Woori Yallock has not been able to get a netball team up and running for this season and Beaconsfield, who had initially dropped to Division 1, were reinstated into Premier Division and faced Monbulk to start proceedings for 2023.
Monbulk’s A Grade team has a slightly different look this year as they will be without star Goal Attack Stephanie Puopolo, who will miss the season as she is expecting her second child, although is staying on as an assistant coach. Nicole Macdowell, the 2017 and 2021 Best & Fairest, has taken on the captaincy, while 4 players made their A Grade debuts. Abbey Whitaker took on the keeper’s position which allowed Tiana Mancarella to play wing defence with the versatile Jen Dewhurst playing a number of roles in the front half. The other 2 debutants were B Grade squad members Paige Rondinella, who shot 17 goals in just 2 quarters, and youngster Rihanna Kelly.
Beaconsfield got off to a strong start and led by 9 goals at halftime. The Hawks were then able to restrict the Eagles’ offence in the third term before winning the final quarter 13-9, ultimately coming up short by 6 goals.
A Grade
Monbulk 35 defeated by Beaconsfield 41
Best: Sophie Stubbs, Nicole Macdowell, Jen Dewhurst
Goals: Paige Rondinella 17, Sophie Stubbs 15, Jen Dewhurst 3
Monbulk’s B Grade team, led by club vice-president Bonnie Munday, burst out of the blocks with a dominant first half where they established a 13 goal buffer. Beaconsfield made inroads in the second half but whenever they managed a little run on, the Monbulk girls were able to steady and maintain their advantage. In a good even performance, the Hawks came away with an 11 goal win to start the season.
B Grade
Monbulk 46 defeated Beaconsfield 35
Best: Bonnie Munday, Rihanna Kelly, Paige Rondinella
Goals: Paige Rondinella 29, Dayna Walsham 17
The C Grade match was a game of fluctuations as the pendulum swung. The Eagles got away to a better start before a 10-4 second term had the Hawks looking good. Although there was no wind, most of the scoring was done at the one end, where Beaconsfield regained the lead by 1 shot at three-quarter time and Monbulk then replied with an 8 goal to 5 last quarter to gain a thrilling 2 goal win.
C Grade
Monbulk 27 defeated Beaconsfield 25
Best: Jamie Sands, Courtney Witt, Isabel Connell
Goals: Jamie Sands 17, Jenna Schnehage 7, Chloe Schmidtke 3
After being unable to get a D Grade team together in 2022, improved numbers allowed Monbulk to again field a fourth open age team. Former player and long time Juniors coach, Rachael Jennings, who played 69 club games 2009-2016, is coaching this team and Natalie Rankin, who had played 73 games for the club between 2012-2016, returned to captain this new, young and enthusiastic squad. With 11 players on the weekend, including 8 first gamers with the senior club, they were ultimately beaten by their more experienced opponents but they will improve as they get games under their belts.
D Grade
Monbulk 11 defeated by Beaconsfield 38
Best: Sammi Kelly, Kate Smith, Caitlin Utting
Goals: Sammi Kelly 7, Natalie Rankin 3, Kate Smith 1
