Monbulk FNC – 2021 Season in Review

Monbulk Football Netball Club had a solid year across its respective teams, proving to be one of the powerhouse squads in Division One.

The senior football side had a dominant season to win six of seven games to finish on top of the ladder as minor premiers.

The reserves, under 19’s and women’s football team won four games collectively to demonstrate that while they are competitive, there is room for improvement.

The Hawks’ best players consisted of Lochlan Beecroft, Taylor Joyce, Tom Taylor, Joel Wensley and Josh Spencer, in a year where the future of Monbulk began to shine with young talent coming through.

“The young guys stood up in the early part of the season, but across the board I think we were pretty good,” said club president Grant Dennison.

“The development of our young players was also a sign of the things to come for us and the highlight of the season was when we managed to beat Officer at home in Round One in a tightly contested match.”

Joyce, Taylor and Wensley featured in the Outer East Team of the Year for Division One while Andrew Williams was named as coach in recognition of his leadership of the side.

The netball squad at Monbulk struggled for numbers, but still put in their best efforts all year to win 11 games across each of its four teams.

Paige Whitworth was named in the Team of the Year, while A Grade coach Christine Puopolo featured as the Assistant Coach.

Throughout the extended lockdown period that went from August to October, the Hawks were instrumental in the mental health space to stay connected with the playing group and other members of the club.

Care packs were organised and distributed via a click and collect system where committee members would meet up in an appropriate, one on one environment and was used as a tool to check in with the players and ensure they are coping from a mental health perspective.

“These had a message from the care team to keep their heads up,” Dennison explained.

“Staying connected with our playing group throughout this period was really important to us and these care packs were a great way to ensure we could look after our members.”

Looking into 2022, as the Hawks prepare to step up into Premier Division, they are hoping for no COVID-19 related disruptions to get a full season in as well as reconnecting with old rivals.

“We are looking forward to playing against sides like Olinda Ferny Creek, Upwey Tecoma and Wandin again and this will get a lot of people within the club excited,” Dennison said.

“But more immediately, we look forward to catching up with everyone and then it won’t be long before we are playing football and netball again.

Dennison thanked his players and all members of the club for their efforts in what was a tough year to manage from an off-field perspective.

“I would like to thank the committee and our coaches as they are the ones that have really glued things together,” he appreciated.

“This has had a positive effect on our playing group as they have been strong and did their best with the opportunities to play in circumstances that allowed them to.”

FOOTBALL	LADDER POSITION	WINS	LOSSES	DRAWS
Hallam & Bayswater Truck Centres Division One	1st	6	1	1
Coates Division One Reserves	6th	3	5	–
Box Hill Institute U19 Division One	8th	1	9	–
Kärcher Women’s Division One	6th	0	9	–
NETBALL	LADDER POSITION	WINS	LOSSES	DRAWS
Kärcher Division One A Grade	6th	3	5	–
Kärcher Division One B Grade	3rd	5	3	–
Kärcher Division One C Grade	5th	3	4	–
Kärcher Division One D Grade	9th	0	6	1