The Woori Yallock Senior footballers opened their 2023 campaign on Saturday against an up-and-coming Monbulk side in an ANZAC weekend clash. The two combatants met in glorious autumn weather at Monbulk as both sides were keen to put a stamp on the new season. Monbulk has often troubled the successful Valley Tigers over the last few decades and the two sides were split 1-1 last year in their two encounters. However, a year is a long time in local football and Monbulk had 10 changes from the team that met Woori in Round 15 last year while Woori had 8 different faces from that game.
Monbulk started the better of the two sides and notched six goals to one in an impressive opening quarter. Woori was not to be denied and fought back in the middle two terms, kicking 7.5 to Monbulk’s 5 goals straight in that period. The Hawks went into the last term holding on to a 13-point lead after having made the most of their opportunities while the Tigers had squandered some gettable set shots. With the match evenly poised it was Monbulk that ran the game out best, adding 3 last quarter goals to emerge victorious by 32 points in an entertaining contest.
Seniors
Monbulk 14.6.90 d Woori Yallock 8.10.58
The Monbulk and Woori Yallock Reserves have been at the wrong end of the ladder for most of the past decade, with both sides often battling to avoid the wooden spoon. Last season the Hawks had that ignomy with just a solitary win in 2022. Meeting in the opening round would mean that at least one side would start with a win. Monbulk looked a class above their opponents throughout the tussle and ended up running out convincing 92 point victors with systematic play that had been honed over the pre-season.
Reserves
Monbulk 15.17.107 d Woori Yallock 2.3.15
The reformed Woori Under 19s, consisting mostly of members of last years’ Under 17 premiership side took on a slightly weakened Monbulk outfit who had loss five players to a mixture of senior call-ups and injury. Any doubts the Hawks may have had as a result were soon dispelled as they kept the Tigers goalless in a commanding 64-point win, controlling all facets of the game .
Under 19s
Monbulk 9.13.67 d Woori Yallock 0.3.3
