It was another successful weekend for the Hampton Rovers, with four of the club’s five senior teams recording victories, highlighted by a dominant final quarter from the Senior Men to defeat a spirited Marcellin and all but lock in finals action for 2026 with three rounds remaining.
Senior Men
The Senior Men produced another mature performance to overcome Marcellin by 42 points after a tight contest for three quarters.
The home side were boosted by several ins after the conclusion of the AGS season and made the better start, kicking the opening two goals with the advantage of the wind before the Rovers settled through Lui Coughlin and Charles Kilburn to level the scores late in the opening term. Hampton edged in front by a point at quarter time despite kicking 2.3. Joel Melnjak was forced out of the contest early in his 150th VAFA milestone game with the Rovers down a rotation.
The Rovers began to gain the upper hand in the second quarter through Christian Carnovale, Luke Boccari and Mason Carrigan, opening a 16-point lead at the main break despite some inaccurate kicking and not playing their best brand of football. Zach Ziesing was working his way back into the game after a long layoff due to injury, as was Josh Hudghton who was finding plenty of the ball.
Marcellin responded after half time, booting four goals for the quarter to briefly regain the lead. Harry Block’s goal midway through the term kept the Rovers in touch before the hosts took a two-point advantage into the final quarter.
With the game there to be won, Hampton produced one of its best quarters of the season. Jake Taranto and Harry Block kicked early goals to regain the lead before Josh Hudghton, Charles Kilburn, Jake Grima and Taranto again all found the scoreboard. Kilburn added another before Block’s second and a fifth goal from Kilburn completed a remarkable nine-goal final quarter as the Rovers ran away with a strong 15.11 (101) to 9.5 (59) victory.
The win was another important result in Hampton’s push towards September, with Christian Carnovale leading from the front alongside five-goal forward Charles Kilburn. Kai Carrigan, Harry Block, Josh Hudghton and Daniel Field were also among the Rovers’ best.
Marcellin 2.2 3.3 7.5 9.5 (59)
Hampton Rovers 2.3 5.7 6.10 15.11 (101)
Goals: Charles Kilburn 5, Harry Block 2, Mason Carrigan 2, Dan Hall, Jake Grima, Jake Taranto, Josh Hudghton, Lui Coughlin, Luke Boccari
Best: Christian Carnovale, Charles Kilburn, Kai Carrigan, Harry Block, Josh Hudghton, Daniel Field
Senior Women
The Senior Women fought hard against Old Camberwell away from home but were unable to capitalise on a strong start, eventually going down by 23 points in their second-last game of the season.
The Rovers led by 10 points at quarter time after restricting the home side to a single behind, but Old Camberwell gradually worked its way into the contest before pulling away after half time.
Holly Lance, Mandy Naylor, Bianca Lenarcic, Shae Raywood, Olive Tuppen and Sadie Ockerby were among Hampton’s best performers.
Old Camberwell 0.1 2.1 5.1 6.5 (41)
Hampton Rovers 1.5 2.5 2.6 2.6 (18)
Goals: Grace Bonanno, Greta Robertson
Best: Holly Lance, Mandy Naylor, Bianca Lenarcic, Shae Raywood, Olive Tuppen, Sadie Ockerby
Reserves
The Reserves returned to the winners’ list with a commanding 71-point victory over Marcellin.
After opening up a 26-point lead at quarter time, the Rovers controlled the match throughout, kicking 17 goals in an impressive four-quarter performance.
Benjamin Crothers led the way with four goals, while Jake Klinkhamer and Nick Murnane each added three. Lucas Sharp, Crothers, Damon O’Shea, Lucas Rankine, Darcy Lyon and Jamie Delaney were outstanding contributors.
Marcellin 1.0 2.1 5.3 6.5 (41)
Hampton Rovers 4.4 9.6 13.7 17.10 (112)
Goals: Benjamin Crothers 4, Jake Klinkhamer 3, Nick Murnane 3, Angus Zufic 2, Joel Bowditch 2, Oscar Donald, Peter Somogyi, Ryan Leslie
Best: Lucas Sharp, Benjamin Crothers, Damon O’Shea, Lucas Rankine, Darcy Lyon, Jamie Delaney
Thirds / Development
The Thirds made it another convincing win, defeating Parkdale Vultures by 90 points under lights on Friday evening.
The Rovers established control early before piling on 16 goals in an excellent team performance. Mitchell Hall kicked four goals, while Angus Zufic, Darcy Merlo, Eliot Jurdukian and Nicholas Anderson all finished with two.
Eliot Jurdukian, Hall, Merlo, Nicholas Crosbie, Jonas Eccles and Oliver Bennett were named the side’s best.
Parkdale Vultures 0.1 1.4 2.6 3.6 (24)
Hampton Rovers 4.4 10.6 12.10 16.18 (114)
Goals: Mitchell Hall 4, Angus Zufic 2, Darcy Merlo 2, Eliot Jurdukian 2, Nicholas Anderson 2, Angus Gunn, Mohamed Labib, Oliver Anderson, Oliver Bennett
Best: Eliot Jurdukian, Mitchell Hall, Darcy Merlo, Nicholas Crosbie, Jonas Eccles, Oliver Bennett
Under 19s
The Under 19s rounded out an outstanding weekend for the club with a 50-point win over arch rivals Ormond at Boss James Reserve.
After leading by 24 points at half time, the Rovers steadily extended their advantage before finishing with an 18-goal performance.
Sebastien Lynch starred with six goals, while Charlie Steen kicked three. Harry Ockerby and Sebastian Witham each added two in another strong team display.
Hampton Rovers 4.2 8.2 12.4 18.9 (117)
Ormond 2.1 7.2 10.4 10.7 (67)
Goals: Sebastien Lynch 6, Charlie Steen 3, Harry Ockerby 2, Sebastian Witham 2, Benjamin Weeks, Felix Iacovantuono, Gideon Ziesing, Hudson Arnold, Massimo Champness
Best: Cohen Friend, Sebastien Lynch, Harry Ockerby, Benjamin Weeks, Gideon Ziesing, Will Blackham
Next up
The Rovers return home this Saturday for a massive day at Boss James Reserve, with four teams in action including the Senior Men, Reserves, Thirds and Under 19s.
The Senior Men host Glen Eira / Old McKinnon in their final home game of the 2026 home-and-away season, while the day also marks the final Home Game Luncheon of the year. It will be a particularly special occasion as it will be Gary Nash’s final home game luncheon as President, following his announcement earlier in the year that 2026 will be his last season in the role.
We’re encouraging all Rovers, past and present, to come along, fill the room and help celebrate Gary’s outstanding contribution to the club while getting behind all four teams at Boss James Reserve.
