NETBALL
A Grade
It was Preliminary Final day at Gembrook on Sunday with a mild and sunny day, however a strong wind was blowing, which is nothing unusual for that ground. Wandin have been a power team in netball, along with Mt. Evelyn, for around 15 years. Since the 2010 finals the Hawks have only twice managed to lower the Bulldog’s colours in A Grade, surprisingly both at Wandin, in 2022 and 2024. The head to head record in that time stood at 2 wins and 24 losses leading into this week’s Preliminary Final.
Monbulk started off well, matching Wandin around the court and trailing 10-12 at the first change. From the start of the second quarter the Bulldogs took control of the match. With superb running and passing by Wandin, Monbulk were unable to maintain momentum and were overrun by a skillful and well drilled team. The Hawks have had a good year and finish in third place, their best finish since making the Grand Final in Division 1 in 2019 and their best finish in the top division for 19 years, since their 2006 premiership.
Monbulk 41 def by Wandin 65
Best: Stephanie Ferguson, Rihanna Kelly, Grace Scott-Thomas
Goals: Peri Reid 26, Stephanie Ferguson 14, Sophie Stubbs 1
B Grade
Mt Evelyn’s B Grade team had finished in second place, having only lost three matches. This was five wins ahead of Monbulk who had placed fifth with a 10-8 record. The Hawks had put together a good body of work in the finals, coming from behind to beat Woori Yallock and then surprising Wandin last week in the same manner. Could they defeat another fancied rival? In the nine meetings between these teams since Covid, Monbulk had only registered a solitary win in B Grade against the Rovers and lost both matches this year.
In a physical encounter neither side was prepared to give an inch. It was virtually goal for goal through the first half and scores were tied at 20-20 by the main break. Some superb defensive intercepts by captain Bonnie Munday and Tiana Mancarella then allowed Monbulk to gain advantage in the third as they established a seven goal lead. The entire team played a brilliant game and ran out deserving winners, earning a spot in the Grand Final. This is the fourth Grand Final for B Grade, having previously won in 2008 against Warburton-Millgrove and finished runners up in 2013 to Wandin and 2017 to Woori Yallock.
Monbulk 45 def Mt. Evelyn 36
Best: Jorja Wragg, Alice McCormick, Asha Jones
Goals: Jorja Wragg 40, Olivia Crook 5
Under 15s
Monbulk were guaranteed a Grand Final spot as Monbulk Maroon faced off against Monbulk Gold in the Preliminary Final. It is usual for players to be unavailable during the year but to then have everyone making themselves available for the finals. For the Monbulk Gold team it has been the opposite. With Eila Dewhurst, Ria Greenaway and Aaliah Riddiford all unavailable, and Ella Longo having a broken wrist, the Gold team only had six members to call upon to pick their team from. The match was played at six per side, which might be unique for a final.
Monbulk Maroon had won the three previous clashes between these teams but it has been the form of the Gold team that has been impressive recently as they have dispatched ROC White and Pakenham Maroon on their way from the Elimination Final. Monbulk Maroon had five players who had participated in last year’s Grand Final – Bridie McCormick, Isla Stubbs, Stevie Mullinder, Stella Dunstan and Maddison Calcagno.
In a well fought match it was the run and defence of the Gold team which stood out. Having a potent goal shooting duo of Eden and Amelia, the former having won the League shooting in this division, proved the difference as Gold won by 8 goals to advance to the Grand Final.
Monbulk Gold 33 def Monbulk Maroon 25
Monbulk Gold Best: Eden Murphy, Daphne Mitchell, Ruby Irwin
Monbulk Maroon Best: Stevie Mullinder, Isla Stubbs, Maddison Calcagno
Monbulk Gold Goals: Eden Murphy 20, Amelia Magarry 13
Monbulk Maroon Goals: Isla Stubbs 15, Stella Dunstan 5, Jessica Verheyen 5
Next Saturday Monbulk will have three teams in the Grand Final at Healesville, which is a club record for their netball sides in a single season. At 8.30am ROC Blue will play Monbulk Gold in the Under 15s, D Grade will be at 10.40am between Monbulk and Mt. Evelyn while B Grade between ROC and Monbulk will be at 2.45pm.
