FOOTBALL
Seniors
Monbulk and Olinda are old rivals and faced off in a fight for a new Murphy’s Mitre 10 cup between the teams. They had previously contested the Mt. Dandenong Hotel Cup and an annual ANZAC Shield match. With four forced changes Monbulk took on second placed Olinda at home. Reserves coach Johnathon Hevern retired from senior football last year but was called on again to help bolster a depleted Hawks line-up, along with another retired senior player, Dylan Werts.
Olinda started the match strongly and by half time had dominated to establish a 45 point lead. In the second half Monbulk fought back but inaccuracy in front of goal, which yielded 3.11 to Olinda’s 5.4, meant that the Hawks were never able to seriously threaten the Bloods on the scoreboard.
Monbulk 4.15.39 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 13.11.89
Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Lochlan Beecroft, Will Henderson, Cameron Griffiths, Johnathon Hevern, Declan Browne
Goals: Johnathon Hevern 2, Josh Wentworth 1, Mitchell Dekker 1
Reserves
Monbulk’s depth is being tested with a growing list of unavailable players but a team of 22 players took the field for the Hawks with the aid of Under 18s captain Will Hughson making his debut. Olinda were only able to assemble 18 and it was agreed to play 16 a side in a sporting gesture which happens in juniors but isn’t required at senior level. The Hawks displayed greater ability to score a comfortable win.
Monbulk 12.12.84 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 6.2.38
Best: Nick Taylor, Steven Shankly, William Hughson, Hamish Emmett, Aaron Smith, Dale Ross
Goals: Steven Shankly 4, William Hughson 2, Brodie Emmett 2, Matthew James 1, Hamish Emmett 1, Dale Ross 1, Aaron Smith 1
Under 18s
Monbulk only have one win to date and coming up against finals bound Olinda could have curtailed expectations. The young Hawks, who are all bottom age players or Under 16s, played a sensational match and could consider themselves unlucky to lose. A rushed behind gave them a 1 point lead with just over a minute to go however Olinda managed to rush the ball up the ground and kick a sealer in the dying seconds.
Monbulk 7.13.55 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.6.60
Best: William Hughson, Finley Ede, Lucas Ibarra, Finn Horsfall, Jack Ritchie, Brock Downey
Goals: Finley Ede 2, Ben Pratt 1, Riley Broadbent 1, Ryder Koelewyn 1, Jed Fraser 1, Finn Horsfall 1
NETBALL
A Grade
Monbulk continued their recent domination of Olinda with a well executed game after a tight opening term. The win keeps them in touch with the ladder leaders. They have a vital clash against Wandin this week, where a victory would lift them into the top three.
Monbulk 73 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 40
Best: Rihanna Kelly, Paige Whitworth, Grace Scott-Thomas
Goals: Peri Reid 52, Stephanie Ferguson 21
B Grade
Still missing key goal shooters Jorja Wragg and Olivia Crook proved costly in a tight match with Olinda. Earlier this year the corresponding match was a 19 goal win. Monbulk held a 3 goal lead at half time but eventually went down in a close match by 2 goals.
Monbulk 41 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 43
Best: Elizabeth Cutting, Georgia Wilson, Asha Jones
Goals: Dayna Walsham 21, Chloe Carmichael 20
C Grade
Monbulk and Olinda were level on points going into this match. It was just a few crucial moments that swung the match Olinda’s way in a well contested game. Chloe Schmidtke played her 100th game for the Hawks since debuting in 2017.
Monbulk 37 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 44
Best: Maddy Buckland, Sammi Kelly, Courtney Witt
Goals: Maddy Buckland 25, Chloe Carmichael 7, Grace Sands 5
D Grade
This match was all about celebrating Shayne Broekhof who became just the second Monbulk player to reach 250 games. Shayne was a co-founder of the netball team in 2005 and has been captain, coach, Best & Fairest, a premiership player and inducted into the Monbulk FNC Hall of Fame. The Hawks continued their charge towards finals with their win over Olinda lifting the side into third spot. They face an important fixture against fifth placed Wandin this week who are only half a game behind.
Monbulk 29 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 23
Best: Jamie Sands, Beth Sands, Shayne Broekhof
Goals: Jamie Sands 19, Macy Giling 10
Under 17s
Although the margin might indicate a one-sided encounter, Monbulk played a good game against the undefeated ladder leaders. ROC’s height and experience eventually told against the Hawks.
Monbulk 13 def by ROC Blue 45
Best: Mackenzie Bedet, Kaitlyn Summers, Maddison Bedet
Goals: Kaitlyn Summers 5, Mackenzie Bedet 4, Maddison Bedet 2, Ella Flynn 2
Under 15s
With Monbulk Maroon having a bye it was the Monbulk Gold team that represented the club this week. Being one game ahead of ROC White, the result could consolidate fourth spot or have the two teams level on points. Monbulk burst out of the blocks and quickly established a handy 10-3 quarter time lead. Playing well as a team the Hawks had a well deserved win.
Monbulk 28 def ROC White 15
Best: Eden Murphy, Ria Greenaway, Ella Longo
Goals: Eden Murphy 16, Amelia Magarry 9, Sophie Pringle 3
