Monash Gryphons Amateur Football Club

This saturday is the long anticipated cocktail and dress up night. Bring all your mates, girlfriends and families down for some fun.

This years theme is OCCUPATIONS. So please dress accordingly.

When: Saturday 3rd May
Time: 8pm till late
Dress up theme: Occupations
Cocktails: Alcoholic

Everyone who comes along gets to enjoy the colour and warmth of Buggies red hair!!!!

Seniors
8.18-66 POWERHOUSE def.
9.9-63 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: C. Jones 3, R. Sharkey 2, J. Fleming, J. Rotstein, J. Hart, A. Byrne
Best Players: B. Rose, W. Pocock, L. Wells, J. Fleming, T. Vesey, M. Davies

Reserves
17.8-110 POWERHOUSE def.
11.5-71 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: V. Coffey 5, A. McKenzie 2, P. Warren, L. Wilson, B. Murphy, N. Booth
Best Players: V. Coffey, P. Warren, A. McKenzie, N. Booth, L. Wilson, B. Lukav

Review:
There’s an old adage that I’ve never totally adhered to “that bad kicking is bad football”, but it certainly was the case in regards to our opponents Powerhouse at the weekend, who wasted many forward sorties. By contrast, Monash were far more direct in the blustery conditions and we were almost fortunate enough to pinch a win in the dying moments.

Full credit to both sides who put their collective bodies on the line time and time again in a pulsating final quarter. Best for Monash were veteran defender, Lee Wells (who kept Paul Edwards to just two goals and both in the last term) and Ryan ‘Feargal’ Sharkey up forward who booted a couple and was controversially awarded a point, when many of the Gryphons faithful behind the goals at the Harry Trott end thought a goal had been scored in the dying moments of the game.

Full credit to both teams, however, improvement and consistency in skill acquisition is needed.

Seniors
12.15-87 MONASH GRYPHONS def.
13.8-86 HAWTHORN
Goal Kickers:. Hart 3, C. Jones 3, B. Rose, C. Leeton, R. Sharkey, J. Rotstein, S. Bracecamp, D. Gilam
Best Players: S. Bracecamp, M. Malloy, M. Wilkinson, B. Rose, M. O’Neill, G. Roche

Reserves
14.15-99 MONASH GRYPHONS def.
5.7-37 HAWTHORN
Goal Kickers: B. Coxhead 2, J. Fleming 2, P. Warren 2, P. Jellis 2, V. Coffey, L. Monfries, R. Tuttle, M. Wareing, J. Fraser. A. Clarke
Best Players: B. Lange, P. Jellis, J. Fraser, J. Fleming, V. Coffey, B. Coxhead

Review:
Whenever a team wins a close game or a premiership commentators look for a defining moment to analyse (eg: Paul Kelly missing Tony Lockett on an easy lead in the 96 G/F). That moment came two minutes into the final stanza on Saturday when Gryphons Midfielder Graham Strain won the contested ball (in front of the Gryphons Bench) beating no less than three Hawks opponents. Monash were trailing by five goals at the time, the ball went forward without touching the ground and we were able to kick the first of our six final quarter goals.

As wins go, this one is up there with our best ever. 30 points down at three quarter time against an arch rival, kicking six goals to one in the final quarter to beat Hawthorn by a point in front of a passionate home crowd. To add icing to the already huge cake, it was club stalwart, Gerard Roche’s 200th game! One he will never forget.

One could argue that the Gryphs were unlucky not to have won by more as we attempted to kick ourselves out of the contest in the first three quarters. 6.12.48 at ¾ time. However, bad kicking is bad football and we never really hit top gear until the final term.

Skipper Dan Baxter had a superb game once again as did Stuart “Steggles” Bracecamp on the wing. There are still many areas of improvement needed, but this win sure helps the club in the short term.

On Saturday was the annual Texas Hold-Em poker tournament. A great night was had by all. With over 60 people participating a great night was had by all. Also good to see we had one person dress up (nice hat Strainy).

Winners:
1st – Chris Leeton
2nd – David Healy
3rd – Joel Arnott
4th – Warrick Mariluch
Best Dressed – Graham Strain

Photos courtesy of Chris Leeton phone.

Monash Gryphons would like to congratulate past player and 100 gamer Jordan Stratford and his wife Kerry on the birth of their first baby Lachlan Thomas Stratford. Lachlan was born a few weeks ago at just over 8 pounds. He has been doing pretty well and sleeping OK.

Congratulations Jordan and Kerry and all the best from everyone at the Monash Gryphons.

The annual Texas Hold-Em poker tournament is on again this Saturday night!
Last years event was a huge success with over 50 players competing.

The eventual winner was ring-in Damian Taylor. Who will be back to defend his title.
When: This Saturday night.

Where: At the Monash Football ground club room hall.
Arrive at 7pm. Game starts around 7.30.

If you have never played before, no problem! Arrive at 7pm and we will have someone teaching you the rules before the main game..

Please email me an indication of numbers…
Friends, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends and family are welcome.
$20 is the entry fee.

(Best on ground in the seniors and reserves this weekend gets FREE entry!)

$500 minimum guaranteed first prize.
Plus cash prizes down to 5th place.

PLUS Mystery prizes on the night..
Including a Best Dressed poker player prize!
And some mystery kills!

If you go out within the first 30 mins. You are able to buy back in.. After 30 mins.. Thats it!

Finger food and cheap drinks available on the night.
The Texas Hold’em card night was a fantastic night last year. This year will be even better! So come along and support the club for our first big function of the year.

Starting at 7.30. The Winner should be known around midnight…

We have two Milestones for the club this week:

All the Gryphons congratulate Gerard Roche on reaching 200 games against Hawthorn on the weekend. A dour and dependable defender, Gerard’s attitude to his football has been a lesson to all young footballers for many years. Originally from Drouin, Gerard developed a fearsome attack on the ball from an early age and the durability of his body both on and off the field has been remarkable. An excellent clubman and supporter of Social Events, Gerard has held numerous committee positions over the years and is well liked and respected by his peers.

Special mention to Tim ‘Bonecrusher’ Vesey who notches up 50 games this weekend for the Monash Gryphons. Now a regular member of the first 18, Tim has developed into a quality midfielder and tagger due to a lot of hard work on the track. Tim is now also a member of the Gryphons social committee.

Congratulations to both of you and all the best for Saturday!

Everyone is invited to come down and watch them play this weekend vs Hawthorn at East Caulfield Reserve.

Seniors
20.9-129 ST JOHNS def.
14.6-90 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: J. Rotstein 3, M. Davies 2, N. Rutherford 2, D. Baxter, C. Leeton, W. Pocock, R. Sharkey, T. Vesey, T. Russell, S. Bracecamp
Best Players: M. Davies, T. Vesey, W. Pocock, L. Wells, D. Baxter, J. Rotstein

Reserves
19.6-120 ST JOHNS def.
12.9-81 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: B. Coxhead 2, P. Warren 2, V. Coffey, L. Monfries
Best Players: B. Lange, V. Coffey, B. Coxhead

Review:
Monash have had an excellent pre-season, however, a trip first up to St John’s was never going to be an easy task.

Tony ‘Freddie’ Naumoff hasn’t needed to quote Dickens or T.S Eliot in his repertoire of tricks thus far, but had no reason to consult any Classic literature at the quarter time address on Saturday as the Gryphons ill-disciplined play resulted directly in St John’s scoring no less that 3 of their 8 first quarter goals.

Whatever Freddie said at 1/4 time worked as Jake Rotstein started to dominate in the ruck and stalwarts such as Lee Wells, Dan Baxter and Nick Rutherford began to dominate around the ground. 8 Goals to 3 in the second quarter resulted in the Gryphons going to the main break just 14 points in arrears.

The mood in the Gryphons camp was even more positive as we mitigated St John’s use of the breeze in the third and they led by a manageable 23 points at “Lemon Time”. However, St John’s stepped up a gear in the first part of the Final Quarter to kick four unanswered goals and before the Gryphons knew what hit them, the sting was out of the game.

Players, Supporters & Friends…

Make sure you all come down to the club Thursday(10/04) night for a special jumper presentation.

Thursday is the final training session before the season starts. Immediately following training there will a special function to kick off the season. The night will involve a presentation of jumpers and numbers to all new players, the announcement of the teams and a quick run through of the trademark and mantra we are going to have at the club this year.

The canteen will be selling dinner and drinks at discounted low prices:) Also we have a collection of new merchandise available including hats, scarfs, beanies, tshirts, jackets, hoodies, stubbie holders, and polos.

So come down to the club and tell your friends and family. We are aiming to start about 8.30pm.

Football fans are always curious as to what their favourite footballers get up to in their spare time, and Gryphons fans are no exception. In an attempt to whet your appetite and stave off your curiosity, click the following link to see the Gryph Gazette present:

WHAT I DID DURING MY SUMMER HOLIDAYS