Monash Gryphons Amateur Football Club

Once a year chance to catch up with old friends (and foes) over a few drinks and lunch. Stories guaranteed to deteriorate as the afternoon progresses. Watch the Gryphs take on Elsternwick.

Where: East Caulfield Reserve
When: Saturday, August 8th. 12:00pm – 6:00pm.

Please contact Matt Healy to let him know your availability.
Phone: 0417419293
Email: heam@jpc.vic.edu.au

Seniors
12.11-83 MONASH GRYPHONS def
10.14-74 HAWTHORN
Goal Kickers: P. Rutherford 3, B. Hilet 2, D. McConville 2, C. Leeton, N. Rutherford, R. Sharkey, T. Russell, C. Mackie.
Best Players: P. Rutherford, C. Leeton, L. Wells, G. Kent, D. Baxter, D. McConville.

Reserves
16.15-111 MONASH GRYPHONS def
5.10-40 HAWTHORN
Goal Kickers: F. Mandrakis 4, G. Roche 2, R. Tuttle 2, A. Schroth 2, T. Vesey, P. Warren, N. Booth, J. Ducat, J. Rose, V. Wijewardane.
Best Players: V. Wijewardane, N. Booth, R. Tuttle, G. Roche, F. Mandrakis, A. Kooperman.

Review:
The words of Dave Grohl resonate with me this morning “it’s times like these you learn to live again…”. Such was the utter excitement and joy for all those at East Caulfield Reserve on Saturday. What is it about clashes with Hawthorn in recent times? Certainly memorable and slightly surreal. In round 1, none of us thought we could win at Rathmines and we saluted by well over 10 goals, last year we came from 5 goals down at three quarter time to snatch victory by a point. However, I would argue that Saturday’s clash transcends them all.

Monash were 19 [points down at three quarter time, which on face value does not seem like much, however with the four or five goal breeze that the Hawks had in the final term, I recall odds of 5/1 on the Gryphs being whisper in the huddle by certain supporters. There were sound reasons for these odds and none of us (supporters) gave the Gryphs a chance.

No one told the players though, as they unleashed a ferocity and urgency that was hopelessly absent for the previous three quarters. Our key players had great final terms, namely Dan Baxter, Lee Wells and Chris Leeton, however, our trump card proved to be Pete Rutherford (for so long in his elder brothers shadow) who’s three last quarter goals proved defining.

Such was the importance of the four points and the wavering fortunes of the lower ranked teams, that a loss would’ve seen us clear bottom due to our unglamorous percentage. Hawthorn now hold that position, but there is still a long way to go and no mention of tanking in D3.

Seniors
5.5-35 UHS-VU def by
18.17-125 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: C. Leeton 3, R. Sharkey 2, N. Rutherford 2, J. Watson 2, C. Jones, B. Rose, P. Rutherford, D. McConville, T. Russell, B. Lukav, R. Fletcher, C. Mackie, B. Hilet.
Best Players: G. Kent, C. Leeton, N. Rutherford, M. Malloy, L. Wilson, C. Jones.

Reserves
18.3-111 UHS-VU def
5.1-31 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: G. Roche 3, M. Paolucci, P. Warren.
Best Players: A. Kooperman, A. Robilliard, J. Fraser, G. Roche, M. Paolucci, P. Warren.

Review:
Stevie Wonder sang of ‘Superstition’ in 1972, the Australian Cricketers are not allowed to move from their seat when they are chasing a small total in a test match, so the occult is alive in many circles and the Monash Gryphons AFC may also be a part. Is it mere coincidence that when Messer’s Naumoff & Healy travel to away games together, the Gryphons play their best football?? Others believe the Gryphons play their well only when Mark Graydon stays at home. Whatever the coincidence, there could be no denying Monash on the weekend as Uni High found out very quickly indeed.

It was clear early on (to thousands that ventured to Brens Oval) that this to be a one-sided contest as Chris Leeton was dominating in the Ruck and Nick Rutherford killing them around the packs. Add Dan Baxter’s best game since return from injury and our trademark of relentless attack on the ball was realised. I would venture to say Saturday was our best four quarter effort for the season, however, we are going to need to produce this type of sustained effort against far superior opponents in coming weeks as the dogfight for survival continues.

It may well be 6 wins needed (plus %) just to finish 9th in D3, as this section has no ‘easy-beat’ team. Home games against Hawthorn and Elsternwick are sure to be torrid and passionate affairs. We must aim to remain as disciplined as possible to ensure the best possible results in these fixtures as our opponents are in the same predicament .

Bring em on!

Seniors
10.9-69 MONASH GRYPHONS def by
17.14-116 BENTLEIGH
Goal Kickers: B. Lukav 2, C. Leeton 2, D. McConville 2, N. Rutherford, R. Sharkey, P. Rutherford, T. Russell.
Best Players: D. McConville, B. Rose, T. Russell, C. Leeton, N. Rutherford, C. Jones.

Reserves
3.3-21 MONASH GRYPHONS def by
17.21-123 BENTLEIGH
Goal Kickers: V. Coffey 2, J. Hickey.
Best Players: V. Coffey, M. Healy, A. Clarke, V. Wijewardane, J. Hickey, A. Robilliard.

Review:
For the first time this season. Monash’s senior team entered their contest with little change to their line up from the previous week. No doubt this helped our cause as teams who get to know one another’s strengths and weaknesses are always the most successful. The only problem was we came up against a top side who have a winning culture and although we kept with them for three quarters, class proved most definitive.

Chris Leeton had a great game in the Ruck and ensured our onballers got first use of the ball. I feel we won the contested ball (particularly early) and midfielders such as Tristan Russell and Daniel McConville were setting the example in this area. The only difference was that they possessed a potent forward structure and we did not and when we were forced to roll the dice and move Lee Wells forward, the game was lost.

A great deal of positives to bring out of the game and a similar attitude will see us walking away with the points against weaker opposition.

Seniors
15.14-104 MONASH GRYPHONS def
7.9-51 POWERHOUSE
Goal Kickers: J. Watson 5, J. Harrak 2, P. Rutherford 2, B. Lukav, R. Fletcher, N. Rutherford, R. Sharkey, T. Russell, M. Malloy.
Best Players: P. Rutherford, B. Rose, C. Leeton, L. Wilson, B. Lukav, J. Watson.

Reserves
7.9-51 MONASH GRYPHONS def by
17.21-123 POWERHOUSE
Goal Kickers: W. Pocock 4, H. Vasconcelo 2, A. Robilliard.
Best Players: L. Monfries, M. Davies, B. Hilet, H. Vasconcelo, W. Pocock, A. Robilliard.

Review:
I’m not sure who first coined the phrase “A week is a long time in football”, but is the most apposite way of describing the Gryphons journey in the 2009 season over the last seven days.

Despondent and dejected after one of our worst ever floggings last weekend, then we ‘turn it on’ like we’re playing for our collective lives the week after. Perhaps it was the incumbent return of both our assistant coaches, possibly it was 4th of July fever or the fact that Mark Graydon is no longer single, but in truth we came to play football.
I doubt that even the most ardent Gryphons supporters would’ve thought it was going to be a comfortable win, but that was the way the day unfolded. As soon as the ball was bounced, the Gryphons tackled, smothered, chased and harassed the opposition players like there was no tomorrow. Simply we won the contested ball. Not only that, we suddenly looked quicker, fitter and more skilful than our adversaries. Denis Pagan once said at a press conference (after a loss) in relation to his team’s perceived lack of speed “…that nobody ever questions our lack of pace when we win”, and that is a fairly pertinent to the Monash senior team. If we use the ball well, we can make up for other supposed deficiencies.

Jono Watson was superb all day and filled the void left by the injured Leigh Dooley with much composure. His five goals went a long way to ensuring victory. Peter Rutherford was also a fine contributor in a variety of positions, but perhaps his greatest contribution came through his 1%’s (a bone crunching tackle in the second quarter comes to mind). Mick Malloy must also rate a mention as his work across Centre Half Back allowed Dan Baxter and Lee Wells to run off their respective opponents in a manner that has been seldom seen this season. If we continue to display these traits of courage, poise and attack on the ball, there is still much to be gained from this season.

Bring on next week.

For those that are interested the poker night was a great success with around 50 players starting the tournament. Congratulations to the Jones boy for taking out the title.
The Jones boy picked up a grand cash!

1st Chris Jones
2nd Dave Healy
3rd Lee Wells
4th Chris Leeton
5th Gerard Roche
6th Phil Warren

Thanks to Buggy, Jez, Grades and whoever else helped out on the night.

Following are some photos from the final table.