Football
Seniors
Under dark and threatening skies the Monbulk team travelled to Healesville’s Don Road Reserve to meet the locals. The Hawks applied manic pressure throughout the game which caused numerous turnovers. Monbulk’s defence was also brilliant all day which meant that the Bloods didn’t kick their first goal until time-on in the third term, by which time Monbulk had wrapped up the game with nine of their own.

Healesville managed a further two consolation goals in the last term but still recorded their second lowest ever score against the Hawks. Their lowest had been 1.5.11 in the Covid affected year of 2021, also played at Healesville. This match was just Monbulk’s second win at Healesville since the 2011 season. The victory puts Monbulk just percentage behind Officer outside of the Top Five at the half way mark of the season.

Monbulk 12.10.82 def Healesville 3.8.26
Best: Aaron Hoare, Caleb Quirk, Riley Finlay, Charlie Barge, Kai Linde, Bailey Rutherford
Goals: Taylor Joyce 3, Lochlan Beecroft 2, Josh Wentworth 2, Joshua Dawson 2, Joel Wensley 1, Lachlan Smith 1, Ben Hughson 1

Reserves
The final scoreline would normally be reminiscent of a heavy slog in muddy conditions however, apart from a breeze blowing towards the dog track end, it was close to perfect on the firm vast expanses. Both defences had the better on the day and while Monbulk dominated possession they were unable to translate that onto the scoreboard. The Hawks are fifth on the ladder.

Monbulk 5.9.39 def Healesville 1.3.9
Best: Noah Rutherford, Daniel Banks, Trent Purcell, Jacob Defina, Nicholas Heron, Karl Ravenhorst
Goals: Kieren Galloway 1, Daniel Banks 1, Jacob Defina 1, Karl Ravenhorst 1, Gary Ross 1

Under 18s
Being struck down by injuries to numerous players the 10th placed Hawks had just 18 players compared to the home side’s 25. The undefeated Healesville team would have entered the match as warm favourites but nobody told the plucky Monbulk side that. Apart from the third quarter, where Healesville kicked 6.3 to nothing with the breeze, Monbulk nearly outscored their more fancied opponents for the other three quarters on the back of some remarkable accuracy.

Monbulk 9.0.54 def by Healesville 14.11.95
Best: Finley Ede, Thomas Hill, Arley Gray, Myles Koelewyn, Blake Nicholson, Ryder Koelewyn
Goals: Riley Broadbent 3, Charlie Seamer 2, Finley Ede 1, Arley Gray 1, Ryder Koelewyn 1, Thomas Hill 1

Veterans
With a short nine round season, Monbulk needed a win against a top team to stake their finals credentials. Facing the reigning premiers on their ground on Friday night the Hawks looked the goods for three quarters but squandered chances in front of goal to lead 4.10 to 3.4 at the final change. The Brookers then attacked hard in the last to sneak home by two points. Monbulk are now percentage behind the fourth placed Olinda.

Monbulk 4.11.35 def by Gembrook-Cockatoo 5.7.37
Best: Johnathon Hevern, Shaun Brooks, Steven Nuutinen, Jared Major, Vincent Dunstan, Shannon Koole
Goals: Steven Nuutinen 2, Shaun Brooks 1, Johnathon Hevern 1

Netball
A Grade
The third placed Monbulk side were given a tough run by a determined Healesville outfit that made them work hard for their win. Many desperate defensive efforts by Nicholas, Scott-Thomas, Kelly and Jones  gave them some valuable turnovers.

Monbulk 60 def Healesville 47
Best: Alice Nicholas, Nicole Macdowell, Peri Reid
Goals: Peri Reid 52, Jorja Wragg 6, Nicole Macdowell 2

B Grade
Monbulk scored a valuable win to round out the first half of the season as they recorded a strong 39 goal win. They sit in fifth place with their wins having been over the five sides below them.

Monbulk 67 def Healesville 28
Best: Chloe Baker, Catherine Braniska, Chloe Carmichael
Goals: Chloe Baker 45, Dayna Walsham 13, Catherine Braniska 1 (+ 8 not recorded)

C Grade
The Hawks had been fighting hard for little reward so far this year. Against Healesville they crashed through for their maiden victory for the season by an impressive 35 goals. The whole team put in a superb effort.

Monbulk 53 def Healesville 18
Best: Hayley Donald, Emma Mason, Grace Sands
Goals: Maddy Buckland 34, Grace Sands 17, Isla Stubbs 2

D Grade
Monbulk had a clean sweep across the netball court against Healesville as D Grade also recorded a solid 23 goal win in blustery conditions. The reigning premiers find themselves percentage off third place.

Monbulk 39 def Healesville 16
Best: Ella Flynn, Brooke O’Loughlin, Bronte Passingham
Goals: Ella Flynn 22, Jamie Sands 12, Emiley Asling 5

Under 17s
Monbulk Maroon and Monbulk Gold rounded out the first half of the season with a clash against each other at Healesville. In a friendly but tough encounter it was the Maroon side who emerged victorious by 17 goals, and replacing their Gold club mates in fifth place on percentage.

Monbulk Maroon 39 def Monbulk Gold 22
Maroon Best: Chelsea Ferguson, Ruby Irwin, Milla Puddy
Gold Best: Kaitlyn Summers, Kaia Stewart, Stevie Mullinder
Maroon Goals: Chelsea Ferguson 35, Isla Stubbs 4
Gold Goals: Summer Kuppers 10, Kaitlyn Summers 10, Amelia Magarry 2

Under 15s
The strength of Monbulk’s junior netball was also on display in the Under 15s where a skillful and entertaining match showcased the up and coming talent. The Gold team remain undefeated after prevailing over the Maroon contingent, who are also in the Top 5.

Monbulk Gold 57 def Monbulk Maroon 25
Gold Best: Indiana Kirk, Alanna White, Ria Greenaway
Maroon Best: Isabelle Kos, Ella Osborne, Olivia Dalman
Gold Goals: Eden Murphy 30, Amelia Magarry 22, Ria Greenaway 5
Maroon Goals: Isabelle Kos 20, Jessica Verheyen 5