Hawks rise to the challenge

Monbulk 17.20.122 d Healesville 11.12.78.
MONBULK booked three rematches with the Upwey-Tecoma Football Club for next week’s Grand Finals after a blistering second-half left Healesville in their wake.
The 44-point win completed a trifecta for showdowns against the Tigers after both the Reserves and A Grade Netballers had also won their way through to Grand Finals.
In the football, Healesville were primed for the match against the Hawks and leapt out of the blocks to race to a 20-point lead in the opening minutes.
The pace of the Bloods small men kept Monbulk off balance as the Hawk defence counter-punched in a desperate attempt to retain team equilibrium. Monbulk yielded a string of free kicks as it played catch-up football until Koole eventually broke the ice for Monbulk. Stolartzyk struck back and capped a brilliant first quarter by feeding Plozza to extend the lead. Fraser and Mick Hughson were working hard to keep Healesville at bay as Monbulk finally steadied. Chris Hughson and then Wragg goaled to draw within five points at the first break – 3.5 to 4.4.
Monbulk continued its improved form into the second quarter as the match settled into a war of attrition. The Hawks were holding sway, but could not convert against the stout Healesville defence. Hicken had been lively in defence despite two heavy clashes, but his opponent Hennig had caused his own havoc, and the youngster blossomed after being shifted on to Bloods prime mover, Monk.
Monbulk’s accuracy woes prevailed with six minors until Wragg shrugged off two Healesville defenders to snap an inspiring goal after 22 minutes of attack.
Healesville rallied to restore the lead in the shadows of half time with their first goal since midway of the first quarter, but with Monbulk now only two points down, the pendulum had moved ominously the Hawks way.
Monbulk reassessed its structure and proceeded to claim the vital third quarter with a withering 8-goal burst initiated by Nicholas who goaled twice within a minute. It was now Healesville on the defensive as the Hawks’ system returned to bewilder the Bloods. Dunstan, Koole and Comfort took control of the centre and with Wragg firing up forward; the Hawks were looking a potent force. Eight minutes into the quarter, the Hawks were suddenly five goals up and running away! Hennig and Stolartzyk valiantly tried to restore composure with gutsy goals for the Bloods, only to see it evaporate when Mullinder and Wragg reciprocated.
Monbulk ran in numbers and with their physical attack on the ball, they out-muscled Healesville to hold a commanding 38 points lead going into the final quarter.
Healesville’s season was now on the line. Heroics were needed and Hennig and Stolartzyk again obliged to give faint hope to the Healesville faithful, but with Nicholas now a threat, he created opportunities for Wragg to mark strongly for two more as Monbulk raced further ahead.
Two consolation goals to Healesville in the dying moments did little to disguise a comprehensive victory to the Hawks.
Best: M. Hughson, V. Dunstan, T. Wragg, J. Fraser, M. Haley.
Goals: T. Wragg 5, C. Hughson 3, S. Koole, J. Nicholas 2.
Reserves
Monbulk 12.16.88 d Silvan 7.11.53.
COMING up against a revitalised Silvan following a sound drubbing from Upwey-Tecoma the previous week, was a task to test the mettle of the Hawks.
Silvan had a full complement of players to choose from after the seniors were eliminated last week.
A goalless first quarter was not the start the Hawks had hoped for as Silvan settled quickly. The mobility and dominance of their talls put Monbulk on the back foot and there was much work to do to arrest the 13-point deficit in the second quarter.
Coach Grant Dennison reorganised the Hawks at the break and Monbulk exploded with a six-goal quarter. Youngsters Langworthy, Liebe and Alensen destroyed their opponents at either end of the ground while Mitchell and Bartlett ruled the air. Monbulk’s brute force couple with the sublime skills of Anderson mopped up opportunities around the stoppages. By half time, the writing was on the board.
The second half saw the Hawks build its lead steadily despite some stoic resistance from Attwood, Webb and Bonnano. Bartlett and Langworthy tore shreds from the Silvan defence with powerful aerial skills while veteran Armin Richter closed down the Cats up forward.
Best: Langworthy, Bartlett, Liebe, Mitchell, Alensen.
Goals: Langworthy 6, Bartlett 4.
Netball
THE B Grade was undefeated at the end of the season but lost to a powerful Upwey-Tecoma combination and had to face Healesville in the preliminary final. The girls’ finals’ form could not match their high standards throughout the season and they were bundled out by a well-organised Bloods combination.
Hilary Gilbert was a revelation in the centre all day, but her efforts were stifled by the tough Healesville defence as the Bloods ran out eight-goal winners.
The efforts of the girls in their first year have been outstanding and they are sure to build on this for next season.