By Armin Ritcher
FOOTBALL
SENIORS
Monbulk and Mt Evelyn met at Monbulk on a perfect autumn day for an Anzac weekend clash where both sides were looking to notch their first victory of the season. It was the Rovers who established an early break before Monbulk clawed their way back to trail by just 3 points at the long break. The Hawks weren’t afraid to switch play through the corridor, and at times this hurt them on the scoreboard. As Monbulk challenged in the third term, wasted chances in front of goal with some wayward kicking proved costly. Despite having more scoring opportunities, the return of 1 goal 8 behinds for the second half sealed their fate.
Monbulk 5.14.44 def by Mt. Evelyn 8.8.56
Best: Hayden Finlay, Riley Finlay, Lochlan Beecroft, Josh Rak, Dylan Werts, Thomas Berman
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 1, Hayden Finlay 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, Josh Spencer 1, Jack Downard-Pengilly 1
RESERVES
Monbulk made a raft of changes from their team of last week, some forced and some rotations. The Hawks came out hungry and in an attacking mood as they scored the opening two goals of the match. Mt. Evelyn steadied and looked to have the game under control at times during the second quarter. The Hawks were not to be denied and mounted a challenge in the third term where they managed to edge ahead by a goal. Both sides threw everything into the final term which yielded just one goal and in a thrilling finish Mt. Evelyn won by a solitary point.
Monbulk 5.7.37 def by Mt. Evelyn 5.8.38
Best: Nicholas Taylor, Tim Rickard, Brodie Emmett, Coby Passingham, Jayden Spencer, Steven Shankly
Goals: Charlie Barge 1, Lachlan Smith 1, Michael Langworthy 1, Steven Shankly 1, Jayden Spencer 1
WOMEN’S
Monbulk’s Senior Women’s team has been a revelation this year and were looking to cement their spot in the top three against the winless Officer team. It was the Kangaroos however who landed the first blow and quickly kicked the opening goal. This jolted the Hawks into gear and with a flurry they piled on a match-winning five goals to round out the opening quarter. Monbulk were then untroubled as they maintained control of the match, although the Officer defence lifted for the remainder of the match.
Monbulk 9.4.58 def Officer 2.1.13
Best: Laura Gillard, Jade McCormick, Ruby Ross, Kathryn Gow, Nina D’Emilio, Josie Ford
Goals: Jade McCormick 3, Laura Gillard 3, Kathryn Gow 2, Jennifer Pauw 1
NETBALL
A GRADE
This match was one of wild fluctuations. Monbulk dominated the opening quarter to go in with a six goal break at the first change. The Rovers then turned the game on its head to tie it up by the half. Mt. Evelyn looked to be in cruise control as they got out to a five goal break during the third before the Hawks got a few late goals back to trail by just three at the final break. The match became an absolute cliffhanger as Monbulk tightened up defensively and levelled the scores to force a draw.
Monbulk 46 drew Mt. Evelyn 46
Best: Georgia Himmelreich, Paige Whitworth, Stephanie Ferguson
Goals: Elly Stewart 25, Stephanie Ferguson 21
B GRADE
The Monbulk B Grade girls will be looking to combat their slow starts which have proved costly in the last two weeks. Against Mt. Evelyn on Saturday they fell behind 32-11 by half time. In a credit to the team they never dropped their heads and fought out the match strongly, winning the second half as they changed up their game.
Monbulk 40 def by Mt. Evelyn 59
Best: Siobhan Munday, Jorja Wragg, Rihanna Kelly
Goals: Jorja Wragg 35, Chloe Schmidtke 4, Grace Sands 1
C GRADE
Mt. Evelyn established their match winning lead in the opening term shooting 10 goals to 5. After quarter time there was nothing separating the two sides but Monbulk were never able to breach the gap.
Monbulk 24 def by Mt. Evelyn 29
Best: Lisa Boyle, Grace Sands, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Jamie Sands 17, Grace Sands 4, Chloe Carmichael 1
D GRADE
Monbulk’s D Grade girls are still looking to open their account for 2024. They faced another winless team in the form of Mt. Evelyn but while the endeavor was there, they were not getting results for effort.
Monbulk 14 def by Mt. Evelyn 33
Best: Maddy Buckland, Brooke O’Loughlin, Zali Utting
Goals: Maddy Buckland 10, Hayley Donald 2, Ella Flynn 2
UNDER 15s
This young combination has been undaunted in their debut season. Working well together, they got out to an 11-5 lead by half time against Narre Warren. The Magpies threatened to make a game of it in the third by reducing the margin to 4. Listening to their coaches instructions, and taking on board changes in their game play, yielded dividends in the final quarter as they ran over their opponents 9-2 to come out convincing winners by 11 goals.
Monbulk 27 def Narre Warren 16
Best: Kaitlyn Summers, Stella Dunstan, Isla Stubbs, Isabelle Cross
Goals: Kaitlyn Summers 15, Lara Stenhouse 5, Stella Dunstan 5, Isla Stubbs 2
