HOSTING ladder leader and premiership favourite Monbulk, Gembrook’s Mitchell Evans led the team on to the field for his first senior game. Brad Charman started in the ruck and was able to give the onballers first use of the ball, providing Craig Clarke at full forward with plenty of opportunities.
Around the ground Jarrod Mathews, Brett Andrews, Wayne Robertson and Shannon Richardson were playing well and the team was starting to emulate the good form evident in the first half of the season. In the first and second quarters both teams played an even, freeflowing game that kept the large crowd entertained.
After the long break Monbulk moved into another gear and showed why it was flag favourite, providing Tolliday at full forward with many scoring opportunities. The Hawks were able to pile on six goals while the Brookers were only able to score two behinds.
Gembrook captain Matt O’Neil challenged his team at threequarter time to finish the season on a high and show the supporters that they could mix it with the top sides. His inspirational words worked and the Brookers started the last term desperate to peg back the lead. With goals to Clarke, Evans and Charman the Brookers narrowed the margin, but inaccurate kicking cost the team and time ran out with the Brookers behind by the narrowest margin.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 11.13.79 lost to Monbulk 12.8.80.
Best: Craig Clarke, Brad Charman, Jarrod Matthews, Brett Andrews, Steve Robins, Shannon Richardson.
RESERVES
Against the dominant and much taller Monbulk side the Brookers’ endeavour kept them in the game. A tireless effort from Steven Paull in the ruck, ably supported by Scott Osseweyer and skipper Chris Bourne, kept the Brookers competitive. The class of Jamie Wilkie, Daniel Pantorno and Nathan Kruzicevic showed through. But the tiring Brookers could not match their more fancied opponents in the last quarter.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 7.5.47 lost to Monbulk 10.13.73.
Best: Steven Paull, Chris Bourne, Jamie Wilkie, Daniel Pantorno, Nathan Kruzicevic, Cam Williams.
UNDER 18
A slow start cost the Brookers against South Belgrave. South had a fivegoal lead by halftime and the Brookers had to battle their way back, throwing everything at South Belgrave in the last quarter to go down by only four points.
More than half the team had an opportunity to play seniors or reserves this year.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 9.8.62 lost to South Belgrave 9.12.66.
Goals: Mitchell Evans 4, Phil Muratore 4, Todd Pye 1.
Best: Mark Breakwell, Mitchell Evans, Phil Muratore, Grainger Hartridge.
