A large crowd assembled at Moores Road, Monbulk, for the opening round of the Outer East Football and Netball. Traditional rivals and neighbours, Monbulk and Olinda-Ferny Creek, met across eight contests in football and netball at the nest, with the Hawks prevailing 5-3 over the day. It was also a premiership reunion weekend for Monbulk with 10 flag anniversaries being celebrated on Saturday, with the highlight being the 20th anniversary of Monbulk’s double in 2006 when the Senior footballers and A Grade netballers completed a rare double. 2006 was also the last time either of those sides had hoisted the major prize.

Football
Seniors
Monbulk lead the head to head record against Olinda, but over the past decade the Bloods have been the nemesis of the Hawks, also being the only team Monbulk failed to defeat in 2025.

Monbulk unveiled new recruits Callan Brinkmann (Kilcunda-Bass), Brodie Walker (Gembrook-Cockatoo), Patrick Snoxell (Gembrook-Cockatoo and former Monbulk Under 19s in 2022), Joshua Dawson (South Belgrave and former Monbulk junior 2016-2022) and Daniel Cleary (former Monbulk junior who last played in 2015).

The recent mild weather was replaced by an early wintry example which switched from sunny patches to showers across the afternoon. The match was affected by the weather with slippery conditions causing some congested passages of play. The game was close for the first half before a series of 4 quick goals by Olinda in the third term provided a match winning break in the low scoring encounter.

Monbulk 5.6.36 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.11.65
Best: Ben Hughson, Nicholas Wall, Lochlan Beecroft, Lachlan Sheppard
Goals: Nicholas Wall 3, Josh Wentworth 1, Joshua Dawson 1

Reserves
Monbulk fielded a strong side on paper as a number of experienced players joined the line up in the opening round. Heading this group were Joel Wensley returning from his knee injury last season, Taylor Joyce (former League leading goalkicker in Div 1 with Monbulk) and Daniel Banks (former Monbulk player returning from Bunyip). Caleb Quirk (Drouin), Lachlan Urquijo (former Woori Yallock junior) and Abel Teese (Gembrook-Cockatoo and former Monbulk junior) being other additions.

The Hawks grabbed control of the match early and always appeared to have Olinda’s measure as they posted a solid win to start the new year. One of the highlights was Wensley kicking a long bomb from well inside the centre square which went through.

Monbulk 14.7.91 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 4.3.27
Best: Kieren Galloway, Harry Fleming, Joel Wensley, Trent Purcell, Taylor Joyce, Daniel Banks
Goals: Taylor Joyce 4, Daniel Banks 2, Steven Shankly 2, Harry Fleming 1, Thomas Berman 1, Finn Horsfall 1, Noah Rutherford, Joel Wensley 1, Jacob Defina 1

Under 18s
Monbulk have improved with a year under their belt but came up against a well organised Olinda team who triumphed after a five goal to one third term. Six Under 16s helped out on the day.

Monbulk 6.10.46 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 10.8.68
Best: Lucas Hickingbotham, Lucas Ibarra, Eamon Dawson, Darcy Spry, Thomas Hill, William Hughson
Goals: Riley Broadbent 2, Charlie Seamer 2, Eamon Dawson 1, Myles Koelewyn 1

Netball
A Grade
Monbulk’s A Grade team has seen the return of 2024 Best & Fairest Georgia Himmelreich after having a child and Jorja Wragg promoted from B Grade to replace Steph Ferguson. Former Seville junior Alice Nicholas made her club debut. The rain made the court slippery but the home team was still able to put up a concerted four quarter performance under new head coach Lindy Dowell as they aim to again make finals.

Monbulk 59 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 31
Best: Grace Scott-Thomas, Nicole Macdowell, Peri Reid
Goals: Peri Reid 48, Jorja Wragg 8, Nicole Macdowell 3

B Grade
Unfurling their premiership flag, the Monbulk team went about collecting their first win of the season against spirited opposition from Olinda. With Jorja stepping up to A Grade, the Hawks’ new focal point was to be Chloe Baker, a former Wandin junior. Ava Thompson made her debut for the club and was another player to break into the reigning premiers side. Co-captain Asha was prominent with some desperate contests.

Monbulk 46 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 34
Best: Dayna Walsham, Asha Jones, Chloe Baker
Goals: Chloe Baker 25, Dayna Walsham 16, Olivia Crook 5

C Grade
This team is looking to improve on last year and came nail bitingly close to notching the win. After Olinda established a four goal lead the Hawks fought back to go down by the narrowest of margins. Candice Freeling and Emma Mason are new players to join this squad.

Monbulk 36 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 37
Best: Maddy Buckland, Candice Freeling, Emma Mason
Goals: Macy Giling 15, Maddy Buckland 13, Grace Sands 8

D Grade
Another team to unfurl their premiership flag were the D Grade girls. They were engaged in a tight tussle with Olinda, who held a four goal lead (20-16) a few minutes into the final term. The Hawks then played a brilliant twelve minutes to dominate the final stages and turn the deficit into a three goal win as they slammed on 9 goals to 2 to finish the match.

Monbulk 25 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 22
Best: Chelsea Borkowski, Jamie Sands, Michelle Steele
Goals: Jamie Sands 17, Ella Flynn 6, Emily Asling 2

Under 17s
Monbulk had only twice previously fielded an Under 17s team, in 2017 and last year. Filled with an influx of players, both new and from the Under 15s, Monbulk (along with ROC) will field two teams in 2026, as neither Upwey nor Healesville had sides. Saturday was to be a watershed moment for the Hawks as both Under 17 teams registered the first wins simultaneously at this level. They sit second and third on the ladder. Congratulations to Izzy on playing her 50th game for the club!

Monbulk Gold 66 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 10
Best: Summer Kuppers, Isabelle Cross, Bridie McCormick
Goals: Summer Kuppers 32, Steveie Mullinder 15, Amelia Magarry 13, Bridie McCormick 6

Monbulk Maroon 55 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 15
Best: Tully Caccia, Ahliya Wragg, Isla Stubbs
Goals: Charlotte Hare 28, Isla Stubbs 20, Ahliya Wragg 7

Under 15s
Monbulk will also field two Under 15 teams.
After a big preseason both our U15s hit the court with their best efforts & we can’t wait to see what the achieve in 2026!

Monbulk Gold 51 def Pakenham Gold 3
Best: Eden Murphy, Amelia Magarry, Ruby Irwin
Goals: Eden Murphy 28, Amelia Magarry 23

Monbulk Maroon 12 def by Pakenham Maroon 34
Best: Hayden Brady, Annabelle Flintoff, Maeve Rademaker
Goals: Isabelle Kos 9, Grace Gaunt 2, Jessica Verheyen 1