Round 15 saw Monbulk travel across to Mount Evelyn to take on their near neighbours in clashes for the annual Bendigo Bank Community Challenge Cups in both football and netball. It was a big day for Mount Evelyn as their new rooms were officially opened.
Seniors
The Senior match was to be a vital clash for both sides with just percentage separating the teams and the winner to claim a spot in the top five.
Mount Evelyn had a quick start and notched up three goals in the first eight minutes before the Hawks narrowed the margin to 11 points at the first break. Nothing separated these teams in the second quarter and Monbulk were only able to reduce the deficit by one point. The third term had Monbulk creating numerous chances but wasteful kicking squandered their efforts as they added one goal seven behinds to the Rovers’ two goals and two behinds.
The Hawks kept up the pressure into the last quarter and eventually hit the lead for the first time when they got their noses ahead by a point halfway through. Mount Evelyn then rattled on four goals in six minutes to regain a handy break of 25 points with less than five minutes remaining. The Hawks were not to be denied and came again with three goals in time-on but the siren sounded with Mount Evelyn leading by seven points.
Mount Evelyn’s win ended a losing streak of 11 consecutive games to the Hawks which stretched back to round nine in 2016, when they had won at Monbulk. It was also their first win over Monbulk on their own ground since round seven 2011 after 10 consecutive home losses. The win not only put the Rovers in fifth place but they are now also the holders of the Bendigo Bank football trophy. Monbulk are still in the race for a finals spot but will have to win at least two, and possibly all three, of their remaining matches to have any chance. They face three clubs around them on the ladder with eighth placed Olinda-Ferny Creek (H), sixth placed Pakenham (A), and fourth placed Upwey-Tecoma (H) in the run home.
Mount Evelyn 13.10.88 def Monbulk 11.15.81
Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Josh Wentworth, Ethan Greenall, Joshua Spencer, Kai Linde, Thomas Taylor
Goals: Josh Wentworth 3, Lachlan Sheppard 2, Mackay Bateson 1, Lochlan Beecroft 1, Kai Linde 1, Ben Grimes 1, Thomas Taylor 1, Max Thornton 1
Reserves
Monbulk were missing a few players on the weekend and were fortunate that the Under 19s had a bye to be able to field a full side. The fight for finals spots is just as tight in the Reserves as it is in the Seniors, with five teams challenging for the last two spots. Monbulk appeared disorganised and lacked their usual fluency as Mount Evelyn worked their way to a 14-point lead by half time which could have been more if they had not scored 2.10 for the half. After getting a few early goals in the third quarter, the Rovers played with confidence and dismantled the Hawks in a disappointing result, cruising to an 83-point win. Monbulk slipped from fourth to fifth and have a crucial fortnight ahead with matches against Olinda and Pakenham, both of whom are level on points with the Hawks.
Mount Evelyn 15.15.105 def Monbulk 3.4.22
Best: Cameron Griffiths, Nicholas Heron, Lachlan Hancock-Wolfe, Tait Colee, Josh Rak, Hamish Emmett
Goals: Steven Oates 1, Michael Langworthy 1, Jesse Dodd 1
