It has been one of the tightest Hampden Football Netball League seasons in recent memory, and the final home-and-away round promises to deliver a thrilling finish. With one spot left in the top five, three clubs remain in contention – Terang Mortlake, Camperdown and Portland – and the equation is simple: if the Bloods win, they’re in. But if they stumble, the door swings wide open for the Magpies or the Tigers. The competition could not have been scripted any better, with a season-defining finale that has the entire league talking.
Terang Mortlake holds its destiny in its own hands and will be desperate to cap off what has been a hard-fought campaign with a finals berth. For Camperdown, a late-season surge has kept their chances alive, while Portland has shown grit and improvement to remain in the hunt. No matter how it falls, the fight for September football is going to provide drama right until the last siren of the home-and-away season.
While all eyes are on the senior ladder, the future stars of the competition will also take centre stage this weekend. The Hampden FNL Junior Grand Finals are set to be contested, with Warrnambool and South Warrnambool set to lock horns in both the Under 14 and Under 16 deciders. The standard of football across the junior finals series has been first-class, and the quality is expected to rise another level on grand final day with premiership glory up for grabs. These contests will not only showcase the exciting young talent in the league but also highlight the strong development pathways that continue to underpin Hampden football.
Adding further significance to the weekend is a major milestone for one of Terang Mortlake’s most respected players. Sam McLean will line up for his 150th senior game, a wonderful achievement that reflects his commitment, consistency and team-first approach. McLean is the type of player who always gives 110 per cent and is held in the highest regard by his teammates and the wider Bloods community. To reach the milestone on home soil, in a match that could shape the club’s finals destiny, makes it all the more memorable.
