By Armin Richter
In Senior Football, Emerald is the oldest traditional rival that Monbulk has, having been regular opponents for just on 120 years. Emerald, who formed in 1904, played their first ever match against Monbulk on July 9 of that year, in the first ever Hills competition, the Evelyn Football Association, which also included Macclesfield and Woori Yallock.
In 2024 the Monbulk Seniors had been playing some good football without having seen any reward in return. On a cool, calm and occasionally overcast day at Avonsleigh, the Hawks came with a steely determination to kick-start their year against last years’ Division 1 premiers. Monbulk quickly went on the offensive and had nailed five goals to one by quarter time with quick ball movement. They controlled the ruck through Wensley and Evans, Hatherley was marking everything up forward, and the mosquito brigade, including Barge, Wall, Rak, Dekker and Spencer were mopping up anything around the packs. Lochie Beecroft dominated in the midfield while Linde, Veit, Savory, Hoare, Werts and Browne clamped down and rebounded out of defence.
Every time that Emerald challenged, Monbulk would find a response. In a complete team performance with no weak links, the Hawks came away with a morale boosting 31 point victory heading into the King’s Birthday bye weekend..
Monbulk 15.8.98 def Emerald 9.13.67
Best: Kai Linde, Ziggy Hatherley, Joshua Spencer, Campbell Evans, Lochlan Beecroft, Mitchell Veit
Goals: Ziggy Hatherley 5, Pat Barge 2, Nic Wall 2, Joel Wensley 2, Lochlan Beecroft 1, Josh Wentworth 1, Joshua Spencer 1, Declan Browne 1
The Monbulk Reserves have been developing into a cohesive unit under playing coaches Dean White and Michael Langworthy. Both sides had been hit by injuries and Hamish Emmett led the team in the absence of Matt James. Against Emerald the Hawks were able to establish an early break and were never seriously challenged after that. Nearly half of this team comprises Under 19s from last season and the Reserves have now won 4 of their last 5 matches to move up to seventh.
Monbulk 12.11.83 def Emerald 3.3.21
Best: Thomas Berman, Brodie Emmett, Tait Colee, Jack Downard-Pengilly, Tim Rickard, Hamish Emmett
Goals: Thomas Berman 5, Michael Langworthy 2, Cameron Griffiths 1, Tait Colee 1, Jack Downard-Pengilly 1, Michael Davies 1, Jesse Dodd 1
In the women’s game, Monbulk have just missed out on making it a trifecta in the football. The Hawks had won their opening seven encounters but it was Emerald that did most of the attacking early, scoring two goals in the opening term. Monbulk worked their way back into the match to hit the front in the third term, only to see the Bombers boot two early goals in the last. Monbulk kicked a late goal and just fell short by 2 points and registered their first loss for the year. Laura Gillard played her 50th senior game while Helen and Scarlett Henderson created history by becoming the first mother/daughter duo to play together in the same match for Monbulk.
Monbulk 4.3.27 def by Emerald 4.5.29
Best: Shania Turner, Madeline Caarels, Josie Ford, Scarlett Henderson, Jade McCormick, Matilda McDermott
Goals: Jade McCormick 2, Scarlett Henderson 2
NETBALL
The A-Grade netballers were separated from the footballers this week and met 5th placed Emerald on Pepi’s Land at Emerald. Monbulk (6th) has displayed some good form, however has not beaten a side above themselves on the ladder. The Hawks opened strongly with a 18-6 first quarter and were leading by 22 goals by half time. Emerald recovered their composure in the second half but the Hawks maintained their advantage to win by 28 as they set their sights towards securing a finals spot.
Monbulk 61 def Emerald 33
Best: Stephanie Ferguson , Paige Whitworth, Georgia Himmelreich
Goals: Stephanie Ferguson 28, Peri Reid 27, Sophie Stubbs 6
The B-Grade team currently has team has a threadbare minimum number of players and rely on a few emergencies every week. Against the last placed Emerald they put in their strongest performance since the opening round to run out easy winners by 28 goals.
Monbulk 64 def Emerald 36
Best: Elizabeth Cutting, Dayna Walsham, Siobhan Munday
Goals: Dayna Walsham 40, Jorja Wragg 20, Chloe Schmidtke 4
In C-Grade Monbulk and Emerald both carried a 3-5 win/loss record into this match. In a comparatively low scoring match, the Hawks grabbed an early lead and then maintained their advantage for the remainder of the match.
Monbulk 25 def Emerald 17
Best: Sammi Kelly, Grace Sands, Chloe Carmichael
Goals: Grace Sands 15, Chloe Carmichael 7, Jamie Sands 3
This week the development D-Grade squad are still searching for their first win as they push sides but just continue to fall short of opening their account for the season.
Monbulk 19 def by Emerald 29
Best: Caitlin Utting, Zali Utting, Brooke O’Loughlin
Goals: Ella Flynn 11, Hayley Donald 8
The Under 15s travelled further down Beaconsfield-Emerald Road to play the last placed and winless Eagles at Holm Park. The second placed Monbulk held a slight advantage for the first three quarters but were overrun 8-3 in the final term to go down narrowly in a somewhat surprise result.
Monbulk 19 def by Beaconsfield 23
Best: Stella Dunstan, Stevie Mullinder, Kaitlyn Summers
Goals: Kaitlyn Summers 15, Lara Stenhouse 4
