IT was a weekend of big performances for a number of former Hampden league players on the big stage, as the AFL celebrated Sir Douglas Nicholls Indigenous Round last weekend.
Koroit export Willem Drew played a key role in Port Adelaide’s narrow victory over Melbourne.
The Power made a spirited comeback in the final term to triumph, with Drew recording 22 possessions and laying 10 tackles.
Fremantle big man Sean Darcy once again starred for the Dockers as they prevailed over Geelong at Optus Stadium.
Darcy was the dominant ruckman throughout the contest as he notched up 43 hit-outs, eight possessions and seven score involvements.
Hugh McCluggage produced one of his best games of the year to help Brisbane Lions defeat the Gold Coast Suns.
The South Warrnambool product kicked a goal from 30 possessions and laid seven tackles in a complete display at the GABBA.
Essendon skipper Zach Merrett produced one of his best performances of the season to help the Bombers break a 13 match drought against Richmond.
Merrett was crowned the Yiooken Medal winner after a 39 touch performance, with the midfielder also adding five clearances.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan failed to hit the scoreboard but he was still involved in the Western Bulldogs win over Adelaide.
Ugle-Hagan had 13 disposals and five score involvements in the Dogs triumph at Mars Stadium.
Sam Walsh was prolific with 29 touches for Carlton but the Blues were contained by Collingwood at the MCG.
Walsh also laid five tackles and was involved in seven of the Blues scores throughout the loss.
St Kilda tall Rowan Marshall was once again at his best as the Saints defeated GWS Giants.
Marshall enjoyed a 24 touch outing, and also had plenty of influence at the stoppages as he finished with 30 hit-outs and six clearances.
West Coast’s Jamaine Jones finished with a goal from 12 possessions in the Eagles big defeat to Hawthorn. Meanwhile, Ben Cunnington is in line for a senior recall after starring for North Melbourne’s VFL side with 32 possessions and 17 clearances, while Geelong’s Gary Rohan and Fremantle’s Josh Cortbett did not feature across the weekend.
A SEAN Darcy-inspired Fremantle produced its best performance of season 2023 to defeat Sydney last weekend.
Darcy, who was best on ground, set the tone in the midfield, claiming 18 disposals, nine clearances and 44 hit-outs in a 16.7 (103) to 13.8 (86) victory.
It was one of his best games of the season, with new life being breathed into the Dockers campaign after a sluggish start.
Over in Tasmania, Willem Drew and Port Adelaide extended its run of consecutive wins to six with a thumping victory against North Melbourne.
Drew collected 17 possessions and laid five tackles in the victory, with the Kangaroos missing Cobden export Ben Cunnington.
Back in Melbourne, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s Western Bulldogs held off Sam Walsh’s Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
The Blues trailed for the majority of the contest but managed to hit the front in the last quarter before the Dogs steadied with the final four goals to run out 20 point victors.
Ugle-Hagan once again had opportunities in front of goal but finished with 1.2 from nine disposals, while Walsh racked up 29 touches and nine inside 50s.
In Brisbane, Hugh McCluggage’s Brisbane Lions proved too strong for an Essendon side featuring Zach Merrett.
McCluggage was productive for the Lions with 26 touches but kicked three behinds, while Merrett had 23 disposals for the Bombers.
Rowan Marshall could not lift St Kilda to victory against Adelaide despite getting the upper hand in the ruck.
Marshall had 49 hit-outs and 10 possessions in the loss and was prominent at ground level with eight tackles.
Meanwhile, West Coast midfielder Jamaine Jones missed the majority of his side’s loss to the Gold Coast Suns after breaking his nose.
He was subbed out at half-time after sustaining the injury, which came just one week after a career best performance.
Ben Cunnington impressed in his demotion to the VFL, collecting 24 possessions in North’s win over Frankston, while Josh Corbett and Gary Rohan spent the week on the sidelines with injury.
IT was a week of match-ups between the Hampden League’s AFL exports, with numerous players going head-to-head for their respective sides in round 8 last weekend.
At Marvel Stadium on Friday night, Hugh McCluggage’s Brisbane Lions got the better of Sam Walsh’s Carlton, with both players enjoying strong games.
McCluggage collected 27 possessions and laid four tackles, while Walsh was productive with 28 disposals, eight tackles and nine clearances.
The following day, Jamaine Jones’ strong form continued for West Coast despite the Eagles loss to Richmond.
The winger recorded 30 touches on the wide expanses of the MCG and rebounded the ball from defensive 50 on eight occasions in one of his better performances this season.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan finished with 1.1 from nine touches in the Bulldogs hard fought win over GWS Giants in Canberra, while Sean Darcy was again influential from Fremantle, finishing with 38 hit-outs and 11 touches in the Dockers triumph over Hawthorn.
On Sunday, Willem Drew’s Port Adelaide squared off with Zach Merrett’s Essendon, with the Power getting the chocolates in Adelaide.
Merrett was superb for the Bombers, kicking a goal from 28 touches and laying 10 tackles, while Drew also had a strong influence for Port, with the midfielder collecting 22 disposals alongside four clearances and eight tackles.
Rowan Marshall’s St Kilda had the better of Ben Cunnington’s North Melbourne in the final match of the weekend.
Marshall did not finish the game after pikcing up an injury but he still managed 21 touches and 14 hit-outs for the Saints, while Cunnington was subbed out after a quiet game.
Geelong’s Gary Rohan missed his side’s win over with injury, while Fremantle’s Josh Corbett featured for Peel Thunder in the WAFL.
THE perfect start to Cobden export Zach Merrett’s tenure as Essendon captain continued last weekend.
Merrett, one of the Hampden leagues 10 listed AFL players, was instrumental for the Bombers to a 28 point win over the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium.
He finished with 31 possessions, four clearances and seven inside 50s in a best on ground performance, with the Dons kicking five goals to one in the final quarter to secure the four points.
Fellow Cobden products Sean Darcy and Gary Rohan endured losses with Fremantle and Geelong respectively, with the Dockers falling short against Ben Cunnington’s North Melbourne and the Cats downed by Carlton.
Darcy enjoyed a strong battle with Todd Goldstein and finished with six touches and 27 hit-outs, while Cunnington was prominent for the Roos in a 24 possession and six clearance outing which also featured three inside 50s.
Rohan kicked a goal from seven touches in the Cats eight point loss, with the reigning premiers’ currently winless in their defence of last year’s premiership.
Portland duo Rowan Marshall and Jamaine Jones featured in wins for their sides, with Marshall one of St Kilda’s best in their win over the Western Bulldogs and Jones among the best players in West Coast’s win over GWS Giants.
Marshall was the leading ruckman on the ground in the Saints victory, finishing with 29 hit-outs, 20 touches, nine clearances and three inside 50s.
South Warrnambool’s Jamarra Ugle-Hagan featured for the Bulldogs, kicking two behinds from eight touches but his night ended on a sour note when he was racially abused a Saints fan, an incident which was condemned by both clubs and the AFL post-match.
Jones, meanwhile, recorded 27 touches, 11 inside 50s and gained a match-high 776 metres playing on the wing for the Eagles in what was one of the best games of his career to date.
Another Roosters’ product in Hugh McCluggage was prolific in the Lions victory over Melbourne.
The midfielder managed six clearances alongside 21 touches as Brisbane bounced back from a shock opening-round loss to Port Adelaide.
Rounding out the contingent is North Warrnambool’s Josh Corbett and Cobden’s Sam Walsh, with the pair not featuring at AFL level.
Corbett lined up for the Peel Thunder in a WAFL practice match and kicked two goals, while Walsh is still recovering from off-season back surgery.
TWO locals made returns from injury, while a South export starred in round eight of the AFL season.
Willem Drew
Home Club: Koroit
AFL Club: Port Adelaide Power
Stats: 8 kicks, 10 handballs, 2 marks
Racked up 18 possessions along with two clearances in the Power’s victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Sam Walsh
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Carlton Blues
Stats: 12 kicks, 14 handballs, 7 marks
The former Cobden junior was prominent in the Blues win over Adelaide.
Hugh McCluggage
Home Club: South Warrnambool
AFL Club: Brisbane Lions
Stats: 14 kicks, 12 handballs, 4 marks
Four goals, 10 tackles and seven inside 50s capped off a best on ground performajce for the South export in the Lions win over West Coast.
Zach Merrett
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Essendon Bombers
Stats: 13 kicks, 15 handballs, 3 marks
Capped off another strong performance with a goal as the Bombers defeated Hawthorn.
Sean Darcy
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Fremantle Dockers
Stats: 9 kicks, 8 handballs, 7 marks
Made a successful return from a week off with concussion, finishing with 37 hit-outs and a goal as well as 17 touches in the Dockers triumph over North Melbourne.
Rowan Marshall
Home Club: Portland
AFL Club: St Kilda Saints
Stats: 5 kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark
Made a return for the Saints in their loss to Melbourne, with the Portland product kicking two goals
DID NOT PLAY:
Jamaine Jones
Home Club: Portland
AFL Club: West Coast Eagles
Had a week’s break after the Eagles WAFL clash with East Fremantle was postponed.
Lewis Taylor
Home Club: Terang Mortlake
AFL Club: Sydney Swans
Collected 26 disposals and kicked a goal in the Swans VFL win over Werribee.
Gary Rohan
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Geelong Cats
Finished with 17 possessions in the Cats VFL triumph against North Melbourne.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Home Club: South Warrnambool
AFL Club: Western Bulldogs
Had the week off with the Bulldogs VFL affiliate not playing.
INJURY LIST:
Josh Corbett
Home Club: North Warrnambool Eagles
AFL Club: Gold Coast Suns
Did not play in the Suns win over Sydney.
Ben Cunnington
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: North Melbourne Kangaroos
Sidelined indefinitely as he recovers from testicular cancer.
A STAR midfielder made his return and a Koroit export recorded his first win of the season, while two ruckmen were injured in round six of the AFL season.
Willem Drew
Home Club: Koroit
AFL Club: Port Adelaide
Stats: 8 kicks, 18 handballs, 5 marks
The Koroit export also had 10 tackles and six clearances as the Power recorded its first win of 2022 against West Coast.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Home Club: South Warrnambool
AFL Club: Western Bulldogs
Stats: 5 kicks, 1 handball,3 marks
Continued his goal scoring run, finishing with one major as the Bulldogs lost a thriller to Adelaide in Ballarat.
Sam Walsh
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Carlton
Stats: 18 kicks, 18 handballs, 3 marks
The leading possession winner on the ground but his efforts were in vain as the Blues were defeated by Fremantle.
Rowan Marshall
Home Club: Portland
AFL Club: St Kilda
Stats: 11 kicks, 4 handballs, 3 marks
Kicked a goal and had 16 hit-outs alongside his tally of 15 disposals before he suffered a quad injury in the Saints win over the Giants.
Hugh McCluggage
Home Club: South Warrnambool
AFL Club: Brisbane Lions
Stats: 8 kicks, 14 handballs, 3 marks
Strong numbers again from the former South junior, with nine tackles, six clearances and four inside 50s complementing his 22 possession haul.
Sean Darcy
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Fremantle
Stats: 6 kicks, 6 handballs, 6 mark
Was subbed out in the fourth quarter of the Dockers victory with concussion but had earlier kicked 1.1 and had 24 hit-outs.
Josh Corbett
Home Club: North Warrnambool Eagles
AFL Club: Gold Coast Suns
Stats: 1 kick, 4 handballs, 1 mark
A quiet game for the former North Warrnambool Eagle, with his club losing the Q clash to Brisbane.
Zach Merrett
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Essendon
Stats: 16 kicks, 20 handballs, 4 marks
Made his return from an injury sustained earlier in the season and was among the Bombers best in their Anzac Day loss to Collingwood.
DID NOT PLAY:
Jamaine Jones
Home Club: Portland
AFL Club: West Coast Eagles
Was omitted from the Eagles AFL line-up but had 16 possessions in the WAFL clash against South Fremantle.
Lewis Taylor
Home Club: Terang Mortlake
AFL Club: West Coast Eagles
A week off for the Terang Mortlake export, with the Swans VFL team having the bye.
INJURY LIST:
Gary Rohan
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Geelong
Drawing closer to a return at VFL level from a back and hip injury sustained during the pre-season.
Ben Cunnington
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: North Melbourne
Sidelined indefinitely as he recovers from testicular cancer.
With the start of the 2022 HFNL season fast approaching, the weekly wrap of our homegrown stars and how they are faring at AFL level is below.
Willem Drew
Home Club: Koroit
AFL Club: Port Adelaide
Stats: 10 kicks, 13 handballs, 1 mark
Was productive for the Power in a disappointing effort against Hawthorn. Nine tackles exemplified his effort, while he also got his hands on the ball as showcased by his 23 disposal tally.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Home Club: South Warrnambool
AFL Club: Western Bulldogs
Stats: 5 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
The 2020 number one pick made his first appearance of the year in his side’s loss to Carlton. Had multiple opportunities in front of goal, finishing with one goal and two behinds
Sam Walsh
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Carlton
Stats: 11 kicks, 23 handballs, 2 marks
Walsh’s return from a syndesmosis injury sustained in the pre-season was customary of the player has he become. He finished the night with 34 disposals and four tackles and was one of the Blues best as they produced their best start to a campaign in a decade.
Zach Merrett
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Essendon
Stats: 17 kicks, 14 handballs, 4 marks
Produced a mammoth game for the Bombers, racking up 31 touches and a goal before he was subbed out with a syndesmosis injury. Is set to spend six to eight weeks on the sidelines and will leave a big hole in Essendon’s midfield.
Rowan Marshall
Home Club: Portland
AFL Club: St Kilda
Stats: 4 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks
Marshall was influential at the stoppages, losing the overall hit-out tally by two despite going up against Sean Darcy and Lloyd Meek.
Hugh McCluggage
Home Club: South Warrnambool
AFL Club: Brisbane Lions
Stats: 9 kicks, 10 handballs, 6 marks
The South export was prominent in front of goal, finishing with three goals from 19 touches from the wing. Was named in the best as the Lions triumphed by 22 points.
Sean Darcy
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club:
Stats: 4 kicks, 6 handballs, 3 marks
Was overshadowed by Saints opponent Rowan Marshall in the ruck, finishing with 12 hitouts and 10 touches in the Dockers 10 point defeat. Sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter and was eventually subbed out but is a chance to play in the Western Derby this weekend.
Jamaine Jones
Home Club: Portland
AFL Club: West Coast Eagles
Expected to be available for selection this weekend after missing the Eagles clash with North Melbourne after entering the league’s health and safety protocols.
Gary Rohan
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: Geelong
Currently sidelined with a back and hip injury sustained during the pre-season.
Ben Cunnington
Home Club: Cobden
AFL Club: North Melbourne
Sidelined indefinitely with testicular cancer.
Then there were five.
The AFL’s finals series is getting down to the pointy end, with the five Hampden league exports still a chance to be a part of the action.
Camperdown’s Easton Wood and Ken Hinkley, Cobden’s Gary Rohan, Koroit’s Willem Drew and South Warrnambool’s Jamarra Ugle-Hagan all remain in the hunt for glory with their respective clubs.
Wood and Ugle-Hagan with the Western Bulldogs, Hinkley and Drew with Port Adelaide and Rohan with Geelong.
Wood has been selected in the back pocket for his side’s preliminary final clash against the Power.
The Bulldogs earned their spot after a thrilling one point win over Brisbane Lions, while the Power enjoyed a week’s break after its qualifying final win over Geelong.
Ugle-Hagan has missed selection this week, but will continue to put his hand up at training for a spot in the grand final if the Bulldogs progress.
Hinkley will lead the Power into its second successive prelim, while Drew will play in his first after being named rover.
The pair’s clash will be played at Adelaide Oval tomorrow night at 7.30pm,
Rohan produced a more prominent display in the Cats semi-final win over Greater Western Sydney Giants to book a spot in the other preliminary final against Melbourne.
The two sides played out a last-round thriller three weeks ago, with Max Gawn kicking a goal after the siren to claim the minor premiership.
The pair’s clash will be played at Perth’s Optus Stadium tonight starting at 7.50pm.
The Cats win over the Giants subsequently ended South Warrnambool’s Leon Cameron’s season.
The Giants coach lost no admirers for taking his side to the preliminary final after encountering numerous COVID challenges throughout the season.
Profiles:
Easton Wood
Age: 32
Number: 10
Position: Defender
Games: 186
Gary Rohan
Age: 30
Number: 23
Position: Forward
Games: 164
Willem Drew
Age: 22
Number: 28
Position: Midfield
Games: 33
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Age: 19
Number: 22
Position: Forward
Games: 5
Ken Hinkley
Age: 54
Position: Coach
Games: 201
ANOTHER best on ground performance has Hampden league export Sam Walsh in line to earn All-Australian honours this season.
Walsh was once again at his productive best last weekend, this time in Carlton’s disappointing loss to Port Adelaide.
The 21 year-old was one of nine players from the league to be picked for their respectively clubs but only eight took to the field.
Below is a full wrap of how each of player performed:
AFL:
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
The Cobden local once again waxed lyrical with team-mate Darcy Parish in the Bombers comfortable victory over the Gold Coast Suns, finishing with 31 touches and five clearances.
Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
The South Warrnambool product was one of Brisbane’s best in its 85 point mauling of Collingwood. Finished the night with 30 touches and a goal, alongside six clearances and an equal game-high 10 inside 50s.
Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
The 23 year-old produced another strong game as the Dockers won the Western Derby against the West Coast Eagles. Had a stat line which read 17 touches, 29 hit-outs and a goal as he finished as one of Freo’s best.
Sam Walsh (Carlton)
Thirty touches and six tackles were again numbers indicative of the local export’s rise into the elite ranks. Was best on ground for the Blues in its disappointing 95 point loss.
Willem Drew (Port Adelaide)
Drew’s inside midfield prowess was once again on show, with the Koroit export finishing with six tackles and five clearances to go alongside 16 touches in the Power’s big win over Carlton.
Josh Corbett (Gold Coast Suns)
Kicked 1.1 from six touches in the Suns 68 point loss to Essendon.
Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs)
Collected 13 possessions and six marks in the Bulldogs shock 27 point defeat to Hawthorn.
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Battled gamely to finish with nine touches and 21 hit-outs in the Saints loss to Geelong.
Didn’t play:
Marty Gleeson (Essendon)
Was named as Essendon’s medical sub but did not take to the field.
Gary Rohan (Geelong)
Missed the Cats clash with St Kilda after failing to recover from a hip/glute complaint sustained in the Cats loss to Greater Western Sydney.
Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
Sidelined indefinitely following the discovery of a testicular tumour in late July.
Jamaine Jones (West Coast Eagles)
Was still listed as one to two weeks away from a return following an ankle injury against Sydney.
Lewis Taylor (Sydney)
Did not feature at AFL level due to VFL shutdown
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs)
Did not feature at AFL level due to VFL shutdown
Jay Rantall (Collingwood)
Did not feature at AFL level due to VFL shutdown
COBDEN export Gary Rohan is in a race to prove his fitness after he was injured in Geelong’s clash with Greater Western Sydney last weekend.
The 30 year-old was hampered by combined glute and hip complaint throughout the contest and was eventually taken out of the contest with a quarter to play.
The Cats are hopeful Rohan will recover in time for its clash with St Kilda this weekend.
Rohan was one of 11 Hampden league listed players to feature across the weekend, with two players missing out due to injury and another time not featuring due to COVID lockdowns.
Below is a full wrap of how each of exports performed:
AFL:
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Another 30 possession outing along with five clearances, this time in Essendon’s 13 point victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Gary Rohan (Geelong)
Sustained an injury in the Cats 19 point loss to Greater Western Sydney last Friday night. Missed the last quarter as a precaution but had endured a quiet night up until that point.
Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Was prominent with 29 possessions and six tackles in the Lions 64 point victory over Fremantle.
Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
Kicked a goal to go alongside 17 touches and 29 hit-outs in the Dockers defeat to Brisbane.
Sam Walsh (Carlton)
Collected 23 touches to go alongside eight tackles to again be amongst the Blues best but it was a tough day for his club as it suffered a 19 point defeat at the hands of Gold Coast.
Willem Drew (Port Adelaide)
Another strong outing from the Koroit export, this time in the Power’s thrilling four point showdown win over Adelaide. Finished the night with 23 touches, 10 tackles and a match-high seven clearances.
Josh Corbett (Gold Coast Suns)
Collected 17 possessions and kicked a goal in another strong performance for Gold Coast. His goal came at a crucial time for the Suns in their win over Carlton.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs)
Finished with 1.1 from six touches for the Bulldogs in their loss to the Bombers.
Marty Gleeson (Essendon)
Earned an AFL recall and played his role well for the Bombers. Finished with 12 possessions and six tackles across half-back.
Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs)
Was serviceable for the Bulldogs with 16 touches and a goal but could not will his side over the line in its defeat to Essendon.
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Was one of St Kilda’s best in its surprise 29 point win over Sydney.
Finished with 25 disposals and 29 hit-outs to be the most dominant ruckman on the ground.
Didn’t play:
Jay Rantall (Collingwood)
Missed the weekend after VFL games were postponed due to the Victorian COVID lockdown.
Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
Sidelined indefinitely following the discovery of a testicular tumour in late July.
Jamaine Jones (West Coast Eagles)
Was still listed as one to two weeks away from a return following an ankle injury against Sydney.
Lewis Taylor (Sydney)
Missed the weekend after VFL games were postponed due to the Victorian COVID lockdown.
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