By Armin Richter
FOOTBALL
Seniors
Visits to Olinda during the football season usually require coats, beanies and scarves but on Saturday sunscreen was required as temperatures nudged 30 degrees. Monbulk and Olinda have been traditional rivals since first clashing 117 years ago in July 1908. In recent years the Hawks have not tasted success at the Olinda Reserve since Round 3 2015. The Bloods had emerged victorious in the previous 6 clashes there.
The game was well contested in the clinches and little separated the sides over the first half. Olinda then found a better system in transitioning the ball into their forward line to establish a 21 point break in the third term. The Hawks fought out the match but were unable to reel in the deficit.
Monbulk 8.12.60 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.18.72
Best: Joel Wensley, Lochlan Beecroft, Adam Banks, Lachlan Sheppard, Josh Rak, Pat Barge
Goals: Joel Wensley 3, Lochlan Beecroft 2, Declan Browne 1, Nicholas Wall 1, Brodie Emmett 1
Reserves
The Monbulk Reserves made five changes to their team that had run out in round one. Early on they looked comfortable without establishing much of a lead. Olinda then kicked four goals to two to grab an unlikely lead by the final change. The Hawks then steadied while keeping their opponents scoreless in the last to triumph by 20 points as Josh Wentworth claimed successive best on ground performances.
Monbulk 9.13.67 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 7.5.47
Best: Josh Wentworth, Dale Ross, Jacob Defina, Hamish Emmett, Kieren Galloway, Tait Colee
Goals: Dale Ross 3, Josh Wentworth 2, Nicholas Heron 1, Thomas Berman 1, Jacob Defina 1, Steven Shankly 1
Under 18s
The thirds had 19 players, which included six Under 16s, who fronted up again on Sunday. They battled out a determined game but were ultimately overwhelmed by a more accomplished Olinda unit. There are some rising stars amongst this group which augurs well for the future of the club.
Monbulk 3.4.22 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 14.9.93
Best: Brock Downey, William Hughson, Finn Horsfall, Eamon Dawson, Ryder Koelewyn, Myles Koelewyn
Goals: Finn Horsfall 2, Riley Broadbent 1
NETBALL
A Grade
Olinda have recruited some credentialled players and are one of the improvers in A Grade. The Hawks however utilised their quick ball movement and the dynamic forward duo of Ferguson and Reid to extend the lead at every break. Reid, formerly of Olinda, continues to head the league shooting while Monbulk sits atop the ladder. They will face a tough challenge from Wandin after the Easter break for the ANZAC weekend clash at Monbulk in a fortnight.
Monbulk 63 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 42
Best: Stephanie Ferguson, Paige Whitworth, Sophie Stubbs, Tiana Mancarella
Goals: Peri Reid 42, Stephanie Ferguson 21
B Grade
The B Grade scoreline almost mirrored the A Grade result. Monbulk were more consistent across the court as they worked their way to a 19 goal win. Alice McCormick celebrated her 50th match. Despite only being young, Alice also coaches the Under 15s Maroon, where her sister plays. Coaching runs in the family as Mum Bec was Monbulk’s A Grade coach 2015-16 and Dad Luke was the senior football coach 2009-12.
Monbulk 62 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 43
Best: Georgia Wilson, Olivia Crook, Asha Jones
Goals: Jorja Wragg 38, Dayna Walsham 14, Olivia Crook 10
C Grade
Monbulk jumped into the top four with their win over Olinda by 9 goals. The match was an even tussle in the mid court with Monbulk fairing better in the arcs.
Monbulk 37 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 28
Best: Sammi Kelly, Chloe Carmichael, Chloe Schmidtke
Goals: Chloe Carmichael 19, Maddy Buckland 18
D Grade
The Hawks lost a lot of their experience when Jamie Sands, Beth Sands, Shayne Broekhof and Tara Donald were all unavailable. Fortunately the Under 17s had a bye and Isabelle Cross and Ella Flynn gave the team a bench for rotations. In a thrilling finish the Hawks fell agonisingly short by one goal.
Monbulk 22 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 23
Best: Caitlin Utting, Tasha Selby, Macy Giling
Goals: Macy Giling 16, Ella Flynn 6
Under 15 Maroon
Both Under 15 sides travelled to Pakenham for their games. Monbulk Maroon were largely untroubled by Pakenham Gold to secure a 14 goal win. The team sits on top of the ladder and will meet Monbulk Gold in two weeks time. Isla and Stella are second and third in the league in goal-shooting.
Monbulk Maroon 41 def Pakenham Gold 27
Best: Bridie McCormick, Isla Stubbs, Stella Dunstan
Goals: Isla Stubbs 17, Stella Dunstan 16, Jessica Verheyen 8
Under 15 Gold
This side is coached by Bonnie Munday and Erin Hancock-Wolfe. Bonnie has previously coached D Grade and won League and club Best & Fairests while Erin coached A and B Grade in 2008, leading the latter to a flag. This developing team came up short against Pakenham but are showing promise. Eden Murphy is leading the league goal-shooting, which gives Monbulk the three leading scorers in Under 15s.
Monbulk 17 def by Pakenham Maroon 33
Best: Daphne Mitchell, Ruby Irwin, Eden Murphy
Goals: Eden Murphy 13, Amelia Magarry 2, Sophie Pringle 2
