R7 2025 | Dev Squad at South Melbourne

Fresh off a dominant win over UHS-VU, the JnrCorns came into the South Melbourne clash with momentum — but also a clear message: don’t get complacent. The boys hit the track hard during the week, drilling set plays crafted by assistant coach Joseph Pious, and were ready to roar at the familiar Ian Johnson Oval — the scene of our famous first win over AJAX.

The opening term was red-hot from the first bounce. South Melbourne’s size gave them the early clearance advantage, leading to repeat inside 50s. But our back six stood tall. Captain Lachlan O’Halloran and Vice Captain Sam Tralagaan led from the front, supported by the ever-reliable Callum Hackman. Their defend-first mentality turned the tide, launching us forward on the counter. Despite being outgunned 8–2 in inside 50s early, it was the JnrCorns who made it count. Bailey Gallop’s pinpoint delivery found Mohammed Elfaki for the opening goal, setting the tone. Aaron Shipperlee followed up with a long-range bomb, Atlas Yates slotted his first, and Lachie Sharrock picked up where he left off last week. With dominant midfield work from Matt Haberfield, Lucas Judd, and Ben Tyrrell, we stormed to a 56-point quarter-time lead.

Kicking into the wind in the second, we knew structure was key, and we responded. Playing back shoulder, we held our shape and used our halfbacks, Austin Reynolds and Asher Claney, to transition the ball with pace. Asher, Habbers, and Hamish Webb linked up in RJFC style before Asher coolly slotted a long-range beauty. While our entries inside 50 weren’t always clean, too often opting to bomb long, we went into the main break with a 75-point lead. Still, the scoreboard didn’t reflect the contest, and we knew a cleaner second half was needed.

The third quarter was simply electric. We started hitting targets inside 50, playing some of our best footy yet. Oscar Payne, who started roving his taps, was immense, feeding his on-ballers and working both ways. Up forward, Azza clunked everything and finished with five majors (narrowly missing a bag, X+1). Kavish Tailor found space at will, linking with Mo again, who has a nose for a goal. As the ground dried and the game opened up, our ball movement hit another level. Eight goals later, we led by 110 at the final change.

The last term was a grind. South Melbourne surged forward, forcing our defence into overdrive. Lachie Lane and Liam Leeden held firm, repelling repeat entries and keeping things steady despite a reduced bench. Bowen Clarke nailed his first major, and Mo delivered a goal-of-the-year contender — hitting the pack at full pace, spinning out, and snapping truly… celebrating, as always, to an empty pocket. The boys lapped it up. When the final siren sounded, the scoreboard read 145–26.

Another emphatic win, another raucous song in the rooms. That’s three in a row for the 5–2 JnrCorns, who sit proudly at the top of the table. With an unknown opponent ahead, the boys will look to bring the same fire next week

Final Score: MHSOBFC Dev Squad 21.19-145 defeated South Melbourne 3.8-26.

Goalkickers: A.Shipperlee 5, L.Sharrock 4, M.Elfaki 3, L.Judd 2, A.Claney, B.Clarke, B.Gallop, O.Payne, L.Roughton, K.Tailor, A.Yates

Best Players: M.Haberfield, L.Judd, O.Payne, L.O’Halloran, A.Shipperlee, A. Reynolds