Monash Gryphons Amateur Football Club

Seniors
33.25-223 MONASH GRYPHONS def
1.6-12 CHADSTONE
Goal Kickers: L. Allan 6, J. Nuguid 5, D. Wills 4, L. Wells 4, M. Malloy 3, N. Booth 2, M. Holloway 2, R. Fletcher 2, B. Hilet, C. Cooper, C. Leeton, W. Pocock, R. Mundy.
Best Players: B. Hilet, C. Leeton, N. Rutherford, M. Malloy, D. McConville, J. Nuguid.

Reserves
22.18-150 MONASH GRYPHONS def
2.3-15 CHADSTONE
Goal Kickers: M. Malone 6, M. Davies 5, L. Fisher 3, E. Strain 3, D. Gatsios 2, G. Strain, A. Clarke, A. Kooperman.
Best Players: R. Bronkhorst, M. Davies, G. Strain, R. Tuttle, L. Fisher, E. Strain.

Review:
I hasten a guess that no one will see the immediate significance of the forgotten William Lloyd Murdoch, Australia’s first great Wicketkeeper Batsmen from the 1880s. Even got Peter Williamson scratching his head… That’s right, Billy Murdoch’s highest test score was a brilliant 211 against England at the Oval in 1884. This happens to be equal to the Gryphons winning margin on Saturday, 211 points. Surely a record that will stand for ages (well at least until round 17 when we play Chadstone again) and it was pleasing that it came in front of such a partisan crowd as past players day was again a success.

It is not often I feel sorry for an opposition club, but Saturday was one such occasion. The Monash Gryphons have survived some colossal drubbings over the years, but I seriously doubt we have ever been in the predicament that Chadstone (nee Syndal Tally-Ho) FC are in. It is a credit to the current administration that they are putting our two teams each weekend and I sincerely hope they continue to do so in the future.

The game itself was a cakewalk from start to finish. I recall remarking to the past players in the luncheon just before the opening bounce that I’ll give even money on Chadstone with 120 points start. We slammed on two goals in a minute without Chadstone even as much as touching the ball and I had to reconsider he market.

Winners were numerous. Leeton in the Ruck, Brodie Hilet down back, Jill-Ivan ‘Nugget’ Nuguid as a goalsneak and Nick Rutherford around the packs are four that come to mind, but the gulf in talent between the two teams would’ve been equivalent to us pitting our wills against Old Xaverians! In all honesty, I hope it is far tougher next week…

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Jase Harrak on Almost Footy Legends. Should have been a free.

Almost Football Legends

Annual get together of former players and officials of the Monash Gryphons former players and officials as well as current sponsors at a luncheon.

When: 29th May
Time: Starts 12pm
Where: East Caulfield Reserve

Two course meal – $30

Guest Speaker – Richard Osborne. Q&A Format

Then cheers on the boys against Chadstone AFC.

RSVP to:
Matt Healy: 0417419293
Mark Graydon: 0412563782
or sign up through Facebook.

It is an exciting time at the Monash Gryphons . A lot has changed since the Club was formed back in 1991. The club is currently playing in its 20th season and looking a great chance for making finals this year in both competitions.

Some of the highlights for the Club this year are as follows:

* Senior team undefeated on top of the ladder
* Reserve’s team has only lost one game by one point
* The club appointed ex AFL player Richard Osborne as coach
* 4 new light towers have been installed with funding shared between the Club, Soccer Club, Bendigo Bank, Monash University and the City of Glen Eira. This gives us some of the best facilities in the entire VAFA competition.
* A great influx of young talent to help improve the chance of sustained success
* Some great Sponsorship from the Bendigo Bank and other local businesses

It is a great time to be around the club and it would be great to have plenty of the older faces back at the club. The club is hoping to have some success this year and it is important that the players and supporters from the past 20 years share in this success.

Please come down, have some lunch and a drink and catch up with some old mates. Come down and hear what Senior Coach Richard Osborne has to say.

If you can’t make it down on the 29th there are plenty of other opportunities to support the club. You can find all the coming match details at monashgryphonsafc.org.au. You will also find details of Patrons and Sponsorship packages.

Other upcoming highlights include:
* Lee Wells 250th 26/06/10 East Caulfield Reserve (this is something that all club supporters should attend)
* Creation of a Monash Gryphons Social Club

Seniors
18.9-117 MONASH GRYPHONS def
7.9-51 RICHMOND CENTRAL
Goal Kickers: D. Wills 3, L. Allan 3, L. Wells 2, C. Leeton 2, D. McConville 2, B. Rose , R. Fletcher, C. Mackie, C. Cooper, J. Nuguid, M. O”Neill.
Best Players: J. Harrak, L. Wilson, D. McConville, M. Fletcher, M. O”Neill, D. Wills.

Reserves
24.13-157 MONASH GRYPHONS def
7.10-52 RICHMOND CENTRAL
Goal Kickers: W. Pocock 11, M. Holloway 5, E. Strain 3, N. Booth 2, D. Healy, L. Fisher, R. Tuttle.
Best Players: N. Booth, W. Pocock, M. Holloway, V. Wijewardane, V. Coffey, G. Strain.

Review:
The great Laurence Tureaud (aka Mr T) rose to fame as James ‘clubber’ Lang way back in 1982 in Rocky III. One of his eternal catchphrases was “I pity the fool”, and foolish indeed were some Gryphons stalwarts in doubting the current list’s resolve prior to Saturday. Some thought, we had not proven ourselves as we had only beaten the bottom sides, others queried our slow starts. All fears were put to bed though after an uncompromising approach on the footy in the first term against the Snakes. We lead by just over four goals at the first break, but that did not truly reflect our first quarter dominance as players like Ben Rose and Clint Mackie starred in the middle, Lee Wells was ever present across half forward and Luke Wilson quelled any sortie across half back.

It must be very pleasing to coach Osborne, that not only are we spreading the goals evenly, but we are also receiving contributions from all 22 players. I’ll bet that come vote count day we see at least 6 different players in the votes for this particular round.

The game was all but over at quarter time and pleasingly, we won each of the remaining quarters on the scoreboard. Bring on next week.

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Seniors
9.13-67 MANNINGHAM def by
15.16-106 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: L. Allan 4, C. Cooper 3, R. Fletcher 2, C. Mackie 2, D. Wills 2, J. Nuguid, L. Wells.
Best Players: M. Fletcher, J. Harrak, L. Wells, D. McConville, N. Rutherford, R. Mundy.

Reserves
0.4-4 MANNINGHAM def by
28.14-182 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: M. Malone 10, G. Munro 6, G. Strain 3, E. Strain 3, W. Pocock 2, A. Kooperman 2, C. Tengstrom, K. Love.
Best Players: B. Rose, G. Munro, A. Kooperman, M. Malone, R. Tuttle, S. Illangakoon.

Review:
Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five spoke of ‘White Lines’ back in 1983 and although this song was about the horrors of cocaine addiction, the football euphemism of white lines could not be a more apt description of Gryphon’s backman, Jason Harrak. I am not suggesting for one minute that he plays outside the rules, however, as soon as he crosses that boundary line each Saturday, he changes from a mild mannered young gentleman to his uncompromising alter ego. Time after time on Saturday (especially when the Gryphs were struggling for coherency early on), Jase repelled Cobra attacks across half back whilst at the same time caring little for who got in his way. It is this type of fearless resolve that coaches and fans adore and oppositions fear. I doubt whether we would’ve been on level terms at the half without him there.

It is a of concern, our slow starts, however, the sign of a good team is to win ugly and that is what we did on Saturday. A vital and perhaps match defining move was moving Lee Wells onto Manningham’s # 23 (McCallum??) who was cutting us up early. Rowdy looked quite at home back at CHB, where he has carved such a great reputation over the years. Other contributors for Monash were Daniel McConville, Matt Fletcher and Clint Mackie in the midfield.

It is very important we do not get ahead of ourselves. Our five wins to date have come against 5 of the 6 teams out of the final five and our first real test of the season is this week at ECR against Richmond Centrals. I doubt that our belated starts will be as easy to peg back against better quality opposition and hence this week’s game is our most important thus far.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention the reserves who couldn’t quite emulate their 195 point win of last week (178 points!!) but held Manningham goalless. The first time this has occurred for either our Senior or second XXIII’s.

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This is the 4th running of this prestigious event.

With past winners Damo in 2007, Leets in 2008 and Jonesy in 2009 it’s your opportunity to also etch your name in poker greatness.

This is one of the best nights of the year.

It’s a night where people’s skill, bluffing ability and balls are all put on the line.

It’s a night where talk is cheap but bragging rights can last a life time!

Make sure this email is sent to all of your budding poker friends as this will be a night they won’t want to miss.

Where: East Caulfield Reserve – Club rooms
When: 22nd May
Time: 8pm (7.30 for those of you needing a little training/help in Texas Holdem rules)
Cost: $20 entry fee with multiple buy-ins within the first 30 minutes!
Prizes: (depending on numbers)
1st prise: $1000
2nd prise: $500
3rd prise: $250
4th prise: Mystery iPod accessories

Seniors
14.15-99 BOX HILL NORTH def by
27.19-181 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: L. Wells 5, D. Wills 5, M. Holloway 3, L. Allan 3, M. Malloy 2, D. McConville 2, C. Cooper, N. Booth, C. Mackie, N. Rutherford, C. Leeton, R. Fletcher, R. Mundy.
Best Players: D. Wills, M. Malloy, D. Baxter, L. Wells, L. Wilson, D. McConville.

Reserves
4.6-30 BOX HILL NORTH def by
34.21-225 MONASH GRYPHONS
Goal Kickers: M. Malone 11, M. Davies 4, M. Paolucci 3, G. Roche 2, B. Hilet 2, B. Rose 2, D. Gatsios 2, B. Lukav 2, M. Ramadan, E. Strain, A. Harrak, P. Gomizel, T. Vesey, B. Murphy.
Best Players: B. Rose, M. Malone, P. Gomizel, S. Illangakoon, M. Davies, E. Strain.

Review:
“It will be a day, long remembered by the empire” was a memorable quote of Darth Vader to Governor Tarkin in A New Hope, and whilst Saturday’s performance may not be on par with that reference, a cumulative 277 point win against an opposition should stand as a record for years to come. More definitively, the Gryphs would be hard pressed to top the 195 point victory that the second XVIII managed. I recall mentioning on Thursday night that I believed the twos were 100/1 on for the weekend’s contest, but not even in my wildest dreams did I believe the margin would be roughly 34 goals!

Similarly, the seniors won comfortably, however, they were made to work much harder for the four points. The most pleasing aspect of the win was that we managed to win each quarter, a sign that we are remaining mentally tough for 120 minutes. Skipper Dan Baxter, showed again why he is one of the finest footballers to ever play for Monash in a near flawless display of running football. Statisticians around Elgar Park differed in their respective tallies as to how many times he touched the ball, but they all agree his effort will earn him a ‘skull’ come the Vote Count on 15 August. Others to shine at the weekend included Luke Wilson down back and Lee Wells in his new role across half forward.

Special mention must be made of reserves Full Forward, Matt Malone who booted 11 goals at the weekend. He now holds the club record for the most goals in a game at both Senior (12) and reserve level. Great to see him back in form.

Congratulations to Mark ‘Harpo’ Paolucci who notched up his 100th club game against Box Hill Nth last week.

Photos:

All at Monash congratulate Mark ‘Harpo’ Paolucci who notches up his 100th club game against Box Hill Nth this week. Harpo (for looks, not lack of talk!) has been a stalwart of the Gryphons backline for many seasons, but has reinvented himself as a forward in the reserves in more recent times. A tireless worker and consistent contributor, Mark is a role model for many of our younger players. Well done.

Seniors
24.21-165 MONASH GRYPHONS def
4.9-33 POINT COOK
Goal Kickers: L. Allan 7, D. Wills 5, R. Fletcher 3, L. Fisher 2, M. Holloway 2, J. Nuguid 2, N. Rutherford, L. Wells, D. Baxter.
Best Players: L. Allan, N. Rutherford, D. Wills, J. Nuguid, L. Wilson, C. Cooper.

Reserves
24.20-164 MONASH GRYPHONS def
5.6-36 POINT COOK
Goal Kickers: M. Paolucci 3, M. Ramadan 3, T. Russell 2, M. Davies 2, M. Baldwin 2, H. Vasconcelo 2, E. Strain 2, D. Gatsios 2, J. Hoppe 2, V. Wijewardane, M. Malone, K. Love, B. Lukav.
Best Players: R. Tuttle, T. Russell, A. Kooperman, B. Hilet, M. Baldwin, E. Strain.

Review:
In amateur Boxing the mercy ruled is invoked when an opponent trails by more than 20 points. At the 24 minute mark of the second quarter on Saturday a similar scoreline was evident, that of 15-0. No, we weren’t watching inter Milan play Dover Athletic, rather a game of football where the opponent was seemingly destined not to score. However, this was a moment that Daniel McConville of Monash will remember for the wrong reasons as he suffered a shirtfront that caused the earth to shake and lay motionless for many minutes. The game was stopped and an ambulance called and then eventually half time was declared. Thankfully Macca is Ok (save for a broken nose and some stiches) as for many minutes after the incident the trainers were most worried about his neck. My point being was, did the game need to continue after this instance with the scoreline as it was? I for one will always adhere to ‘the band playing on’, but many would argue that the wellbeing of one (with a serious injury and lopsided scoreboard) is more important than the contest. Thankfully the game continued and the Gryphons continued to play great footy, but being two men down meant we were not quite as dominant in the second half.

The crushing win was set up by a ten goal to nil second term against the breeze where Monash made a real statement to the rest of the competition. Not only are we going to make it difficult for you to score, but we are going to make it demanding to even win a clear possession against us. Sure Point Cook were undermanned, but I would argue that that brand of football would hold us in good stead against any opposition. Mark ‘Budda’ Holloway and first gamers Ivan Nuguid and Curtis Cooper were in everything and old pro’s like Nick Rutherford had the ball on a string. This meant that Laynton Allen and Daniel Wills had relatively easy days up forward, being supplied with a constant stream of possession.

The challenge for Monash is to sustain this intensity for four quarters against all opponents regardless of ability.

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