ON the day that Monbulk unfurled their 2005 Premiership Flag in front of a bouyant home crowd, a devastating second half from defender Mick Hughson saved the Hawks from an embarrassing loss at the hands of unfancied Wandin.
With the Hawks again trailing at half time, Hughson was first moved into the ruck where he took control then nailed the game in the final quarter with four goals to get the Hawks safely across the line.
Wandin were playing with spirit while Monbulk’s forward structure never looked settled. Conversely, Oxley and the Brisbane brothers were running riot on the Bulldog’s forward line while Monbulk uncharacteristically fumbled badly in the pressure plays.
Things looked even worse when Wandin broke away to a 17-point lead early in the third, despite Hughson now dominating the ruck and giving first use to Gee and Koole who were desperately trying to lift Monbulk.
When Koole ran down Wandin’s King to goal from the free, it sparked the long-awaited Monbulk assault, but despite dominating the play, inaccuracy robbed the Hawks of the opportunity to wrest back the lead as they added three goals eight behinds to trail by five points at the last change.
Monbulk had finally hit the lead, but were still unconvincing up forward until the resting Hughson exploded with a display of power marking and forward play to boot four for the quarter, ultimately putting the game out of reach of the plucky Bulldogs.
Monbulk’s sluggish start to the season will get a further test when they visit the rampant Upwey in the match of the round next week.
Monbulk 17.20.122 d Wandin 14.9.93.
Best players: M. Hughson, A. Gee, C. Mitchell, D. Burke, B. Hicken.
Goals: Hughson 4, Gee, Bartlett 3, Burke, Mark Mullinder 2.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Reserves
Taking full toll of injury-riddled Wandin, the Hawks powered to a 59-point lead at half time by showing total dominance all over the ground.
With Ravenhorst, Anderson and Utting providing constant drive forward, Wandin were powerless to stop the onslaught, registering only two goals to three-quarter time.
The Hawks experimented in the last and Wandin hit back determinedly to salvage some pride, outscoring Monbulk to add five face-saving goals, but were never seriously challenging the result.
Monbulk 19.11.125 d Wandin 7.1.43.
Best players: Utting, Ravenhorst, Anderson, Nichols.
Goals: Ravenhorst 7, Jarred Akker-O’Niell 3, Tom Farmer, Langworthy 2.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Under 18
Another crushing defeat of a lower side has seen the Hawks power to the top of the ladder and set the stage for a thrilling shoot out against co-leaders Upwey next week.
The young Hawks took control from the outset, running in support and linking well around the ground to restrict Wandin to just a single goal for the day.
Shaun Lucas took full toll of the opportunities to post 11 goals following his five the previous week.
Monbulk 23.14.152 d Wandin 1.3.9.
Best players: T. Seamer, S. Lucas, T. Wright, C. Waldron.
Goals: Shaun Lucas 11, Todd Seamer 2, Michael Cecchin 2, Michael Coen 2.
