Seniors
Monbulk travelled to Toomuc Reserve in Pakenham for their Round 17 match against the Lions. The Hawks had to win to remain with a real chance of making the finals. The morning drizzle had stopped and conditions were close to ideal with little wind and a cloud cover as the game commenced. Pakenham quickly settled into their game style and succeeded in slotting four first quarter goals to establish a handy 25-point lead by the first break. Monbulk fought back several times over the next two quarters, only to see the Lions respond to the challenge each time. By the final quarter Monbulk were down by five goals. The Hawks fought out the match but any chance of a comeback was lost when they were only able to register one goal and five points as Pakenham ran out deserving winners by 39 points.
Monbulk still has a faint possibility of making the finals but it is coming down to mathematics. If the Hawks can defeat the fifth placed Upwey-Tecoma by about 12 goals or more they would sneak in on percentage. Monbulk will join Upwey next week to celebrate the life of Gary Wragg who passed away this week. Gary was a Monbulk FNC Life Member and past president, a four time premiership player at Upwey-Tecoma and a former League president.
Pakenham 13.8.86 def Monbulk 6.11.47
Best: Lochlan Beecroft, Max Thornton, Thomas Taylor, Lachlan Sheppard, Noah Rutherford, Bailey Rutherford
Goals: William Mutschler 2, Lochlan Beecroft 1, Josh Wentworth 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, Lachlan Sheppard 1
Reserves
Monbulk fielded a patched up side in the penultimate round of the home and away season. The slippery conditions kept scoring low as the Hawks established an early lead through Shane Williams who kicked two goals and set up another in the first quarter. By quarter time they had a nine point lead and still led by 1 point at half time. The Lions played the big ground better and gradually worked their way in front as Monbulk only managed one goal after quarter time to go down by 14 points. After having had a good start to the season, any hope of making the finals was lost with this match.
Pakenham 5.9.39 def Monbulk 4.1.25
Best: Brodie Emmett, Shane Williams, Nick Taylor, Lachlan Smith, Nick Selleck, Lachlan Hancock-Wolfe
Goals: Shane Williams 3, Lachlan Smith 1
