By Armin Ritcher
FOOTBALL
Seniors
The Monbulk v Narre Warren match looked to be a one-sided forgone conclusion prior to the fixture taking place. The Hawks were winless while the Magpies were undefeated with an average winning margin of over 70 points, a 38 point win over Wandin having been their closest encounter. But nobody told the Monbulk players that they had no chance and a spirited and tight game eventuated at the Monbulk Recreation Reserve.
The Hawks shut down Narre Warren’s avenues to goal in a low scoring first half where Monbulk held a narrow 1 point lead at the long break. A red card handed to a Monbulk player early in the third term turned the game as the 17 man Hawks conceded 4 quick goals after that. Both sides were off target in the last quarter as the Magpies eventually took out their smallest win for the year to date by 32 points. Unforced errors by Monbulk, in missing targets and dropping marks proved costly, as their desperation and effort was exemplary for the whole of the match and a win does not look far away.
Monbulk 4.11.35 def by Narre Warren 9.13.67
Best: Will Henderson, Lochlan Beecroft, Joshua Spencer, Jack Downard-Pengilly, Declan Browne, Riley Finlay
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 1, Hayden Finlay 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, Max Thornton 1
Reserves
The Narre Warren Reserves are the reigning premiers and are again near the head of the ladder. When the Magpies skipped out to a four goal lead by early in the second term it seemed a win for them was inevitable. The Hawks were displaying some of their best play for the year and then got back to within a goal. The entertaining contest came to a sudden conclusion partway through the third term when an injured Narre player was unable to be moved for precautionary reasons and required an ambulance, which halted the game. Monbulk lost by 12 points despite 3 extra scoring shots.
Monbulk 6.8.44 def by Narre Warren 9.2.56
Best: Campbell Evans, Mitchell Veit, Josh Wentworth, Hamish Emmett, Charlie Barge, Michael Davies
Goals: Josh Wentworth 2, Matthew James 1, Harry Fleming 1, Hamish Emmett 1, Michael Davies 1
Women’s
The Senior Women’s team were back with the rest of the club, playing at home against Thornton-Eildon on Saturday. Monbulk were missing a few players, like captain Madeleine Caarels, Indy Bakker, Emma Horne, Kathryn Gow, Claire Scully and Jen Pauw, which meant that the undefeated top placed Hawks were no certainty against a winless Kangaroos outfit. The first quarter proved to be tight before the Hawks exploded in the second quarter to snare 5 goals. Monbulk eventually took away their highest score for the season to remain at the head of the ladder with an even spread of goalkickers.
Monbulk 10.5.65 def Thornton-Eildon 2.6.18
Best: Maddison Dodd, Shania Turner, Laura Gillard, Ayla Short, Josie Ford, Jewel McDermott
Goals: Jewell McDermott 2, Grace Emmett 2, Jade McCormick 2, Laura Gillard 2, Maddison Dodd, Matilda McDermott
NETBALL
A Grade
Narre Warren are a juggernaut in netball, winning the premierships in all four grades last year. They burst out of the blocks and were leading 11-1 by halfway through the first term through tight defence and quick rebounds. Meanwhile the Hawks made some uncharacteristic turnovers and missed passes. Narre Warren continued to control the match after that but the Hawks began playing more cohesively and provided stiff opposition to eventually go down by 18. This match marked the return of Peri Reid from having her child, and she would play with her sister Elly Stewart at Monbulk for the first time.
Monbulk 38 def by Narre Warren 56
Best: Paige Whitworth, Sophie Stubbs, Georgia Himmelreich
Goals: Stephanie Ferguson 15, Elly Stewart 14, Peri Reid 9
B Grade
Monbulk played a determined game against an opponent who were just a bit more composed in their play. The Magpies’ class would result in a few more opportunities being capitalised on each quarter as they ground out a 19 goal win
Monbulk 44 def by Narre Warren 63
Best: Georgia Wilson, Alice McCormick, Siobhan Munday
Goals: Jorja Wragg 27, Dayna Walsham 9, Chloe Schmidtke 8
C Grade
The Hawks showed good form in patches but were unable to seriously threaten their Narre Warren opponents.
Monbulk 25 def by Narre Warren 46
Best: Jamie Sands, Grace Sands, Sammi Kelly
Goals: Jamie Sands 14, Grace Sands 9, Chloe Carmichael 2
D Grade
Narre Warren’s D Grade team wouldn’t look out of place playing in C Grade, such is the depth that they have. The game was a mismatch and, as hard as they tried, Monbulk were unable to make any impression against their more skillful opponents.
Monbulk 6 def by Narre Warren 68
Best: Maddy Buckland, Brooke O’Loughlin, Ella Flynn
Goals: Maddy Buckland 4, Ella Flynn 2
Under 15s
The Under 15s had beaten Narre Warren on the same home courts by 11 goals three weeks ago and looked on course to repeat the dose. Early in the opening quarter they grabbed a five goal lead before going in level pegging at the first break. Monbulk again established leads in the second and third terms and again Narre Warren fought back. Eventually the two sides could not be split and shared the points.
Monbulk 28 drew Narre Warren 28
Best: Isabelle Cross, Isla Stubbs, Stella Dunstan
Goals: Lara Stenhouse 14, Stella Dunstan 14
