Seniors
Monbulk travelled to Woori Yallock for their Round 10 encounter with the Tigers. Conditions were cool, calm and overcast with a firm but slippery ground from overnight rain. A win would bring the Hawks within percentage of the top sides while a loss could return them to the lower rungs of the ladder.
Woori started more assuredly and kicked the first three goals before Monbulk struck back with the next five of their own and a well earned 15 point buffer at the first break. There was little to separate the sides in the second term and the Hawks were still in front by 9 points at the long break. Despite Monbulk managing three goals in the third term, a late flurry from the Tigers saw them gain control of the match and edge ahead by three quarter time. Woori’s ball movement and team play stood out in the final quarter as they asserted themselves, taking out a 23 point win.
Woori Yallock 14.9.93 def Monbulk 10.10.70
Best: Joel Wensley, Joshua Spencer, Ben Grimes, Lochlan Beecroft, Bailey Rutherford, Mackay Bateson
Goals: Mackay Bateson 2, Ziggy Hatherley 2, Lochlan Beecroft 1, Kai Linde 1, Josh Wentworth 1, Glenn Strachan 1, Ben Grimes 1, Lachlan Sheppard 1
Reserves
The Monbulk Reserves were never really troubled against the last placed Woori team after scoring five goals in the opening quarter. The Tigers did close down the Hawks for the next two terms which restricted scoring as the side did not structure up as planned. In the final quarter Monbulk finally got their game plan going again and slammed on seven goals to cruise to a 90 point win and retain their spot in the top five.
Woori Yallock 1.5.11 def by Monbulk 15.11.101
Best: Joshua Iacuone, Hamish Emmett, Steve Oates, Josh Rak, Cameron Griffiths, Shane Williams
Goals: Michael Langworthy 5, Shane Williams 3, Joshua Iacuone 2, Dean White 1, Aaron Smith 1, Mark Flynn 1, Jayden Mauchline 1, Shaun Wiering 1
Under 19s
Monbulk’s thirds had the worst of the conditions in the morning as consistent drizzle and puddles across the ground made for a scrappy contest. Woori surprised the young Hawks with their more direct style and kicked three first quarter goals in what could have been a match winning lead. Monbulk did all the attacking in the second quarter but only scored 4 behinds for their efforts. It wasn’t until the third quarter that the Hawks kicked their first goal, which was quickly followed by two more as they hit the front for the first time. The final stanza was an even tussle and Monbulk held on for a gritty win.
Woori Yallock 5.3.33 def by Monbulk 5.11.41
Best: Riley Finlay, Nicholas Heron, Jai Farmer, Lachlan Smith, Timothy Rickard, Tait Colee
Goals: Ash Bremner 1, Kody Timms 1, Jai Farmer 1, Lachlan Smith 1, Nicholas Heron 1
Womens
The women’s team journeyed to Healesville to face the undefeated juggernaut in this competition. Mustering just 16 players to the Bloods’ 23 wasn’t ideal on the vast expanses of the Don Road Reserve. Injuries meant that they conceded a height advantage, with midfielder Genna Seamer forced into ruck duties. Their previous meeting had finished 124-0, and after Healesville scored three quick early goals it looked like a repeat was on the cards. The girls dug deep though and placed great pressure on their opponents for the remainder of the match, which surprised the ladder leaders, and they conceded just five more goals to halve the deficit this time round.
Healesville 8.15.63 def Monbulk 0.0.0
Best: Maddison Dodd, Josie Ford, Indy Bakker, Kathryn Gow, Shaye McLean, Madeline Caarels
