Hampton Rovers posted a big 90-point victory over Old Camberwell in the final round of the home & away season to secure second-position on the ladder and lock in a Semi Final against Marcellin next Saturday.
Old Camberwell had nothing but pride to play for however the result could have impacted whether the Rovers finished second or third on the table. It was the only ‘live game’ as such with the top four and bottom two already sorted going into the weekend.
In great conditions at Gordon Barnard Reserve, Ed Turner who had sat out most of last week’s game, kicked the first goal of the game after four minutes, his first of seven for the game, enough to hit the lead and take out the Premier C goal kicking with 52 for the year.
Jay Ting returned from injury and played well, kicking the Rovers second. At the first break it was Hampton by 17 points. The Rovers lost Josh Verlin early due to a knock to the head and was forced to sit out the remainder of the game.
A seven goal to three second term extended the margin to 41 points at the main break and from there the Rovers weren’t challenged. Old Camberwell were frustrated and with nothing to play for and a few players retiring, it’s fair to say the footy was their priority at times. Nathan Smith was everywhere and when he was lined up and took a heavy hit, he jumped straight back up much to the praise of the travelling supporters.
Hampton only slightly increased their lead in the third term although this was against the wind. It was the final quarter where the damage was done with six unanswered goals in the first 12 minutes blowing the lead right out. A further three would follow with the home side kicking just the two and the final margin was a big one, 90 points. Ed Turner had kicked three up until three-quarter time and booted a further four in the last with his best effort the first in the final term, baulking a defender and kicking truly from the boundary some 40 or so metres out.
Nathan Smith played his best game for the club, named best on ground and well supported by Christian Carnovale and Adam McNeil. Coach Guy Martyn also made his on-ground return and contributed well, kicking three goals while Stuart Burggraaff was solid, snagging four majors.
With the home & away season done, the Hampton Rovers go on to play Marcellin in the VAFA Premier C 2nd Semi Final next Saturday at Trevor Barker Oval in Sandringham. A win will put the Rovers straight through to the Grand Final and return the club to Premier B section.
Coach Guy Martyn told the Bayside Leader his side will take plenty of confidence going into the semi final this weekend.
“I think we definitely got a bit out of it,” Martyn said.
“To beat a side that have come off two good wins we played pretty well. We’ve beaten them quite convincingly and maybe it’ll hopefully send a bit of a message that we’re still playing some good football so I’m very happy.
“They’d won two in a row and they came out swinging a little bit but to win by 90 points at this stage of the year was a really good win and it builds some really good momentum for next week against Marcellin.”
HAMPTON ROVERS 4.4 11.8 15.12 23.18 (156)
OLD CAMBERWELL 1.5 4.9 6.15 8.18 (66)
Goal Kickers: E. Turner 7, S. Burggraaff 4, G. Martyn 3, N. Smith 2, J. Toouli, J. Ting, M. Care, T. Jones, A. McNeil, J. McPherson, L. Fletcher
Best Players: N. Smith, C. Carnovale, A. McNeil, E. Turner, L. Fletcher, R. Atkins
Watch the full match replay on VAFATV >
Watch the match highlights on HRTV >
#vafapremC @HRAFC earn double chance and play @MarcellinOCFC in 2nd Semi; @MonashBlues to play @ParkyVultures in 1st semi.
— VAFA (@VAFA_HQ) August 23, 2014
At Boss James Reserve, the Under 19s knocked off ladder-leaders Oakleigh by 6 points to go nine-straight. They take on De La Salle next Saturday in the 1st Semi Final at Waverley Oval in East Malvern commencing at 9:20am. Read the full match report here.
The Reserves and Thirds finished their seasons with a defeat. Adam Power and David Morton were best for the Ressies in their loss against a stacked Old Camberwell side while Vicent Camera and Jackson Ward were best for the Thirds who went down to St Marys Salesian at Boss James Reserve. View all the results here >
Seniors scoreworm:
