Seniors
Monbulk and Pakenham met at Monbulk for their round seven encounter in cool and overcast conditions. Both sides were just outside of the Top 5 and a win would be vital for either team before the King’s Birthday bye weekend.
Although conditions were calm and favoured neither end, most of the scoring was done at the Moores Road goals. The Hawks had the best of the opening term but only came away with 2.5 to two behinds for their efforts. Pakenham responded with a six goal to three second term which had the Lions edge in front by five points at the long break. Monbulk regrouped at half time and attacked with aggression for most of the third quarter to again move out to a comfortable 16 point lead and were looking good to claim the four points. In the last quarter the Lions linked up brilliantly and were able to consistently breach the Hawks’ defences to snare a remarkable nine goals and run away with the game by 36 points by the final siren. The Monbulk players played determined football, displaying pride in their jumper, but lost possession on too many occasions in the final stanza, which wasn’t helped by an ankle injury to Dylan Werts. Senior debutant Nick Taylor, coming up from the Under 19s, showed distinct promise.
Monbulk 9.14.68 def by Pakenham 15.14.104
Best: Nick Taylor, Johnathon Hevern, Mackay Bateson, Lachlan Sheppard, Glenn Strachan, Lochlan Beecroft
Goals: Ziggy Hatherley 3, Mackay Bateson 1, Lochlan Beecroft 1, Josh Wentworth 1, Glenn Strachan, Lewis Oliver 1, William Mutschler 1
Reserves
Monbulk had a chance to consolidate their spot in the top five and found themselves evenly matched with the Pakenham side that presented itself on the day. This game was to prove a tight encounter as neither side was able to get a break over their opponents and the margins at the end of each quarter was never more than a goal. The Hawks missed some opportunities early on and later the Lions did likewise. A Pakenham goal one minute before the siren eventually regained the lead for them and was enough to claim the win. For the second week running Monbulk have lost by less than a goal. 42 different players have already represented the Reserves this year, with Benjamin Magnay and Joel Roberts becoming the latest club recruits and they finished with five of the seven goals obtained.
Monbulk 7.9.51 def by Pakenham 8.7.55
Best: Ha Emmett, Toby Versteegen, Jesse Dodd, Jayden Mauchline, Ryan Pentreath, Benjamin Magnay
Goals: Benjamin Magnay 3, Joel Roberts 2, Nick Selleck 1, Brandon Shambrooke 1
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Under 19s
The Under 19s faced Emerald in a return match in the morning, having beaten them at Berwick Springs in round thr. With the ground still slippery from overnight drizzle, it was the Bombers who settled first and had three goals on the board within ten minutes. It was ultimately to be this early onslaught which proved the difference between the two teams and Emerald also eventually scored the last two majors to run out 25 point winners.
Monbulk 3.11.29 def by Emerald 7.12.54
Best: Noah Rutherford, Charlie Barge, Tait Colee, Jai Farmer, Graison Embleton, Ash Bremner
Goals: Thijs Koelewyn 1, Lachlan Smith 1, Nick Heron 1
Womens
Monbulk are finally starting to get more players back than they are losing and were able to have the luxury of having five players on the bench, including the return of 2019 League leading goalkicker, ’Kit’ Gow, from a back injury. Although Pakenham still had a comfortable win over the Hawks, Monbulk were able to celebrate not just their first goal for the season, but also kicked a second one for good measure. Just about every player on the ground swarmed over the successful kickers.
Monbulk 2.0.12 def by Pakenham 10.21.81
Best: Briannan Lambe, Genna Seamer, Laura Gillard, Josie Ford, Kathryn Gow, Maddison Dodd
Goals: Kathryn Gow 1, Briannan Lambe 1
