FOOTBALL
Seniors
The Gembrook ground was in good condition when Monbulk met the locals on Saturday in sunny, calm but cold conditions. When these two sides last met at this ground Gembrook prevailed by 4 points. Monbulk controlled the first half but were wayward infront of goals as they held a 16 point advantage at half time. Gembrook’s tactics of playing two men behind the ball made for a congested forward line.
The Brookers then started the third term with a blitz that netted 3 goals in as many minutes and gave them a narrow lead which they maintained until three quarter-time. With numerous hard clashes Monbulk became the walking wounded with Barge, Wall and Hatherley forced from the ground in the second half. The lead changed several times in the last quarter until Michael Firrito kicked the winner for Gembrook. Gembrook now retain the Ramage Family trophy, that the two clubs play for, until next season.
Monbulk 6.14.56 def by Gembrook-Cockatoo 9.5.59
Best: Lochlan Beecroft, Campbell Evans, Robert Savory, Lachlan Sheppard, Adam Banks, Ryan Burleigh
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 2, Pat Barge 2, Josh Wentworth 1, Joshua Spencer 1, Campbell Evans 1
Reserves
The seconds played out a mostly forgettable match which was scrappy and consisted of many unforced turnovers. Steven Shankly played his 100th Reserves game for Monbulk and Josh Hill his 50th Senior/Reserves game. The Hawks performed better for longer and took out the points. In Premier Division every Senior team that won on the weekend had their Reserves do the opposite.
Monbulk 5.11.41 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 4.2.26
Best: Zeke Charlton, Hamish Emmett, Nick Taylor, Ben Smith, Dale Ross, Coby Passingham
Goals: Lachlan Smith 2, Hamish Emmett 1, Brodie Emmett 1, Dale Ross 1
Under 18s
Monbulk were missing a few players in a game that would otherwise have been very winnable. The match was played at 16 a side and resulted in a win for the home side.
Monbulk 4.4.28 def by Gembrook-Cockatoo 6.12.48
Best: Arley Gray, William Hughson, Blake Nicholson, Brock Downey, Ryder Koelewyn, Lawrence Spink
Goals: Riley Broadbent 1, Ryder Koelewyn 1, Arley Gray 1, Finn Horsfall 1
NETBALL
A Grade
The Hawks continue to consolidate their spot in the top 5 with a regulation win over the last placed Gembrook team. Numerous defensive intercepts along with quick precise passing in the mid court allowed Monbulk to continually feed the ball to their forward targets.
Monbulk 77 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 26
Best: Grace Scott-Thomas, Jamie Clark, Paige Whitworth
Goals: Peri Reid 57, Stephanie Ferguson 20
B Grade
Monbulk went into the game without Jorja Wragg and Olivia Crook, two of their regular goal scorers, and found shooting difficult. Gembrook played well to take a deserved win. After starting the year with five straight wins the Hawks now find themselves with a 6-4 record.
Monbulk 32 def by Gembrook-Cockatoo 46
Best: Dayna Walsham, Elizabeth Cutting, Georgia Wilson
Goals: Dayna Walsham 25, Chloe Schmidtke 6, Maddy Buckland 1
C Grade
Monbulk battled hard against the fourth placed Gembrook side but lost each quarter by a few goals as they were unable to regularly score consecutive goals and apply scoreboard pressure.
Monbulk 26 def by Gembrook Cockatoo 37
Best: Sammi Kelly, Hayley Donald, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Maddy Buckland 14, Grace Sands 10, Macy Giling 2
D Grade
Monbulk’s D Grade girls are looking to make the finals for just the second time, having previously done so in 2018. They put in another strong showing and sit two games clear in the top five. The return of Beth Sands this year, the 2007 B Grade League Best & Fairest, has been very beneficial in the mid court and defence after she had previously retired in 2019. Her sister-in-law, Jamie, the club’s all-time leading goalshooter, has also added to the team and is equal leader in this division with 172 to date. Tara Donald’s rare opportunity for a goal was well celebrated.
Monbulk 38 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 17
Best: Simone Beattie, Bronte Passingham, Beth Sands
Goals: Jamie Sands 25, Macy Giling 10, Shayne Broekhof 2, Tara Donald 1
Under 17s
The Under 17s played their match against ROC White at Olinda and have met the top two sides in the last fortnight. Shiloh Koole recently represented Outer East in interleague football.
Monbulk 15 def by ROC White 42
Best: Shiloh Koole, Isabelle Cross, Maddison Bedet
Goals: Maddison Bedet 12, Ella Flynn 3
Under 15s
The two Monbulk teams met each other and brought their match forward to coincide with Thursday training. The Maroon team came away with the win in a well contested match.
Monbulk Maroon 30 def Monbulk Gold 20
Maroon Best: Stella Dunstan, Isla Stubbs, Stevie Mullinder
Gold Best: Amelia Magarry, Ria Greenaway, Eden Murphy
Maroon Goals: Isla Stubbs 19, Jessica Verheyen 6, Stella Dunstan 4, Bridie McCormick 1
Gold Goals: Eden Murphy 13, Amelia Magarry 7
