Football
Seniors
Monbulk was excited by the prospect of playing the best team in the competition as a challenge for themselves while they try to snare a spot of the September action. In the 60 year history of the YVMDFL/OEFNL, Wandin have compiled a recent record that would compare favourably against any other combination, having won 34 of their last 35 matches heading into Saturday. Their one loss in the last two years had been to the Hawks last season.
On Saturday Monbulk put together many strong passages of play but the overall consistency of the Bulldogs play overwhelmed them. After trailing by 41 points at the long break, the second half was a fairly even battle as the Hawks never gave up. Young Finn Horsfall, who only made his senior debut last week, showed that he belongs at this level. To make finals, Monbulk need to win their final two matches against Gembrook and Healesville while hoping that other results go their way. If matches go according to current ladder positions then they would sneak in at the conclusion of the final round however a win over Gembrook is vital this week to stay alive.

Monbulk 10.10.70 def by Wandin 18.12.120
Best: Lochlan Beecroft, Joshua Spencer, Caleb Quirk, Ben Hughson, Riley Finlay, Finn Horsfall
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 3, Joel Wensley 2, Caleb Quirk 2, Joshua Dawson 2, Lachlan Sheppard 1

Reserves
When Wandin slammed on 7 goals to 1 in the opening term it looked to be a long day for the depleted Hawks. Monbulk rallied after quarter time and played the type of game that they are capable of, outscoring their finals bound opponents but were unable to reel in the deficit.

Monbulk 7.5.47 def by Wandin 11.9.75
Best: Karl Ravenhorst, Dale Ross, Matthew James, Trent Purcell, Abel Teese, Brock Downey
Goals: Lachlan Smith 2, Matthew James 1, Thijs Koelewyn 1, Nicholas Heron 1, Karl Ravenhorst 1, Charlie Seamer 1

Under 18s
The Hawks again put in a strong performance, this time against the fourth placed Wandin. The overall improvement of this side during the second half of the year has been a credit to themselves and their coach Chris Hughson and assistant Chris Mitchell.

Monbulk 3.2.20 def by Wandin 5.13.43
Best: Isaac Mullinder, Eamon Dawson, Finley Ede, Myles Koelewyn, Arley Gray, Blake Nicholson
Goals: Riley Broadbent, Eamon Dawson, Thomas Hill

Veterans
It was semi-final time at Monbulk on Friday nightas minor premiers Monbulk hosted Olinda-Ferny Creek, the team that had given them their hardest match of the season. The excitement and enthusiasm that the revived veterans have generated this year was seen by the large crowd which gathered to witness it.
Monbulk opened with a goal minutes after commencement, which was matched in the closing moments of the first quarter by the Bloods’ playing coach George Azzam. George badly injured his knee in the process and the second term was lost while an ambulance was called. In the second half Monbulk controlled much of the play but poor entries into the forward line meant that they didn’t capitalise on their dominance. The Hawks finally sealed the game and won a spot in the Grand Final when Tim Wragg kicked truly from 40 metres with just minutes remaining. The Grand Final will be played at Monbulk at 12.50pm on August 23.

Monbulk 3.5.23 def Olinda Ferny Creek 2.1.13
Best: Bradley Condor, Shannon Koole, Dean White, Jarrett Anderson, Chris Mitchell
Goals: Tim Wragg 1, Michael Langworthy 1, Chris Mitchell 1

Netball
A Grade
The biggest challenge in A Grade is playing either of the two ladder leaders, Mt. Evelyn and Wandin, which Monbulk have faced in consecutive weeks. In a fast and well contested match the Bulldogs proved to be a hard nut to crack and deservedly won the encounter while Monbulk displayed more than enough to show why they are also very likely to see finals action if they win their remaining matches.

Monbulk 52 def by Wandin 70
Best: Alice Nicholas, Sophie Stubbs, Peri Reid
Goals: Jorja Wragg 26, Peri Reid 25, Chloe Baker 1

B Grade
This match was a celebration of Bonnie Munday who played her 250th match and has achieved and done so much since her 2011 debut that she became the youngest ever Life Member of the club in 2024. Her teammate Liz Cutting also played her 100th game. Wandin (fourth) and Monbulk (fifth) played an early Elimination Final preview as they will meet again in three weekswhen finals begin. The game did not go to script early as the Bulldogs raced out to a 15-7 lead in the opening quarter and maintained that advantage by half time. The Hawks then threw caution to the wind and played an attacking game which yielded results. They scored 31 goals to 19 in the second half to overrun Wandin and snatch a morale boosting win.

Monbulk 51 def Wandin 47
Best: Catherine Braniska, Siobhan Munday, Chloe Baker
Goals: Chloe Baker 36, Dayna Walsham 11, Chloe Carmichael 4

C Grade
Eighth placed Monbulk took on top side Wandin and battled hard against a well drilled unit. They will look to finish the season strongly and climb a few rungs on the ladder as they meet teams around them. Maddy Buckland played game number 50.

Monbulk 12 def by Wandin 44
Best: Zali Utting, Laura Del Biondo, Shiloh Koole
Goals: Grace Sands 7, Maddy Buckland 3, Laura Del Biondo 2

D Grade
After falling behind early, Monbulk played a strong final three quarters to power to a convincing win over third placed Wandin and now be just percentage off claiming a double chance leading into finals.

Monbulk 36 def Wandin 28
Best: Katrina Wragg, Jamie Sands, Ella Flynn
Goals: Jamie Sands 24, Emiley Asling 12

Under 17s
The Maroon girls just about secured their finals spot with a big win over Olinda. The Gold team let the game slip early against Wandin before going down narrowly, scoring 21 to 15 after half time.

Monbulk Gold 31 def by Wandin 36
Best:  Bridie McCormick, Stevie Mullinder, Ruby Dean
Goals: Isabelle Kos 16, Kaitlyn Summers 12, Bridie McCormick 2, Ruby Dean 1

Monbulk Maroon 64 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 9
Best: Isla Stubbs, Milla Puddy, Chelsea Ferguson
Goals: Chelsea Ferguson 44, Ahliya Wragg 17; Isla Stubbs 3

Under 15s
Monbulk Gold were largely untroubled in posting a comfortable win over fourth placed Wandin Red. Ella Longo also played in her 50th game for the club. The Maroon girls are striving hard to make finals and played a nail-biter against Wandin Blue which ended in a draw. The result leaves them with a favourable run home to nab a finals spot.

Monbulk Gold 44 def Wandin Red 13
Best: Daphne Mitchell, Ruby Irwin, Ella Longo
Goals: Eden Murphy 29, Amelia Magarry 15

Monbulk Maroon 26 drew Wandin Blue 26
Best: Olivia Dalman, Isabelle Kos, Hayden Brady
Goals: Isabelle Kos 24, Grace Gaunt 2