Today Acting Premier, The Hon James Merlino announced a 7 day ‘Circuit Breaker’ Lockdown for the State of Victoria from 11:59pm tonight (Thursday 27 May 2021).
During this lockdown, community sport is not permitted. In line with these COVID-19 Restrictions, no HFNL Matches will proceed this weekend.
No decision has been made at this time as to the outcome/result of HFNL Round 7 Matches that were scheduled for this weekend. Such decisions will be announced in due course once the HFNL Executive, in consultation with Member Clubs have had a chance to consider available options.
The HFNL will endeavour to re-schedule the Netball Umpire Appreciation round (which was scheduled for this weekend) for later in the season.
The HFNL remains committed to remaining agile and transparent as we continue to face the challenges of COVID-19. We hope that all members of the HFNL Community remain safe, and look forward to seeing Football and Netball resume soon when it is safe to do so.
With six rounds completed, we’re now a third of the way through the season and for the first time in a long time, it feels as though this league finally has a level playing field in terms of opposition clubs.
While we have a clear top three already starting to establish itself, it is a fair assessment to say the remaining positions from fourth to 10th are almost anyone’s game.
Early results have shown all 10 sides to be competitive and capable of winning multiple games, but equally more so is the variety of results in the clashes between teams outside the top three.
We’ve had fourth-placed Portland challenged by eighth-ranked Terang Mortlake and beaten by bottom side Cobden, fifth-placed Camperdown narrowly defeat previously ninth-placed (now seventh-placed) Warrnambool, the Blues defeat Terang Mortlake by 20 points and the Bloods record a 10 point win over Port Fairy.
Port Fairy has subsequently beaten Cobden, Hamilton Kangaroos defeated the Seagulls and Warrnambool and Terang Mortlake both accounted for the Kangaroos to add to the merry-go-round of results we’re witnessing.
While this has only added another layer of intrigue to the competition this season, followers can expect the next three weeks to give a true indication of where those clubs outside the five really sit.
Followers can also expect this period to be exciting and season-defining for a number of these clubs as the competition gets closer to the halfway point of the year.
Each of those clubs still have an opportunity to get a true gauge on their game styles and plans and a chance to figure out exactly what does and does not work before their seasons may head in differing directions.
What we will learn though is those clubs that navigate this upcoming period strongly will more than likely be the ones that feature in finals action this September.
Our attention this week turns to the top individual award in our HFNL Reserve Grade of football, the Lew Kelly Cup/Medal. Lewis William Kelly was born in Launceston in 1909 and played football for New Town in Hobart in 1936. He enlisted in the Australian Army on the 10th of November 1939 at Battery Point, Tasmania. He was discharged from the Army on the 24th October 1945 in Hobart. After his discharge from the Army Lewis moved to Melbourne. He then found his way to Camperdown; I believe around 1948.
Lew Kelly soon became involved with the Camperdown Magpies. Whist Camperdown have no distinct record of him playing for the Magpies, his son Peter truly believes he did. In 1946 the Hampden Football League introduced a Reserves Grade footy competition. In those days many of the players were involved in the farming industry. Rather than lengthen the day at the footy, thus keeping men away from their herds, the Reserves team would play at the opposing ground to the Seniors. This meant each club needed two groups of officials and volunteers. Lewis Kelly was one official at Camperdown who aligned himself with the Reserves. Whilst many followed the Senior men Lew would religiously head in the opposite direction to keep the Ressies running efficiently.
In 1955 Lew donated a cup to the HFL for the Reserve Grade Best and Fairest player. He then continued this gesture on a yearly basis.
Lewis Kelly was more than a Reserves official at Camperdown. He was Camperdown’s delegate to the League Board for many years, he was Club Secretary from 1957-1961 and held position on Camperdown’s Committee for several more years. Lew Kelly helped pioneer local footy on the air waves. The frivolity we listen to today on Ace Radio 3YB’s Hampden League Live and Fitz Media’s Wednesday Night Football and Netball live streams is, to a degree, the legacy of Lew Kelly.
Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s Lew had a regular Thursday night show on Colac’s 1134 3CS titled ‘Magpie Calling’. He developed a legion of loyal listeners, not only supporters of Camperdown, but followers of football. The longevity of his radio show was testament to his ability as a radio presenter, but also a reflection of his knowledge of our great game at grass roots level.
In the early 1960’s Lew moved to live in Ballarat. A pharmacist, he was presented an opportunity to work with F.R. Taylor at his new Albert Street Chemist store in Sebastopol. Lew lived nearby at 416 Pleasant Street. On Monday the 9th of April, 1962, their “modern branch pharmacy”, according to a newspaper advertisement in the Ballarat Courier of the day, opened for trade.
Lew Kelly’s involvement and contribution at Camperdown was recognised by the Magpies on Saturday the 12th of August 1961 when the “Lewis Kelly Scoreboard” was officially unveiled. Ahead of its time, the scoreboard not only displayed the running score of the match in progress but its scientific roller system enabled the display of other HFL game scores from other grounds, VFL scores of the day and horse race results from the Melbourne races. The majestic scoreboard still stands at Leura Oval today and houses a new modern digital electronic screen.
Kelly’s love of football and Camperdown was never lost. He continued to support the Magpies, he continued to follow Camperdown’s reserves, he continued as Camperdown’s delegate to the HFL board and he continued to donate the perpetual Lew Kelly Award for the HFL best and fairest player even though he resided in Ballarat.
When television came to Ballarat in 1962 Lew Kelly’s media commitments turned to the screen. The Hampden League, and country footy, had their very own footy show on BTV 6 and of course, Lew Kelly was compeer.
In 1966 Hampden had been victorious in the country football championships. On Wednesday 10th August Lew had been in Terang at a victory dinner celebrating with the players and other League dignitaries. Very early the following morning on his way home to Ballarat his car got into loose gravel and he lost control. He died later that morning in the Ballarat Base Hospital. He was buried in Ballarat on Saturday 13th August 1966.
The Ballarat Courier of the 11th August 1966 reported:
“One of Ballarat’s most popular television football commentators, Lewis Kelly, died in the Base Hospital yesterday morning after a car he was driving overturned near Smythesdale on the Glenelg Highway.
“Kelly, a 57 year old Ballarat chemist who has compered the Hampden League segment of the BTV6 football show since its inception four years ago, was formerly a resident of Camperdown and secretary of the Camperdown Football Club.
“He was returning from the dinner at Terang celebrating the Hampden Football League’s country championship win when the accident occurred about 2.15am yesterday morning.
“The 57 year old commentator was probably Ballarat’s most outspoken man on football affairs and one of the most popular.
“For the past two years he had covered the football matches in the Hampden league for BTV 6.
“…the car had got into loose gravel on a slight curve in the road and spun out of control. Kelly, who was pinned underneath, was still conscious when several truck drivers released him from the wreckage. An ambulance rushed him to the Base Hospital where he was admitted suffering a broken leg, but he died about 9.00am yesterday.
“Kelly was the driver and only occupant of the car. He is survived by a wife and two sons.
“The secretary of the Hampen League, Mr Gordon Coleman, said yesterday that the death would be a great blow to all club officials, players and supporters in the league. “Lew was a great supporter of our league and we are all deeply shocked by his death” Mr Coleman said.”
The Hampden League then saw fit to continue the Lew Kelly Memorial award in 1967 in memory and recognition of Lewis’ commitment and service to our League and our game. This tradition continues today. In total 76 Lew Kelly winners have been awarded. Club tallies of winners:
Many fine men have won this award over the years. Four men have won the award Back to Back. Way back in 1957 and ’58 Brian Molan took out the trophy. In his first year he played for Mortlake. Whilst the following year he represented the Terang Bloods. Port Fairy’s first winner, Kevin Leddin in 1991 on 17 votes, also had a Back to Back win with 16 votes in 1992. Then in 2012 and 2013 Camperdown Ruckman Marcus Powling was victorious with 20 and 16 votes respectively whilst most recently TerangMortlake’s Nathan Jones won in both 2016 and 2017.
The only other duel winner of the Lew Kelly Medal has been Cobden’s Trevor Clarke who had success in 1998 and then again in 2001.
On five occasion’s first place has finished in a tie. 1962 saw Colac’s Tim O’Sullivan and Mortlake’s Arthur Robinson draw. The following year Ian Blackburn of Terang drew with John Irvine of South W’bool. John Anscombe of Koroit and Tony Embrey of Colac tied in 1975. In 1977 Andrew Robb of the Blues drew with Paul Marshall from Bomber land and more recently in 2004 Liam Currer of South Warrnambool finished equal first with Koroit’s Ben Livingston.
Other multiple winners were presented in 2015 where a five way tie was recorded. Tim Robertson representing the Hamilton Kangaroos was equal winner on 12 votes with Lachie Barr of TerangMortlake, Hayden Dyke of Portland, Drew O’Grady from Koroit and Richard Couch from Camperdown. The following year, 2016, saw a three way tie between TerangMortlake’s Nathan Jones, Camperdown’s Chester Gardner and Portland’s Daniel Kinghorn on 19 votes.
Whilst we have a comprehensive list of previous winners the League records for Lew Kelly winners has two vacancies; 1986 and 1995. If any Club officials, or readers, can help us with winners in either of those years we would love to hear from you.
Please feel free to contact the HFNL office or Peter Conheady on 0418 529 871.
Image supplied by the Standard
Last week, in almost perfect weather conditions for netball it was hard not to notice the high scoring matches across all grades. Some of the outstanding goal shooting performances included a 13/U player from Koroit scoring 34 goals This is an amazing effort considering the 13/U’s only play for 40 minutes. Other highlights were Gretta Gleeson from Koroit who, across 2 matches (17/U and Div. 1) scored 73 goals; Carly Thomas from Port Fairy scored 49 goals for her Div. 2 team at Port Fairy and Holly Phillips who has been in fine form of late, scored 42 goals for her Open team despite still being eligible for the 17/U comp.
In a recap of last week’s games Portland would have been very happy when they challenged ladder leaders Cobden only going down by 6 goals at the final siren. It was a gentle reminder to all teams that unless you bring your best game every week there will no doubt be a few upsets. In other results Camperdown went down to Koroit by 11 goals and North Warrnambool struggled to overcome a gallant Port Fairy but were eventual winners by 15. South Warrnambool were comfortable winners over Hamilton Kangaroos and after an even first half Terang Mortlake went down to Warrnambool by 24.
In Round 7, I anticipate Koroit V Warrnambool to be a close contest and Warrnambool could cause a minor upset here. Camperdown take on Port Fairy at home and should come away with the four points. Hamilton Kangaroos travel to Bushfield and will struggle to overcome an improving North Warrnambool. South Warrnambool shouldn’t have any trouble accounting for Portland and Cobden will have learnt a lot last week despite their win and will overcome Terang Mortlake who are still trying to find their rhythm.
Umpire Appreciation Round
This week being our “Umpire Appreciation Round” we would sincerely like to thank each and every one of our Umpires who put on their whites each week to adjudicate the game we all love. We really do appreciate your efforts and the commitment you make to our favourite game.
The leagues focus for the last 3 rounds has been to provide mentors where possible to assist our umpires and help them improve their umpiring skills. Mentoring umpires is an education process that has been happening within our league, especially at club level, for many years. We really do appreciate the enormous number of volunteer hours our educators have given to our umpires over the years and are grateful for the high standard of umpires they have helped produce for our league.
We, as a league, are very fortunate to have so many badged umpires and experienced and well educated Umpire Mentors. I challenge everyone around our netball courts this weekend, including players, coaches, team officials, volunteers and spectators to take the time to thank all of our Umpires and Umpire Mentors and appreciate the great work that they all do on a weekly basis.
GO TEAM WHITE
Good Luck to everyone competing this weekend and best of luck to all our Umpires and Mentors.
Author: Josie Logan
Image supplied by the Standard
Each week of the Hampden Football Netball League competition, we consistently marvel at the input from Koroit star Sam Dobson.
Last weekend the Saint forward kicked 7.5, had no less than 12 marks and 20 plus disposals in a best on ground performance. He is the number one player in the competition in my mind, having all the key attributes – strong pack, clean disposal, extremely athletic and team oriented. I look at a number of current AFL lists and think to myself, “how isn’t Sam Dobson on an AFL list”, he could certainly play a strong role in a number of teams and add more than a lot of current listed players do. At that current moment, Sam Dobson is leading the way to become the first forward to win a Maskell Medal for some time. He is one of the reasons I love watching Hampden League football, his appetite for the contest is second to none.
Two major milestones will be reached for the South Warrnambool Football Netball Club this weekend, with brothers Nick and Sam Thompson playing their 200th and 150th senior games respectively. Both players have been extremely important cogs in the Roosters line-up for many seasons, with both enjoying the ultimate success in 2011, playing in the teams last premiership under Nigel Kol. We wish both ‘Thommo’s’ all the very best for this weekend’s match against the emerging Portland Tigers.
Another big round of matches coming up this weekend, with a position in the top five becoming extremely hard fought. Here’s my tips:
South Warrnambool vs Portland – A great challenge for POrtland and they would love a scalp but the Roosters will continue on their great form.
Koroit vs Warrnambool – After seeing the Saints first hand last weekend, they’ll be hard to beat.
Camperdown vs Port Fairy – The Magpies will look to bounce back hard after a disappointing result on the weekend.
North Warrnambool vs Hamilton – The Eagles for mine despite Hamilton taking it up to South Warrnambool last round.
Cobden vs Terang Mortlake – A great contest coming up between two emerging teams. Hard to choose a winner, I think Terang Mortlake just.
See you at the Footy
HIlly
Check out the latest Hampden League Live Online shows.
Hosts:
Football: Matty Stewart and Trent Hill
Netball: Trent Hill and Trish Butters.
Juniors: Matty Stewart and Ruby Couch.
FOOTY SHOW
NETBALL SHOW
JUNIOR SHOW
Image supplied by the Standard
One of the great interest points at the beginning of the 2021 Hampden League season was how were the North Warrnambool Eagles going to fare. The Eagles narrowly missed on winning their maiden premiership in 2019, then had recruited extremely well for the 2020 season before COViD forced the cancellation of the season. During the off-season, the Eagles who had recruited Kevin Bourke from Leopold for 2020 wasn’t lining up, Darcy Keast headed back to the GFL, Billie Smedts wasn’t returning while arguably their best player Sam McLauchlan was heading up north to play footy in Queensland, as well as losing a few other players.
So it was going to be interesting how the Eagles would line up. Well, after 5 rounds they are sitting in a great position, having defeated the league leaders in Koroit, blooded a number of younger players such as Bolden, SInclair, Timms, Greene and their experienced players such as Wines x 3, Dillon, Lewis and Batten have had a strong start to the year. Former Melbourne Demon Dion Johnstone has added some real class to the line up, and his highlight reel is building each week. As we know, the Eagles are well coached and in my mind can really contend for this year’s flag. Hopefully they will have services of Tyrone Vickery more often than not. North Warrnambool I really like the direction you are heading.
Another big round of matches this weekend, especially with a few of the top teams meeting one another. The competition is extremely close and this signified by four teams all sitting with a 4-1 record with only percentage separating them. My tips:
Koroit vs Camperdown – The Saints never lose two in a row and despite Camperdown playing good football, hard to tip against the Saints.
Hamilton vs South Warrnambool – We’ve seen some great footy from Hamilton and some poor footy, up against a great side and I believe the Roosters will win this one.
Portland vs Cobden – Love the brand the crew from Tigerland play, I expect them to be 5-1 after the weekend.
Warrnambool vs Terang Mortlake – I’m tipping the closest game of the round, I think the Blues at the Pond.
Port Fairy vs North Warrnambool – The Seagulls are making positive steps forward with a new list but the Eagles for me.
See you at the footy!
Hilly
Check out the latest Hampden League Live Online shows.
Hosts:
Football: Matty Stewart and Trent Hill
Netball: Trent Hill and Stacey O’Sullivan
Juniors: Matty Stewart, Matty Sell and Ruby Couch.
Football Show
Netball Show
Junior Football and Netball Show
Congratulations to Dan Weymouth of the Warrnambool Football Netball Club who celebrates 100 Senior Games this weekend.
2007- FIRST SENIOR GAME
2008- LAKE WENDOUREE- 45 GAMES
2009/10- MEMBER BFNL SENIOR VCFL COUNTRY CHAMPIONS
2010- MEMBER LANDMARK AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
2011- 2015 SOUTHPORT FOOTBALL CLUB QLD NEAFL- 59 GAMES
2012- REPRESENTED QLD SEQAFL CUP
2016-CURRENT WARRNAMBOOL FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB, MEMBER HFNL WORKSAFE CHAMPIONS
2018-CURRENTLY COACH 18.5 WFNC
DAN WEYMOUTH HAS REPRESENTED ALL 3 LEAGUES WITH VALUES THAT WE HOLD FIRM ON AT WFNC, COMMUNITY, FAMILY AND RESPECT. HIS ABILITY TO PERFORM IN ARGUABLY THE HARDEST POSITION ON THE GROUND WEEK IN WEEK OUT MAKES HIS CONTRIBUTION TO HIS CLUB AND LEAGUE IMMEASURABLE. TODAY HE BECOMES A LIFE MEMBER OF WFNC THAT CARRIES RESPECT THROUGH OUR FAMILY AND THE HAMPDEN LEAGUE COMMUNITY.
Information and Photo provided by the Warrnambool Football Netball Club
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