A great weekend of results, with wins for the Seniors, Reserves and Thirds, while the day got off to a bad start during the senior women’s game at Castlefield.
At Boss James Reserve, the Seniors hosted Old Carey in what was a must-win game. Following a (very) late out to first-gamer Josh Hudghton, coach Anthony Quon brought Lachy Costello into the side, having already played four quarters in the Reserves. He had a great senior debut, and for him in the last quarter to be able to keep on running and outpace his opponent was sensational.
Old Carey were always going to be a tough opponent. Relegated from Premier B last year and sitting above us on the ladder with two wins and two draws. We had a number of debutantes and second gamers who would have to go well to take on the role of those players that they replaced. Luis Coughlin, younger brother of Max, had no hesitation in taking his brother’s number in his debut. Will Crawford in his second game, as it was for Hugo Garrow who like Max, was playing his second game and of course there was Lachy Costello. The other youngster in the side is Lucas Sharp who has only played a handful of games.
It was a hard fast opening with Carey banging on the first couple of goals before Hampton had a chance to settle. That came from a Luis Coughlin, with a mark 35m out from goal and he kicked accurately. A couple of minutes later Will Crawford dribbled the kick along the ground. Our backs led by VDS and Ryan Leslie were playing well and Oscar Roberts and Lucas Sharp seemed to be marking every loose kick forward by the Old Carey mids.
Fogs was awarded a hard-fought free and the 50m penalty made the goal a certainty. The skipper seemed buoyed by the insertion of youth and his usual attack on the ball and player was rewarded with a free and he goaled from 10m. The Rovers looked like they’d have a lead at the first break but right on the siren, Carey booted their fourth for the quarter to level the scores.
The visitors kicked the first of the second quarter but the Rovers quickly replied with a sharp pass from James Keys to Nath Smith who didn’t miss the set shot. Our mids seemed more in the game this week with Perko prominent on his wing, Speedy using his pace on the other and with Pross getting the ball often and kicking it forward we were looking good. When Will Crawford marked the mongrel punt forward a goal would and did extend our lead.
A short time later, Nath Smith on the blistering lead was hit lace out by the skipper and scored. The icing on the cake just before half time was Christian Carnovale’s free kick just inside 50m and he split the middle. Still for all the good work, Hampton only had a 2 goal break at half time. Liam O’Driscoll was dominating in the ruck, Oscar Roberts and Max VDS were marshalling youngsters in Hugo Garrow, Lui Coughlin and Lucas Sharp and they were clearly on top of their opponents.
The third quarter was all Rovers. Nath Smith, at full forward, took two strong marks on the lead to make his tally for the day to five. Speedy, getting back into that form of 2013 kicked a fantastic goal on the run from 45m and I felt we had the measure of Old Crey. To the 27 minute mark they had only kicked one behind and much to our supporters disappointment they improved that with a long bomb right on the siren. Hampton were up by 25 points and were looking good.
The final quarter started similar to the first two, with Carey scoring within the first 60 seconds. But that was it. When Tredders spoiled a Carey defensive kick, Lucas Sharp pounced on the loose ball, took a bounce or two, evaded a defender and on the run put the ball right through the middle and it was game over.
Yes, the visitors kicked a couple of points when the game was over but that was only due to the great defensive work on our back six. The Rovers had good players all over the ground. Ryan Fogarty was prominent until he was the victim of an illegal tackle by his opponent which ended his day (and his opponent who was sent off). Ryan Leslie picked up the coaches’ best-on award on the day but really we had so many who contributed it was difficult to pick our best six.
Hampton Rovers 4.2-26 8.4-52 11.6-72 12.7-79
Old Carey 4.3-27 6.4-40 7.5-47 7.8-50
Goal Kickers: N. Smith 5, W. Crawford 2, J. McPherson, H. Garrow, R. Fogarty, L. Sharp, C. Carnovale
Best Players: L. O’Driscoll, L. Sharp, C. Carnovale, R. Leslie, M. van der Straaten, J.Keys
Another big Home Game Luncheon inside at the Boss, with around 80 in attendance, including three tables of junior parents.
SENIOR WOMEN
The Senior Women’s game against Beaumaris at Castlefield Reserve was unfortunately abandoned in the second quarter due to a serious ankle injury to Maisy Evans. She has starred for the Rovers this year, best on ground in 3 of the last 4 games. She will have surgery this week and be in recovery for about 6 months. The Rovers community wishes her a speedy recovery.
RESERVES
The Ressies had a big win over Old Carey in the early game. Nick Jackson booted 6 goals, while Hugo Twigg is coming back into the form he had in 2022 and kicked 3, and veteran Darcy Merlo slots through a couple of goals before heading down to the development squad to play his second game on the day. Big Charlie Miles back in the ruck and dominating was great to see. Finally, Lachy Costello, in the best in the ressies and then fronting up for the seniors later in the day. The other one to mention was an Under 19 playing in the Ressies who stood out. Darcy Lyon, a small mid, showed pace, skill and stamina in running all day in a great performance.
Hampton Rovers 4.1-25 4.5-29 11.6-72 14.13-97
Old Carey 0.4-4 2.5-17 4.6-30 6.9-45
Goal Kickers: N. Jackson 6, H. Twigg 3, D. Merlo 2, J. Bull, D. Lyon, D. Ballard
Best Players: N. Jackson, C. Miles, L. Costello, J. Beames, D. Lyon, W. Cowie
UNDER 19S
The Under 19s had a few missing but still put in a solid performance against Old Xaverians, but went down by four goals.
Old Xaverians 3.2-20 4.6-30 7.8-50 11.9-75
Hampton Rovers 4.2-26 4.6-30 5.8-38 7.11-53
Goal Kickers: C. Kilburn 3, W. Rogacki, J. Grima, T. Ellinghaus, D. Hall
Best Players: D. Osborn, L. Celantano, P. Somogyi, B. Wells, B. Seddon
THIRDS/DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Great to see some Rovers legends pull on the boots and the Thirds/development team get a 10-point win over Uni Blues at Castlefield Reserve.
Hampton Rovers 2.6-18 4.7-31 7.10-52 11.13-79
University Blues 3.3-21 6.4-40 7.5-47 10.9-69
Goal Kickers: S. Anderson 4, M. Innes 3, J. Young 2, M. Ward, F. Concaig
Best Players: A.Steedman, S. Anderson, M. Labib, D. Broadstock, M. Ward
NEXT FEW WEEKS
No footy over the Kings Birthday long weekend. On the week of the 17 June, the Seniors are away at Mazenod. Our NEXT HOME GAME LUNCH is against Parkdale Vultures on June 24. This is set to be a big day at the club, being Past Players & Supporters Day. Book now for the lunch!
