The spotlight was on the Hampden Football Netball League last weekend, with AFL Victoria selecting our competition to host the Worksafe Game of the Month. A huge crowd were at the Leura Oval for the clash between traditional rivals Camperdown and Cobden. The Magpies were determined to get their first win of the season after a tough start with multiple injuries to key players. Camperdown played a great four quarter game, it was off the back of tough defensive and pressuring work, allowing space to be created in transition and Cobden to turn-over the football. Hamish Sinnott was at his very best, earning best on ground honors.
Interleague
The process has begun to stage interleague football in the Hampden region later this season. The HFNL will take on the Ballarat Football Netball League for the second successive year, at the Reid Oval on July 6th. The U23 clash will be the feature fixture of the day, playing for the Clinton Baulch Cup in a twilight fixture. There will be an U17 clash as per 2023 and this season an U19 women’s game will also be held. More information on coaching appointments will be made next week, but there is an exciting group of coaches that will be leading each of the teams. It will be a great day of next level football in the first week of July.
Playing Coaches Starring
The coaching caper is almost like a full-time job. All coaches are looking at team vision, opposition vision, statistics, method each and every week. The Hampden League has a few playing coaches running around, only Lachie Hupputz, Brody Mahoney and Lewy Taylor are playing coaches. Whilst Lewy is still recovering from surgery, Brody and Lachie are setting an outstanding standard on the field, producing terrific statistical numbers. Brody’s first five weeks has been first class and his work alongside Patty Smith has made it tough to get on top of Cobden’s midfield. Lachie injured himself in the opening round, before returning on Anzac Day and accumulating 30+ disposals in the marquee match. Coaching is a hard gig on many fronts, but to back it up on the field. I take my hat off to Brody and Lachie this season.
Round 6
Warrnambool vs Portland (Reid Oval)
Hamilton Kangaroos vs Terang Mortlake (Hawkesdale)
Cobden vs South Warrnambool (Cobden Recreation Reserve)
Port Fairy vs Camperdown (Gardens Oval)
Koroit vs North Warrnambool (Victoria Park)
See you at the Footy.
Hilly
