The Monbulk Senior footballers opened their 2023 campaign on Saturday against reigning Grand Finalists Woori Yallock in an ANZAC weekend clash. The two combatants met in glorious autumn weather at Monbulk as both sides were keen to put a stamp on the new season. Monbulk has often troubled the successful Valley Tigers over the last few decades and the two sides were split 1-1 last year in their two encounters. However, a year is a long time in local football and Monbulk had 10 changes from the team that met Woori in Round 15 last year while Woori had 8 different faces from that game. The Hawks fielded 5 Senior debutants, 4 of which came from the Under 19s.
Monbulk started the better of the two sides and notched six goals to one in an impressive opening quarter. Woori was not to be denied and fought back in the middle two terms, kicking 7.5 to Monbulk’s 5 goals straight in that period. The Hawks went into the last term holding on to a 13-point lead after having made the most of their opportunities while the Tigers had squandered some gettable set shots. With the match evenly poised it was Monbulk that ran the game out best, adding 3 last quarter goals to emerge victorious by 32 points in an entertaining contest.
Seniors
Monbulk 14.6.90 d Woori Yallock 8.10.58
Best: Ben Hughson, Ethan Greenall, Ben Smith, Lochlan Beecroft, William Mutschler, Ziggy Hatherley
Goals: Ben Hughson 4, Ziggy Hatherley 3, Glenn Strachan 2, Hayden Finlay 2, Will Mutschler 2, Ethan Greenall 1
The Monbulk Reserves have been at the wrong end of the ladder for most of the past decade, and for much of that time were battling with Woori Yallock to avoid the wooden spoon. Last season the Hawks had that ignomy with just a solitary win in 2022. Meeting in the opening round would mean that at least one side would start with a win but Monbulk has bigger plans for the season after a strong summer with good numbers on the track. Retired Senior players Dean White and Michael Langworthy have taken over the coaching of this team and soon learnt there is no such thing as retirement in the Reserves as the 200+ senior game stalwarts dusted off the boots to help make up the numbers as a few players were absent. Josh Hill captained the side in the absence of Lewis Oliver. The Under 19s also provided an additional 3 players to fill the team, while Under 19s captain Coby Passingham was one of the field umpires.
Monbulk looked a class above their opponents throughout the tussle and ended up running out convincing 92 point victors with systematic play that had been honed over the pre-season. With a host of players in the side who will be aiming to get into the Seniors line up, there will be pressure for spots which will play out on the training track.
Reserves
Monbulk 15.17.107 d Woori Yallock 2.3.15
Best: Clayton Spooner, Hamish Emmett, Harry Fleming, Joshua Hill, Cameron Griffiths, Kieren Galloway
Goals: Steven Shankly 3, Michael Langworthy 2, Jayden Mauchline 2, Matthew James 1, Cam Griffiths 1, Kieren Galloway 1, Nick Selleck 1, Hamish Emmett 1, Harry Fleming 1, Riley Finlay 1
The Under 19s played their second match for the season after having started last week with an emphatic 11.14.80 to 3.6.24 win over Mt Evelyn. Having lost 4 of their best players to the Seniors this week and another to injury, the Hawks would take on the reformed Woori Under 19s who consisted mostly of members of last years’ Under 17 premiership side. Any doubts the Hawks may have had as a result were soon dispelled as they kept the Tigers goalless in a commanding 64 point win, controlling all facets of the game and find themselves on top of the ladder after 2 rounds.
Under 19s
Monbulk 9.13.67 d Woori Yallock 0.3.3
Best: Nick Taylor, Riley Finlay, Noah Rutherford, William Henderson, Coby Passingham, Jack Downard-Pengilly
Goals: Nick Taylor 2, Jett Bolton 2, Hamish Strathairn 2, Ash Bremner 1, Charlie Barge 1, Kody Timms
The Monbulk Women’s football team unfurled their Division 2 premiership flag from last season to begin their game with the newly formed Berwick Springs team. Monbulk had watched Upwey unfurl the Division 1 flag last week before going down in a game that was far more encouraging than the scoreline of 12.12 v 0.2 suggested. This week they played a determined game with a team that had a few players missing. At the three-quarter time they were four goals down, despite having numerous forward forays, only to be repelled by a very good Berwick backline. The Hawks were unable to stem the tide in the last term as Berwick’s midfielders started to win the contests and injuries took their toll, with the final result not being a true reflection of the efforts exerted.
Womens
Monbulk 0.1.1 defeated by Berwick Springs 9.9.63
Best: Madison Mauchline, Laura Gillard, Stacey Jolly, Indy Bakker, Maddison Dodd, Genna Seamer
MIXED RESULTS FOR MONBULK’S NETBALLERS
Woori Yallock has not been able to get a netball team up and running for this season and Beaconsfield, who had initially dropped to Division 1, were reinstated into Premier Division and faced Monbulk to start proceedings for 2023.
Monbulk’s A Grade team has a slightly different look this year as they will be without star Goal Attack Stephanie Puopolo, who will miss the season as she is expecting her second child, although is staying on as an assistant coach. Nicole Macdowell, the 2017 and 2021 Best & Fairest, has taken on the captaincy, while 4 players made their A Grade debuts. Abbey Whitaker took on the keeper’s position which allowed Tiana Mancarella to play wing defence with the versatile Jen Dewhurst playing a number of roles in the front half. The other 2 debutants were B Grade squad members Paige Rondinella, who shot 17 goals in just 2 quarters, and youngster Rihanna Kelly.
Beaconsfield got off to a strong start and led by 9 goals at halftime. The Hawks were then able to restrict the Eagles’ offence in the third term before winning the final quarter 13-9, ultimately coming up short by 6 goals.
A Grade
Monbulk 35 defeated by Beaconsfield 41
Best: Sophie Stubbs, Nicole Macdowell, Jen Dewhurst
Goals: Paige Rondinella 17, Sophie Stubbs 15, Jen Dewhurst 3
Monbulk’s B Grade team, led by club vice-president Bonnie Munday, burst out of the blocks with a dominant first half where they established a 13 goal buffer. Beaconsfield made inroads in the second half but whenever they managed a little run on, the Monbulk girls were able to steady and maintain their advantage. In a good even performance, the Hawks came away with an 11 goal win to start the season.
B Grade
Monbulk 46 defeated Beaconsfield 35
Best: Bonnie Munday, Rihanna Kelly, Paige Rondinella
Goals: Paige Rondinella 29, Dayna Walsham 17
The C Grade match was a game of fluctuations as the pendulum swung. The Eagles got away to a better start before a 10-4 second term had the Hawks looking good. Although there was no wind, most of the scoring was done at the one end, where Beaconsfield regained the lead by 1 shot at three-quarter time and Monbulk then replied with an 8 goal to 5 last quarter to gain a thrilling 2 goal win.
C Grade
Monbulk 27 defeated Beaconsfield 25
Best: Jamie Sands, Courtney Witt, Isabel Connell
Goals: Jamie Sands 17, Jenna Schnehage 7, Chloe Schmidtke 3
After being unable to get a D Grade team together in 2022, improved numbers allowed Monbulk to again field a fourth open age team. Former player and long time Juniors coach, Rachael Jennings, who played 69 club games 2009-2016, is coaching this team and Natalie Rankin, who had played 73 games for the club between 2012-2016, returned to captain this new, young and enthusiastic squad. With 11 players on the weekend, including 8 first gamers with the senior club, they were ultimately beaten by their more experienced opponents but they will improve as they get games under their belts.
D Grade
Monbulk 11 defeated by Beaconsfield 38
Best: Sammi Kelly, Kate Smith, Caitlin Utting
Goals: Sammi Kelly 7, Natalie Rankin 3, Kate Smith 1
