Rovers ready for Finals

After a heavy defeat in the 2007 D Section Grand Final, questions were asked as to how the Rovers would respond in C Section in 2008. Some eleven months later, the Rovers have secured the minor premiership and look forward to the 2^nd Semi Final against Ormond at the Junction Oval.

The Rovers recruited well and had an explosive start to the season, undefeated for the first half of the campaign. The second half hasn?t been as smooth, letting their three game buffer on top of the ladder slip, however the Rovers still managed to end the home and away season clear on top. That’s half the job done, now it’s on to bigger and better things.

Finals are a different ball game and the closeness of C Section is such that any team in the top 4 can defeat one of the other three on their day. The next three week’s promise to be something special.

The action gets underway this Saturday with first vs second in a blockbuster 2^nd Semi Final. The first-class Junction Oval is the venue and a big crowd is expected to turn up and see two of the VAFA’s district powerhouse club’s lock horns.

Hampton Rovers and Ormond are split at one and one for the 2008 season. In Round 5, a huge crowd attended Boss James Reserve as part of VAFA’s Rivalry Round celebrating 150 Years of Australian Football to see the Rovers defeat Ormond by 15 points. The result was reversed in Round 12 with a 12 goal final term blitz sinking the Rovers by 49 points at E.E. Gunn Reserve.

The two club’s share a great rivalry dating back over 80 years, highlighted by the Hampton Rovers one and only VAFA A Section Premiership win in 1951.

Both teams are coming off big wins, with the Rovers kicking the highest score of any senior team in the top three VAFA sections last week, and both will be near full strength for this first-up finals hit-out. The winner will earn themselves not only a spot in the Grand Final, but also promotion to B Section for 2009. While the loser will play the winner of Sunday’s 1^st Semi Final between Ajax and Oakleigh.

The Rovers enjoy some of the biggest crowds in the VAFA and come finals time, they only get larger. The C Section Finals Series is tipped to attract some of the largest crowds in the competition. All Hampton Rovers supporters are encouraged to get along to Junction Oval for this huge game – wear your green & gold and get behind the boys as they look to book a spot in the season decider. Perfect weather conditions are expected for Saturday.

The big game gets underway at 2:00pm this Saturday 30^th August at Junction Oval, Lakeside Drive St.Kilda. Allow plenty of time as parking may be a bit hectic in the Albert Park precinct. After the game, head back to Boss James Reserve where the Bar will be open until late.


STATS: HAMPTON ROVERS v ORMOND

Head to head:
Round 5 (Boss James Reserve)
HR 19.13 (127) d ORM 17.10 (112)

Round 11 (EE Gunn Reserve)
ORM 23.19 (157) d HR 16.12 (108)

Biggest score for 2008:
HR – 31.16 (202) v Rupertswood 8.4 (52), Rd 18
ORM – 24.15 (159) v Rupertswood 20.8 (128), Rd 12

Lowest score for 2008:
HR – 3.11 (29) v Oakleigh 15.15 (105), Rd 10
ORM – 11.12 (78) v Monash 11.14 (80), Rd 14

Season Results:
HR – 13 Wins, 5 Losses, 0 Draws (18 games)
ORM – 12 Wins, 6 Losses, 0 Draw (18 games)

Average score FOR:
HR – 112
ORM – 113

Average score AGAINST:
HR – 84
ORM – 90

Last five games:
HR – LWWLW
ORM – LWWWW

Total Players used:
HR – 41
ORM – 43

Leading Goal Kicker:
HR – Matthew Lawrence (39)
ORM – Matthew Robbins (68)