FOOTBALL
Seniors
It was finals-like weather at Avonsleigh as traditional rivals Emerald and Monbulk clashed. The Hawks need to keep winning to secure their spot in the Top 5 while Emerald had a last chance to try to avoid relegation. Momentum swung as the Bombers early lead was reined in by quarter time with Monbulk two points up. Emerald then kicked three goals in three minutes in the second term before some late goals again had the margin under a goal, this time in favour of the home side.
Emerald’s attacking style of play continued to pay dividends in the second half although Monbulk kept working hard and found answers to keep the match close. The defences of both sides were making scoring a tough assignment with Rob Savory and Lachie Sheppard continually intercepting passes. Sheppard proved his versatility by kicking two goals when swung up forward to break the scoring impasse. An early Bombers goal in the last had the lead change again until Josh Wentworth roved the ball well at a boundary contest to put the Hawks 1 point up. Two late goals finally sealed the game for Monbulk.
Monbulk 9.11.65 def Emerald 7.11.53
Best: Lochlan Beecroft, Ryan Burleigh, Robert Savory, Lachlan Sheppard, Ben Hughson, Joshua Spencer
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 2, Josh Wentworth 2, Lachlan Sheppard 2, Declan Browne 1, Johnathon Hevern 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1
Reserves
The Reserves scores nearly mirrored the senior match but came about in a different manner. Fifth placed Monbulk were two games ahead of Emerald and a win would guarantee their first finals appearance since 2019 while a loss would keep it interesting. The Hawks had lost the first encounter at home by 1 point in Round 7.
Monbulk regained a number of players to have their best line-up in weeks but lacked cohesion in the first half. Emerald controlled the contest and had doubled Monbulk’s score by half time where they established a 23 point lead. After the main break the Hawks scored 6.5 to 1.3 to get the game back on their terms and claim a hard fought win.
Monbulk 9.10.64 def Emerald 8.7.55
Best: Steven Shankly, Ben Grimes, Harry Fleming, Lewis Oliver, Jesse Dodd, Mitchell Dekker
Goals: Steven Shankly 5, Harry Fleming 1, Thomas Berman 1, Joel Smith 1, Jacob Defina 1
NETBALL
A Grade
Monbulk began the day in third place, half a game ahead of Emerald, who had beaten them by 2 goals earlier in the year. Playing on the Pepi’s Land courts in Emerald, the Hawks established an early lead which they were able to extend to an impressive 11 goal win against a good opponent.
Monbulk 56 def Emerald 45
Best: Grace Scott-Thomas, Sophie Stubbs, Paige Whitworth
Goals: Peri Reid 37, Stephanie Ferguson 19
B Grade
All seven Monbulk sides in the running for a finals spot won on the weekend, including the B Grade girls. The Hawks had a huge first quarter, scoring 24-13, and were leading by 17 goals at the last change of ends. The Bombers fought back but the hard work early paid off for Monbulk.
Monbulk 60 def Emerald 50
Best: Siobhan Munday, Asha Jones, Tiana Mancarella
Goals: Jorja Wragg 47, Olivia Crook 7, Dayna Walsham 6
C Grade
Monbulk had the upper hand for the first half of this match, getting out to a five goal lead at one stage, but were overrun by the fifth placed Emerald in the second half.
Monbulk 26 def by Emerald 36
Best: Courtney Witt, Maddy Buckland, Chloe Schmidtke
Goals: Maddy Buckland 20, Chloe Carmichael 5, Chloe Schmidtke 1
D Grade
Monbulk sewed up the double chance with a convincing win over Emerald and were never troubled after a 14-2 opening quarter. The team welcomed back Lisa Boyle after a year off with a knee injury. Leah Hansby notched her 50th game with the club.
Monbulk 36 def Emerald 21
Best: Jamie Sands, Zali Utting, Bronte Passingham
Goals: Jamie Sands 28, Shayne Broekhof 6, Lisa Boyle 2
Under 17s
For the second time in a month the Under 17s nearly opened their account only to fall agonisingly short after a great effort.
Monbulk 24 def by Emerald 26
Best: Kaitlyn Summers, Shiloh Koole, Isabelle Cross
Goals: Isabelle Cross 16, Mackenzie Bedet 5, Maddison Bedet 2, Shiloh Koole 1
Under 15s
Both Under 15s sides travelled to Pakenham and made a successful raid to claim the points. Monbulk Maroon proved too accomplished for Pakenham Gold and jumped back to second on the ladder thanks to Monbulk Gold’s win in the preceding match.
Monbulk Maroon 43 def Pakenham Gold 20
Best: Isla Stubbs, Stella Dunstan, Amelia Kay
Goals: Stella Dunstan 26, Isla Stubbs 17
Monbulk Gold scored their best result for the season by knocking off second placed Pakenham Maroon. It was their first win over that team after losing previous encounters by 16 and 1 goal respectively.
Monbulk Gold 28 def Pakenham Maroon 25
Best: Ruby Irwin, Eden Murphy, Ria Greenaway
Goals: Eden Murphy 16, Amelia Magarry 10, Sophie Pringle 2
