FOOTBALL
Seniors
Monbulk’s sole remaining football team ventured to Yarra Junction on Sunday to meet Woori Yallock in the cut-throat 1st Semi Final. A blustery wind was blowing towards the clubroom end which was to greatly impact the match.
The Hawks won the toss and elected to kick with the prevailing conditions which paid immediate dividends when Bailey Rutherford found the sticks after just a minute of play. The tricky gusts created a scrappy and congested style of play as both sides attacked the ball and contest with equal ferocity. A late goal by Hughson gave Monbulk a nine point buffer at the first change.
Woori Yallock’s ability to take contested marks and transition through the centre of the ground had them marginally ahead by half time – 2.9 v 2.6 – as the Hawks failed to register a goal into the breeze. Campbell Evans put in a herculean effort in the ruck against the Tiger’s array of tall timber, including Zach and Ryley Monkhorst. The Monbulk defenders were superb all day but the Hawks were struggling to get the ball into scoring positions. A one point lead at the last change wasn’t going to be enough as Woori broke through five times in the final quarter to end Monbulk’s season.
Monbulk 5.11.41 def by Woori Yallock 9.13.67
Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Campbell Evans, Lochlan Beecroft, Adam Banks, Robert Savory, Aaron Hoare
Goals: Ben Hughson 1, Lochlan Beecroft 1, Josh Wentworth 1, Bailey Rutherford 1, Ben Grimes 1
NETBALL
A Grade
Monbulk set a club record this year with five netball teams qualifying for the finals. The previous best had been four in 2018 and three in 2010. This has been aided by the club fielding seven teams this year for the first time. The previous records had been set when all teams made the finals in their given years.
In 2025 Monbulk has not just made the finals but the five teams have progressed to at least the Preliminary Final stage. The A Grade team had hovered around the top three for most of the year and needed to account for Emerald to have a crack at a Grand Final berth next week.
The match was to consist of regular momentum swings as Monbulk would break out to a small lead and then Emerald would reel them in again. The Hawks gradually worked their way to bigger leads and by three quarter time the margin was sitting at 10 goals. Light rain started to fall in the last term as the Bombers mounted another challenge and brought the game back to three goals before Monbulk steadied to claim a six goal win.
Monbulk 56 def Emerald 50
Best: Sophie Stubbs, Stephanie Ferguson, Paige Whitworth
Goals: Peri Reid 37, Stephanie Ferguson 19
B Grade
Monbulk met Wandin in the First Semi Final after both sides had each registered a win against each other during the home and away season. Overall the head to head tally stood at 12 wins and 27 losses but the Bulldogs had often accounted for the Hawks since 2008, winning 26 of their last 33 clashes. Wandin had finished four games ahead of Monbulk and by half time looked to inflict another defeat when they had a 25-22 lead. The Hawks put in a blinder in the third term, scoring 18-8 and establishing a strong seven goal break. With a vocal Monbulk crowd urging the team on, the Hawks maintained their advantage and won their way through to a Preliminary Final.
Monbulk 54 def Wandin 47
D Grade
Monbulk had been third for most of the year, just marginally behind ROC and Mt. Evelyn. On Saturday morning out at Healesville they stunned the minor premiers, Mt. Evelyn, where they lead all the way, albeit by a small margin, to be the first side to claim a Grand Final spot after having disposed of ROC last week.
Monbulk 29 def Mt. Evelyn 24
Under 15s
Monbulk Maroon were beaten by ROC Blue in the 2nd Semi Final at Healesville as their opponents remain undefeated. They will now meet Monbulk Gold in the Preliminary Final, guaranteeing that a Monbulk side will be on the big stage. Monbulk Gold followed the lead of the Maroon team last week in defeating Pakenham Maroon, and bundling the home and away second placed team out in straight sets.
Monbulk Maroon 15 def by ROC Blue 35
Monbulk Gold 24 def Pakenham Maroon 20
This week all Monbulk netball preliminary finals will be at Gembrook on Sunday. Monbulk Maroon v Monbulk Gold at 9am, A Grade v Wandin at 12pm and B Grade v Mt. Evelyn at 2.25, to see if they can join D Grade at the Grand Final at Healesville on September 20.
