FOOTBALL
Seniors
Monbulk and Mt. Evelyn have played out a series of tight encounters over the past few years. On Saturday they added another chapter to the rivalry. The Hawks went into the game without key playmaker and ruck/forward Joel Wensley, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the year with a knee injury. After a close first quarter, Monbulk got out to a 15 point lead by the main break as the Rovers missed a series of set shots from gettable distances. Mt. Evelyn fought back in the third term to have the match tied up at 5.8.38 apiece at three quarter time.
The last quarter was a physical and contested battle which resulted in many ball ups and throw ins as neither club gave an inch. The Rovers kicked two early goals to seemingly gain control of the match. Monbulk then had most of the scoring but were unable to capitalise kicking 3.7 to hit the front by a point. In a final foray forward Mt. Evelyn drew a free kick and kicked the winner after the final siren. This was almost a carbon copy of what had happened at the same ground last August when the exact same scenario played out as Monbulk found that lightning can strike twice.
Monbulk 8.15.63 def by Mt. Evelyn 10.8.68
Best: Joshua Spencer, Campbell Evans, Lochlan Beecroft, Adam Banks, Josh Rak, Declan Browne
Goals: Ben Hughson 1, Lochlan Beecroft 1, Josh Wentworth 1, Nicholas Wall 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, Adam Banks 1, Campbell Evans 1, Josh Rak 1
Reserves
Monbulk and Mt. Evelyn went into this match level on five wins each, although the Rovers had a better percentage. The match was to be an arm wrestle for the first half with the Hawks leading by five points at the main break. The Rovers set up their win in the third quarter that yielded 3.5 to the Hawk’s 1.1. In a close final quarter Mt. Evelyn prevailed by 9 points as Monbulk dropped to fifth on the ladder.
Monbulk 7.4.46 def by Mt. Evelyn 7.13.55
Best: Ben Smith, Cameron Griffiths, Jayden Spencer, Harry Fleming, Tim Rickard, Dylan Werts
Goals: Thomas Berman 2, Aaron Smith 1, Ben Smith 1, Jacob Defina 1, Lachlan Smith 1, Steven Shankly 1
Under 18s
This match was always going to be a challenge as Mt. Evelyn’s Under 18’s sit on top of the ladder unbeaten with a percentage of well over 400. Missing their captain, Will Hughson, the Hawks battled hard but were unable to prevent the Rovers registering a comfortable win.
Monbulk 1.0.6. def by Mt. Evelyn 19.21.135
Best: Myles Koelewyn, Brock Downey, Finn Horsfall, Cohen Mitchell, Eamon Dawson, Isaac Mullinder
Goal: Charlie Seamer 1
NETBALL
A Grade
The toughest assignment in netball is facing Mt. Evelyn at their Recreation Reserve court. The Rovers sit atop the ladder undefeated in A Grade and it was a good opportunity for the Hawks to test themselves against the best. Monbulk grabbed an 8-6 quarter time lead but after that the Rovers were able to outscore the Hawks. Mt. Evelyn’s defensive unit restricted Monbulk’s movement and has conceded around 100 points less than any other team this season. The Hawks did hold the Rovers to their first score below 50 for the year.
Monbulk 32 def by Mt. Evelyn 49
Best: Paige Whitworth, Rihanna Kelly, Stephanie Ferguson
Goals: Stephanie Ferguson 18, Peri Reid 11, Sophie Stubbs 3
B Grade
Monbulk and Mt. Evelyn are the leading challengers to the undefeated ROC for the B Grade flag. The two sides were very evenly matched with little separating them until the Rovers managed to break away in the last term.
Monbulk 42 def by Mt. Evelyn 47
Best: Jorja Wragg, Siobhan Munday, Tiana Mancarella
Goals: Jorja Wragg 30, Georgia Wilson 6, Dayna Walsham 3, Olivia Crook 3
C Grade
As with A Grade, Mt. Evelyn is undefeated in C Grade. The seventh placed Hawks battled hard but were beaten by the Rovers, who have very strong offensive and defensive units.
Monbulk 18 def by Mt. Evelyn 48
Best: Chloe Schmidtke, Sammi Kelly, Maddy Buckland
Goals: Maddy Buckland 10, Jamie Sands 4, Grace Sands 4
D Grade
With a full squad and little separating the two sides, the Hawks were looking to claim their first win against Mt. Evelyn in D Grade since 2018. The Rovers got a small break early and, after Monbulk captain Tasha Selby suffered an injury, the margin grew to 6 goals by the final change. The Hawks made a determined effort in the final quarter and were unlucky not to force a draw when a late shot just missed.
Monbulk 28 def by Mt. Evelyn 29
Best: Beth Sands, Jamie Sands, Macy Giling
Goals: Jamie Sands 20, Macy Giling 8
Under 17s
The Under 17s started the day at 9.15am and suffered the same fate as every other Monbulk team at Mt. Evelyn when they had their colours lowered. They were able to field a full team, with a bench, for the first time without relying on Under 15s, as Lucy Roach and Eliza Watson made their club debut.
Monbulk 17 def by Mt. Evelyn 50
Best: Ella Flynn, Mackenzie Bedet, Isabelle Cross
Goals: Ella Flynn 13, Maddison Bedet 3, Mackenzie Bedet 1
Under 15s
The two Under 15s played elsewhere on the weekend and were to produce the only wins for the club. Monbulk Maroon travelled to Officer to take on ROC White and were able to repeat their Round 1 result with a strong win on the back of a big second half.
Monbulk Maroon 30 def ROC White 17
Best: Stella Dunstan, Maddison Calcagno, Tully Caccia
Goals: Isla Stubbs 18, Stella Dunstan 12
Monbulk Gold met Woori Yallock for the second time this year, again at Woori. In a quirk of the fixture all three meetings in the home and away season are set down at the away venue. The Hawks again managed to defeat the Tigers. After a 12-2 opening term they continued to pressure Woori before emerging victorious by 19 goals.
Monbulk 37 def Woori Yallock 18
Best: Amelia Magarry, Ella Longo, Olivia Leonard
Goals: Eden Murphy 18, Amelia Magarry 14, Sophie Pringle 5
