Seniors Monbulk faced Wandin at home for their Round 2 encounter. The Bulldogs are the reigning premiers and are expected to be thereabouts again this season. On a perfect autumn day the two sides played a hotly contested opening quarter which saw the Hawks hit the front by quarter time.
Wandin’s ability to pressure the ball handler, along with cleaner possessions and structures saw them take control of the game in the second term and eventually run out comfortable winners. Monbulk fought hard throughout the match but weren’t able to transition the ball from defence to attack often enough to maintain scoreboard pressure.
Monbulk 6.6.42 def by Wandin 15.8.98
Best: Joel Wensley, Joshua Spencer, Lochlan Beecroft, Johnathon Hevern, Will Henderson, Lachlan Sheppard
Goals: Johnathon Hevern 2, Max Thornton 2, Josh Wentworth 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1
Reserves
The Monbulk Reserves are an evolving combination and found the Wandin side a tough nut to crack. Another slow start had the side facing a 45-0 deficit by the first change. The team regrouped after that but, while they made some inroads, it was to prove to be a decisive victory for Wandin by 99 points.
Monbulk 3.1.19 def by Wandin 18.10.118
Best: Lewis Oliver, Noah Rutherford, Brodie Emmett, Hamish Emmett, Jacob Defina, Coby Passingham
Goals: Hayden Finlay 1, Zeke Charlton 1, Dale Ross 1
Womens
The Women’s clash was to see two teams meet which both had decisive wins in the opening round, and both strove to remain undefeated. After an even first quarter it was Monbulk who looked to take control in the second and third terms, where the Hawks added 2 goals 4 behinds while keeping the Bulldogs scoreless. However, in the final quarter Wandin staged a comeback to get within a goal, before Jade McCormick kicked the sealer with a minte to go. Ruby Ross took out consecutive Best On Ground honours. This was to be Monbulk’s only win for the day as the Women find themselves in the Top 3 and facing Officer at home next week.
Monbulk 4.5.29 def Wandin 3.2.20
Best: Ruby Ross, Kathryn Gow, Brielle Tipping, Josie Ford, Laura Gillard, Indy Bakker
Goals: Kathryn Gow 1, Jade McCormick 1, Laura Gillard 1, Stephanie Pauw 1
NETBALL
A Grade
This encounter saw two of the best sides in A Grade meet on the Monbulk courts. Wandin got the early break but was never able to shake off the Hawks as an engrossing arm wrestle ensued. The margin was tight all day and it was the Bulldogs who triumphed by 4 goals in the end.
Monbulk 47 def by Wandin 51
Best: Georgia Himmelreich, Jennifer Dewhurst, Paige Whitworth
Goals: Elly Stewart 28, Stephanie Ferguson 19
B Grade
This match was a disappointing result after the side had displayed such strong form last week. Wandin dominated the first half and didn’t give the Hawks a sniff as they piled on the goals, leading 45-14 by half time. Monbulk regrouped and played much better in the second half, winning the third quarter 13-10 and just about broke even for the half.
Monbulk 36 def by Wandin 69
Best: Jorja Wragg, Georgia Wilson, Rihanna Kelly
Goals: Jorja Wragg 31, Dayna Walsham 4, Chloe Schmidtke 1
C Grade
Wandin won this clash in a close contest where critical turnovers and interceptions by both sides had the match see-sawing. In a low scoring match it was a 7-3 third term by the Bulldogs which set up a match winning lead of 6 goals. The Hawks came home hard but fell short by 3 goals in the end.
Monbulk 18 def by Wandin 21
Best: Lisa Boyle, Grace Sands, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Jamie Sands 6, Grace Sands 6, Chloe Carmichael 3, Olivia Crook 3
D Grade
The Hawks put up a concerted effort against the more seasoned Bulldogs and it was just the cumulative effect of broken chains of play which proved to be the difference between the sides.
Monbulk 18 def by Wandin 38
Best: Bronte Passingham, Brooke O’Loughlin, Maddy Buckland
Goals: Hayley Donald 10, Maddy Buckland 8
Under 15s
The Under 15 girls travelled to Pakenham and encountered a strong Lions outfit. Pakenham set up the win in the first quarter with a 6-1 lead, but after this Monbulk more than held their own against a club with a huge junior netball program. This team will play their first home game next week against Narre Warren at 9.25am.
Monbulk 13 def by Pakenham 25
Best: Bridie McCormick, Stevie Mullinder, Isla Stubbs
Goals: Lara Stenhouse 6, Kaitlyn Summers 6, Isla Stubbs 1
