Round 7 of Hampden League football delivered yet another fascinating weekend of action, with several matches going right down to the wire and some standout individual performances.
Portland snapped a two-game losing streak in a thrilling contest, edging out Camperdown in a tight finish. The Tigers needed a response and delivered when it mattered most. Meanwhile, Warrnambool continued its impressive form, joining North Warrnambool and Terang Mortlake in the winner’s circle again. South Warrnambool also kept their momentum rolling, taking care of business in solid fashion.
A major highlight for the Bloods was the debut of prized recruit Colin Riordan. The former Sydney Swan slotted in seamlessly and showed his class, providing a boost to Terang Mortlake’s finals aspirations. Coach Lewis Taylor also led from the front in a dominant display, racking up a round-high 45 disposals. He was one of several midfielders to put on a show, with South Warrnambool’s Archie Stevens collecting 41 touches, Portland’s Tanner Lovell not far behind with 39, and Cobden’s Matty Kemp finishing with 36 in a hard-fought clash.
Up forward, Luke Cody continued his excellent form, booting another bag of goals to take the outright lead in the league’s goal-kicking tally. His consistency inside 50 has been a huge weapon for his side.
Off the field, the league received more good news, with Talor Byrne earning selection to represent Vic Country in the National Under 18 Championships. He’ll be joined by Cobden talent Archie Taylor, with both players impressing for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels this season. Their selection is a credit to their hard work and talent, and we wish them all the best as they aim to catch the eye of AFL recruiters on the big stage.
Looking ahead to Round 8, all five matches carry significant weight, particularly with the Queen’s Birthday bye approaching. With the ladder beginning to take shape, every result matters. A win could set up a charge toward the top five, while a loss might see the gap start to widen. Expect another competitive weekend of Hampden football.
