By Armin Richter
FOOTBALL
Seniors
Playing conditions were ideal at Monbulk as the local side met Wandin for the ANZAC weekend round of matches. The Bulldogs entered 2025 as flag favourites and put on a display of football befitting that tag. The Hawks fought hard throughout but were exposed by the skillful transition of play when Wandin won the ball. Monbulk last defeated Wandin in Round 16 2012 and will look to bounce back against traditional rivals Upwey-Tecoma this week.
Monbulk 6.7.43 def by Wandin 23.9.147
Best: Campbell Evans, Lochlan Beecroft, Lachlan Sheppard, Ryan Burleigh, Josh Rak, Mitchell Dekker
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 2, Nicholas Wall 1, Brodie Emmett 1, Joel Wensley 1, Campbell Evans 1
Reserves
A dour struggle resulted in just 4 goals being scored to three quarter-time in perfect surroundings. Monbulk finally found their rhythm in the last term to kick 5.3 to nil and emerged easy victors by 43 points, although the game had been anything but easy. The Hawks remain undefeated and move to second on the ladder.
Monbulk 8.9.57 def Wandin 1.8.14
Best: William Mutschler, Aaron Smith, Thomas Berman, Kieren Galloway, Nicholas Heron, Dylan Werts
Goals: Johnathon Hevern 2, Steven Shankly 2, Nicholas Heron 1, Hamish Emmett 1, Zeke Charlton 1, Dale Ross 1
Under 18s
Monbulk were able to field sixteen players with the help of 5 Under 16s. This year will be one for consolidating the side as they re-establish themselves. There were great individual efforts and the team will be looking for continued improvement across the team. Eamon Dawson and Will Hughson, last year’s Under 14 and Under 16 League Best & Fairests respectively, continue to lead by example.
Monbulk 3.5.23 def by Wandin 18.8.116
Best: Eamon Dawson, William Hughson, Finley Ede, Brock Downey, Lucas Ibarra, Jed Fraser
Goals: Eamon Dawson 1, Myles Koelewyn 1, Ryder Koelewyn 1
NETBALL
A Grade
Monbulk and Wandin entered this clash as two undefeated teams. After a close first quarter Wandin drew away in the second after a 22-10 term. Monbulk won the third quarter before Wandin had a big finish in the last. The Hawks will be looking for a more consistent four quarter performance this week.
Monbulk 49 def by Wandin 72
Best: Sophie Stubbs, Rihanna Kelly, Stephanie Ferguson
Goals: Peri Reid 36, Stephanie Ferguson 13
B Grade
It was also a case of unbeaten teams meeting in B Grade. In a seesawing match the Bulldogs had a 3 goal lead by half time before the Hawks established a two goal buffer at the final change of ends. Monbulk then put in their best quarter for the year, scoring 21 to 7, and ran out big winners. The Hawks take the top spot from ROC on percentage.
Monbulk 59 def Wandin 43
Best: Asha Jones, Jorja Wragg, Grace Scott-Thomas
Goals: Jorja Wragg 46, Olivia Crook 7, Dayna Walsham 6
C Grade
Wandin played a more composed game and made the most of their opportunities to hand Monbulk their first loss for the year.
Monbulk 20 def by Wandin 45
Best: Sammi Kelly, Maddy Buckland, Shiloh Koole
Goals: Maddy Buckland 14, Chloe Carmichael 6
D Grade
A costly first quarter had the Hawks looking at a 10 goal deficit at the first change. Monbulk recovered to have a slight advantage for the remainder of the match but were unable to reel in Wandin.
Monbulk 22 def by Wandin 31
Best: Beth Sands, Leah Hansby, Jamie Sands
Goals: Jamie Sands 15, Isabelle Cross 4, Ella Flynn 3
Under 17s
Monbulk took it up to the ladder leading Wandin team all through the game but ended up a few goals short in the end.
Monbulk 31 def by Wandin 38
Best: Ella Flynn, Shiloh Koole, Isabelle Cross
Goals: Ella Flynn 19, Kaitlyn Summers 9, Maddison Bedet 3
Under 15s
Monbulk’s two Under 15s teams were drawn to play each other. In a good quality match the scores were tied at half time. Monbulk Maroon had a big second half to eventually run out 12 goal victors, remaining on the top of the ladder.
Monbulk Maroon 34 def Monbulk Gold 22
Monbulk Maroon Best: Bridie McCormick, Isla Stubbs, Jessica Verheyen
Monbulk Gold Best: Ruby Irwin, Eden Murphy, Daphne Mitchell
Monbulk Maroon Goals: Isla Stubbs 18, Jessica Verheyen 11, Stella Dunstan 5
Monbulk Gold Goals: Eden Murphy 19, Amelia Magarry 3
