Football
Seniors
On a day when a four goal breeze was blowing towards the Princes Highway end of the Officer ground it was crucial to make a good start. The home side won the toss and kicked with the prevailing conditions, which netted them a four goal to nil return in the opening quarter, in line with expectations. When the teams switched ends it was the Kangaroo’s more efficient ball movement and tight defence that won out as the Hawks peppered the goals but could only register singles.

It wasn’t until halfway through the final term that Joel Wensley finally broke through for Monbulk’s first goal after the team had put up 14 consecutive behinds. Both clubs had sixteen scoring shots although the results seemed beyond doubt from half time. The Hawks slip back from fourth to seventh as the tight tussle for a finals spot looks likely to be decided in the final home and away round.

Monbulk 2.14.26 def by Officer 9.7.61
Best: Will Henderson, Lachlan Sheppard, Lochlan Beecroft, Caleb Quirk, Daniel Banks, Thomas Berman
Goals: Joel Wensley 1, Kai Linde 1

Reserves
The patched up Reserves outfit relied on five Under 18s and a Veteran doubling up on the weekend to allow them the luxury of a bench. Against the second placed Officer team this preparation was to be brutally exposed. The Hawks battled hard but were beaten by a better team.

Monbulk 2.5.17 def by Officer 14.17.101
Best: Lewis Oliver, Trent Purcell, Lachlan Smith, Finn Horsfall, Abel Teese, Lachlan Urquijo
Goals: Hamish Emmett 1, Lachlan Smith 1

Under 18s
Facing the unbeaten reigning premiers on their ground didn’t daunt the Hawks who took it right up to their more fancied rivals in the first half. Officer broke away in the second half but the fighting spirit of the Hawks was to be admired.

Monbulk 4.2.26 def by Officer 14.12.96
Best: Myles Koelewyn, Thomas Hill, Arley Gray, Cohen Mitchell, Finley Ede, Riley Broadbent

Veterans
In the penultimate round of home and away fixtures for this division there were five clubs desperately fighting for four spots as wins are becoming critical. The Hawks faced reigning Grand Finalists Belgrave on their ground. Monbulk quickly rattled on three goals before the Magpies responded with two of their own. The Hawks then broke the shackles to score the last four goals and emerge with a morale boosting 34 point win and secure top spot on the ladder, a position they will maintain if they can win their final match against Officer in a fortnight.

Monbulk 8.8.56 def Belgrave 3.4.22
Best: Bradley Condor, Lucas Day, Jarrett Anderson, Michael Langworthy, Shaun Brooks, Peter Donald
Goals: Tim Wragg 2, Shaun Brooks 2, Michael Langworthy 2, Chris Hughson 1

Netball
A Grade
Monbulk settled quicker than their rivals and produced a dominant first half where they doubled their opponent’s score, 28-14. ROC fought back to challenge in the second half but were unable to make inroads into Monbulk’s lead. The win has them a game clear in third.

Monbulk 54 def ROC 38
Best: Grace Scott-Thomas, Sophie Stubbs, Peri Reid
Goals: Peri Reid 41, Jorja Wragg 13

B Grade
The home side, who are equal top of the ladder, won the match with a 17-7 second quarter. Monbulk fought back in the second half to produce a solid display under finals like pressure and showed that they have the game to again compete in the finals.

Monbulk 43 def by ROC 52
Best: Dayna Walsham, Elizabeth Cutting, Catherine Braniska
Goals: Dayna Walsham 29, Chloe Baker 10, Chloe Carmichael 4

C Grade
Although the teams were at opposite ends of the ladder, this match was a competitively balanced and interesting game for the most part. ROC’s experience won out in the end but the Hawks are on the right track.

Monbulk 25 def by ROC 41
Best: Zali Utting, Hayley Donald, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Maddy Buckland 19, Grace Sands 5, Chloe Schmidtke 1

D Grade
Monbulk and ROC entered the match level on points however it was the Kangaroos who worked better in transition and forcing turnovers who claimed the win. The Hawks are in fifth place, a game ahead of Warburton, who they will meet after the bye weekend.

Monbulk 16 def by ROC 34
Best: Jamie Sands, Michelle Steele, Katrina Wragg
Goals: Jamie Sands 15, Emiley Asling 1

Under 17s
The two Monbulk teams sit on the cusp of possible finals, being in fifth and sixth places respectively. The Maroon team travelled to Woori Yallock to take on the second placed home side while the Gold team were at Officer to meet ROC Blue, who are third. 

Monbulk Gold 14 def by ROC Blue 44
Best: Kaitlyn Summers, Stevie Mullinder, Amelia Kay
Goals: Summer Kuppers 9, Kaitlyn Summers 4, Amelia Magarry 1

Monbulk Maroon 24 def by Woori Yallock 64
Best: Shiloh Koole, Tully Caccia, Milla Puddy
Goals: Chelsea Ferguson 15, Ahliya Wragg 9

Under 15s
The Under 15s met the same opponents at the same venues as the Under 17s. The Gold team’s unbeaten run came to an end in a fiercely contested match where ROC’s pressure in the second term proved to be the difference in an even encounter. The Maroon side moved to just being percentage outside of the Five after a determined win against the Tigers.

Monbulk Gold 23 def by ROC Blue 27
Best: Eden Murphy, Ruby Irwin, Alanna White
Goals: Eden Murphy 17, Amelia Magarry 4, Ria Greenaway 2

Monbulk Maroon 29 def Woori Yallock 21
Goals: Olivia Dalman, Grace Gaunt, Hayden Brady
Goals: Isabelle Kos 25, Grace Gaunt 2, Jessica Verheyen 2