It was another tough Saturday afternoon of footy where 4 of the Rovers 5 teams went down to opposition too strong for us at this time of the year.
The bright spot on the field was the first win of the season notched up by our Div 1 Women’s team and off the field it was a toss-up between the big turnup for the opening home game luncheon of 2025 or the donation by Rovers-own AFL Brownlow Medallist and Hall of Famer Ross Smith of some of his memorabilia collected when playing for the Rovers back in the day.
It was a huge day of football at Boss James Reserve with four games back-to-back! We’ll start with the only winning team this week – the SENIOR WOMEN
With a big crowd in attendance, the women got underway with the sun setting at the Boss in ideal conditions for a twilight game. It was a hard tough game of footy against a club where we have almost become traditional/friendly rivals. It was close all day and it was only in the last quarter that we wrapped the game up with a couple of goals to clear out from our opposition.
The new players put in fine games. VC and in her second game for the Rovers Tiara Annear was terrific in the backline as was debutante Chelsea Bowen and of course with veterans Mandy Naylor and Hayley Gould on song the Powerhouse girls just could not breach our defence.
A couple of the youngsters stood out, with Zara Rayner and Daisy Ward both playing well against the strong opposition. One of the standouts was Grace Bracken playing her first game for the Rovers she dominated in the ruck using her height to great advantage.
It’s great to see the level of enthusiasm and excitement generated by the young brigade in the Women’s team and how they have lifted the performance of all players in the side. How cool was it to see Tait Mason and Grace Bonanno both kick their first VAFA goals – the first of many we hope! There were valuable contributions by all the players but special mention should go to Hollie Brodribb and Liv Muller who continued their good form in the team.
Congratulations to Maegan Miller who played her 50th game.
| Hampton Rovers | 5.10 40 |
| Power House | 1.5 11 |
Best: Tiara Annear, Chelsea Bowen, Mandy Naylor, Hollie Brodribb, Casey Politarhis, Olivia Muller
Goals: Tayla Jones 1, Tait Mason 1, Zara Rayner 1, Hollie Brodribb 1, Grace Bonanno 1
SENIOR MEN
The start of 2025 has mimicked our start in 2024 with the big difference being that we are on the end of the thrashings rather than being the victors!
The game itself was a battle. We seemed to keep losing players to injury and by the time the last quarter started we had one rotation, a number of injured players on the bench and an exhausted team on the field. The Old Camberwell boys took full advantage of our misfortunes and gave us no mercy.
Zac Zeisling in the ruck, for only his second game in the seniors, looked at home and did some great work both in the ruck and around the ground. Lachy Costello continued his great form of round 1 and all day used his speed with great effect, his long runs with ball in hand were a treat to see.
A downside was the skipper going off in the second quarter after a head high knock. James Prosser was one of the few who seemed to create a bit of space and time through the middle and his drive through the centre gave our forwards the few clear opportunities they had. VC Liam O’Driscoll battled hard all day but it was our delivery of the ball that was making it easy for the OC backs.
Again, Chris Perkins and Jimmy Keys knocked up getting possessions but we just could not take advantage of the opportunities created. Both Melnjaks, Joel and Dylan fought it out to the end but Joel as a backman had a hard job.
Coach Marty Pask said, “Unfortunately for the Senior group at the moment we have significant injuries which is causing a ripple effect down the line. This explains the results in all 3 Men’s grades.”
“This was compounded yesterday by losing Carmeni in the first 15 mins for the game. Down one rotation. Christian Carnovale to concussion half way through the 2nd quarter, down two rotations. Then Joel Melnjak with a hamstring at three quarter time. Down 3 rotations.
“Our focus has been giving young players opportunities and yesterday we fielded a side with 14 players under 23. Zac Ziesing was very encouraging in the ruck. Seddon looks good on a wing. Lay was competitive.
“When we can potentially add some more experienced players and get a little more healthy this will not expose our young guys to more seasoned B Grade players in one large group like the 1st two rounds. But the positive is they are learning and we are parking the scoreboard.”
“Two weeks off until our next game and hopefully we’ll get a number of our players back who’re currently unavailable and we can keep building”.
| Hampton Rovers | 1.3 9 | 2.8 20 | 2.8 20 | 2.11 23 |
| Old Camberwell | 6.2 38 | 12.7 79 | 21.12 138 | 27.15 177 |
Best: Zachary Ziesing, Liam O’Driscoll, Lachlan Costello, Chris Perkins, James Keys, Joel Melnjak
Goals Corey Jones 1, Charles Kilburn 1
THIRDS
Coach Steve Anderson told me after the game that with both Adam Power and himself pulling on the boots they had over 100 years of experience between them! Add to that the number of premierships that they have with the Rovers and then add in the 6 senior and U19 premierships that Richard Atkins and Jesse Lovig have between them there was a lot of experience on the field.
Unfortunately, old bodies struggled against the relative youth of Glen Eira under the Friday night lights at the Boss, and that coupled with low numbers on the bench didn’t help the Rovers cause. Still the boys didn’t give in and fought the game out to the end. It is a grading game and no doubt our elevation by the VAFA to Div 2 was a bit optimistic especially when the club has been decimated by injuries at the start of the season.
Jess and Richard had nights out and when the CHB kicks 2 goals you know something is amiss. It was good to see that Richard bought his kicking boots this week and his raking left foot was on display. Darcy Merlo, in the new trimmed down form, was effective up forward and would have appreciated a few more team mates around him for support. Good to see the Club Chairman, Steve Anderson pulling on the boots and no doubt enjoying playing with sons Ollie and Nick.
We need players given the pressure from injuries in the Club. It was a battle for the boys when they were down to 16 fit players on the field at the final siren.
| Hampton Rovers | 0.4 4 | 2.7 19 | 3.7 25 | 4.7 31 |
| Glen Eira / Old McKinnon | 5.2 32 | 8.2 50 | 10.7 67 | 13.11 89 |
Best: Jesse Lovig, Richard Atkins, Darcy Merlo, Oscar Beaton, Nicholas Anderson
Goals: Jesse Lovig 2, Darcy Merlo 1
UNDER 19s
8.20am arrival and the Boss was shrouded in sunshine, the lads were early and Super Saturday was about to kick off. The council removing the flag pole didn’t allow us to raise and unfurl the 2024 premiership flag!
We were down 4 players from the previous week due to players away, up against St Kevin’s in the second round of U19 Premier.
We had some positive patches in the first quarter, we needed to get bigger bodies inside to stem the one way traffic.
An honest show of hands at half time re-energised the lads and we played some good footy in the 3rd kicking 1.3 we many inside 50’s.
SKOBS were far too good at this level of footy, our lads have played 2 of the top 4 teams and have been soundly beaten. It’s experience we needed though.
Our best players were two backs that were consistent all day, Archie Steedman and Chevi ONeill awith key back roles played in front all day. Ockers, Stefan, Maso, Huddy, Seddo and Cohen all had positive impact.
| Hampton Rovers | 0.1 1 | 0.1 1 | 0.1 1 | 1.6 12 |
| St Kevin’s | 10.1 61 | 20.7 127 | 27.14 176 | 34.17 221 |
Best: Archie Steedman, Chevi O’Neill, Stefan Somogyi, Harry Ockerby, Hudson Thompson
Goal: Jack Seddon
RESERVES
| Hampton Rovers | 1.1 7 | 2.3 15 | 2.4 16 | 2.6 18 |
| Old Camberwell | 7.1 43 | 10.9 69 | 14.10 94 | 19.11 125 |
Best: Jake Dermott, Oliver Horigan, Sam Macaw, Oscar Donald, Jake Klinkhamer, Tobias Linnegan
Goals: Jake Dermott 1, Darcy Lyon 1
NEXT WEEK – EASTER BYE
Our next senior home game is April 26 against Old Trinity, which will be the day of our traditional Anzac Day commemoration ceremony. The Hampton RSL will be assisting with the formalities on the day and we want as many supporters as possible to join us for lunch in the new social rooms where you can watch the game in comfort. Book your spot now: www.hamptonrovers.com.au/club/luncheons
