Round 15 saw Monbulk travel across to Mt. Evelyn to take on their near neighbours in clashes for the annual Bendigo Bank Community Challenge Cups in both football and netball. It was a big day for Mt. Evelyn as their new rooms were officially opened.

FOOTBALL
Seniors
The Senior match was to be a vital clash for both sides with just percentage separating the teams and the winner to claim a spot in the Top 5. Mt. Evelyn had a quick start and notched up three goals in the first 8 minutes before the Hawks narrowed the margin to 11 points at the first break. Nothing separated these teams in the second quarter and Monbulk were only able to reduce the deficit by one point. The third term had Monbulk creating numerous chances but wasteful kicking squandered their efforts as they added 1 goal 7 behinds to the Rovers’ 2 goals 2 behinds. The Hawks kept up the pressure into the last quarter and eventually hit the lead for the first time when they got their noses ahead by a point halfway through. Mt. Evelyn then rattled on four goals in six minutes to regain a handy break of 25 points with less than five minutes remaining. The Hawks were not to be denied and came again with three goals in time-on but the siren sounded with Mt. Evelyn leading by 7 points.

Mt. Evelyn’s win ended a losing streak of 11 consecutive games to the Hawks which stretched back to Round 9 2016, when they had won at Monbulk. It was also their first win over Monbulk on their own ground since Round 7 2011 after 10 consecutive home losses. The win not only put the Rovers in fifth place but they are now also the holders of the Bendigo Bank football trophy. Monbulk are still in the race for a finals spot but will have to win at least two, and possibly all three, of their remaining matches to have any chance. They face three clubs around them on the ladder with 8th placed Olinda-Ferny Creek (H), sixth placed Pakenham (A), and fourth placed Upwey-Tecoma (H) in the run home.

Mt. Evelyn 13.10.88 def Monbulk 11.15.81
Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Josh Wentworth, Ethan Greenall, Joshua Spencer, Kai Linde, Thomas Taylor
Goals: Josh Wentworth 3, Lachlan Sheppard 2, Mackay Bateson 1, Lochlan Beecroft 1, Kai Linde 1, Ben Grimes 1, Thomas Taylor 1, Max Thornton 1

 

Reserves
Monbulk were missing a few players on the weekend and were fortunate that the Under 19s had a bye to be able to field a full side. The fight for finals spots is just as tight in the Reserves as it is in the Seniors, with five teams challenging for the last two spots. Monbulk appeared disorganised and lacked their usual fluency as Mt. Evelyn worked their way to a 14 point lead by half time which could have been more if they had not scored 2.10 for the half. After getting a few early goals in the third quarter, the Rovers played with confidence and dismantled the Hawks in a disappointing result, cruising to an 83 point win. Monbulk slipped from fourth to fifth and have a crucial fortnight ahead with matches against Olinda and Pakenham, both of whom are level on points with the Hawks.

Mt. Evelyn 15.15.105 def Monbulk 3.4.22
Best: Cameron Griffiths, Nicholas Heron, Lachlan Hancock-Wolfe, Tait Colee, Josh Rak, Hamish Emmett
Goals: Steven Oates 1, Michael Langworthy 1, Jesse Dodd 1

 

NETBALL
A Grade
Sixth placed Monbulk took on the second placed Mt. Evelyn in a fast and high scoring shoot-out. The Rovers had the better of the first half and opened up an eight goal lead by half time. In the second half it was goal for goal with some very entertaining netball being played. Mt. Evelyn eventually triumphed by 10 goals to regain the Bendigo Bank Community Challenge Netball Cup. Jen Dewhurst won the medal for best on court. Monbulk’s total of 56 goals is their highest ever losing score, surpassing the 55 goals they scored against Belgrave in 2018 when they lost 55-67. Monbulk may be out of the running for a finals spot now but will look to knock off finals bound Olinda next week for the second time this season.

Mt. Evelyn 66 def Monbulk 56
Best: Jen Dewhurst, Jamie Clark, Peri Reid
Goals: Peri Reid 48, Jen Dewhurst 8

 

B Grade
Mt. Evelyn were also in second place in B Grade, having only lost twice this year, when they came up against seventh placed Monbulk. The Hawks took it right up to their opponents in a game that ebbed and flowed. Monbulk grabbed a 2 goal lead by quarter time, Mt. Evelyn edged ahead by 3 goals at half time before the Hawks countered with a 12-6 third term. Going into the final quarter with a 33-30 lead, Monbulk were outgunned 14-6 in the final quarter but went down gallantly against one of the top teams in their division.

Mt. Evelyn 44 def Monbulk 39
Best: Rihanna Kelly, Paige Rondinella, Lisa Boyle
Goals: Paige Rondinella 25, Dayna Walsham 9, Chloe Schmidtke 5

 

C Grade
The C Grade team played one of their best games for the year to account for Mt. Evelyn by 7 goals. Earlier in the year they had lost by 17 goals in the corresponding fixture but they were switched on from the start on Saturday. After an even opening term, Monbulk played with some excellent link-up teamwork for the next two quarters to establish a match winning 10 goal lead by the last change. Mt. Evelyn made slight inroads in the final stages but Monbulk was able to claim their fourth win for 2023 and move up one place on the ladder to eighth.

Mt. Evelyn 29 def by Monbulk 36
Best: Simone Beattie, Jess Whitworth, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Jamie Sands 22, Sammi Kelly 14

 

D Grade
Monbulk’s D Grade team continue to play with enthusiasm and enjoyment, despite the results they have met with. All bar two of the Hawks are in their first year of senior netball. Mt. Evelyn proved to be too good and experienced to record a comfortable win.

Mt. Evelyn 37 def Monbulk 8
Best: Kate Smith, Hannah Dickason, Bronte Passingham
Goals: Kate Smith 6, Eireann Lawson 2