Underdog Unicorns are raring for top four

Chris Ciampoli

The top four is shaping up. Brunswick, Parkside, South Melbourne Districts and Whitefriars all neck and neck, with the underdog Unicorns raring at the gate to snag a spot for themselves.

MHSOB put on a show on Saturday with an inspirational team effort against Whitefriars. In the first quarter the Friars played their classic footy, high pressure and disciplined with a 26 point lead, but the Unicorns had other things in mind. William Hellier, William Cardwell and Mitchell Wilson turned the tide by winning the in-and-under and placing pressure along the corridor. Opportunities for forwards came along with them, Matthew Pereira (4 goals) and Chris Tetaz (2 Goals) held the line, while William Suhr dominated the ground with four goals. Their skill with the footy only improved as the game prolonged, taking lead in the third and continuing to concert in the fourth.

The Unicorns are officially in-form with four wins in a row. Round 7 sees them home at the Woodfull-Miller Oval against the leaders of the pack Brunswick for what is bound to be an exhilarating battle for top four.

The Brunswick boys fix their crown as they re-start their winning streak and return to the top spot in the Division 2 Men’s ladder. Brunswick came out of the gate with thunder, setting a 36-point lead over St Mary’s Salesian by the end of the first quarter. Best and Fairest, Lewis White worked well behind the ball with the help of Ben Wilson’s flair. Josh Hedley, Nick Burgin and Gus Ross played their classic footy and it showed on the scoreboard. Hayden Parker (4 goals) and Thomas Wilson (2 goals) worked wonders in front of goal, Johnny Haddad was a monster for opportunity but couldn’t quite convert going 1.7. Tahj Haddock put in the work once again setting up well defensively and limiting any opportunity for Saint’s goals. Overall, another impressive performance for Brunswick with the combination of intensity, pressure and midfielders providing opportunity after opportunity. With a few accuracy-drills they’ll be sure to bring their classic brilliance to MHSOB in Round 7.

Old Paradians fans were all smiles after their first win in 2023. The Raiders played a promising brand of footy from the first quarter to the last and went home with their chins high because of a convincing 28-point win over Bulleen Templestowe. Harrison Colomer ran his laces off, won the in-and-under and forced heavy pressure on the Bullants. James King Struan Thomson and Thomas Philp spread their talent all over the ground and put their body on the line for inside fifties. Michael Boundy (4 Goals) made sure his expertise showed up on the scoreboard finishing with accuracy and style. With the Raiders finally making their mark on the division’s ladder, we’re excited to see what they have up their sleeve for weeks to come.

As a result of the Devil’s 5-point loss against the Bullants in round 5, the Old Yarra Cobras faced a ravenous Parkside in Round 6. A competitive first quarter saw the teams neck and neck, but the skill, ball movement and flair of familiar faces Jack Hamilton, Luciano Logozzo and Michael Romano put the pressure on the Cobras. The chemistry of the Parkside midfield is one for the ages and gives rise to golden goalkickers Mitchell Lawson and Benedict Douglas. Not to mention Benjamin Radford who kicked the leather off his boots with an unstoppable 8 goals to his name. By the final siren, Parkside played all four quarters with expertise, hungry for the footy and those four points. They’ve proven to be a squad filled to the brim with talent, versatility, and shown to capitalise on their opportunities, coming home with a 51-point victory over the Cobras.

It’s been a world class two rounds for South Melbourne Districts, a win over the Friars in round 5, and a 19-point win over the ambitious Aquinas in Round 6. From the get-go there was nothing stopping the Swans. Jesse Andrew ripped up the field and the footy, Luke Money and Dominic Tesoriero were too slick and quick for the Bloods. Sam Bradford refused to miss in front of goal kicking six in a most convincing fashion, ultimately converting their hard-earned talent to the scoreboard. Overall, the Swans are looking high and mighty, a tough physical team with some height, flare, and the capacity for brilliance, they are most definitely to remain in the top four if they continue with more solid performances.