FOOTBALL
Seniors
Monbulk travelled to Woori Yallock where they faced a critical clash against the Tigers as the morning fog lifted to reveal perfect conditions with a cool, calm and sunny day. As the game progressed Woori won the aerial contests but it was a close fought game at ground level. There were just a few lapses by the Hawks which allowed the Tigers to keep them at bay.
Woori Yallock’s Taylor Gibson, who didn’t play when Monbulk won the first encounter earlier this year, finished the day with eight goals, taking his season tally to 73, and was to prove to be the difference between the two sides. Both teams finished with 20 scoring shots and Monbulk’s missed opportunities proved costly. They remain in fourth spot, just half a game ahead of Mt. Evelyn and Healesville, the latter dropping out of the Top Five for the first time this year despite nearly beating Wandin.
Monbulk 7.13.55 def by Woori Yallock 12.8.80
Best: Lochlan Beecroft, Ryan Burleigh, Lachlan Sheppard, Campbell Evans, Joshua Spencer, Jack Downard-Pengilly
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 2, Johnaton Hevern 2, Ben Hughson 1, Joshua Spencer 1, William Hughson 1
Reserves
Monbulk continued to push towards cementing their finals spot and did their hopes no harm with an emphatic 99 point win. The Hawks controlled the play from the outset and rarely allowed the Tigers near their goals. Woori Yallock only had three scoring shots for the day but made them count, while Monbulk had 32 and could have won by more. Harry Fleming proved to be a big marking target up forward while the goalkicking honours were again spread around.
Monbulk 17.15.117 def Woori Yallock 3.0.18
Best: Harry Fleming, Ben Grimes, Ryan Gilbert, Tim Rickard, Kieren Galloway, Lachlan Smith
Goals: Harry Fleming 3, Brodie Emmett 3, Lachlan Smith 3, Ben Grimes 2, Steven Shankly 2, Matthew James 1, Kieren Galloway 1, Charlie Barge 1, Tim Rickard 1
Under 18s
Monbulk and Woori Yallock were playing for pride as the two teams entered this match in eighth and ninth places respectively. The Hawks looked like they had done enough to three quarter time, holding a one goal lead despite missing their captain, Will Hughson, who was in the seniors. A highlight was French exchange student Quentin kicking his first ever goal. In the last term the Tigers piled on five goals to none and notched their first win for the year. The loss leaves Monbulk on the bottom but next week’s bye will likely return them one rung higher again on percentage.
Monbulk 4.5.29 def by 8.7.55
Best: Eamon Dawson, Finley Ede, Finn Horsfall, Lucas Hickingbotham, Jed Fraser, Ben Pratt
Goals: Riley Broadbent 1, Quentin Rousseau 1, Ryder Koelewyn 1, Jed Fraser 1
NETBALL
A Grade
The Monbulk netballers were the shining light for the day, winning five of their seven matches as they look to secure finals spots. The A Grade girls were in third place and faced a critical encounter with Woori Yallock in fourth. In a spirited game the Hawks always had a slight edge over their opponents and the lead gradually grew bigger the longer the game went. They face Emerald next, who moved into fourth after the weekend, and if they win then a top three spot is almost secured.
Monbulk 63 def Woori Yallock 51
Best: Stephanie Ferguson, Nicole Macdowell, Paige Whitworth
Goals: Peri Reid 48, Stephanie Ferguson 15
B Grade
Monbulk and Woori Yallock will almost certainly meet in the Elimination Final as there is a big gap to the top three and also to the chasing pack outside the Top Five. Woori looked like gaining a psychological edge when they established a five goal lead by half time. Monbulk, however, then put in a 20-11 third quarter blitz to totally turn the tables and were drawing away by the conclusion of the match. Georgia Wilson played her 50th game. The league confirmed during the week that Jorja Wragg’s 106 goals last week was a new OEFNL record, surpassing teammate Peri Reid’s 91, when she was at Olinda in 2017. Jorja is third in the B Grade goal shooting after missing three games earlier but has the highest average.
Monbulk 63 def Woori Yallock 56
Best: Jorja Wragg, Elizabeth Cutting, Tiana Mancarella
Goals: Jorja Wragg 54, Dayna Walsham 6, Olivia Crook 3
C Grade
Monbulk were missing regular goal shooter Maddy Buckland which made the task against Woori that bit harder. They came up short on the day but will look to ruin Emerald’s finals hopes this week.
Monbulk 23 def by Woori Yallock 37
Best: Chloe Schmidtke, Sammi Kelly, Macy Giling
Goals: Grace Sands 10, Macy Giling 7, Chloe Carmichael 6
D Grade
Monbulk scored a critical win over fifth placed Woori Yallock and, if results go as expected next week, they can secure the double chance then. They have a tough run home after that with games against the top two teams to finish the season but ROC, Mt. Evelyn and Monbulk are all within a game of each other, with little separating the clubs.
Monbulk 29 def Woori Yallock 22
Best: Simone Beattie, Beth Sands, Tara Donald
Goals: Jamie Sands 18, Macy Giling 11
Under 17s
The Monbulk Under 17s have reformed this year for just their second ever season, having previously competed in 2017. The team is still looking to register its first ever win at this level and have their sights set on Emerald this week after going down to Woori on the weekend. Three members from the 2017 team are still with the club – Tara Donald (coach), Macy Giling (captain) and Brooke O’Loughlin.
Monbulk 22 def by Woori Yallock 41
Best: Chelsea Borkowski, Isabelle Cross, Amelia Magarry
Goals: Maddison Bedet 12, Isabelle Cross 4, Ella Flynn 4, Kaitlyn Summers 2
Under 15s
Monbulk Maroon travelled to Officer and emerged victorious in a closely fought match. Maroon’s Isla Stubbs is second in the league for goal shooting, behind Monbulk Gold’s Eden Murphy.
Monbulk Maroon 25 def ROC White 20
Best: Bridie McCormick, Isla Stubbs, Stella Dunstan
Goals: Stella Dunstan 16, Isla Stubbs 8, Bridie McCormick 1
After a close first quarter Monbulk Gold produced a good win over Woori Yallock, scoring 22-6 after half time. Eila Dewhurst, who played her third game, is the daughter of A Grade player Jen Dewhurst, and becomes the fifth mother-daughter combination playing together at the club this year, along with Katrina and Jorja Wragg, Tara and Hayley Donald, Sophie and Isla Stubbs and Shayne Broekhof and Stevie Mullinder.
Monbulk Gold 41 def Woori Yallock 20
Best: Eden Murphy, Amelia Magarry, Daphne Mitchell
Goals: Amelia Magarry 19, Eden Murphy 18, Eila Dewhurst 4
