Image supplied by the Standard
One of the sides that have impressed over the past fortnight is the Portland Tigers. After a heavy opening round defeat against the powerful Koroit Saints, their last two games have been impressive, earning them a spot in the top five currently. The Tigers were set for a big 2020 season with some gun recruits landing at Hanlon Park with NEAFL and SANFL experience, but unfortunately they didn’t recommit for this season.This has given a number of young Tigers an opportunity and already they have shown some exciting things, players such as Jackson Dunlop, Tex Mitchell, Sam and Harrison Hampshire and Tony Jennings.Portland are quick, their game style suits the new standing the mark rule and they will continue to get stronger as the year progresses with their young brigade getting more senior football experience.
Speaking of the new stand rule, this has certainly allowed forwards to kick more bags of goals, and on the weekend we saw William Kain (TM), Shane Savage (PF), Sam Dobson (K), Adam Wines (NW) and Ben Kellet (NW) hit the scoreboard well. It’s great to see the key forwards getting amongst the goals early in the season.
Speaking of forward, a big shout out and best wishes to Warrnambool superboot Jason Rowan, who unfortunately sustained a season ending shoulder injury on the weekend. Rowey had a huge pre-season and displayed good early season form before injuring himself. The whole Hampden League community hope your rehabilitation goes well mate, and you’re back on the park sooner rather than later.
There are only four matches this weekend in the Hampden League, due to the South Warrnambool and Koroit game played on Good Friday.
My selections this weekend:
Camperdown vs North Warrnambool – Both sides going extremely well. I think Camperdown at home can get the job done.Hamilton vs Terang Mortlake – Great to see the Bloods with premiership points last week, but I think Hamilton will bounce back at home.POrt Fairy vs Cobden – Both sides chasing win number one, Cobden playing the better football for mine, they narrowly win.Warrnambool vs Portland – The Blues have been hit hard with injuries, I think the Tigers will win.
See you at the footy!
Hilly
