Monash Gryphons Amateur Football Club

Seniors
8.8-56 MONASH GRYPHONS def by.
10.13-73 POWERHOUSE
Goal Kickers: L. Wells 2, D. Baxter, M. Davies, J. Fleming, C. Jones, A. Byrne, A. Schroth
Best Players: M. Paolucci, L. Wells, M. Wilkinson, J. Hart, J. Fleming, P. Gomizel

Reserves
8.8-56 MONASH GRYPHONS def by.
8.18-61 POWERHOUSE
Goal Kickers: V. Coffey 3, B. Lukav, M. Baldwin, B. Coxhead, R. Fletcher, J. Hickey
Best Players: D. Charleson, L. Wilson, N. Booth, V. Coffey, M. Baldwin, P. Warren

Seniors
8.13-61 LATROBE UNI def by.
10.14-74 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: L. Dooley 4, R. Sharkey 2, J. Fleming, M. Paolucci, L. Wells, J. Hart
Best Players:  J. Fraser, D. Giliam, P. Gomizel, L. Dooley, W. Pocock, R. Sharkey

Reserves
5.10-40 LATROBE UNI def by.
9.7-61 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: B. Lukav 4, T. Russell 2, V. Coffey, B. Coxhead, N. Booth
Best Players: N. Booth, T. Russell, L. Monfries, B. Lange, A. Byrne, B. Lukav

Review:
It is rare in the AFL for a side to win a game on skill alone. If any team at the elite level is 5 or 10% off in application, invariably it loses. However, D3 amateurs is hardly the elite level and sometimes teams get by on superior skill acquisition.

I believe that raw skill was the difference between the two sides on Saturday. Monash clearly had players who were able to kick longer and more accurately, take better grabs in contested situations and contribute fewer clangers. However, Latrobe certainly made us earn the victory. They continually won the contested ball in greasy conditions and apart from conversion and panic, probably would’ve won the game.

Freddie was livid with our performance in the first three quarters and let the boys know this in no uncertain terms at three quarter time. Memories of ‘Kick it long to Royce’ (Richmond in the 70s) were recalled as we threw caution to the wind and played Lee Wells one out in the goal square. Certainly the four goal breeze helped, but excellent last quarters from Nick Rutherford and Leigh Dooley ensured the Gryphons win. A telling contested mark from Mark ‘Harpo’ Paolucci ensured victory in the final minutes.

Special mention must go to some younger Gryphons such as Jordan Fraser, the most consistent Monash player all day, and Adrian Schroth who had their best senior games for the club. Great to see some of the lesser credentialed players contributing significantly.

The next two weeks will define our season. Home games against fellow finals aspirants of Powerhouse and St John’s. Win both and we will most likely be in the 4, lose either and finals may be a distant dream. Bring on Saturday!

Seniors
16.9-105 MONASH GRYPHONS def by.
21.14-140 UHS-VU
Goal Kickers: Sharkey 7, Wells 2, Rotstein 2, Rutherford 2, Dooley, Jones, Baxter.
Best Players: Rotstein, Fleming, Wells, Sharkey, Hart, Pocock.

Reserves
2.6-18 MONASH GRYPHONS def by.
17.14-116 UHS-VU
Goal Kickers: Coxhead, Lukav.
Best Players: Coxhead, Monfries, Wilson, Fletcher, J. Rutherford, Rathjen.

REVIEW:
Insipid, characterless, tame, dismal, pitiful and feeble were the words I might have used to describe Monash’s first quarter effort at the weekend, Coach Naumoff decided to can the English Literature and use more colourful language at the first break. Certainly it was our worst effort over the past two years, but full credit to UHS-VU who did not allow us to touch the ball far less institute any influence on the contest.

The second term began as the first ended, and when Uni High booted the first two goals the Gryphons trailed by over ten goals! However, football is a funny game, and for the next two quarters Monash showed the type of application that has seen us play some darn good footy in 08′. Much of the revival was led by Nick Rutherford in the midfield as he drove the Gryphs forward with great flair. Lee Wells was moved to CHF and proved a great target. All was going well for a great Gryphons win when we got within 2 points late in the third quarter and spirits were high at ¾ time when the margin was still less than two goals.

Clearly though the efforts of the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters took too much out of us and by the final term we were spent. Full credit to UHS-VU who in the end gave us a footy lesson.

Another great night was had by all who attended the Monash Gryphons Annual Trivia Night. As you can see from the photos below a lot of fun was had with the trivia and with the side shows and mini-games. With the highlight once again being the dance off won by Hugh. Luckily he won some boxer shorts to the replace the pair he had to get surgically removed.

Thank you to all who attended and for your generosity on the night. We hope to see you all again next year.

Thanks to Megan Luscombe for the photos.

There will be no training on the 3rd of June. The coach says to have a night off.

Thursday night we are having a review of our season so far. The night starts right on 6.30pm so don’t be late. Its compulsory to attend to see you all there. You will need to have filled out an assessment sheet and return to Dan Baxter by Wednesday. If you do not have an assessment sheet please request from Dan.

Seniors
10.10-70 SWINBURNE def by.
18.11-119 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: R. Sharkey 5, L. Dooley 4, C. Leeton 2, J. Hart 2, C. Jones 2, J. Fleming, W. Pocock, S. Bracecamp
Best Players: L. Wells, R. Sharkey, J. Fleming, J. Hart, B. Rose, M. Malloy

Reserves
10.14-74 SWINBURNE def by.
18.8-116 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: J. Gonis 5, B. Lukav 3, B. Coxhead 2, M. Paolucci 2, L. Monfries 2, A. Schroth 2, M. Power, S. Cantwell
Best Players: J. Rutherford, A. Schroth, B. Lukav, A. Grady, A. Robilliard, M. Power

REVIEW:
Way back in 1981, Peter Garrett sang about wanting the quinella to come in today (If Ned Kelly Were King, Place Without a Postcard), well not only did the Gryphons score a quinella of wins at the weekend, but we scored the Quaddie. That’s right, wins in the Seniors, Reserves, Skolling comp and the raffle made for a great mood running into Trivia Night.

Monash and Swinburne contests have been close in recent years, however, this was not one for the annuls. The Gryphs went about their business efficiently and effectively. Class winning out in the end. Lee Wells was superb across half-back and must have taken 15 marks! Feargal Sharkey was similarly in great form up forward, booting five majors. The rest of the team played evenly.

Monash will benefit from 14 days rest, as many players are nursing injuries that could use a week’s break.

A real 8 pointer against Uni High on Saturday week. Win and we go two games clear of them, lose and they draw level with us on 4 wins.