Monbulk’s A Grade team had not defeated Wandin since 2010 and had lost the last 15 encounters against the Bulldogs.
In a closely fought first half it appeared that the match could well go down the same path again as Wandin held a 3 goal lead.
Monbulk were still trailing by that margin at the final change but then stormed home with an incredible 18 goal to seven last term.
The Hawks defenders blanketed their opponents and starved them of opportunities while the midcourt pressure created vital turnovers to feed to their forwards.
The 55 goals scored is an A Grade club record against Wandin while the win just about secures a finals berth for the team.
Wandin 47 def by Monbulk 55
Best: Stephanie Puopolo, Paige Whitworth, Sophie Stubbs
Goals: Stephanie Puopolo 45, Sophie Stubbs 10
The B Grade Hawks need to keep winning to hold on to second place as ROC and Olinda are breathing down their necks.
They started well with a 13-7 first quarter.
After that the game was very even but the early break had been enough to see the Hawks through to win number 12 for the year.
This was the first time that B Grade had beaten Wandin at Wandin in 10 years.
Wandin 38 def by Monbulk 43
Best: Georgia Himmelreich, Siobhan Munday, Fleur de Wit
Goals: Iris de Wit 26, Olivia Crook 9, Dayna Walsham 8
In C Grade, Monbulk were not able to make it a trifecta on the courts as the fourth placed Wandin side proved to be too strong for the Hawks’ combination.
Wandin 34 def Monbulk 13
Best: Courtney Witt, Jessica Steele, Lisa Boyle
Goals: Jamie Sands 7, Sammy Beecroft 6
Football
The Monbulk Women’s team began their finals campaign with a Semi-Final against Belgrave at Upwey on Sunday morning.
Monbulk started perfectly and had a goal on the board within three minutes before the Magpies countered with two of their own.
The Hawks controlled much of the second quarter but could not turn it into scoreboard pressure.
For the second half Belgrave structured up better and will now head straight to the Grand Final while Monbulk progress to the Preliminary Final at Yarra Junction next Sunday.
Belgrave 5.7.37 def Monbulk 1.3.9
Best: Maddison Dodd, Yanessa Hancock-Wolfe, Kathryn Gow, Laura Gillard, Claire Scully, Molly Horne
Goal: Kathryn Gow 1
