FOOTBALL
Seniors
On Saturday it was Life Members Day at Monbulk. Club stalwarts Michael Langworthy and Dean White were awarded Life Memberships for their 20+ years of service, where each played over 250 senior grade games.
On the field it was to be neighbours Monbulk and Emerald meeting. The two clubs first met 121 years ago on July 9, 1904, in what was Emerald’s first ever game. They played out the latest chapter in the rivalry with their first clash at Monbulk since 2021.
A strong wind was to affect matches, favouring the top goals, but otherwise conditions were ideal. Kicking three goals to none into the wind set up the game for the Hawks. Other than an Emerald rally in the third term, which netted the Bombers 2 goals to Monbulk’s 3 behinds, the Hawks had the match on their terms for most of the encounter. A superb defensive effort restricted Emerald to just 17 points for the day, only marginally better than the 1.10.16 they scored in 2019 and just above their all time lowest score against Monbulk of 1.7.13 back in 1923. The 83 point margin was the greatest against Emerald since a 185 point win in 1999.
Monbulk 15.10.100 def Emerald 2.5.17
Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Pat Barge, Kai Linde, Lochlan Beecroft, Ben Hughson, Joel Wensley
Goals: Joel Wensley 3, Lochlan Beecroft 2, Josh Wentworth 2, Pat Barge 2, Bailey Rutherford 2, Ben Hughson 1, Riley Finlay 1, Adam Banks 1, Mitchell Dekker 1
Reserves
The Emerald Reserves started the day three wins behind the Hawks but played a tenacious match after scoring the first three goals of the game in quick time. At the final change Monbulk still trailed by 20 points but came home with the wind. A final shot at goal with a minute to go drifted wide and Monbulk fell agonisingly short of victory.
Monbulk 7.7.49 def by Emerald 7.8.50
Best: Cameron Griffiths, Jayden Spencer, William Mutschler, Brodie Emmett, Matthew James, Lachlan Smith
Goals: Johnathon Hevern 3, Lachlan Smith 2, Steven Shankly 2
NETBALL
A Grade
Monbulk and Emerald were very evenly matched across the court. The Bombers held a slight advantage in the first half before the Hawks came back to tie the match at 40-40 at three quarter-time. In the final term Emerald edged ahead again and inflicted a two goal loss on Monbulk.
Monbulk 51 def by Emerald 53
Best: Stephanie Ferguson, Jamie Clark, Rihanna Kelly
Goals: Peri Reid 33, Stephanie Ferguson 18
B Grade
Monbulk bounced back from last week’s loss by putting in an emphatic performance against Emerald. The Hawks won each quarter by at least five goals and sit second on the ladder. In the next two weeks they face Mt. Evelyn (third) and ROC (first).
Monbulk 61 def Emerald 35
Best: Dayna Walsham, Georgia Wilson, Siobhan Munday
Goals: Jorja Wragg 43, Dayna Walsham 14, Olivia Crook 4
C Grade
Monbulk had another narrow defeat on the weekend. After drawing and winning their opening two matches, the C Grade Hawks have now lost their last three games, but the margins of 3, 5 and 4 goals show that the difference between winning and losing is as little as a couple of interceptions or turnovers.
Monbulk 27 def by Emerald 31
Best: Laura Del Biondo, Brooke O’Loughlin, Maddy Buckland
Goals: Maddy Buckland 14, Chloe Carmichael 9, Grace Sands 4
D Grade
The further the D Grade match progressed the better the Hawks looked. With a full strength squad available, Monbulk ran out the game to nearly double their opponent’s score. Sitting in fourth place they face a critical game against Mt. Evelyn who are only just above them.
Monbulk 37 def Emerald 20
Best: Tara Donald, Macy Giling, Caitlin Utting
Goals: Jamie Sands 25, Macy Giling 11, Shayne Broekhof 1
Under 17s
This match was an even contest for the first half but after that Emerald were able to stretch the margin. Being in their first year in this competition, this team will continue to benefit from the experience of playing together. Captain Isabelle Cross, the 2024 League Under 15 B&F, has made the squad for interleague.
Monbulk 17 def by Emerald 34
Best: Maddison Bedet, Ella Flynn, Chelsea Borkowski
Goals: Ella Flynn 8, Chelsea Borkowski 6, Kaitlyn Summers 3
Under 15s
It was third versus second when Monbulk Maroon met Pakenham Maroon on the home court. In blustery conditions, which made shooting for goal awkward, it was to be the visitors who prevailed by a few goals. Bridie McCormick and Stella Dunstan have been named in the interleague squad.
Monbulk Maroon 20 def by Pakenham Maroon 24
Best: Stevie Mullinder, Isla Stubbs, Bridie McCormick
Goals: Isla Stubbs 17, Jessica Verheyan 3
Monbulk Gold travelled to Officer to face the toughest assignment in this division, the unbeaten ROC Blue on their windswept court. After being outplayed early, the girls fought back in the second half to put up a valiant effort.
Monbulk Gold 6 def by ROC Blue 35
Best: Ruby Irwin, Daphne Mitchell, Olivia Leonard
Goals: Amelia Magarry 4, Sophie Pringle 2
