MONASH UNIVERSITY MONDAY REVIEW
ROUND 6
SUNDAY 19 May 2024
Monash University U17.5 Boys Division 1
Mordialloc-Braeside 10.8.68 def Bentleigh 10.4.64
In what can only be described as a nail-biting encounter, Mordialloc-Braeside welcomed Bentleigh to Gerry Green Reserve with the home side seeking to return to winning ways after falling short in Round 5. Despite prevailing to an early 22-point lead in the opening term, with key goals from William Reeves, Callum Sells, and Josh Welsh, Bentleigh remained dogged in their approach throughout the first half. The clinical efforts of Darby Heelis and Willis Reidy saw the away side post 5 major goals from just as many attempts on goal, however Mordialloc-Braeside responded in similar fashion and maintained their lead into the main break. Carrying their momentum in to the third term, another dominant scoring quarter allowed Bentleigh to reduce the deficit to just 6 points, with their commendable defensive efforts keeping Mordialloc-Braeside to just one major score in the term. With the game in the balance, the final quarter saw both teams commit relentless pressure, however a single goal from the home side was enough to secure victory at the final siren and walk away victors by 4 points.
East Brighton Vampires 14.6.90 def Waverley Park Hawks 5.3.33
A consistent effort across 4 quarters at both ends of the ground allowed East Brighton to produce an emphatic victory against Waverley Park. A competitive first quarter saw both the Vampires and Hawks contest on the scoreboard, with what many saw to be the start of end-to-end proceedings at Hurlingham Park. Despite setting itself up as a close affair, the scoring efforts of Connor Tyler and Angus Lyon propelled the Vampires towards a comfortable half-time lead of 32 points. Minimal scoring activity in the third term meant that the Hawks had it all to do in the final quarter. Whilst Ryan Peters, William Rice, and Patrick Klonis were gallant in their efforts, the away side were unable to match the tenacity of the Vampires as their continued scoring acumen opened up the margin to 57 points at the conclusion of the game. Another emphatic win at home retains first position for East Brighton on the Monash University U17.5 Boys Division 1 Ladder.
Prahran JFC 8.1.49 def by St Bedes/Mentone 13.10.88
Como Park played host to a widely anticipated Round 6 matchup between Prahran and St Bedes Mentone, with the Tigers on the hunt to claim another dominant victory. A game filled with transitions and sharp movement, the first and second periods saw a balanced game play out – a point to the good of St Bedes/Mentone the only void separating the teams at the main break. An impressive collective effort across the ground amongst notable performances from Curtis Howe, Daniel Plotkin, Robert Galati, William Mazzeo, Mitchell Smith, and James Cutler, proved pivotal in propelling St Bedes/Mentone toward an enthralling second half. The third term saw the away side kick 4 goals, whilst the hosts only answer was through one major score. St Bedes/Mentone continued their upward momentum all the way until the final siren, concluding the fourth term in style and running away 39-point winners away from home.
AJAX 18.13.121 def East Sandringham Rovers 4.7.31
After a scintillating performance in Round 5, AJAX produced yet another stellar display as they travelled away to Boss James Reserve to face East Sandringham Rovers. A quiet first term saw both sides slowly ease into their rhythm, with AJAX’s 13-point lead seemingly insecure given the sparks of talent displayed by the Rovers. Despite notable efforts from Noah Velton, Angus Zufic and Kai Smith, AJAX began to gain momentum in the second quarter and head into the main break with a 27-point lead. Executing their game plan to perfection, faultless in every aspect, AJAX’s second half was nothing short of monumental. Whilst showing signs of promise, East Sandringham’s struggles in transition afforded AJAX the opportunity to capitalise and leverage the form of Dion Zuckerman, Hayden Katz, Bailey Nussbaum, and Ari Fell, who all played significant roles in the away sides scoring efforts. Kicking 11 goals and conceding only a minor score, the remarkable defensive prowess of AJAX was pivotal in rounding out an assertive 90-point win. AJAX join St Bedes/Mentone and East Brighton as the 3 undefeated teams in Monash University U17.5 Boys Division 1.
Monash University U18 Girls Division 1
St Kilda JFC 4.6.30 def St Peters/Bentleigh 2.0 12
Seeking to make up for a disappointing result in Round 5, St Kilda City welcomed an in-form St Peters/Bentleigh side at Peanut Farm Reserve. An early goal from Ruby Hartney allowed St Peters / Bentleigh to remain intact with St Kilda City, despite the home side producing multiple scoring opportunities. Whilst a relatively quiet second term from both sides, St Kilda turned up the intensity after the main break through the scoring efficacy of Cleo Philips, Holly Klose and Ruby Quin. Equally as impressive efforts in St Kilda’s defensive 50 kept St Peters/Bentleigh at arm’s length, allowing the hosts to secure an 18-point win.
Beaumaris 6.5.41 def by Prahran JFC 6.7.43
Having encountered obstacles in Round 5, Beaumaris were avid to return to winning ways in 2024 but were poised with another fierce challenge in overcoming an inform Prahran side. Both sides went toe-to-toe in the opening quarter, with equal attacking efforts seeing the scores remain level at the first break. A fierce contest continued to play out following the first change, with neither side able to clutch a firm grasp on the game in the second quarter. A reassessment at half-time afforded both teams the chance to go back to the drawing board and come back out firing – which is exactly what occurred. Prahran were able to wriggle out of a stalemate and kick 3 goals to Beaumaris’ reply of 2, opening up an 8-point lead heading into the final term. A resurgent Beaumaris side responded powerfully in the final term; however, the early scoring efforts of Izabela Ignjic, Emma Hoban and Violet Newton-Brown meant a comeback was just out of reach for the Sharks. With the final siren sounding, Prahran clinched a thrilling 2-point win, securing top spot on theMonash University U18 Girls Division 1 ladder.
