By Gary Wragg
A DRAMATIC third quarter intervention from Upwey captain Butch Hayes and some shocking Monbulk inaccuracy turned the game away from the Hawks in the first semi-final at Yarra Glen as they crashed out of contention in defence of their flag.
In near perfect conditions, the game opened with the usual nervous tension with first Upwey, then Monbulk finding their feet, but chances for the Hawks went begging with some woeful kicking until Mullinder slotted the first midway through the quarter.
Upwey retaliated with three goals to take a nine-point lead after Wragg missed on the siren, but Monbulk had looked the better side. Dunstan, Mitchell and Fraser were prominent for the Hawks, while Hayes and Hedge instilled life into the Tigers.
Monbulk continued to assert in the second with Wragg dominant up forward, but the kicking yips continued with both Langworthy and Wragg main offenders.
Monbulk were clearly in control, but could not put a seal on the game in front of goal. The Hawks’ inaccuracy kept Upwey in touch and the Tigers took full toll in the third when Hayes dominated as Upwey added eight straight goals in a burst that blew the game apart for the Hawks.
Suddenly 25 points down and with injuries mounting, the Hawks threw themselves into a desperate final quarter, but fell short by13 points.
Upwey-Tecoma 17.8.110 d Monbulk 13.19.97.
Goals: Wragg 3, Langworthy, Anderson, Mullinder 2.
Best: Dunstan, Fraser, Wragg, Anderson, Creed.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Reserves
Monbulk courageously fought their way to a thrilling win in an engrossing, if unattractive game against major rivals, Warburton-Millgrove.
Little had separated the two sides all year and Warburton, strengthened by the inclusion of some senior players, were always going to test the ladder leaders.
The Hawks jumped to an early lead, opening up with six goals.
The Burras then had to play catch-up football and showed their class when they hit back hard in the second quarter, but with youngsters Tate Seamer and Shane Liebe showing the way, the Hawks still held a slender two-point lead at the long break.
A gripping second half on nip-and-tuck football saw the lead change frequently and when Warburton moved ominously to a 10-point lead.
Diminutive rover Jarrod Akker-O’Niell, whose courageous effort drew a goal against the tide, inspired the younger Hawks to a stirring victory and a grand final berth.
Monbulk 12.16.88 d Warburton-Millgrove 12.10.82.
Goals: Brooks 3, Coen, Mullinder, Fraser 2.
Best: T. Seamer, S. Liebe, A. Mitchell, C. Coen, D. Alenson.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Under 18
Monbulk surged into the Preliminary Final with another stunning victory, disposing of third-placed Woori Yallock by a whopping 116 points.
The early stages of the game had grave omens for Woori Yallock as Monbulk quickly settled into stride, showing complete control across the ground. With key forwards Chris Waldron and Kieran Gray on fire in front of goal, the Hawks were never under threat.
Dane Petersen and Chris Latimer showed just how much depth the side has with some stirring football, while Oliver Harris shone all day in what was a very even performance by the Hawks.
Monbulk now meet perennial finalists, Upwey for the right to enter the grand final.
Monbulk 21.10.136 d Woori Yallock 2.8.20.
Goals: Waldron, Gray 6, Drew, Munt 2.
Best: Waldron, Petersen, Gray, Harris, Latimer.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Netball
The B Grade team rallied quickly after last week’s defeat and surged back into contention for the grand final with a powerful win over Wandin.
With Kellie Utting shining in the mid-court, the Hawks held sway for most of the day and the fine work by the girls was capped off with a brilliant shooting display from Emma Mullinder who dominated the ring.
The Hawks have set their sights on a re-match against Warburton-Millgrove and the chance to emulate last season’s A Grade flag.
Monbulk 26 d Wandin 20.
Best: E. Mullinder, K. Utting, K. Mitchell.
