Round 4 Summary ? ? ?

Stepping up into the Premier Division of Outer East has meant that Monbulk was in the same competition as traditional local rivals Olinda-Ferny Creek for the first time since 2018. These two clubs first clashed 114 years ago when Olinda formed in 1908 and, since records were regularly recorded in 1921, this was the 133rd meeting of these teams.

FOOTBALL ? ? ?
Seniors
Football is a winter game and the weather gods provided a suitable environment with wind and steady rain. Monbulk veteran Steven Oates ran out for his 250th match, a remarkable achievement considering a broken neck in 2006 looked set to end his career, although ultimately still kept him out for two and a half years before returning to the field. The breeze favoured the top goals and in a scrappy display with a greasy ball the Bloods held a slight lead by quarter time before the Hawks fought back to edge ahead by the long break. A five goal third term appeared to establish a match winning lead for Olinda-F.C. but the Hawks were not to be denied and scored two goals in time-on of the last quarter to come within 3 points before one last shot just went wide and the Bloods held on in a thriller to a two point win in what had been a torrid battle all day.
Monbulk 8.11.59 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.7.61
Best: Harry Fleming, Dylan Werts, Glenn Strachan, Cameron Griffiths, Pat Barge, Joshua Spencer
Goals: Pat Barge 2, Steven Oates 1, Jonathon Hevern 1, Taylor Joyce 1, Glenn Strachan 1, Hayden Finlay 1, Joel Wensley 1

Reserves
The Reserves are still an evolving combination who battle hard but have not been able to produce much in the way of results.
Monbulk 4.6.30 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 14.7.91
Best: Thomas Trezise, Joshua Hill, Tyren Utting, Josh Rak, Justin Woodcock, Dylan Goldberg
Goals: Joshua Hill 1, Tyrone Vear 1, Dylan Goldberg 1, Sage Farmer 1

Under 19s
Monbulk and Olinda Under 19s fielded 14-a-side teams to accommodate the Bloods only having 15 players. For a while the different structure hampered the Hawks before their run and carry led to a convincing win.
Monbulk 13.11.89 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 1.6.12
Best: Riley Finlay, William Henderson, Ziggy Hatherley, Ben Hughson, Liam Lourey, Jayden Spencer
Goals: Tully Ford 3, Gary Ross 2, Patrick Snoxell 2, Jameson Wrigley 1, Hamish Strathairn 1, Jai Farmer 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, William Henderson 1, Riley Finlay 1

NETBALL ? ? ?
A Grade
The A Grade Netball saw the performance of the day. Olinda-Ferny Creek have dominated A Grade in recent years to such an extent that their only loss since the 2016 Grand Final was against Belgrave in Round 11 of 2018. They have since won another 36 consecutive matches and two premierships. Undaunted by their opponent, the Hawks established a lead early and were able to get out to a handy margin of about 10 goals before the Bloods were able to respond in the second half and forced a draw. This is the first time that Monbulk had taken some points against Olinda in A Grade since 2012.
Congratulations to Sophie Stubbs for playing her 150 game for the club, a huge achievement!
Monbulk 41 drew Olinda-Ferny Creek 41
Best: Tiana Mancarella, Tarnee Adams, Stephanie Puopolo
Goals: Tarnee Adams 19, Stephanie Puopolo 19, Sophie Stubbs 3

B Grade
The B Grade girls continued their good form by defeating the previously unbeaten Olinda side with a great wet weather game after quarter time. They now have a 3-1 win-loss record and have secured 4th spot on the ladder. Congratulations to Tess Horton-Crundall on playing her 50th game!
Monbulk 34 d Olinda-Ferny Creek 23
Best: Georgia Himmelreich, Fleur de Wit, Iris de Wit
Goals: Iris de Wit 23, Olivia Crook 7, Dayna Walsham 4

C Grade
In C Grade the undefeated top of the ladder Olinda side had to work hard to shake off a gallant Monbulk team. Congratulations for Brooke O’Loughlin for playing her 50th game, Brooke shows such commitment to the club both on and off court!
Monbulk 17 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 40
Best: Tasha Selby, Courtney Witt, Indy Bakker
Goals: Jamie Sands 15, Chloe Schmidtke 2

Next up… we face Woori Yallock at Woori! ? ? ?