Armin Richter
FOOTBALL
SENIORS
Monbulk travelled to Kalora Park to take on the might of Narre Warren, who have tasted defeat just once this year. This match was to be the sixth and final clash between these clubs over the last three years as Narre Warren have announced that they will play in the Southern League next year. In sunny finals-like conditions a good contingent of Monbulk supporters made the journey to witness these combatants.
The game was evenly poised in the first quarter where the Magpies secured two early goals before the Hawks struck back with a pair of their own. The black and white machine got going in the second quarter as they looked to run away with the match after scoring 6 goals to one. Monbulk were looking at a 35 point deficit at half time but regrouped and faced the challenge head on with pressure football. By three quarter time the margin had been reduced to just 13 points with the Hawks kicking 5 goals for the term. In the end Narre Warren steadied to come away with a 25 point victory but Monbulk could take plenty out of their continuing improvement in the latter stages of the season. Coach Matt Cunningham has been recognised for overseeing the transformation of the team into a tough unit that will fight it out every week by being named the Outer East FNL Coach Of The Month for July.
Monbulk 10.3.63 def by Narre Warren 13.10.88
Best: Ziggy Hatherley, Lochlan Beecroft, Adam Banks, Joshua Spencer, Joel Wensley, Tim Rickard
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 1, Johnathon Hevern 1, Pat Barge 1, Nicholas Wall 1, Brodie Emmett 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, Joel Wensley 1, Campbell Evans 1, Max Thornton 1, Lachlan Smith 1
RESERVES
Monbulk’s Reserves had rediscovered their form in recent weeks, coinciding with the return of playing coach Michael Langworthy to the team. The second placed Narre Warren side were six wins ahead of the eighth placed Monbulk going into this encounter but the Hawks had a fairly healthy list, with three emergencies, and a desire to take some more scalps in the run home.
The game was an interesting tussle as Monbulk more than held their own for the first three quarters to only trail by two goals at the last change. In the final term both sides had four scoring shots, with the Magpies claiming four goals while the Hawks returned with just four behinds, which was largely responsible for the final margin being 32 points.
Monbulk 6.8.44 def by Narre Warren 12.4.76
Best: Nicholas Taylor, Tait Colee, Joshua Hill, Lewis Oliver, Harry Fleming, Ben Grimes
Goals: Ben Grimes 2, Matt James 1, Michael Langworthy 1, Hamish Emmett 1, Joshua Hill 1
WOMEN’S
The finals began on Saturday for the Women’s competitions, with all matches being played at Seville. Monbulk, the minor premiers in Division 2, faced Woori Yallock in the Qualifying Final. Neither side gave an inch as Monbulk established an 8 point lead by half time through greater accuracy. The Tigers kicked all their 3 goals in the third term as they rebounded to hold a 3.5 to 3.1 lead at the last change. The Hawks then dug deep for the final 17 minutes as they kept Woori scoreless in the last quarter while their return of 1.2 was enough to take a hard fought win and progress straight through to the Grand Final at Kilsyth on August 25. They will meet the winner of the Woori Yallock v Warburton-Wesburn Preliminary Final.
Monbulk 4.3.27 def Woori Yallock 3.5.23
Best: Shania Turner, Yanessa Hancock-wolfe, Madeline Caarels, Ruby Ross, Laura Gillard, Stacey Jolly
Goals: Kathryn Gow 1, Laura Gillard 1, Jennifer Pauw 1
NETBALL
A GRADE
Monbulk faced the ladder leading Narre Warren, a team they had yet to defeat. A slow start proved to be costly as the Magpies took control in the opening quarter for an 18-9 matchwinning lead. Monbulk fought back and for the rest of the match there was nothing separating the teams, however the Hawks were unable to make any significant inroads and the final margin came in at 10 goals. Regardless of results in the final two weeks, Monbulk will play in an Elimination Final.
Monbulk 47 def by Narre Warren 57
Best: Paige Whitworth, Georgia Himmelreich, Stephanie Ferguson
Goals: Peri Reid 17, Elly Stewart 15, Stephanie Ferguson 15
B GRADE
The B Grade team also allowed top side Narre Warren to have a fast start, and trailed by 6 goals at the first change before going down by 8. They have an uphill struggle to make finals now but will look to shape the ladder in the final fortnight. Had their performance been against a lesser team they may well have gotten the points with their play as it was just the class of the Magpies that beat them on the day.
Monbulk 44 def by Narre Warren 52
Best: Jorja Wragg, Alice McCormick, Rihanna Kelly
Goals: Jorja Wragg 38, Chloe Schmidtke 3, Dayna Walsham 3
C GRADE
Narre Warren have a 15-1 record to head the ladder in A, B and C Grades. The Monbulk C Grade team put up stern resistance in the first quarter before the Magpies assumed control of the match. The Hawks are still a mathematical chance of finals, only being a game behind sixth placed Upwey-Tecoma, but have a tough run home against Pakenham (3rd) and ROC (4th).
Monbulk 28 def by Narre Warren 48
Best: Sammi Kelly, Kate Smith, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Jamie Sands 13, Olivia Crook 10, Chloe Carmichael 5
D GRADE
Slow starts bedevilled the Hawks on the weekend, and this match was also virtually decided in the first quarter. Narre Warren have a much more experienced squad while the Monbulk team again played a number of Under 15s, including Isabelle Cross who made her D Grade debut and acquitted herself well. The team total of 16 goals is a record against Narre to date and the losing margin of 24 is the narrowest of their four meetings, and shows that the squad continues to improve.
Monbulk 16 def by Narre Warren 40
Best: Maddy Buckland, Isla Stubbs, Isabelle Cross
Goals: Maddy Buckland 9, Isla Stubbs 5, Hayley Donald 2
UNDER 15s
Narre Warren didn’t have it all their own way. The Under 15s were headed early but turned on a blitz at the end of the first quarter and start of the second, where a one goal deficit quickly became a 10 goal lead. The ball movement through the mid-court was quick and decisive while Kaitlyn Summers was deadly in shooting from range, becoming the first shooter to score 20 goals in a match for the Under 15s in their debut season.
Monbulk 31 def Narre Warren 22
Best: Stevie Mullinder, Bridie McCormick, Kaitlyn Summers
Goals: Kaitlyn Summers 20, Isla Stubbs 9, Stella Dunstan 2
