Hampton Rovers Premiership players Daniel Corp and Kyle Pinto will be back in the green and gold next year and are looking forward to a successful 2018 VAFA season with the club.
The news comes with confirmation that club captain and 2017 Bob Cave Medallist Christian Carnovale will remain with the Rovers in 2018 despite plenty of interest from rival clubs. Carny had an outstanding season, highlighted by representing the VAFA at U19 level and the tour of Ireland.
Daniel Corp was away overseas for work throughout the entire 2017 season and was a big loss to the side. His natural leadership and experience will be invaluable to the young playing list a welcome return for the Rovers in 2018 as the club looks to turnaround a disappointing year on-field.
Corp, who has played 112 club games for the Rovers including 77 VAFA games, has previously played senior VFL football with Sandringham and Frankston.
Another returning player is Kyle Pinto, who’ll take on the role as playing assistant coach in 2018. A favourite son, Pinto first pulled on the green and gold jumper in 1996. Since then he has represented the club on 224 occasions including 94 VAFA games. In 2007, as Captain of the Under 19s, he won the I.A. Brown Medal for the Best and Fairest player in the Under 19 South competition, having come third in the award in 2006.
Pre-Season Training commenced in mid-November under new coach Anthony Quon with solid numbers in attendance. The final session for 2017 is Monday (Dec 11), players are to meet at Boss James Reserve at 6pm where there will be a light session followed by a BBQ and drinks to celebrate the end of the year. All new and existing players are welcome.
In 2018, the Hampton Rovers Football Club will field seven senior teams in the VAFA including the reintroduction of the Thirds, two Under 19 teams again and a second Senior Women’s side. The club had a record 203 registered VAFA players this year and that’s expected to surpass 250 in 2018. VAFA player registrations are now open for the new season – click here.
