The Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) returns to action this weekend after a well‑timed bye that gave players, coaches and officials a valuable chance to reset and refocus for the next phase of the 2025 campaign.
Before the break, the league enjoyed a banner day at the Western Zone Qualifiers in Warrnambool, where the Bottle Greens underlined their depth and talent. The representative squad swept the U17, U15 Reserves, U13 and U13 Reserves titles, while the U15 outfit was outstanding, pushing through to the semi‑finals in an exceptionally competitive grade.
Attention now turns to the State Titles in Melbourne on 29 June. Preparations are already under way, with squads fine‑tuning combinations for their shot on the big stage. The Open team, guided by the experienced Jill Leader, will be announced shortly and will join the juniors in flying the green banner at the tournament.
Back on the home front, Round 9 marks the halfway point of the season and the final time clubs meet before the draw resets. The ladder could not be tighter: just two games separate third‑placed Koroit from eighth‑placed Terang Mortlake, promising a dramatic scramble for finals positions over the coming months.
Port Fairy’s clash with South Warrnambool is the headline act. It will be the first time Seagulls coach Ange Northcott faces her former mentor Will Jamison, adding an extra layer of intrigue to a contest between two sides in good touch. Port Fairy are chasing a fourth consecutive victory—a feat that would cement their surge up the table and ignite the Gardens Oval faithful.
Equally compelling is the meeting between North Warrnambool and Hamilton. The young Eagles tasted their maiden win earlier in the month and are hungry to double their tally, while the Kangaroos, still searching for their first success of 2025, know the importance of breaking through before the season’s second half.
