Monash Gryphons Amateur Football Club

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Seniors
32.9-201 ST MARY-SALESIAN def
5.13-43 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: J. Watson 2, L. Wells, C. Jones, C. Mackie.
Best Players: C. Jones, L. Wells, C. Leeton, N. Rutherford, D. McConville, R. Haughton.

Reserves
10.16-76 ST MARY-SALESIAN def
8.8-56 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: W. Pocock 5, V. Coffey, B. Fullerton, L. Wieselmann.
Best Players: V. Coffey, R. Fletcher, B. Fullerton, W. Pocock, B. Murphy, V. Wijewardane.

Seniors
17.14-116 ELSTERNWICK def
6.11-47 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: J. Watson 3, R. Sharkey, T. Russell, D. McConville.
Best Players: N. Rutherford, J. Watson, C. Leeton, C. Mackie, R. Martin, L. Wells.

Reserves
11.8-74 ELSTERNWICK def by
20.5-125 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: W. Pocock 6, B. Lukav 5, A. Byrne 2, N. Booth 2, A. Kooperman 2, A. Robilliard, B. Murphy, H. Vasconcelo.
Best Players: B. Murphy, B. Lukav, R. Tuttle, A. Robilliard, N. Booth, W. Pocock.

Review:
Monash are at a stage of the season where we have to take stock and re-visit our goals for the remainder of the year. We have to face facts. We can’t make finals, but the VAFA have offered us (as well as West Brunswick and Hawthorn) a lifeline – only one team being relegated, so that is the battle we enter. One thing for sure is that the games involving Westies, Hawthorn and the Gryphons will be torrid and passionate affairs, where winning will b e worth ‘8 points’ and could set the club up greater things in the future. No one wants to go to D4. Regardless of the new structure in 2010.

The issue to me seems to be that our weakest 10 players in the 1sts are no better than our strongest 6 or 8 in the reserves. Depth is not the concern. Depth of talent is however. This is evident by looking at the ladder positions of the Reserves and Seniors respectively.

We were quietly confident going into Saturday’s game, but a couple of late withdrawals did not help our cause. The Wicks played a passionate and skilful brand of Football, that we could not match. Best for Monash were the usual suspects of Rutherford, Wells and Watson. The young blokes (all 15 of them??) are just not able to sustain the kind of effort required over four quarters (particularly against quality opponents), but their Senior Football experiences will hold them in good stead for seasons to come. Just hope we hang on for another crack at D3 Section next season.

Seniors
13.10-88 MONASH GRYPHONS def by
14.14-98 WEST BRUNSWICK
Goal Kickers: C. Jones 3, N. Rutherford 2, M. Davies 2, C. Mackie, J. Watson, P. Rutherford, D. McConville, B. Hilet, G. Kent.
Best Players: C. Mackie, L. Wells, G. Kent, N. Rutherford, C. Jones, D. Baxter.

Reserves
10.7-67 MONASH GRYPHONS def by
11.10-76 WEST BRUNSWICK
Goal Kickers: B. Lukav 3, D. Gwynne 2, D. Healy 2, A. Kooperman 2, M. O’Neill.
Best Players: A. Kooperman, R. Haughton, L. Monfries, M. O’Neill, D. Gwynne, B. Lukav.

Review:
We have reached a critical poi9nt of the season. The question must be asked, what are we attempting to achieve for the remainder of the season? Perhaps a mid season review is necessary in order to plan out a strategy for the final 10 rounds.

Unless we manage to win all remaining games, finals are out of the question, so perhaps the focus needs to be on trialling as many new players in the Senior 22 to see if they cut the mustard.

Whatever the strategy, there can be no excuse for the result on the weekend. Let’s be honest, our opponents were no ‘world beaters’ and were playing on our home turf, yet we turned the ball over with monotonous regularity and lost contested ball for much of the game. A standout from Saturday was Daniel McConville, who played arguably his best game for the club. Jono Watson and Dan Baxter were also consistent, but we need more contributors for longer sustained period’s if we are to turn this season around.

Please make sure you come down and support your club for the Murphy-Wells Trophy that will be contested against the Wicks this weekend.

All at Monash acknowledge the effort of Brennan ‘Austentayshus’ Lukav for registering 50 games this week against West Brunswick. Brennan has been a model of consistency in the reserves for a number of seasons since he transferred from Mildura Imperials at the end of 2003. A handy goal sneak, Brennan’s training ethic should be the prototype for all Gryphons who aspire to play to the best of their ability.

Seniors
12.8-80 MONASH GRYPHONS def
7.10-52 UHS-VU
Goal Kickers: L. Dooley 3, N. Rutherford 3, J. Watson 2, R. Sharkey, P. Rutherford, C. Mackie, R. Haughton.
Best Players: L. Wells, N. Rutherford, G. Strain, C. Mackie, L. Dooley, C. Leeton.

Reserves
14.9-93 MONASH GRYPHONS def
13.7-85 UHS-VU
Goal Kickers: W. Pocock 5, B. Lukav 4, D. Healy, V. Wijewardane, G. Kent, D. Gwynne, T. Vesey.
Best Players: H. Vasconcelo, D. Gwynne, B. Lukav, J. Rathjen, D. Healy, R. Tuttle.

Review:
It was a pensive Freddie Naumoff who addressed his troops at Thursday Night selection dinner. His message was clear. Do not accept a ‘good effort’, as had been written about the team in recent weeks. A good effort is a ‘cop out’ he exclaimed. The only effort that is acceptable is a four quarter effort of sustained pressure that delivers four points!

It is possible that Uni High took us a little softly in the First term, as our form in recent weeks had not even slightly indicated what we were about to unleash. A ferocious opening whereby we won the contested ball time and time again, creating a plethora of opportunities for our forwards. Nick Rutherford’s first term was simply outstanding as he must have had 5 inside 50s & at least 10 possessions. Nick capped off a remarkable game with three goals to show why he is one of the most feared competitors in D3.

After quarter time, the match was relatively even, but we had clearly delivered a knockout punch in the first round. Full credit to Tony Naumoff and his coaching staff for a sustained effort over four quarters.

Seniors
21.21-147 BENTLEIGH def
9.6-60 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: N. Rutherford 3, B. Rose 2, C. Leeton 2, M. Davies, J. Watson.
Best Players: N. Booth, N. Rutherford, B. Rose, J. Fraser, L. Wells, J. Watson.

Reserves
21.8-134 BENTLEIGH def
6.4-40 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: J. Ducat 2, B. Lukav, A. Schroth, D. Gwynne, H. Vasconcelo.
Best Players: R. Haughton, J. Ducat, A. Schroth, A. Kooperman, D. Charleson, A. Byrne.

Review:
Daniel McConville, Brodie Hilet, Liam Runnells and Clint Mackie have been amongst our best players either at the weekend or weeks previously. It is my sincere hope that these four men are also in the best for Monash come the corresponding fixture in round 6 2019, as they are the future of the club, and the foundation that our forward planning needs to rest upon.

I have come to the realisation that whilst we continue to have the backbone of our experienced list on the sidelines, we are unable to sustain the effort necessary to win games of football at D3 level. One cannot question our endeavour or desire which sounds strange given the end margin on Saturday, however, it took a determined Bentleigh outfit two and half quarters to ‘Open the Floodgates’.

Our policy for the remainder of the year must be to blood as many young players at Senior Level as possible to make them feel they are required footballers. Only then are we really taking the necessary steps to ensure the long sustainability of the Football Club on the field. The blend of these youngsters and the lessons they will learn from players such as DB & Wellsy can only benefit the club as a whole.

Photos:

Seniors
12.19-91 ST JOHNS def
12.10-82 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: L. Dooley 4, P. Rutherford 3, C. Mackie 2, M. Davies, R. Sharkey, L. Runnalls.
Best Players: L. Wells, L. Dooley, B. Hilet, L. Wilson, C. Mackie, P. Rutherford.

Reserves
8.7-55 ST JOHNS def by
14.10-94 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: W. Pocock 7, B. Murphy 3, A. Kooperman 2, N. Booth, H. Vasconcelo.
Best Players: W. Pocock, D. Charleson, G. Kent, N. Booth, H. Vasconcelo, R. Tuttle.

Review:
For much of Saturday it looked as though it was meant to be. Monash had secured their best ever win at Thomas Carroll (in the curtain raiser) and had clearly come to play. It is possible that St John’s expected an easier ‘hit out’, as the Gryphons had shown nothing of substance in previous weeks, however, this would be taking credit from Monash who made sure the Jocs earned every kick.

Lee Wells was back to his best in defence, Clint Mackie was killing then on the wing & Leigh Dooley was playing well up forward. Also, in a masterstroke from coach Naumoff, Feargal Sharkey was played up the ground and controlled half forward with much aplomb.

A two and a half goal lead at half time was slowly whittled away but the Gryphons held sway until late in the game. St John’s won much of the contested ball in the final term and converted their opportunities more effectively.

If we (as a club) are to salvage anything from this season, an effort similar to Saturday’s is required each week.

Seniors
8.9-57 MONASH GRYPHONS def by
21.19-145 ST FRANCIS XAVIER
Goal Kickers: R. Sharkey 2, J. Watson 2, M. Davies, N. Rutherford, L. Wells, C. Jones.
Best Players: J. Watson, T. Russell, C. Mackie, N. Rutherford, B. Rose, T. Vesey.

Reserves
10.12-72 MONASH GRYPHONS def
17.10-52 ST FRANCIS XAVIER
Goal Kickers: P. Rutherford 4, H. Vasconcelo 2, B. Murphy, D. Healy, A. Schroth, K. Johnsen.
Best Players: N. Booth, H. Vasconcelo, L. Wilson, D. Charleson, P. Rutherford, A. Schroth.

Review:
Daft Punk would hardly have been a chance to win Lyrical song of the year with their 1997 Euro Dance hit ‘Around the World’ as the title was the only lyric and was continually iterated throughout the song. Such is the nature of this report, I believe that many who are to read it will be the converted and I will be simply repeating what I’ve said many times before.

I never expected the senior team to win on the weekend. The Gryphs could’ve been coached by Kevin Sheedy or Norm Smith and the margin would have been 8 goals plus. We have simply been robbed of our ‘spine’ and ‘guts’ with injuries to key players. Most of the 22 that ran out on Saturday played their hearts out and got the best of their ability. Truth be told, many are two’s players and know it. Jono Watson was superb all day and Clint Mackie showed he has what it takes to contribute at Senior Level.

Full credit to SFX for sticking around. It is not like Beaconsfield versus East Caulfield is a Derby! It is imperative that we support each other by watching our mates play (whether it be Seniors or Reserves) and the least we can do is commit ourselves to one drink in the Social Rooms after each game (regardless of Home or Away). Similarly, injured players must come down and help out where they can. It is the least you can do to make sure that the Gryphons are getting our processes ‘off the field’ running smoothly.

Congratulations to Jono and Benny on their respective milestones. Also a good win in the reserves for Vaughan in playing his 100th game for the club.

100 Games – Monash Gryphons
All at Monash congratulate Jono ‘Rubberman’ Watson, Vaughan ‘Milkin’ Coffey & Jason ‘Bluey’ Harrak for notching up 100 games this weekend against SFX. Jono’s trademark ‘high marking’ has been a welcome return to the Senior team after a couple of seasons overseas. Vaughan has shown great leadership over the years and is serving his second year as reserves skipper with superb valour. While Jason is one of the Gryphons true ‘hardmen’. An ‘in & under’ utility who has played a host of positions in recent seasons, but seems to be finding his niche as a senior onballer. Well done to all.

50 Games – Monash Gryphons
Ben ‘Ethereal’ Rose brings up his 50th game for the Gryphons this weekend. Ben has been a catalyst for many recruits to Monash over the past four years and we commend him for his service and loyalty to the club.