Seniors
Monbulk travelled to the Clegg Road reserve in Wandin North to face the second placed Bulldogs. The Hawks had not won at this venue since 2010 but were not deterred by their recent track record there and played a determined and attacking game style.
Wandin were more measured and composed on the small ground, and regularly found avenues via short passes and switching sides to find free teammates. Although Monbulk fell behind late in the first quarter by a couple goals, they kept pace through the second term when scoring a few goals just before half time which had the team believing in themselves. The Bulldogs again established a break before the Hawks clawed their way back from five goals down to get within 13 points early in the last term. Wandin then steadied to run out 29 point winners in an entertaining contest.
Wandin 21.12.138 def Monbulk 17.7.109
Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Lochlan Beecroft, Lewis Oliver, Mackay Bateson, Glenn Strachan, Jayden Spencer
Goals: Lewis Oliver 4, Lochlan Beecroft 3, Mackay Bateson 2, Glenn Strachan 2, Ben Grimes 2, Josh Wentworth 1, Bailey Rutherford 1, Brodie Emmett 1, Max Thornton 1
Reserves
The fifth placed Monbulk Reserves were keen to atone for their disappointing result last week when coming up against fourth placed Wandin. The Hawks took control of the game early and then gradually kept extending their lead throughout the match until they emerged victorious by 62 points. Monbulk remain in fifth place as they head into the bye next week.
Wandin 4.5.29 def by Monbulk 13.13.91
Best: Steve Oates, Toby Versteegen, Cameron Griffiths, Brandon Shambrooke, Matthew James, Josh Rak
Goals: Shane Williams 3, Cam Griffiths 2, Michael Langworthy 2, Kallee Sas 1, Shaun Wiering 1, Dean White 1, Brandon Shambrooke 1, Aaron Smith 1, Benjamin Magnay 1
Under 19s
The Hawks were sitting fourth on the ladder but had only won one of their last six matches and needed to make a statement in this game. Monbulk got off to a good start in the first quarter but were then unable to take control of the match as they squandered scoring opportunities. By three quarter time they still led by just 22 points despite having 22 to 10 scoring shots. In the final quarter the Hawks were able to finally convert their control of the game into scoreboard results as they ran out comfortable 43 point winners.
Wandin 7.5.47 def by Monbulk 12.18.90
Best: Nick Taylor, Jai Farmer, Zeke Charlton, Graison Embleton, Nicholas Heron, Charlie Barge
Goals: Jai Farmer 5, Graison Embleton 2, Lachlan Smith 2, Charlie Barge 1, Noah Rutherford 1, Nicholas Heron 1
Women’s
Monbulk’s women’s team played their match at 7pm on the Friday evening at home against Upwey-Tecoma. In the previous two matches against Upwey this year, the Hawks had scored just a combined three points. As the side continues to improve, they were able to burst out of the blocks and were leading by seven points to nil inside four minutes. Unfortunately they were not able to continue in that vein and were gradually overrun by the Tigers, although they fought out the game with their usual spirit and enthusiasm. They will play their final match of the season next week against Berwick Springs.
Monbulk 1.3.9 def by Upwey-Tecoma 9.8.62
Best: Maddison Dodd, Kathryn Gow, Genna Seamer, Laura Gillard, Shaye McLean, Ayla Short
Goal: Jennifer Pauw 1
