Well finals footy is finally here for our AFL exports, with 10 Hampden products (eight players and two coaches) in contention for glory with their respective clubs.
The season ended for seven of our exports last weekend, with their clubs missing out on finals berths this season.
See below for a wrap of their efforts this season:
Finals bound:
Willem Drew (Port Adelaide)
Games: 22
Goals: 4
Will line-up for the Power in a final for the first time this evening following a strong season.
Has averaged 18 possessions, six tackles and four clearances per game which goes to show his inside work is vital to the Power’s hopes when the likes of Ollie Wines and Travis Boak are resting forward.
Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)
Will be looking to take the Power to its first grand final since 2007 after falling short in recent seasons.
Will be his fifth finals campaign at the helm of the Power, with Hinkley hoping to take Port Adelaide beyond the preliminary final stage after losing to Richmond in the same game last year.
Gary Rohan (Geelong)
Games: 18
Goals: 30
Will enter his fifth AFL finals series and second with Geelong having joined the Cats ahead of the 2020 season.
Playing predominantly as the Cats third tall, Rohan is averaging two goals per game from 10 possessions and looms as an important asset in Geelong’s forward line alongside Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron.
Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Games: 22
Goals: 13
The midfielder from South Warrnambool will be looking to help the Lions go beyond the preliminary final stage this season.
Has been a crucial cog in the Lions midfield, averaging just shy of 25 disposals and is important to his side winning the territory battle given he averages 438.7 metres gained when the ball is in his hands.
Leon Cameron (Greater Western Sydney Giants)
Is looking to take the AFL’s youngest team back to the grand final after reaching the big game in 2019.
The Giants have become perennial finals contenders under Cameron but the South Warrnambool export knows a tough road lies ahead given they must overcome Sydney in the elimination final.
Lewis Taylor (Sydney)
Games: 2
Goals: 0
Has struggled to feature at AFL level regularly this season, but remains an outside chance of breaking into the line-up if the Swans progress beyond the first week.
Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs)
Games: 11
Goals: 2
The only premiership player on this list who at 31 will no doubt be wanting to see success in the twilight of his career.
Has shored up the Bulldogs defence since his return from injury and will play a key role in nullifying Essendon’s forwards in Sunday’s elimination final.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs)
Games: 5
Goals: 7
Has not been included in the Bulldogs squad for Sunday’s elimination final but will continue to push his case at training for a recall should the side progress beyond week one.
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Games: 22
Goals: 4
Has enjoyed a stellar season which resulted in All-Australian selection.
Along with Darcy Parish, the Cobden export will be vital to the Bombers winning the midfield battle and setting up its attacking forays in its elimination final clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Martin Gleeson (Essendon)
Games: 5
Goals: 0
Has been included in the Bombers extended squad for its final with the Western Bulldogs.
Is capable of playing various roles across defence for the Bombers, but has not been able to establish himself as a regular at AFL level this year.
Season finished:
Jay Rantall (Collingwood)
Games: 5
Goals: 0
Finished the season with a strong performance shadowing Essendon’s Darcy Parish.
Was given opportunities at AFL level on five occasions, including a special debut on ANZAC Day and will be better for the experience.
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Games: 13
Goals: 9
Produced some big numbers for a ruckman which rated him among his position’s elite for disposals.
Was also able to get forward on occasions, with the Portland export kicking two goals on three occasions.
Jamaine Jones (West Coast Eagles)
Games: 15
Goals: 11
An ankle injury sustained against Sydney curtailed the second half of his season but before that the Portland export was enjoying his best season to date.
Recovered in time to kick a goal in round 23 last weekend but 11 goals from 15 matches shows the small forward had an impact for the Eagles in his matches.
Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
Games: 15
Goals: 9
Cunnington was producing strong numbers and would have been in All Australian contention before his season was ended following the discovery of a testicular tumour.
Was averaging 26.3 possessions and 7.6 clearances, both elite numbers, up until his season was cut short.
Josh Corbett (Gold Coast Suns)
Games: 16
Goals: 23
Twenty-three goals is a good return considering the Suns struggles this year.
The North Warrnambool product was a regular figure in the side after missing the opening four games.
Sam Walsh (Carlton)
Games: 22
Goals: 12
All Australian selection and numerous best on ground performances go to show just how much Walsh has elevated his game this season.
The 21 year-old will be among the leading chances for the Blues best and fairest following a campaign which saw him average just under 30 possessions and star in only his third season.
Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
Games: 21
Goals: 12
Another local export who has established himself among the game’s elite as his position.
The Cobden product averaged 28.9 hit-outs and was among the elite for possessions for a ruckman with 16.6, while he also pushed forward and hit the scoreboard.
Proposed AGM
Currently we have our AGM pencilled in for Wednesday 25th of August 2021 in Warrnambool. This will only run if we can do it in a covid safe way. The well-being of our sports community is essential. A decision will be made next week.
First AID Course and CPR update 2021
We are thrilled to work with Pulse CPR for First aid and CPR updates. The details for 2022 are below. Courses will run in Warrnambool. Some online work required prior.
For further information, costing or registering your interest please contact us.
Ideas for 2021
A reminder we are always looking for ideas for our meetings or how we can support and educate sports trainers
Sports Trainers Course
Unfortunately, with Covid it has posed significant challenges with the sports trainers’ course. This is something we haven’t forgotten but have being working hard behind the scenes. We hope to set out some dates shortly.
40 year celebration
Last year we reach the milestone 40 years as an Association. Something we are very proud of and hope to celebrate. This celebration will be combine with our AGM
Proudly Supported by: The Flying Horse, Warrnambool – Pulse CPR – Star Printing – The Standard
Email: sspokes@yahoo.com.au | Facebook page: South West Trainers
Welcome to the final home and away games this weekend and the grand finals of the junior competition. We have made it this far, hopefully, we can get through the senior finals starting next week without any further COVID interruptions. It’s been a challenging year to say the least. The stop, start nature of the season has been very frustrating for everyone. I would like to thank all the participants who have turned up each and every week to support your clubs. To all the coaches and the vast amount of volunteers who help get the teams on the park every week, well done. Congratulations to all the junior football and netball teams who have made it to the grand finals on Sunday. I’m looking forward to seeing you all at Port Fairy on Sunday. Enjoy your games and above all, have fun. For the teams that aren’t participating this weekend, remember there is always next year and we thank you for giving it your best all season despite all the challenges you faced throughout the year.
Kind regards,
Garry Perrett
HFNL President
With another week of football allowed to go ahead, once again there has been curveballs thrown for clubs across the competition to navigate.
The extension and subsequent curfew of the Melbourne lockdown has thrown selection plans into chaos for some clubs, while the prospect of no finals crowds continues to hang over the league’s head with one round to play.
Premier Daniel Andrews decision earlier this week to add an extra fortnight to Melbourne’s restrictions is inadvertently set to rob the league of some star power come finals times.
The likes of North Warrnambool’s Tyrone Vickery, Camperdown’s Jack Williams, Portland’s Jake Edwards, plus others are all set to miss at least the first week of finals, assuming their teams play.
It’s disappointing for some clubs to not be able to fully access their top-end talent, but given the nature of the season, it’s just another obstacle the league must overcome.
The Melbourne shutdown and New South Wales lockdown has impacted other leagues across the state significantly, some to the point where they may not have played games for the best part of a month (and for some even longer) due to restrictions.
We need to be appreciative and consider ourselves extremely lucky of the fact that we will get 13 home and away games completed and then hopefully an uninterrupted finals series.
In a perfect world, we hope the restrictions are eased and we can enjoy country footy at its purest once again – with our best talent and our strongest teams in front of our passionate supporters.
ANOTHER best on ground performance has Hampden league export Sam Walsh in line to earn All-Australian honours this season.
Walsh was once again at his productive best last weekend, this time in Carlton’s disappointing loss to Port Adelaide.
The 21 year-old was one of nine players from the league to be picked for their respectively clubs but only eight took to the field.
Below is a full wrap of how each of player performed:
AFL:
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
The Cobden local once again waxed lyrical with team-mate Darcy Parish in the Bombers comfortable victory over the Gold Coast Suns, finishing with 31 touches and five clearances.
Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
The South Warrnambool product was one of Brisbane’s best in its 85 point mauling of Collingwood. Finished the night with 30 touches and a goal, alongside six clearances and an equal game-high 10 inside 50s.
Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
The 23 year-old produced another strong game as the Dockers won the Western Derby against the West Coast Eagles. Had a stat line which read 17 touches, 29 hit-outs and a goal as he finished as one of Freo’s best.
Sam Walsh (Carlton)
Thirty touches and six tackles were again numbers indicative of the local export’s rise into the elite ranks. Was best on ground for the Blues in its disappointing 95 point loss.
Willem Drew (Port Adelaide)
Drew’s inside midfield prowess was once again on show, with the Koroit export finishing with six tackles and five clearances to go alongside 16 touches in the Power’s big win over Carlton.
Josh Corbett (Gold Coast Suns)
Kicked 1.1 from six touches in the Suns 68 point loss to Essendon.
Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs)
Collected 13 possessions and six marks in the Bulldogs shock 27 point defeat to Hawthorn.
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Battled gamely to finish with nine touches and 21 hit-outs in the Saints loss to Geelong.
Didn’t play:
Marty Gleeson (Essendon)
Was named as Essendon’s medical sub but did not take to the field.
Gary Rohan (Geelong)
Missed the Cats clash with St Kilda after failing to recover from a hip/glute complaint sustained in the Cats loss to Greater Western Sydney.
Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
Sidelined indefinitely following the discovery of a testicular tumour in late July.
Jamaine Jones (West Coast Eagles)
Was still listed as one to two weeks away from a return following an ankle injury against Sydney.
Lewis Taylor (Sydney)
Did not feature at AFL level due to VFL shutdown
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs)
Did not feature at AFL level due to VFL shutdown
Jay Rantall (Collingwood)
Did not feature at AFL level due to VFL shutdown
Image supplied by the Standard
As we look forward to playing this week’s round of matches, it is the final Home and Away round, and the last game of the 2021 season for many. The last few months have presented its fair share of challenges for all the Clubs and the League Executive. After all the efforts of the many volunteers who make our games possible each week it’s fantastic that we have managed to get through the home and away season and the Junior Grand Finals will be played this Sunday in Port Fairy. Let’s hope we have no further interruptions to our season and can finish off with a great Finals Series for our Saturday Competition in a season that will undoubtedly be remembered for many years to come.
Record Breaking Milestone
Congratulations to Tracey Baker (from the Camperdown FNC) who will play her final home and away game this weekend. Tracey’s Hampden netball career started at Camperdown back in 1989, where she played A Grade as a 14 year old. (There were no Junior grades in 1989). She played 56 A Grade games for Cobden before moving back to Camperdown where she has gone on to rack up 449 HFNL Open Division Games in total. More recently she was fortunate to be able to play some of these games with her daughters Krystal and Chelsea. Her tally for Camperdown Club games will stand at 433 after this weekend. Tracey is a true legend of our sport and has been a great ambassador for her Clubs as well as our league. Tracey is an inspiration to many and we sincerely Congratulate her on her phenomenal achievements. Well done Tracey!
Junior Grand Finals
In this week’s Junior Grand Finals, South Warrnambool take on Koroit in the 13/U Reserves and South Warrnambool verse Cobden in the 15/U Reserves. Good luck to all teams participating this Sunday. I’ve not witnessed many Sunday Junior games during the season but I think Koroit can claim the Premiership in the 13/U Reserves and South Warrnambool will be victorious in the 15/U Reserves. As we are still restricted to No Crowds, if anyone is keen to see how the games play out make sure to tune into the HFNL Facebook page for regular update and potential livestreaming of matches.
This Week’s Matches
In this week’s Round 13 matches Port Fairy will struggle against the undefeated Bombers. Hamilton Kangaroos and Terang Mortlake should have a close one but I think with the influence of Holly Phillips, Hamilton can finish off their season with a win. South Warrnambool do battle with the Saints and the roosters may be without a couple of their key shooters. The saints could claim victory here. Warrnambool should account for Portland and North Warrnambool will be looking to take some confidence into the finals with a win against Camperdown.
Good Luck to all teams participating this weekend and looking forward to a great Finals Series in the weeks ahead.
Author: Josie Logan
This weekend is TAC and AFL Road Safety Round. In 2019, the captains of many Victorian clubs wore a zero on their back to represent the goal towards zero deaths on the roads. This year, TAC and AFL Victoria wanted to create a way for everyone to get involved in the campaign, not just the captain.
For decades, black armbands have been worn on the field to honour a death in the community. For this round, TAC and AFL Victoria have created a new kind of armband, one that represents everyone’s commitment to eliminating deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
To show our support, our community is invited to wear the band this weekend. They’ll be available to pick up from your (insert local footy club). On them is a QR code housing the reasons why road safety matters to different Victorians. TAC and AFL Victoria are asking you to add your reason by filming it and sharing socially using #tacbandtogether.
We all have someone to drive safely for. Wear your band, scan the code, and share your story on social media to help make our roads a safer place.
COBDEN export Gary Rohan is in a race to prove his fitness after he was injured in Geelong’s clash with Greater Western Sydney last weekend.
The 30 year-old was hampered by combined glute and hip complaint throughout the contest and was eventually taken out of the contest with a quarter to play.
The Cats are hopeful Rohan will recover in time for its clash with St Kilda this weekend.
Rohan was one of 11 Hampden league listed players to feature across the weekend, with two players missing out due to injury and another time not featuring due to COVID lockdowns.
Below is a full wrap of how each of exports performed:
AFL:
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Another 30 possession outing along with five clearances, this time in Essendon’s 13 point victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Gary Rohan (Geelong)
Sustained an injury in the Cats 19 point loss to Greater Western Sydney last Friday night. Missed the last quarter as a precaution but had endured a quiet night up until that point.
Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Was prominent with 29 possessions and six tackles in the Lions 64 point victory over Fremantle.
Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
Kicked a goal to go alongside 17 touches and 29 hit-outs in the Dockers defeat to Brisbane.
Sam Walsh (Carlton)
Collected 23 touches to go alongside eight tackles to again be amongst the Blues best but it was a tough day for his club as it suffered a 19 point defeat at the hands of Gold Coast.
Willem Drew (Port Adelaide)
Another strong outing from the Koroit export, this time in the Power’s thrilling four point showdown win over Adelaide. Finished the night with 23 touches, 10 tackles and a match-high seven clearances.
Josh Corbett (Gold Coast Suns)
Collected 17 possessions and kicked a goal in another strong performance for Gold Coast. His goal came at a crucial time for the Suns in their win over Carlton.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs)
Finished with 1.1 from six touches for the Bulldogs in their loss to the Bombers.
Marty Gleeson (Essendon)
Earned an AFL recall and played his role well for the Bombers. Finished with 12 possessions and six tackles across half-back.
Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs)
Was serviceable for the Bulldogs with 16 touches and a goal but could not will his side over the line in its defeat to Essendon.
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Was one of St Kilda’s best in its surprise 29 point win over Sydney.
Finished with 25 disposals and 29 hit-outs to be the most dominant ruckman on the ground.
Didn’t play:
Jay Rantall (Collingwood)
Missed the weekend after VFL games were postponed due to the Victorian COVID lockdown.
Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
Sidelined indefinitely following the discovery of a testicular tumour in late July.
Jamaine Jones (West Coast Eagles)
Was still listed as one to two weeks away from a return following an ankle injury against Sydney.
Lewis Taylor (Sydney)
Missed the weekend after VFL games were postponed due to the Victorian COVID lockdown.
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