FOOTBALL
Monbulk and Gembrook have a long history of football rivalry dating back 117 years to 1906. In 1994, when the Gembrook ground was being upgraded, the Brookers played their home matches at Monbulk and were so pleased with the way Monbulk had treated them for that year that they chose to create a challenge trophy to be contested whenever the two sides were to meet in competition. Gembrook called it the Ramage Family Trophy in recognition of one of their most famous footballing families, although Monbulk claimed the trophy on the first 18 times it was contested. In 2006, when Gembrook marked their centenary, they chose to celebrate it against Monbulk, the team who were their first ever opponents. 

Gembrook and Monbulk had met on 146 occasions since 1921 (when regular records began) with the Hawks leading the ledger with 81 wins, 63 losses, a draw and an abandoned match. In 2023 these two sides met again on an important date as Gembrook unfurled their Division 1 Senior and Reserve flags from last season and played their first competition match with their new clubrooms in use. The game had an extra sense of importance as Brooker Of The Century, 92 year old Len Ure, a veteran of 415 matches between 1946 and 1978, passed away on ANZAC Day. Both Monbulk and Gembrook wore armbands as a mark of respect.

Seniors
Monbulk and Gembrook were fairly evenly matched in the main game and the margin never exceeded more than a few goals either way. Some undisciplined play just before half-time gifted the Hawks a pair of goals and a lead of 13 points at the long change. Gembrook were the more efficient side in the air while the Hawks looked dangerous with their quick ball movement. Monbulk lacked some polish at times with the occasional missed marks, along with handballs and kicks missing targets, proving costly in the end as Gembrook snatched a four point victory. It was the Brookers first win over the Hawks since August 2012 as they reclaimed the Ramage Family Trophy.

Gembrook-Cockatoo 10.14.74 def Monbulk 10.10.70
Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Dylan Werts, Glenn Strachan, Lochlan Beecroft, Nicholas Wall, Joshua Spencer
Goals: William Mutschler 4, Bailey Rutherford 1, Ben Hughson 1, Hayden Finlay 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, Max Thornton 1, Lachlan Smith 1

Reserves
The Reserves match was tight until the last term when Monbulk were able to break the shackles and establish a comfortable win. Both sides tackled hard as kicks were made to be earned and the defences held tight. Monbulk have won their opening two matches for the first time since 2007 but will face far stiffer opposition next week at Narre Warren.

Gembrook-Cockatoo 4.7.31 def by Monbulk 8.11.59
Best: Matthew James, Lewis Oliver, Michael Langworthy, Harry Fleming, Lachlan Hancock-Wolfe, Joshua Hill
Goals: Michael Langworthy 3, Matthew James 1, Nick Selleck 1, Steven Shankley 1, Jesse Dodd 1, Josh Rak 1

Under 19s
The Under 19s travelled to Mick Morland Reserve in Clyde North to tackle last season’s premiers, Emerald. The Hawks and Bombers had tight tussles in 2022 and Monbulk was keen for revenge after having been knocked out in the 1st Semi Final by Emerald last year. After a close first quarter, Monbulk dominated everywhere for the remainder of the match, except on the scoreboard. The passages of play between the young Hawks around the ground had been like a smoothly oiled machine at times but finishing off in front of the big sticks left some seemingly easy chances go begging. Monbulk’s goalkicking, which included 9 successive behinds at one stage, in calm and ideal conditions, was the only reason that the match wasn’t decided until a few minutes before time. Both sides were undermanned and the game finished as 13 v 13 as Monbulk removed players to match Emerald’s numbers.

Emerald 5.2.32 def by Monbulk 4.18.42
Best: Riley Finlay, Jacob Defina, Thijs Koelewyn, William Henderson, Charlie Barge, Nick Taylor
Goals: Ash Bremner 1, Noah Rutherford 1, Riley Finlay 1, Nicholas Heron 1

Women’s
The Monbulk Women’s team has met some strong sides so far this year, since being promoted to Division 1, and continue to battle out each game to the end as they implement Sascha Wolfe’s game plans. The return of ruck Jade McCormick was welcomed, while debutant Josie Ford showed promise. On Saturday morning the tightly bonded group travelled to Toomuc Reserve in Pakenham and were again undermanned as they fought against the odds.

Pakenham 12.15.87 def Monbulk 0.0.0
Best: Josie Ford, Claire Scully, Maddison Dodd, Jade McCormick, Stacey Jolly, Rachael Foley

NETBALL

A Grade
Monbulk’s A Grade girls controlled their match from start to finish. They welcomed back Jamie Clark to the mid court while Paige Rondinella and Dayna Walsham backed up their B Grade games with another effective game in the goals for the A Grade side. In unusually calm conditions at Gembrook, the Hawks established an early lead that was never relinquished, and then stormed home with an emphatic 13-5 last term to seal their first win of the season by 16 goals. Congratulations to Dayna on her A grade debut!

Gembrook-Cockatoo 27 def by Monbulk 43
Best: Nicole Macdowell, Jamie Clark, Paige Whitworth
Goals: Paige Rondinella 23, Nicole Macdowell 11, Dayna Walsham 9

B Grade
This match was an arm wrestle for the entire game with scores being locked at quarter-time, Monbulk up by a goal at half-time and Gembrook holding that same slender margin at the last change. In a high standard match, the Hawks had the best of the last quarter, shooting 13-8, to emerge victorious by a well deserved 4 goals.

Gembrook-Cockatoo 39 def by Monbulk 43
Best: Siobhan Munday, Dayna Walsham, Rihanna Kelly
Goals: Paige Rondinella 25, Dayna Walsham 13, Chloe Schmidtke 5

C Grade
The C Grade girls, coached by Fiona Carmichael and led by Tasha Selby, made it two from two to start the year. They accounted for Gembrook by a comfortable 10 goals in a game where the result was never in doubt after a 17 goal second term. The side had winners on every line.

Gembrook-Cockatoo 33 def by Monbulk 43
Best: Jenna Schnehage, Jess Whitworth, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Jamie Sands 33, Jenna Schnehage 10

D Grade
The youngest Hawks squad put in an encouraging performance where they led at quarter time, however at stages their defences were breached as they continue to look for greater consistency across the four quarters. With most of this squad playing open age for the first time they are quickly improving under coach Rachael Jennings.

Gembrook-Cockatoo 30 def Monbulk 18
Best: Eireann Lawson, Leah Hansby, Sammi Kelly
Goals: Sammi Kelly 12, Kate Smith 6

MILESTONES

Congratulations to Chloe Schmidtke on playing her 50th game for MFNC!

Next week we head to Narre Warren for Men’s Football & Netball!

Thank-you to Armin & Anthea for the photos!