The Monbulk Senior footballers opened their 2023 campaign on Saturday against reigning Grand Finalists Woori Yallock in an ANZAC weekend clash. The two combatants met in glorious autumn weather at Monbulk as both sides were keen to put a stamp on the new season. Monbulk has often troubled the successful Valley Tigers over the last few decades and the two sides were split 1-1 last year in their two encounters. However, a year is a long time in local football and Monbulk had 10 changes from the team that met Woori in Round 15 last year while Woori had 8 different faces from that game. The Hawks fielded 5 Senior debutants, 4 of which came from the Under 19s.
Monbulk started the better of the two sides and notched six goals to one in an impressive opening quarter. Woori was not to be denied and fought back in the middle two terms, kicking 7.5 to Monbulk’s 5 goals straight in that period. The Hawks went into the last term holding on to a 13-point lead after having made the most of their opportunities while the Tigers had squandered some gettable set shots. With the match evenly poised it was Monbulk that ran the game out best, adding 3 last quarter goals to emerge victorious by 32 points in an entertaining contest.
Seniors
Monbulk 14.6.90 d Woori Yallock 8.10.58
Best: Ben Hughson, Ethan Greenall, Ben Smith, Lochlan Beecroft, William Mutschler, Ziggy Hatherley
Goals: Ben Hughson 4, Ziggy Hatherley 3, Glenn Strachan 2, Hayden Finlay 2, Will Mutschler 2, Ethan Greenall 1
The Monbulk Reserves have been at the wrong end of the ladder for most of the past decade, and for much of that time were battling with Woori Yallock to avoid the wooden spoon. Last season the Hawks had that ignomy with just a solitary win in 2022. Meeting in the opening round would mean that at least one side would start with a win but Monbulk has bigger plans for the season after a strong summer with good numbers on the track. Retired Senior players Dean White and Michael Langworthy have taken over the coaching of this team and soon learnt there is no such thing as retirement in the Reserves as the 200+ senior game stalwarts dusted off the boots to help make up the numbers as a few players were absent. Josh Hill captained the side in the absence of Lewis Oliver. The Under 19s also provided an additional 3 players to fill the team, while Under 19s captain Coby Passingham was one of the field umpires.
Monbulk looked a class above their opponents throughout the tussle and ended up running out convincing 92 point victors with systematic play that had been honed over the pre-season. With a host of players in the side who will be aiming to get into the Seniors line up, there will be pressure for spots which will play out on the training track.
Reserves
Monbulk 15.17.107 d Woori Yallock 2.3.15
Best: Clayton Spooner, Hamish Emmett, Harry Fleming, Joshua Hill, Cameron Griffiths, Kieren Galloway
Goals: Steven Shankly 3, Michael Langworthy 2, Jayden Mauchline 2, Matthew James 1, Cam Griffiths 1, Kieren Galloway 1, Nick Selleck 1, Hamish Emmett 1, Harry Fleming 1, Riley Finlay 1
The Under 19s played their second match for the season after having started last week with an emphatic 11.14.80 to 3.6.24 win over Mt Evelyn. Having lost 4 of their best players to the Seniors this week and another to injury, the Hawks would take on the reformed Woori Under 19s who consisted mostly of members of last years’ Under 17 premiership side. Any doubts the Hawks may have had as a result were soon dispelled as they kept the Tigers goalless in a commanding 64 point win, controlling all facets of the game and find themselves on top of the ladder after 2 rounds.
Under 19s
Monbulk 9.13.67 d Woori Yallock 0.3.3
Best: Nick Taylor, Riley Finlay, Noah Rutherford, William Henderson, Coby Passingham, Jack Downard-Pengilly
Goals: Nick Taylor 2, Jett Bolton 2, Hamish Strathairn 2, Ash Bremner 1, Charlie Barge 1, Kody Timms
The Monbulk Women’s football team unfurled their Division 2 premiership flag from last season to begin their game with the newly formed Berwick Springs team. Monbulk had watched Upwey unfurl the Division 1 flag last week before going down in a game that was far more encouraging than the scoreline of 12.12 v 0.2 suggested. This week they played a determined game with a team that had a few players missing. At the three-quarter time they were four goals down, despite having numerous forward forays, only to be repelled by a very good Berwick backline. The Hawks were unable to stem the tide in the last term as Berwick’s midfielders started to win the contests and injuries took their toll, with the final result not being a true reflection of the efforts exerted.
Womens
Monbulk 0.1.1 defeated by Berwick Springs 9.9.63
Best: Madison Mauchline, Laura Gillard, Stacey Jolly, Indy Bakker, Maddison Dodd, Genna Seamer
MIXED RESULTS FOR MONBULK’S NETBALLERS
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.
