Round four of the Dewar Shield confirmed the Unicorns as one of the teams to beat, whilst the Bulldogs showed they have room to improve.
The Match
The game was well played by both team and hung in the balance up until the last 15 minutes. Eventually, the visitors collapsed and the Unicorns ran away with a 37 – 21 victory. The Unicorns were able to use their reserves to good effect, whilst the Dogs showed their lack of depth and fitness.
The kick-off
First Half
The first half started with the Unicorns exerting some good pressure on the Dogs. The Dogs responded with a number of Penalties, in a vain attempt to stop the Unicorns. Referee O’Brien tired of the cyclical infringements, showing the first yellow card after six minutes. Dogs Prop Soane Naufahu was the unlucky recipient.
Unicorns’ flyhalf McConnochie missed the opportunity to capitalise, missing a penalty kick.
The numerical advantage led to the first try of the match, scored by Unicorns’ number 8 Anarae Koliavu at the 9th minute, McConnochie missed the conversion, leaving the scored to 5 – 0 to the Unicorns after nine minutes.
Footscray held on for the rest of the yellow card period. Even with one man down, their scrum was still impressive.
The Docs defended well for the rest of the yellow-card period, conceding no further points. Even with one man down, their scrum was still impressive.
When Naufahu returned to the field, the Bulldogs scored a beautiful try. Martin Naufahu, with some help from the loose forwards, was able to find a gap in the midfield to score the try. He converted his own try to make the score 7 – 5 to the Dogs.
The Bulldogs combining in the midfield
After a fierce battle in the midfield, Melbourne earned a kickable penalty. The kick from Samuel Vaevae’s was successful, gifting the lead to Melbourne. Scores 8 – 7 to the Unicorns.
Footscray applied pressure late in the half and they were almost rewarded with another Try. The turned down a kickable penalty for a lineout, only to cough up possession. Both teams headed to the sheds for oranges with the scores 8 – 7 to the Unicorns.
Second Half
The second half started well for the Dogs as they put the Unicorns under early pressure. This turned into penalties, and eventually a yellow card for Melbourne Centre Josh Cocker- Valu .
The extra man advantage helped the Dogs score another Try, this time from a forwards shunt. Naufahu converted to make the score 14 – 8 to the Dogs.
Melbourne started to use the bench and injected four fresh players into the game.
McConnochie left the field and Mick Snowden switched to flyhalf. The Rebels scrumhalf impressed in the role for the rest of the game. The Dogs stuck with their XV operating only two changes from the bench.
A lineout cleared by Fainga’a
The moves from the head coach worked and the fresher Unicorns were able to move around a tiring opponent. Mataiasi Nairava exposed the gaps in the Bulldog’s backs and crossed the line twice to put his team back in front. Vaevae converted one of the Tries, moving the score 18 – 14 to the Unicorns.
The collapse from the visitors was complete in the following minutes when the Unicorns scored another three tries in the narrow space of 6 minutes to put the game behind Bulldogs’ reach.
Mick Snowden’s try for the Unicorns
Before the final whistle, it was time for Daisuke Yamada, to score an 80-meter try.
Final scores: Melbourne Unicorns 37 – Footscray 21.
The Wrap Up
The game confirmed two early signs of the Dewar Shield 2016 season; Melbourne is a serious contender with structure and depth, Footscray lacks of fitness and numbers.
Up to the first ten minutes of the second half, the match was a good contest with the two teams going at each other very well. However, the game went clearly and unequivocally the Unicorn’s way when their bench got involved.
Game Changer
The game was decided by the benches. The Unicorns injected a dose of fresh blood when needed and got the most from it. Backrower Kako and Italian U20 National Prop Ragazzi were able to regain the dominance in the forwards and create the platform for the backs to expose a tiring Dogs outfit. Conversely, Footscray didn’t had value subs and collapsed due to lack of fitness.
G&GR MOTM
Nairava exposed the Bulldogs defence in the second half. Moving from fullback to wing, the Fijian flyer showed some excellent footwork and found a number of gaps in the Dog’s defensive line. He set up a number of tries and scored two of his own.
Rising Watch
Koliavu was very good in the number 8 position for the Unicorns and Vaevae stepped in the kicking role for the injured McConnochie. The Footscray scrum was excellent early on, even with a man down. Yamada played well in a losing side and even scored a consolation try at the end of the game.
Rebels Watch
Three contracted Rebels played in the game: Mick Snowden, Cullum Retallick, and Colby Fainga’a.
Retallick towering the Bulldogs forwards
The forwards pair lined up for the Dogs, however, they didn’t trouble their Unicorns opponents too much.
Fainga’a returned from injury, but limited training time with the Dogs showed out in the field. His game was not a memorable one and needs to find his rhythm that makes him such as danger for the Rebels.
Cullum Retallick was less impressive than in previous outings with the Bulldogs and struggled in directing the forwards.
Mick Snowden was a standout for the Unicorns playing a very solid game both at scrumhalf and at flyhalf, topped by a try.
Colby Fainga’a leaving the field
The Details
Score & Scorers
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Melbourne 37 (8)
Tries: Anarae Koliavu 9’ ; Mataiasi Nairava 54’, 68’; Michael Snowden 72’; John Aho 75’; Michael Kako 78’
Conv.: Paul McConnochie 0/1; Samuel Vaevae 2/4 ; Michael Snowden 1/1
Pen.: McConnochie 0/1; Samuel Vaevae 1/1
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Footscray 21 (7)
Tries: Martin Naufahu 17’; TBD 51’; Keisuke Yamada 80’
Conv.: Isaiah Leota 2/2; Keisuke Yamada 1/1
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Cards & citings
Yellow cards: Footscray – Soane Naufahu 6′ ; Melbourne – Josh Cocker- Valu 44’
The Other Matches
In other Dewar Shield matches, a thriller went down at Frog Hollow Reserve. The Eagles won their second match in a row after the Rams missed a penalty kick after the siren.
Reigning champions Harlequins continue to dominate their opponents with another 40+ points win, this time on the receiving end was Southern Districts.
Box Hill made it two wins in a row, defeating Power House by 19 points.
Box Hill – Power House 29 – 10
Southern Districts – Harlequins 21 – 48
Endeavour Hills – Moorabbin 24 – 22
Melbourne University had the Bye.
