It was a fantastic day at Boss James Reserve on Saturday, with a sold-out 2023 Rovers Women’s Luncheon raising funds for BCNA, while the Senior Women and Under 19’s had strong wins.
The 2023 Rovers Women’s Luncheon was this year organised by the senior men’s leadership group and it was another great success, a sell-out with around 120 people in attendance and the room dressed up in pink.
Joel Bowditch warmed up the crowd with some live music on the acoustic guitar. After a welcome by the President, Nick Jewell took over the MC duties for the day and handled with aplomb the interview with special guest who is a part of Rovers royalty in Lauren Morecroft. A senior player with the Rovers, Lauren made history this year by becoming the first female coach in the AFL Coates Talent League (formerly the NAB League), coaching the boys team at the Eastern Rangers.
There was a huge number of prizes on offer for the raffle and further items for the auction, with all funds being donated to BCNA. While the total funds raised are still being counted, they will again exceed $2,000. You can still donate directly here.
The club would like to thank the following who contributed to the event by making generous donations:
- Stan & Sam – Salvos
- Sue & Garry – Precedence Interiors, Hampton St.
- Anna & Eric Samkova – Brands Collective
- Gabby Samkova – Summerside
- Stewart Cairns – Zamipet
- Harmoni & Mandy
Thanks to the senior men’s leadership group for organising the day (Ryan Fogarty, James Prosser, Joel Melnjak, Oscar Roberts, Chris Perkins, Lachie Cairns and Christian Carnovale) and Nick Jewell for MC duties.
On the field, with the Senior Men’s side having the bye, the focus was on the Senior Women and Under 19s who took centre stage at a sunny Boss James Reserve on Saturday.
The Senior Women were first up, hosting Old Geelong in what was Harmoni Collins 50th game for the club – just the third player to reach 50 Rovers senior women’s matches.
The Rovers came away with a resounding victory over the OGS who were higher up on the ladder going into the game. The girls were on top all morning and a 14 point win was not an accurate reflection of the control the Rovers had of the game. Now with two consecutive wins and playing the bottom team next week, the Rovers confidence is improving after their promotion to division one this season.
It was great to see our players coming into form with last season’s B&F rivals, Tash Morris and Jas Andros in the best. A good spread of goal kickers with in addition to Tash, Maegan Miller, Tayla Jones and Greta Robertson all hitting the scoreboard.
Hampton Rovers 1.0-6 3.0-18 4.2-26 5.4-34
Old Geelong 1.1-7 1.2-8 2.6-18 2.8-20
Goal Kickers: N. Morris 2, M. Miller, T. Jones, G. Robertson
Best Players: N. Morris, H. Lance, E. Dingeldei, J. Hensen-Thompson, J. Andros, M. Evans
The 2pm game was the Rovers U19s taking on Old Trinity, in what was 3 v 4 in a critical game in division one. The boys had the honour of entering the ground via the social rooms to the roar of the packed Luncheon crowd – a Rovers tradition which will soon come to an end when the pavilion redevelopment kicks-off.
The Rovers had a slow start, with the opposition kicking the first three majors of the game. The boys steadied and by the first break had hit the lead. From that point on, they didn’t relent and in fact increased their lead in each quarter in a solid display. A win against the third-ranked team and the young Rovers are in good form.
Hampton Rovers 4.3-27 7.10-52 10.13-73 13.15-93
Old Trinity 3.5-23 5.8-38 7.11-53 10.12-72
Goal Kickers: J. Delaney 3, W. Crawford 3, J. Hudghton 3, B. Wells 2, C. Kilburn, O. Horigan
Best Players: J. Keys, K. Carrigan, J. Hudghton, W. Crawford, L. Coughlin
This weekend, the Seniors are back in action for what is just their second home game of 2023 in Premier C, hosting the top of the table PEGS FC and looking to get the season back on track, while the women are at Castlefield at 10am against St Mary’s Salesian.
The Home Game Luncheon is on from midday, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2013 Senior Premiership. We’ll reflect on that big victory over Ormond at Trevor Barker Oval, with the lunch the first part of what will be a big day and night of celebrations at the club (the replay will be shown on the big screen from 7pm). Who were in our best? Who kicked the goals? Who should have been in our best? You will have to be there to find out. Book online now or directly through Gary Nash.
This week is National Volunteer Week. A community sports club such as the Rovers cannot survive without the support of its volunteers, and we thank each and every person who contributes to the club and makes it what it is by volunteering their time. If you want to help out, whether it’s just occasionally or more often, please don’t hesitate to ask the committee.
