Hawks soar into Grand Finals

By Ben O’Brien
MONBULK will face Upwey-Tecoma in the Compass Group Division One seniors football Grand Final on Saturday after the Hawks re-captured some of their home/away season form in Saturday’s Preliminary Final and comfortably accounted for Healesville by 44 points.
In fine and warm conditions at Warburton, the first half was an even affair, but for the second consecutive week, it looked like a side was trying to kick themselves out of the game.
This week it wasn’t Healesville, but Monbulk that was struggling for accuracy, and the scoreboard at the main break read 4.12.36 to 5.8.38 in favour of Healesville. The Hawks slipped into gear in the second half, however, kicking 13.8 to 6.4 to eventually record a comprehensive victory, 17.20 to 11.12.
Tim Wragg was the dominant forward on the ground, and finished with five goals, while the good work of Eugene Hennig and Matt Stolarczyk through the middle of the ground for Healesville often counted for naught, as the ball was swept out of the Healesville forward line with increasing ease as the game went on.
The repeat of the second semi clash this weekend between Monbulk and Upwey-Tecoma should be interesting, as should the effect of the week off on the Tigers, most of whom were interested onlookers on Saturday.
Of concern to both Upwey-Tecoma and Hawks’ supporters alike would have been the relatively minimal impact on the Preliminary Final exerted by Tolliday, Cleven and M. Hughson – the side was still able to win (and win well) but it could very well be a different story this week.
Monbulk’s reserves also made it through to the Grand Final, who recovered after a slow start to defeat Silvan by 35 points – Michael Langworthy kicked six goals in a BOG performance, while Healesville’s U18s will take on Upwey-Tecoma in an attempt to go back-to-back, after they defeated Gembrook-Cockatoo by 28 points.
It was Preliminary Final time also in the Sticks Yarra Valley netball competition, where Upwey-Tecoma got across the line by a solitary goal in the A Grade game over Healesville, while Healesville were too strong for Monbulk in B Grade, winning 36 to 28.
After the dust (literally) has settled after the weekend, the upshot has been that this coming Saturday could be a big weekend for Upwey-Tecoma, with all five sides (football and netball) competing in Grand Finals – only time will tell just how big.