The Hampden Football Netball League mourned the loss of iconic media personality Lyndsay Hill this week. Lyndsay, a well credentialled footballer with Colac, played 185 senior matches, which included two senior premierships and 6 interleague opportunities. He was well known for his commentary of the Hampden League over a 33 year career beginning in the 1970’s. He called over 700 games, which included 30 interleague matches for the Bottle Greens. The Hampden League Hall of Fame member partnered with the great late John Holland for a quarter of a decade, becoming well-known figures in the HFNL competition. Lyndsay was always well prepared and researched and knew a lot of details of the players he called. One of the nicest human beings and a real big supporter of the HFNL.
Vale Lyndsay Hill, you were one of the greats.
Malcolm’s Milestone
Portland ruckman Ben Malcolm will feature in his 150th senior match this weekend, when the Tigers play at home against the North Warrnambool Eagles. Ben has been one of the premier ruckmen of the competition, and is highly regarded by his team-mates and opponents as a hard but honest competitor. The Tigers star is currently forging a great partnership with some Portland guns in Lachie Hupputz, Toby Jennings and Tom Sharp. All the best in game 150 Malcs.
Huppatz Coaching in 2025
Some further great news for the Portland Tigers this week, with coach Lachie Huppatz extending his tenure as coach. Lachie has been a great leader in 2024, despite the Tigers yet to register a win. He is keen to oversee the next phase of Portland’s re-emergence and is the right man for the job. The No.4 has been playing sensational football and has been a great teacher to some of the young players carving their journey, such as Klay Nicholls, Charlie Piergrosse and Ched Finck. A great appointment for the Portland Tigers in 2025.
Round 11 Matches
Portland vs North Warrnambool (Hanlon Park)
Cobden vs Koroit (Cobden Rec Reserve)
Warrnambool vs Port Fairy (Reid Oval)
South Warrnambool vs Terang Mortlake (Friendlies)
Camperdown vs Hamilton (Leura Oval)
The AFL Finals Series kicked off on Thursday, with a number of our local exports named in sides over the coming days.
Carlton’s Sam Walsh will line-up in his first final for the Blues when they host Sydney Swans in the elimination final at the MCG on Friday evening (7:50pm).
The following day Rowan Marshall will feature for St Kilda against the GWS Giants in the second elimination final also at the MCG (3:20pm).
Port Fairy product Toby McMullin was also in line for selection for the Giants, having played the last three matches but was an unlucky omission when teams were announced.
The second qualifying final will see Hugh McCluggage and Willem Drew go head-to-head at the GABBA on Saturday evening (7:25pm).
McCluggage’s Brisbane Lions earned the right to host Drew’s Port Adelaide Power after the two sides finished second and third on the ladder, with the victorious club set to enjoy another week’s break and a home preliminary final.
Meanwhile, Fremantle’s Josh Corbett has been named for Peel Thunder ahead of its second semi-final clash with East Fremantle in the WAFL on Saturday.
Corbett kicked two goals from seven touches in the Thunder’s qualifying final win over Subiaco last weekend.
It feels like the opening round of the Hampden Football Netball League was just yesterday, and now our major focus is the upcoming Fresha Fruit Juice Finals Series. It has been a tremendous season with so many great storylines, and now it’s down to five teams who can take home the premiership cup.
Minor premiers South Warrnambool, who have had a dominant season, will be searching for their first premiership since 2011, whilst second placed North Warrnambool will be chasing their first ever flag. The 2023 season has seen the emergence of Terang Mortlake, they will be looking to break a 15 year drought with their last coming in 2008 under the tutelage of Matthew Irving. Fourth placed Koroit have had a terrific season with a new and youthful list, they have won the last seven premierships and remain a strong chance to add an eight consecutive flag while Cobden is looking to break one of the longest droughts, with their last premiership coming in 1998.
I’m predicting it will be one of the hotly contested finals series in the last 10 years and to be honest, anyone of these five teams can take home the major prize.
Hampden Junior Grand Finals
I have seen a lot of football played this year, whether it is the Hampden League, WDFNL or AFL and I can honestly say, last weekend’s U16 Grand Final clash between Koroit and Cobden is one of the best matches I’ve witnessed this season. The match, which was decided by a shot on goal seconds before the final siren, had absolutely everything – fast exciting ball movement, fair contested play, high flying marks and impressive goals.
The final two minutes was exhilarating for the neutral football supporter. Koroit were a couple of points up before an Archie Taylor grab and goal gave Cobden a three point buffer with 90 seconds to go. A Talor Bryne free-kick, followed by a well executed pass to Archie Tepper, allowed the key forward to live out every footballer’s dream, kicking a match winning goal just before or after the siren. Archie had the community of Koroit on his shoulders when approaching from 35m out. He executed the kick beautifully, giving the Saints a long awaited premiership win.
It was an awesome game to call and view, the talent is bright in the Hampden League. Watch out for names such as Tepper, Byrne, Grayland, Taylor, Baker and Hutchins.
Koroit and Cobden should be extremely proud of their young stars.
Taylor to lead Bloods
The coaching landscape is almost complete in the Hampden League for 2024, with the latest appointment being Lewy Taylor, who will guide the fortunes of Terang Mortlake for the next two seasons. Lewy, who is an assistant coach at the Bloods this season, will step into the main role, replacing Ben Kenna after five seasons in the role. It is terrific that a person like Lewy wants to come back to his home team and coach after a 100 plus career in the AFL. Terang Mortlake is one of the major players in this year’s finals series and I’ve got no doubt they will be a force for a few years to come with Lewy at the helm.
Qualifying Final
The opening match of the Fresha Fruit Juice Finals Series will see perennial finalists North Warrnambool take on the competition’s big improvers Terang Mortlake. The ledger is one all this season, with the Eagles winning the teams last encounter at Eagle Park. The Eagles will go into the match with strong form, winning their last five including last week’s nail-biter with Koroit.
There has been a lot to like about North Warrnambool this season, including; the positional changes of Tom Batten and Jarryd Lewis, the emergence of Angus Noske after coming from Hamilton, Bailey Jenkinson and Reece Scoble’s reliability in the defensive half and the year of Felix Jones. On the other side, Terang Mortlake have impressed the football community with their style of play, their multiple targets up forward and flawless adjustment of three players recruited from the WDFNL.
Some of the key elements of the game that I believe will be important in deciding a winner will be North Warrnambool’s finals experience, collectively – Adam and Luke Wines, Jarryd Lewis, Tom Batten, Ben Mugavin have a lot of experience and that will be important on the younger group of players. Terang Mortlake have ultimate flexibility in the ruck with Arundell, Buck, Hobbs and Moloney able to run through there. This places a lot of pressure on Mugavin and Bermingham.
Overall, it should be a great encounter and I think with Terang Mortlake adding several first choice players into their team over the past three games, they are primed and will get the chance to play in the 2nd semi final next weekend.
Elimination Final
Sunday’s Hampden League Final will be a little unfamiliar territory for the reigning premiers Koroit, with the Saints playing their first Elimination Final since 2012. It’s been six seasons since Cobden have played in a finals series, with their transformation over the past 18 months significant. The Saints have had the perfect path into the finals, albeit, dropping the past two games by a total of 18 points. They were able to take on two top three teams and push them all the way, missing a couple of key players. Cobden’s form in the final weeks has been a little inconsistent but they will welcome back six major players, none bigger than ruckman Mark Marriott and key defender Christian Koroneos.
The contest will be intriguing, Koroit likes to control the game through maintaining possession and enter the forward 50 when the timing is right. Saints forwards Will and Tom Couch and Jyron Neave have looked dangerous the past fortnight and could be ready to explode. The interesting coaching move will be the breakdown of minutes in the midfield for Paddy O’Sullivan, he spent most of last round up-forward and we know what impact he can have in both areas of the ground. The hallmark of Cobden’s game this season has been fast fluent ball movement and unpredictability up forward. The Bombers will be relying on the likes of Pekin, Williamson, Mahoney, Watson to gain an edge in the midfield. Cobden’s game style is exciting and when it’s up and running well, it’s very hard to beat.
The do-or-die encounter is going to be high quality, with two home and away season fixtures this season having produced quality encounters. I would love to see the emerging Cobden take another step up the ladder this season but I think Koroit’s experience will prevail in a game that could be decided by a kick.
Let’s hope we see two quality crowds this weekend at Camperdown and Portland to kick off the finals.
See you at the Footy.
Hilly.
SOUTH Warrnambool export Hugh McCluggage ticked off another achievement last weekend, with the Brisbane Lion playing his 150th game against the Adelaide Crows last Saturday.
The 25 year-old produced a big effort in his milestone match, kicking two goals from 28 touches as the Lions held to triumph by six points at the GABBA.
It was strong exclamation point on what has been a blossoming career since he joined the Lions in 2016, with his performances over the year warranting All Australian squad selection and top three finishes in the Merrett-Murray Medal and his team-mates voting him as vice-captain ahead of this season.
McCluggage shunned the limelight ahead of his 150th match but did speak pre-game about how proud he was of his achievement.
“It has been an amazing journey,” he said.
“To become part of a club that was struggling when we got here but is now one of the most consistent organisations on and off the field is something I’m extremely grateful for and am proud to have played a small part in.
“There have been many special moments and I have met a lot of great people along the journey.
The victory kept the Lions in the hunt for a top two berth and home qualifying final, with McCluggage keen to go as deep into September with his club.
“My sole goal now is achieve the ultimate in team success,” he said.
“I think that for as long as I play, I’ll be striving to improve individually but I want to make sure that those around me are getting better each day and we keep a culture that nurtures and attracts great people so that we can be a consistently great club for a long time.”
The Lions take on Collingwood on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
Debuts, milestones and retirements highlighted the latest performances of the Hampden League’s AFL exports, with plenty of big performances recorded at the elite level last weekend.
Gary Rohan’s battle with injuries continued last Friday night, with the Geelong forward subbed out in the opening quarter against Collingwood.
Rohan had two touches before his substitution, with the Cats later confirming he will spend time on the sidelines with a moderate hamstring injury.
The following day, Ben Cunnington farewelled the AFL world with a strong display for North Melbourne.
The midfielder racked up 24 possessions (16 contested), 10 clearances and kicked two goals as the Kangaroos pushed Essendon to the brink of victory at Marvel Stadium.
Zach Merrett was tagged during the contest but still managed to have 21 touches, nine tackles and five clearances for the Bombers.
Hugh McCluggage had a dominant game for the Brisbane Lions, with his team defeating the Adelaide Crows.
McCluggage, who was celebrating his 150th game, finished with two goals from 28 touches as well as eight clearances and five tackles.
Josh Corbett was a part of Fremantle’s victory over West Coast Eagles, but the forward was subbed out of the contest in the third quarter.
Corbett had seven possessions and a tackle in the Dockers win, which was his fourth successive game since returning to the side.
Jamaine Jones made his return from an ankle injury, with the Portland export collecting 15 touches in his first match since round 10.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan couldn’t will the Western Bulldogs to victory over Hawthorn.
The star forward kicked 2.1 from 10 touches and seven marks, but the Bulldogs fell three points short of triumphing.
Rowan Marshall was once again one of St Kilda’s best performers in the Saints win over Richmond.
The Portland product stuffed the stat sheet with 23 touches, nine marks, six tackles, five inside 50s, 20 hit-outs and a goal as the Saints moved a step closer to locking away a finals berth.
Willem Drew closed out the weekend with a strong outing for Port Adelaide.
The Koroit export finished with 21 disposals, seven clearances, four tackles and four inside 50s in the Power’s easy win over GWS Giants.
The match was special for Giants debutant and former Port Fairy junior Toby McMullin despite it ending on a losing note.
He managed six touches and five tackles and was unlucky not to kick a goal, finishing with a behind.
Meanwhile, Sam Walsh’s stint on the sidelines as he recovers from a hamstring injury continued, with the Blues hopeful the midfielder will be right for the final round, while Sean Darcy’s season is over after ankle surgery in July.
THE storied career of North Melbourne champion Ben Cunnington will come to a close this weekend, with the Cobden export set to play his final game.
The 32 year-old announced to his team-mates earlier this week that he would retire from the elite level after his 238th and final appearance in the royal blue and white at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
It brings to a close a career which has spanned 14 years at Arden Street, with Cunnington winning two Syd Barker Medals (2014 and 2019), placing second on four occasions and earning the respect of his team-mates and adoration of fans after debuting in 2010.
To say he got the most out himself is an understatement, a player with an uncanny ability to dominate contested possession even though he concedes he was not a great runner, a fend off to rival Dustin Martin and toughness revered by the club, he overcame the greatest of challenges to even play.
That challenge was a battle with testicular cancer in 20221, a battle he overcame to return to the field against Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval last season. It was defining moment in not only Cunnington’s career, but also his life, with the football public
He admits he is proud of overcoming that battle as well as what he has achieved on and off the field over the past 14 years ahead of farewell game against Essendon.
“I’m proud and grateful of what I’ve overcome in the past few years and for the club to give me the best chance and opportunity to play AFL footy again,” Cunnington said.
“But I felt I lost my hunger once I returned, my perspective in life was too great. Then when I fell out of the senior team, I struggled to have the motivation or drive to get back in.
“That’s when I knew it wasn’t fair on myself or you blokes (team-mates) that I continued on next year without being able to give my 100 per cent effort, especially when there are hungry young kids out there that would do anything for the opportunity and to help this team get better.”
Cunnington is set to retire to his farm in the south west with his wife Belinda and kids Xavier, Stella and Kobe at the completion of his AFL career.
Saturday’s game will be broadcast on Fox Footy and Kayo from 1:45pm.
A STARRING performance from a key forward headlined the performances of the Hampden league’s AFL contingent last weekend.
Western Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan starred in his side’s big win over Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
Ugle-Hagan kicked a bag of five goals from 15 touches, with four of his five goals coming in the opening quarter as his breakout season continued.
Zach Merrett once again racked up plenty of touches as his Essendon side overcame a spirited West Coast.
Merrett had 29 touches and eight tackles in the one point win, which came courtesy of a Bombers goal in the final minutes.
Gary Rohan and his Geelong team-mates were also celebrating victory, with the Cats downing Willem Drew and Port Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium.
Rohan kicked two behinds from 12 touches but laid five tackles, while Drew finished the contest with 12 possessions and six tackles.
Rowan Marshall once again dominated the hit-out tally for St Kilda but the Saints were defeated by Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The ruckman also kicked a goal from 13 disposals, while he also laid eight tackles.
The final game saw Josh Corbett and Hugh McCluggage go head-to-head, with McCluggage’s Brisbane outfit defeating Fremantle by three points.
Corbett finished the contest with 1.1 from only a handful of touches, while McCluggage collected 22 possessions and kicked a goal.
Meanwhile, Ben Cunnington, Jamaine Jones, Sam Walsh and Sean Darcy all did not feature over the weekend. Cunnington was held over for North Melbourne’s clash with Melbourne ahead of a farwell game this weekend, while Jones and Walsh are continuing their recovery from injuries. Darcy won’t feature again this season after having ankle surgery in mid-July.
IT was a tough weekend in terms of the win-loss ratio for our exports with just two Hampden league product featuring in a victorious team throughout Round 20.
The round opened with Cobden’s Gary Rohan collecting 13 touches in his return from injury.
However, his Geelong side was upstaged by a Fremantle featuring Josh Corbett at GMHBA Stadium, with Rohan enjoyed a strong third quarter and registered five score involvements for the match along with four inside 50s.
Corbett enjoyed his best game at AFL level this season, kicking two goals from 11 touches in a strong display across half-forward.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan also found himself on the wrong end of a close result, with the Western Bulldogs going down to GWS Giants by five points.
The key forward had eight touches, five marks and kicked a behind for the Bulldogs, with other results allowing them to maintain their spot in the top eight.
The trend of close losses continued for Zach Merrett and his Essendon team-mates, as the Bombers fell narrowly short against Sydney.
Merrett was once again at his prolific best through the midfield, finishing the contest with 39 touches, nine clearances, seven inside 50s and four tackles in a strong display.
Willem Drew and Port Adelaide’s recent losing run continued, with the Power falling to Adelaide in the Showdown at Adelaide Oval.
Drew had another strong defensive game, laying eight tackles to go with 17 touches, two clearances and eight inside 50s.
Hugh McCluggage and his Brisbane team-mates were also well-beaten in a rivalry clash, with the Lions going down to the Gold Coast Suns.
The winger was one of the Lions’ better players, kicking 1.1 from 28 touches, while he also had six tackles, five inside 50s and five clearances.
Rowan Marshall was the other export to taste victory, with the Saints beating Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.
Marshall was once again one of St Kilda’s best, with the ruckman finishing the match with 22 touches, 24 hit-outs, five marks, four tackles and a goal as his strong season continued.
Meanwhile, Ben Cunnington made a return from injury with the midfielder finishing with 24 disposals and nine clearances in North Melbourne’s VFL loss to Werribee.
Sean Darcy and Jamaine Jones remain on the sidelines, with Darcy out for the season and Jones listed as a week away according to West Coast’s injury list.
INJURIES, close matches and strong performances were the theme for our local exports in the latest round of the AFL season.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Zach Merrett went head-to-head when the Western Bulldogs squared off with Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Friday.
The Bulldogs got the points, with Ugle-Hagan kicking 3.2 from 15 touches in a strong display up forward. Merrett was also prolific during the contest, finishing with a goal from 24 disposals.
Carlton’s victory over West Coast came at a cost, with Cobden product Sam Walsh sustaining a hamstring injury.
Walsh exited the match in the quarter after 14 touches and a goal but is set to spend the next two to three weeks on the sidelines.
Hugh McCluggage and the Brisbane Lions held off a fast-finishing Geelong at the GABBA.
McCluggage had 26 touches, three clearances and three inside 50s. Geelong’s Gary Rohan was a late withdrawal from the contest with an ankle issue.
Willem Drew could not help Port Adelaide over the line against Collingwood, with the two clubs playing out one of the games of the season.
Drew was given the task of negating star Magpie Nick Daicos, with the Koroit export enjoying a strong defensive game, laying 16 tackles. He also managed 16 touches and was unlucky not to end up with a couple of majors, kicking two behinds.
Josh Corbett made his return to AFL level for Fremantle, with the North Warrnambool export having seven touches in the Dockers loss to Sydney.
Corbett kicked a behind but was an aerial presence for Fremantle, finishing with five marks.
Rowan Marshall helped St Kilda to a narrow victory, with the Saints defeating North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
The Portland product had 19 touches, 22 hit-outs and a goal for his side, with the win keeping his side in the hunt for a finals berth.
Meanwhile, Sean Darcy’s season has come to a premature end, with the Fremantle ruckman having surgery during the week after injuring an ankle the previous week against Collingwood.
Ben Cunnington did not feature at either level as North Melbourne’s VFL side had a week’s break and he was not selected for the AFL team.
Jamaine Jones is also continuing his recovery from ankle surgery but has resumed training with the Eagles in a bid to return later this year.
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