Round four was OEFN Pride Round and was a busy weekend for Monbulk players.
Pride Round at Monbulk FNC means inclusivity, belonging, representation, and acknowledging people from LGBTQI+ communities and their contributions to our game. We consistently aim to signal that we want all people to feel welcome and valued in our game, as players, fans, members and officials.
Monbulk is proud to support the LGBTQI+ community in every aspect of this great game. The club focuses on creating a safe environment where everyone feels welcomed and supported, and hopes that people can come to Monbulk and just be their truest unfiltered self, and know that their individuality is celebrated and that they belong.
Football match reports:
Seniors
The weather gods were in a good mood and ideal conditions greeted the sides under blue skies at the Monbulk Recreation Reserve. Monbulk wore black armbands for two of Monbulk’s significant figures who had passed away during the week as the community lost RSL President Bill Ford and former captain-coach from the 1950s in Don Matthews. Monbulk faced one of the premiership favourites, Wandin, and were decisively beaten by one of the best combinations in the League.The Bulldogs precision play often found a way through the Hawks’ defences where they were able to create space in the forward 50. The endeavour of the Monbulk players couldn’t be questioned but the execution of their systems buckled under the constant rebounding play. Monbulk lost gutsy youngster Ben Hughson to a broken collarbone in the third quarter, as they mounted a challenge, and will also miss tackling machine Nic Wall as he heads overseas after this match. The Hawks have a bye next week as they regroup to face Mt. Evelyn in two weeks for the annual Bendigo Bank Challenge Cup.
Monbulk 5.10.40 def by Wandin 18.21.129
Best: Dylan Werts, Glenn Strachan, Lochlan Beecroft, Mackay Bateson, Kai Linde, Ethan Greenall
Goals: Mackay Bateson 2, Glenn Strachan 2, Lachlan Sheppard 1
Reserves
The Monbulk seconds rebounded from last weeks’ reverse, and ground out a solid 49 point win which was set up after a dominant first quarter. The Reserves had struggled for years with low numbers but now have greater depth of experienced players to bolster the side. When the team was two short it was handy when former senior captain Jared Major and four time senior best and fairest Shane Williams rock up to fill the holes. The ball movement in the clinches and on the spread consistently fed the forwards and kept Wandin under pressure as Monbulk consolidated a place in the top five.
Monbulk 9.8.62 def Wandin 1.7.13
Best: Toby Versteegen, Thomas Taylor, Hamish Emmett, Lewis Oliver, Cameron Griffiths, Michael Langworthy
Goals: Michael Langworthy 5, Kieren Galloway 1, Brodie Emmett 1, Dean White 1, Lachie Hancock-Wolfe 1
Under 19s
Monbulk’s Under 19s have been a well drilled unit over the first five weeks of the season and notched their fourth win to hold second place on the ladder. They had five players unavailable to face Wandin as they were part of the Senior squad, with Thijs Koelewyn becoming the latest to make his firsts debut on Saturday. The remaining players show that this side has the depth and ability to have a big say in how the year pans out as they gradually drew away from a competitive Wandin side.
Monbulk 6.8 def Wandin 2.6
Best: Riley Finlay, Noah Rutherford, Nicholas Heron, Charlie Barge, Jack Downard-Pengilly, Nick Taylor
Goals: Nick Taylor 2, Will Henderson 1, Charlie Barge 1, Noah Rutherford 1, Riley Finlay 1
Womens
The Monbulk Women’s team has been facing hurdles each week as they come up against an array of strong sides. This week they faced an Olinda combination that showed no mercy and played a direct attacking game. The Hawks tried as hard at the end as when the game had started and never gave up on the contest.
Monbulk 0.0.0 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 20.16.136
Best: Maddison Dodd, Indy Bakker, Brielle Tipping, Shaye McLean, Briannan Lambe, Ruby Ross
Netball match reports:
A Grade
Monbulk celebrated Paige Whitworth’s 100th game as the future Club Hall Of Famer had achieved much in her time with the Hawks since he debut in 2012, including an A Grade League Best & Fairest, three Club A Grade Best & Fairests and captaining the club for three years. After Monbulk’s A Grade side had been soundly beaten last week they faced the ladder leaders Wandin on Saturday. New recruit and former league goal shooting star with Olinda, Peri Reid (Stewart), made her debut for the maroon and gold. It took Monbulk a while to gel with the new structure but they stormed home with a 14-8 last quarter to nearly cause a boilover as the Hawks fell just two goals shy of knocking off the Bulldogs.
Monbulk 42 def by Wandin 44
Best: Peri Reid, Paige Whitworth, Tiana Mancarella
Goals: Peri Reid 32, Sophie Stubbs 10
B Grade
B Grade faced a winless Wandin side that had lost to the top three undefeated clubs to date. A close game was expected and after the Bulldogs grabbed an early lead, the Hawks fought back to hit the front at three-quarter time. Unfortunately in the last term Wandin played some strong netball to win the quarter 15-7 and snatch a seven-goal win.
Monbulk 41 def by Wandin 48
Best: Alice McCormick, Rihanna Kelly, Siobhan Munday
Goals: Paige Rondinella 27, Dayna Walsham 14
C Grade
The Monbulk C Grade girls came up against one of the stronger combinations with the Wandin side entrenched near the top of the ladder. The Hawks were never really able to get their game going but put in an improved effort in the second half to regain some control.
Monbulk 12 def by Wandin 44
Best: Sammi Kelly, Isabel Connell, Jess Whitworth
Goals: Sammi Kelly 8, Chloe Schmidtke 4
D Grade
Monbulk have faced some lopsided scoreboards in D Grade but they are continuing to learn the game as they try different structures. They had a fair amount of possession but weren’t able to link up all the way to goal and were then hurt on the rebound.
Monbulk 6 def by Wandin 53
Best: Kate Smith, Caitlin Utting, Eireann Lawson
Goals: Kate Smith 3, Eireann Lawson 3