Round 8 report ready below!

FOOTBALL
Seniors
Olinda handled the blustery conditions far better than the Hawks and established a handy break with the wind at the first change. Hopes of reigning in the Bloods in the second term fell apart as Olinda managed 6 goals against the stiff breeze. Monbulk’s usual good ball control fell apart as marks were dropped, disposals missed their target and Olinda hurt them on the rebound. The end result was a disappointing 82 point loss.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 19.12.126 def Monbulk 6.8.44
Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Max Thornton, Mackay Bateson, Glenn Strachan, Ryan Gilbert, Joel Wensley
Goals: Ziggy Hatherley 2, Ethan Greenall 1, Glenn Strachan 1, Lachlan Shepperd 1, Max Thornton 1

Reserves
Fifth placed Monbulk faced Olinda, who occupied third spot, in a vital clash for both sides. With a more even spread of talent across the field, Monbulk was in control for most of the day but were never able to fully shake off their tenacious opponents. In the end the Hawks triumphed by 13 points but could have won by more but for some missed chances.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 5.2.32 def by Monbulk 6.9.45
Best: Cameron Griffiths, Jesse Dodd, Josh Rak, Lachlan Hancock-Wolfe, Hamish Emmett, Clayton Spooner
Goals: Jesse Dodd 2, Matthew James 1, Nick Selleck 1, Brandon Shambrooke 1, Michael Langworthy 1

Under 19s
The Unders travelled to Officer in the morning which had a gale blowing towards the Princes Highway end. Fourth placed Monbulk had 16 players at their disposal while the Kangaroos, who were sitting in second, had the luxury of 22. Knowing they were going to face stiff opposition, the Hawks took the challenge front on, and declined an offer of opposition players to bolster their side. Despite the difficult conditions it was an entertaining game where the Hawks did themselves proud despite the loss.

Officer 5.10.40 def Monbulk 3.2.20
Best: Coby Passingham, William Henderson, Noah Rutherford, Riley Finlay, Lachlan Smith, Jai Farmer
Goals: Lachlan Smith 2, Timothy Rickard 1

Women’s
The Monbulk Women’s team have faced an uphill battle all season but are starting to gel as a team and produce some encouraging results. The first meeting between these teams resulted in Monbulk having to forfeit while the second encounter produced a 136-0 scoreline. This time the Hawks were able to continually harass their opponents and force the ball forward to create scoring chances. The result was their highest score for the year in a competitive match.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.10.64 def Monbulk 3.3.21
Best: Josie Ford, Maddison Dodd, Indy Bakker, Shaye McLean, Genna Seamer, Kathryn Gow
Goals: Jessica Willoughby 1, Indy Bakker 1, Laura Gillard 1

NETBALL
A Grade
Olinda have been so dominant in A Grade netball in recent times that a match against them meant an almost certain defeat for the last 6-7 years as Olinda had a mortgage on the premiership. Monbulk managed a gutsy draw against them last year and have continued to build since. Olinda started the day in fifth place, although three games clear of the Hawks in sixth. Monbulk trailed by three goals after the first quarter but got their noses in front by half time in a high standard match. The Hawks then blew the game apart in the third quarter when they rattled on 17 goals to 8 in a scintillating display. Monbulk then held their advantage to the final close of the match to notch their first win over Olinda in 11 years.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 41 def by Monbulk 49
Best: Jen Dewhurst, Paige Whitworth, Peri Reid
Goals: Peri Reid 40, Jen Dewhurst 9

B Grade
Olinda and Monbulk are at opposite ends of the ladder in this grade and although the Hawks were competitive at stages, they were consistently forced into turnovers on which Olinda exacted a full toll, regularly scoring twice for every time that Monbulk secured a goal.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 61 def Monbulk 30
Best: Siobhan Munday, Rihanna Kelly, Paige Rondinella
Goals: Paige Rondinella 26, Chloe Schmidtke 4

C Grade
As with B Grade, Olinda also had a tall goal shooter as a target in C Grade, and ultimately effort couldn’t match height for effectiveness. Monbulk went down by 18 goals but displayed a good determined game style on which they can continue to build.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 36 def Monbulk 18
Best: Cody Sharp, Courtney Witt, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Laura Del Biondo 9, Jamie Sands 7, Sammi Kelly 2

D Grade
The Monbulk D Grade team was outclassed by their Olinda opponents who displayed a fast and effective game which has seen them only lose once this year. In exciting news, we had a mother and daughter combo take the court, with Rachel Jennings and Kate Smith.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 50 def Monbulk 5
Best: Bronte Passingham, Kate Smith, Caitlin Utting
Goals: Kate Smith 4, Hannah Dickason 1

Thank-you as always to Armin and Anthea for the photos!