of Captain-Coach-Cambo, Nick Campbell dogged on his return to the field. The accuracy wavered a touch, but the Unicorns were greeted by the halftime break with an imperious lead, 13.10 88 to 3.1 19.
Playing Coach Nick Campbell breaks through Aquinas’s defensive wall. Image courtesy of Jim Wilson.
Not content with the margin, the side showed their resolve as they sought to extract the maximum for their quality shown on the day. Yet again, the tenacity of the Unicorn’s defenders gave licence for their counterparts further upfield to prosper, as Sam Bonser, Robert Rae, and Nafi Anaan exacted their reward for effort. Nick Campbell kicked his first of two majors for the game, to the roar of his teammates, though he may not remember being the early crowd on a near miss with as much fondness. Tirelessly, the Unicorns kept the foot squarely on the accelerator and blazed away to take with them a 94-point lead into the final quarter.
With the term to the neutral supporter’s eye a foregone conclusion, the visitors to their credit showed their mettle and kept fighting, with their most productive term for the match. But the Unicorns continued to find their way to the big sticks, and left the game with 10 individual goalkickers – six of which were multiple, and included a collector’s item from defender Jack Bourke.
The final siren brought an end to proceedings, the second of three matches on a wonderful day with a wonderful cause, and the Unicorns left jubilant, unyielding throughout to runaway to a 111 point victory.
The next round brings the start of a trio of tantalizing match-ups for the ‘Corns Reserves, travelling away to Old Yarra Cobras, then following up with games against Whitefriars and South Melbourne, all sides vying for a place in the top two next to the undefeated West Brunswick.
Final Scores: MHSOBFC 23.17 155 defeated Aquinas OC 6.8 44
Goals: Byron Gunn 7, Nafi Anaan 3, Max Mclean 3, Nicholas Campbell 2, Mason Fennessy-Kent 2, James Lake 2, Sam Bonser, Jack Bourke, Dinuk Epa, Robert Rae.
Best: Gordon Beet, Zac Comley-Burns, Byron Gunn, Tom Sears, Nafi Anaan, Max Mclean.