Hawks draw Olinda blood

DESPITE lacking the fizz of previous years, both Olinda and Monbulk turned on some entertaining football in their annual local derby at Monbulk on Saturday. Olinda has been reeling from crippling injuries while Monbulk enjoy a good list and are in top form sitting comfortably on top of the ladder.
Monbulk 25.19.169 d Olinda 7.5.47.
THE Hawks were not about to let this one slip, pouncing from the first bounce where they quickly raced to a comfortable 34-point lead with Tolliday and Wragg running rampant across the forward line.
Olinda, brave to the last, threw down a challenge to Monbulk after half time and proceeded to whittle away at the 75-point margin. Stoic work from ruckman Heath Thompson and the brilliant youngster Broomhall kept the Bloods yapping at the heels of Monbulk, but much of their endeavour was smothered by Hawk defender Mick Hughson, who controlled traffic across half back.
The final quarter finally put paid to the resistance as the tiring Bloods fought desperately to stem the tide. Monbulk ruled supreme and bounded away with a 122 point win.
Best: Monbulk: M. Hughson, Koole, Dunstan, Wragg, Mullinder. Olinda: Broomhall, Thompson, Tregonning, Skenderris, McDonald.
Goals: Monbulk: Wragg 6, Tolliday 5, Dunstan 3, Koole, Mullinder, Comfort 2. Olinda: Dunn 2.
Reserves
Monbulk 23.22.160 d Olinda 2.2.14.
CLEARLY on a mission to atone for the disappointments of past years, Monbulk Reserves stunned Olinda with a four-quarter assault that finally claimed the top spot for the Hawks.
Steadily increasing their lead as the game progressed, the Hawks ran the under-manned Bloods into the ground as they scrapped desperately and courageously, but to little avail.
Goals: Bartlett, Langworthy 4, J. Anderson 3, Calcagno, Morris 2.
Best: R. Mitchell, Oates, White, C. Broekhof, O’Niell.
Under 18
Monbulk 20.13.133 d Olinda 4.9.33.
PATIENCE and perseverance is beginning to pay off for coach Jamonts with the Under 18s showing signs of their potential in recent weeks.
In stark contrast to their previous effort against the Bloods, Monbulk were focused and more disciplined throughout the match. Gav Taylor’s fine leadership all day provided the catalyst for the Hawks while Dean Cleven’s fine ruck work was capped off with a telling display of marking, giving the Hawks first use of the ball at the stoppages.
Finding ample space on the Monbulk ground, the Hawks were able to generate run and system through Mikey Coen, Todd Seamer and Brad Burke as they swept to a fine victory.
Goals: Coen 4, Cleven 3, Burke, Weiring, Taylor, Anderson, Seamer, Lucas 2 each.
Best: Cleven, Taylor, Seamer, Coen, Burke.
Netball
Monbulk 47 d Olinda 17.
WITH the B Grade having a bye, the A Grade carried the flag and showed why they are the top side with a 30-goal win against an enthusiastic Olinda. Mel Whitworth’s experience and canny court craft restricted Olinda’s forward thrusts while Jamie Sands provided the target at the ring as she compiled 30 goals. Jamie was well supported by Amy Benton with 17 and the two are shaping as a defender’s nightmare in the run up to the finals.
Best: J. Sands, M. Whitworth, S. Broekhof, A. Benton.
Goals: J. Sands 30, A. Benton 17.