Hampton Rovers faced a Parkdale Vultures side fighting for their Premier B survival and they took the points to ensure both sides will meet again in 2016.
In chilly conditions at Parkdale’s Gerry Green Reserve, the home side led all day to run out comfortable 41-point victors in a replay of last year’s Grand Final and the final round of the season.
It was Guy Martyn’s final game in charge with the two-time premiership coach announcing he would step down following Saturday’s clash and continue on next year solely as a player, while former AFL star Matt Robbins called time on his illustrious career.
With Martyn returning from injury and playing for the first time since round 9, assistant Owen Lalor who was last week announced senior coach for 2016, did most of the talking for the day, while Guy dominated in the forward line kicking five goals in his return.
Another player making his return was Josh Verlin. Stepping off the plane during the week, he took some strong marks up front and kicked the first three goals for the Rovers. Not having a settled team throughout the season has hurt the Rovers. Incredibly, no less than 56 players have lined up in the seniors in 2015.
The Rovers chances were harmed early on in the game with Nick Jewell stretchered off the ground in the opening minutes with an ankle injury while Jack Toouli’s back forced him out of the game also.
Parkdale kicked with the wind in the first term, kicking four goals to three. An eight-point lead at quarter time was increased to 15 at the main break. Six goals to three in the third would prove the difference with an equal last term ensuring the Vultures ran out winners and survival in Premier B section following Ajax’s win over Mazenod.
3qtr time and the Rovers are trailing. Got the wind in the last. http://t.co/cXGl6I7F1U pic.twitter.com/gE9Y9eloNV
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) August 29, 2015
With eight goals between Martyn and Verlin, the remaining six majors were shared between five players with Matty Robbins kicking one in his final game before hanging up the boots. While he didn’t want to be chaired off the ground, the former Bulldogs star led the team from the ground in his final game.
No finals for the Hampton Rovers this year following two successive campaigns resulting in back-to-back premierships however consolidation in Premier B section several weeks back has been a great result for the club and is a decent building block for next year.
Joining the Rovers in Premier B section in 2016 will be local rivals Beaumaris as well as Old Scotch who were dramatically relegated following some 35 years in the top division of the VAFA.
HAMPTON ROVERS 3.1 7.3 10.4 14.5 (89)
PARKDALE VULTURES 4.3 9.6 15.11 19.16 (130)
Goal Kickers: G. Martyn 5, J. Verlin 3, S. Bradford 2, M. Devereaux, J. McPherson, D. Corp, M. Robbins
Best Players: R. Lynch, L. Fletcher, H. Hill, M. Devereaux, R. Atkins, G. Martyn
The Reserves finished their season with a well-earned two-point win over the Vultures. Down at half time, the Rovers led by seven points at the final change and it was Stef Constantinou in his 100th club game who kicked a late goal to put the Rovers eight points up. A late goal gave the home side a chance but the Rovers managed to hold on to finish the year with a victory. Ash Fisher kicked three while Lachie Wheeler was best for Hampton.
THE 2015 ROVERS PRESENTATION NIGHT WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY 19th SEPTEMBER AT THE SANDRINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB – CLICK HERE TO BOOK >
Seniors scoreworm:
