The Hampden Football Netball League is proud to announce their junior Association Championship netball coaches for 2025.
The League will participate in the Western Zone Association Championship qualifiers in Warrnambool on June 1st, before moving onto the State Titles on June 29th.
Experienced Koroit Open coach Danielle McInerney will have the responsibility of leading the U17 squad once again, she led the team to a semi-final berth at the 2024 State Titles.
The U15 squad will be guided by North Warrnambool open coach Maddison Vardy, who enters the role with an extensive coaching background in both junior and senior programs. Experienced mentors Leah Kermeen and Josie Ellerton will be the co-coaches of the U15 Reserves squad.
Koroit legend Kate Dobson has been appointed the U13 coach for the second successive year and will be assisted by Marie-Clare Smedts. Kate and Marie-Clare have worked with one another at the Koroit Saints for the past few seasons and have built a strong coaching relationship.
Hamilton Kangaroos mentor Nat O’Dea will also be involved in the HFNL Associations Championships program for a consecutive year, re-appointed as U13 reserves coach, she will be assisted by Lianna Harrison.
HFNL Head of Netball Dot Jenkins says the league is absolutely thrilled that several of our club coaches have put up their hand to support the players for the 2025 campaign.
“The Leagues’ strength is enhanced by the club coaches, and we value the time and commitment our coaches give to the association championships,” Jenkins said.
“Having proficient netball coaches with a deep understanding of the game’s rules, techniques and tactics enhances the development of the players.”
The HFNL Open coach will be announced in January.
The Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) is thrilled to unveil the 2025 season fixture, promising an exciting year for players, supporters, and communities across the region.
Key Dates and Highlights
Season Opener Start:
The 2025 HFNL season will kick off on Saturday, April 5th, marking the beginning of another competitive competition.
Good Friday Clash:
A blockbuster Good Friday match on April 18th will see Koroit take on reigning premiers South Warrnambool at Victoria Park, a clash sure to draw a huge crowd as these two powerhouses go head-to-head under the Easter spotlight.
ANZAC Day Games:
In honor of ANZAC Day, the HFNL will stage two marquee matches on Friday, April 25th:
Indigenous Round:
May 24th (Round 7) will be Indigenous Round, celebrating and highlighting the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to the game of football and netball in our region.
Interleague:
Interleague will resume against the Ballarat FNL on July 5th, with Ballarat hosting next year’s game, venue to be confirmed.
Super Saturday Contests:
Once again, some clubs will feature in Super Saturday contests, delivering an action-packed day of football and netball at the nominated venue.
Hybrid Games:
The league in collaboration with multiple clubs have organised Hybrid Saturdays in 2025. Hybrid Saturday’s will see all senior and junior football teams will play on the same day across two venues/ovals, within the hosting team’s township. Camperdown, Terang Mortlake, Koroit, Port Fairy and the Hamilton Kangaroos will feature in many of these fixtures.
HFNL Grand Final:
The Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) has announced a significant change to its 2025 season, with the Grand Final to be staged on the AFL Grand Final public holiday, Friday, September 26th. This move marks the first time the HFNL decider will align with the public holiday, presenting an exciting opportunity for the league to further showcase its competition and highlight the elite talent across its football and netball teams.
The Hampden Football Netball League is excited to announce the introduction of a Netball Talent
Identification and Development Program in 2025.
It comes after a successful introduction of a Football Talent Identification and Development Program this year and demonstrates the league’s commitment to supporting talented junior netballers.
The four-week program will be led by HFNL Talent Identification & Development Program Coordinator Stacey O’Sullivan and will take place in March 2025.
The program aims to provide a pathway for players to develop their skills and achieve their full
potential, with a view to advancing into talent pathway programs, both league and state.
The program which will feature a combination of players that will be turning 13 and 14 years old in
2025 will focus on space awareness, court systems and defence through specific, ball centered activities and modified games.
Program Coordinator Stacey O’Sullivan says this program is a great opportunity for the juniors’ players selected.
“This age is exciting to work with as this is one of the biggest development ages for netballers. Their learning capacity is large with a lot of eagerness and enthusiasm.,” she said.
HFNL Talent Identification & Development Program Squad
Camperdown – Madison Lucas, Olive Wills, Taylor Cameron
Cobden – Athena Chivell
Hamilton Kangaroos – Leni Robertson, Lexie Thomas, Elsie Brown, Emily Iredell, Ava Kinnealy
Koroit – Ava Gleeson, Esther Gleeson, Ellie Dobson
North Warrnambool – Zoe Everall
Portland – Gracie Piergrosse, Ruby Rowe, Ayda Wiseman
South Warrnambool – Chloe Kermeen, Molly McNeil, Lily Harris, Lottie Wilkinson, Isabel Divall
Terang Mortlake – Sadie Baker
Warrnambool – Sophie Brown
Annual General Meeting
Monday 9th December 2024
Commencing at 7:00pm
Flying Horse Bar and Brewery
Applications are called for the following Positions on the HFNL Independent Executive from the date of the Annual General Meeting for the terms of office as indicated.
One Year Term (President)
Executive Member – Two Year Term (3 positions)
Further information and official application forms may be obtained from the HFNL Administrator Trent Hill by emailing admin@hfnl.org.au or by phoning 0418459528.
Camperdown
INS:
OUTS: Lily Eldridge (Nirranda)
Cobden
INS: Sophie Hinkley (Returning), Sarah Moroney (Returning), Remeny McCann (Returning), Sophie Blain (Returning)
OUTS:
Hamilton Kangaroos
INS: Madsie Phillips (Returning), Rachael Ough (Edenhope/Apsley)
OUTS:
Koroit
INS:
OUTS:
North Warrnambool Eagles
INS:
OUTS: Tahni Porter (Warrnambool), Kate O’Meara (Rokewood)
Port Fairy
INS: Shinae Tobin-Salzman, Tahlia Ross, Charli Crouch, Inika Tobin-Salzman
OUTS:
Portland Tigers
INS: Sienna Stone (Westerns), Tess Norman (Melbourne), Brooke Polaski
OUTS:
South Warrnambool
INS:
OUTS
Terang Mortlake
INS:
OUTS:
Warrnambool
INS: Kasey Barling (Koroit), Tahni Porter (North Warrnambool), Jo Couch (Nirranda)
OUTS: Dakota Crichton (Basketball)
I must make mention of the Hampden juniors and congratulated all the coaches at all the clubs, the players development is awesome. The competition has gone from strength to strength. Well Done all!
South Warrnambool vs North Warrnambool in the Under 15 match will be a beauty. The Eagles overcame a determined Terang Mortlake to make the Preliminary final whilst the roosters went down to Hamilton. South to win through to the Grand finale.
In the under 13 reserves match the Kangaroos take on the Warrnambool Blues. I’m expecting a close match with the young Hamilton side off to the big dance.
The under 17 game between the Magpies and the Roosters is replay of the qualifying final and what a contest that was! the Roosters are up and about an will push the Pies all the way however Camperdown will advance.
Hamilton Kangaroos take on the Koroit Saints in the under 13 match. Hamilton won the match in the qualifying final by 4. A few weeks earlier in the home and away the Saints by the same margin. This match will go down to the wire, the Saints to make the grand final.
In Division 2 Netball the Eagles take on the Blues another close match between these two combatants. In the qualifying final the Eagles got going early and held off a fast-finishing Warrnambool outfit. The Eagles seem to have hit their straps at the right time and will get the win.
The under 15 Reserve match features Terang/Mortlake and Koroit. These teams finished 2 and 3 respectively. I have seen both these teams play finals and currently both teams are playing at their best. The Bloods will get over the Saints.
In Division 3 the Hamilton Kangaroos vs North Warrnambool. This encounter shows finals are a different game. The Eagles finished 5th on the ladder and have played extremely well during the finals to make the Preliminary final. On the other hand the Kangaroos had a terrific home and away series but find themselves in do or die game at the weekend. The inform Eagles to take the win.
The Division 1 match is a repeat with the Eagles again taking on the Kangaroos. Both times these sides have met in the home and away the Hamilton Kangaroos have got the points in close games. It will be a tight tussle with the Kangaroos advancing.
The Koroit Saints take on Camperdown in the Under 17 reserve match. Although the Pies have played well during the finals series Koroit will get the win.
Open Match: Cobden Bombers vs Koroit Saints: We saw a quality clash in the Qualifying final played in wet and windy conditions. With the Bombers getting over the Saints by 4 goals. I have spoken about match ups of players before but as the coaches Sophie Hinkley (Cobden) and Danielle McInerney (Koroit) have been willing to make changes as they see fit during their final campaigns this is what I would be watching for. There are so many reasons why either team will get over the line and, in a do, or die match both teams will give it their best shot. All the best to both the Bombers & the Saints. I have decided I will go for Cobden in Extra time!
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
Celebrating Junior Netballers on Monday night at the Hampden League Junior awards night.
The Rebecca Moroney Medal for the best and fairest under 17 netballer was won by Piper Stephens from Camperdown with 34 votes. Lara Clarke from Terand/Mortlake was runner-up in this award with 31 Votes.
The Under 17 Reserves award winner was Charli Johnstone from Sound Warrnambool with 29 votes from Hannah Gleeson from Koroit the runner-up with 27 votes.
South Warrnambool’s Maya Rhodes was the League Best and Fairest winner in the under 15 competition with 41 votes. Terang/Mortlake’s Pippa Barr was runner up with 30 votes.
Maya Veale from South Warrnambool was the winner in the Under 15 Reserves competition with 32 votes from Mia Robinson North Warrnambool Eagles 29
Athena Chivell from the Bombers was the Under 13 League Best and Fairest Winner with 30 votes from Lexi Thomas from the Hamilton Kangaroos with 28 votes.
Elky Veale from the Roosters was the Winner in the Under 13 Reserves League Best & Fairest with Austyn McInerney receiving 25 votes was the runner-up. Congratulations to all the award winners.
Second semi-final will be played at the Wilson’s DC Farran Oval,
Hamilton Kangaroos take on the undefeated South Warrnambool Rooster’s on Court 1 at 9:15, although the Kangaroos will be up and about South Warrnambool will gain a ticket to the big dance.
On court 2 the Kangaroos again take on the Roosters, with one win a piece so far this season I think Hamilton can get the win.
In the under 17 match the Koroit Saints will take on the Camperdown Magpies, this match show cases many of the Leagues’ juniors who often double up and play open netball. This will be an outstanding game with the Saints advancing to the grand finale.
In the 10:15 time slot on court 2 again South Warrnambool Rooster take on the Hamilton Kangaroos. South Warrnambool will get the points.
Lots of White and Red on the Netball courts with again South Warrnambool playing the North Warrnambool Eagles in the Division 2 competition. The Roosters will progress.
South Warrnambool vs Terang/Mortlake in the Under 15 Reserves this will be a tight tussle the Roosters will again head to the big dance.
In Division 1 Port Fairy vs Hamilton. The Kangaroos will take it right up to the Seagull. A one goal win to the Purple & Gold
The Kangaroos vs the Warrnambool Blues in Division 3, Hamilton to advance to the Grand Finale
In the Under 17 Reserves match the Roosters take on the Saints again I think the Roosters will take the quick path to the big dance.
The Will Jamieson coached South Warrnambool Roosters will have had a couple of training sessions during the weeks break while the Cobden Bombers had a tough win last week to get the chance to turn the tables on the Roosters. Match-ups galore in this contest: South defenders Gen O’Connor & Ally Mellblom against the Finch sisters in attack for the Bombers. South features Meg Carlin, Hollie Phillips & Emma Buwalda in the attacking circle against the different combinations defensively of Nadine McNamara, Jess McGlade Nikki Clover, Matilda Darcy for the Bombers. Then of course the talented mid courters from both teams. I will have my eye on the battle between the rooster’s dynamic Issy Rae and the aerial Lara Taylor. The Roosters to progress straight through to Grand finale.
The first Semi Final will be at Victoria Park Koroit on Sunday
The North Warrnambool Eagles take on the Bloods, the Eagles have won both contest through the year by 2 & by 1 respectively. A tight game with the Eagles home by the narrowest of margins.
The Camperdown Magpies vs the Warrnambool Blues in the under thirteen reserves. One win each in the home and away season. This will be an enthralling contest. The Blues to progress to the Preliminary final.
South Warrnambool Vs Cobden in the under seventeens game. The last time these teams met it was the Roosters comfortable however I am predicting a much closer contest with the Bombers to snatch the win.
In the under thirteen match the Saints take on the Baby Bombers. The young Saints to live to fight another day.
In the Division 2 match Warrnambool Blues Vs Hamilton kangaroos the Blues have won both previous match and I think they will do so again.
Koroit take on Warrnambool in the under 15 reserve match. This will be a close match however I think the Saints by a couple of goals.
The Eagles Vs the Saints in the Division 1 first semi-final. What a game this will be with a draw and a one goal win the result in the home and away matches. Concentration will be the key to this match. The Eagles to advance in extra time.
In the Division 3 match again, the Eagles take on the Koroit Saints. Lots of vocal encouragement around the courts with these matches played at the same time. My tip this time is the Saints.
In the under 17 Reserve match the Warrnambool Blues take on the Camperdown Magpies. Although the Pies play a strong game last week the Warrnambool Blues to progress to next week.
The Warrnambool Blues coached by Kate Lindsey take on the Koroit Saints in the Open match.
With State training on this Sunday will Eva Ryan (Warrnambool) and Indi O’Connor (Koroit) be available?
Contests to watch out for are Molly McLaren, Nell Mitchell & Indi O’Connor goalers against Matilda Fitzgerald & Amy Wormald (Defenders)
The opening week of the Fresha Fruit Finals Series was a big success, despite the tough weather we encountered. The Hampden FNL community came out in force and supported their teams with great passion on both the football ground and netball court. The North Warrnambool Eagles were flawless in their Qualifying Final match against Warrnambool with the midfield group of Barlow, Grundy, Bermingham and Motlop firing. Terang Mortlake had to work hard to get the Elimination Final victory against Koroit, but a stellar quarter against the breeze enabled them to continue their finals journey into week 2. A super weekend of football coming up at the Wilsons DC Farran Oval and Victoria Park, let’s hope the weather stays true.
Hampden Junior Awards
Hamilton Kangaroo young gun Charlie Field etched his name onto an impressive list of winners of the Judd Cup, at this week’s Hampden FNL Junior Presentation Night. Charlie, who played 9 senior matches this season, is an exciting talent that uses the ball well and has exceptional speed. The Hamilton Kangaroo youngster will play a lot more senior football in my mind in 2025. Terang Mortlake midfielder Kane Killen was a high polling winner in the U16 Doug McConnell Medal, winning by two votes from Koroit’s Hamish Dobson. Kane is a talented midfielder, who is tough and an excellent ball user. Port Fairy’s Hamish Williams was the first Seagull player to win a junior best and fairest award since 2007, claiming the U14 Stuart Brunt Medal. A hard-working tall midfielder, has blossomed this year, especially working alongside his senior player mentor Kelby Fleming. Three very deserving award winners.
Bourke 150th
He is one of the best ball users in the Hampden FNL competition and he will play his 150th senior match on Sunday. Terang Mortlake’s Gus Bourke has been a major part of the Bloods resurgence over the past few seasons, especially with his play and leadership of half back. His form in 2023 culminated in a Team of the Year selection. A hard-working defender, Gus has spent time in the forward half this season and poses a dangerous match-up due to his strong marking ability and long kick. A great milestone, and extra motivation for Terang Mortlake in the cut-throat first semi-final against Warrnambool.
Week 2 Finals Matches
2nd Semi Final – DC Farran Oval, Mortlake
Seniors – South Warrnambool vs North Warrnambool
Reserves – South Warrnambool vs North Warrnambool
U18 – Hamilton Kangaroos vs South Warrnambool
1st Semi Final – Victoria Park, Koroit
Seniors – Warrnambool vs Terang Mortlake
Reserves – Cobden vs Terang Mortlake
U18 – Warrnambool vs Camperdown
See you at the Footy
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