What a weekend we had during the second week of the Fresha Juice Finals Series in the Hampden Football Netball League. The North Warrnambool Eagles are the first team to book their spot in the 2024 Grand Final, with their opponent to be confirmed this weekend, with South Warrnambool and Terang Mortlake to clash for the final spot. The Eagles were excellent in their Second Semi Final match, with their deep midfield very dangerous, the usual suspects of Bermingham, Grundy, Barlow, Motlop, Wines x 3 all performing well.
Sunday’s First Semi Final between Terang Mortlake and Warrnambool was unbelievable, with the Bloods narrowly winning by 2 points, courtesy of a match-winning goal from skipper Joey Arundell. The match had everything, including Warrnambool leading by 60 points at Quarter Time, Ben Cunnington kicking 6 first quarter goals, a howling breeze favouring the Warrnambool end of Victoria Park and the seven last quarter goals from Terang Mortlake. Amazing comeback, that will be remembered for many years to come.
Bloods Re-sign
Whilst Terang Mortlake are still heavily focused on this weekend’s Preliminary Final, they have started organising for 2025. Senior playing coach Lewis Taylor has re-committed which is a huge bonus, and a number of key players have also committed for next season. Locals Alex Moloney, Joey Arundell, Scott Carlin and Harvey Roberts will go again, but it is great to see the likes of Nick Shipley and Max Lower keen to return. Some great news for the Bloods and no doubt, they are up for another great year in 2025.
Maskell Medal
The 2024 Maskell Medal will be staged this weekend, and it returns as a physical event at the Warrnambool Racing Club. The Hampden FNL has seen a large abundance of top football this season and there are so many great chances to take out the coveted award this season.
Ben Cunnington and Taylem Wason have been excellent in the navy blue this season, while rivals South Warrnambool have had so many great players this season on their journey to the minor premiership including Shannon Beks, Myles McCluggage and Max Irving. The eastern clubs have had many dominant players including Eric Guthrie and Hamish Sinnott from Camperdown, Lewis Taylor and Ryley Hurchins from Terang Mortlake, while Cobden coach Brody Mahoney and ruckman Tim Auckland have been outstanding.
Portland’s Lachie Hupputz and Jake Wilson have been standouts for the Tigers, while Jack English and Ethan Knight have been ultra consistent from the Hamilton Kanagroos. Koroit’s top tier players of Petersen, Neave, Hoy and Baulch have been excellent again, while Port Fairy’s Matthew Sully has had a super season and should poll well. North Warrnambool like South Warrnambool have had many great players throughout the season with the Wines brothers, Lewis, Bermingham, Vardy, Dillon and Grundy all terrific.
This year’s group is outstanding and whoever is the winner, will be a worthy winner.
Week 3 Finals Matches
Preliminary Final
Seniors – South Warrnambool vs Terang Mortlake
Reserves – South Warrnambool vs Cobden
U18 – Hamilton Kangaroos vs Warrnambool
See you at the Footy
Hilly
