Traditional local rivals Monbulk and Emerald met in the knockout first Semi Final of the Under 19s at Avonsleigh on Sunday morning. During the home and away season there had been little to separate these sides as they had each claimed a narrow win over the other, the Bombers getting up by two points in Round One and the Hawks saluting by a margin of eight points in Round 10.
The Hawks had close to their full squad available as a few players came back from injury and others who had played in the Seniors recently were also free to play. As usual, the Monbulk side was not short of support as the maroon and gold faithful turned out in numbers. The conditions were a little slippery after recent rains, but the surface was firm and would allow plenty of run and skill to be displayed.
Both sides attacked the contest hard and neither team was afforded the luxury of easy possessions. The resultant pressure game meant that goals were at a premium. Ben Smith put the Hawks a goal up at the first change but the Bombers responded with three goals to one in the second term to go in at the half with a seven-point advantage.
Monbulk worked hard in the second half to reel in the lead but the Emerald defence thwarted them time and again. It wasn’t until late in the last term that Emerald was able to score their fifth major and break clear to secure the win by 12 points. The loss ended Monbulk’s season but the promising form shown by this group, eight of whom had played seniors this year, augurs well for the future, particularly with so many bottom-age players.
Monbulk 3.6.24 def by Emerald 5.6.36
Best: Tully Ford, William Henderson, Patrick Snoxell, Jake Niclasen, Ziggy Hatherley, Benjamin Grimes
Goals: Ziggy Hatherley 1, Benjamin Smith 1, Harry Fleming 1
