It was a tough weekend on the field for the Hampton Rovers, with all four teams going down, but attention quickly turns to an important week ahead with the Seniors and Reserves completing their home-and-away seasons and the Thirds and Under 19s facing finals.
The weekend started on a high on Friday, with more than 110 people attending the 30th anniversary Domino Luncheon at the Wright-Scarlett Pavilion. Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton entertained the room as guest speaker in another successful edition of one of the club’s longest-running functions.
Senior Men
The Seniors endured a difficult afternoon against St Bedes/Mentone Tigers at Mentone Reserve, going down 23.8 (146) to 6.15 (51).
With St Bedes/Mentone’s season on the line needing to win both remaining games to qualify for finals while Hampton’s top-four finish was already assured, the home side made a fast start and had three goals on the board inside the opening minutes. Hampton struggled to settle into the contest and, despite creating opportunities of their own, went into half-time without a goal and facing a significant deficit.
To the Rovers’ credit, they responded after the main break with six goals in the third quarter, but the damage had already been done and St Bedes/Mentone went on to record the victory.
There was another positive milestone for the club with Billy Blazey making his senior debut, while Will McKean produced an excellent performance and was named Hampton’s best. Cohen Friend kicked two goals and was also among the best alongside Lui Coughlin, Dan Hall, Zachary Ziesing and Corey Jones.
The Rovers remain assured of finals football and will look to respond strongly against Parkdale Vultures this Saturday before turning their attention to September action, where they’ll face the winner of Saturday’s Mazenod v St Bedes/Mentone contest in an elimination final.
St Bedes/Mentone Tigers 6.3 12.3 17.6 23.8 (146)
Hampton Rovers 0.4 0.7 6.9 6.15 (51)
Goals: Cohen Friend 2, Ben Klingwort, Charles Kilburn, Gilbert Etienne, Lui Coughlin
Best: Will McKean, Cohen Friend, Lui Coughlin, Dan Hall, Zachary Ziesing, Corey Jones
Reserves
The Reserves fought hard against St Bedes/Mentone before eventually falling by just 10 points, 9.8 (62) to 8.4 (52).
An undermanned Rovers side found itself chasing the game after conceding the opening four goals, but gradually worked its way back into the contest.
Hampton found its rhythm as the afternoon progressed, with Oscar Donald, Peter Somogyi and Scott Ebbott providing plenty around the contest. Duncan McKenzie and Cameron Carmeni were important defensively, while Ben Crothers and Ryan Leslie provided attacking options.
The Rovers trailed by 28 points at three-quarter time before producing a strong final term, kicking four goals to three and reducing the final margin to 10 points.
St Bedes/Mentone Tigers 4.3 4.5 6.7 9.8 (62)
Hampton Rovers 0.2 2.2 4.3 8.4 (52)
Goals: Benjamin Crothers 2, Damon O’Shea, Jake Klinkhamer, Lucas Sharp, Peter Somogyi, Ryan Leslie, Scott Ebbott
Best: Scott Ebbott, Duncan McKenzie, Damon O’Shea, Ryan Leslie, Lucas Sharp, Oscar Donald
Thirds / Development
The Thirds had a day to forget in their second semi-final against AJAX at Gary Smorgon Oval, going down 31.18 (204) to 2.4 (16).
The Rovers’ task was made significantly more difficult by a mounting injury toll. Five of the team’s six starting defenders were already unavailable before the match, the remaining starting defender was lost during the opening quarter and further injuries left Hampton without an interchange bench midway through the second term.
The makeshift line-up battled on, with a number of players forced into unfamiliar positions. Nick Anderson took on the ruck duties after another injury, while Lucas Civitarese and others were required to fill roles they hadn’t regularly played throughout the season.
Mitch Hall continued to present strongly and kicked both of Hampton’s goals, while the group stuck together despite the difficult circumstances.
Importantly, the Thirds’ strong home-and-away season earned them the double chance, so their season remains alive. They’ll now regroup for a preliminary final against Marcellin this weekend, with a place in the Grand Final on the line.
AJAX 5.3 10.6 19.13 31.18 (204)
Hampton Rovers 0.2 0.3 0.4 2.4 (16)
Goals: Mitchell Hall 2
Best: Lucas Civitarese, Nicholas Anderson, Marc Le Miere, Darcy Merlo, George Lamb, Mitchell Hall
Under 19s
The Under 19s faced a valuable pre-finals test against ladder leaders Williamstown CYMS at Fearon Reserve, eventually going down 13.9 (87) to 4.8 (32).
The Rovers started strongly, with Lachlan Strahan kicking the opening two goals as Hampton brought plenty of pressure and physicality to the contest. Only two points separated the teams at quarter-time.
Benjamin Celantano was outstanding in defence throughout the afternoon, while Oli Roberts and Benjamin Weeks worked hard through the midfield. Miller White also impressed on his return, contributing through the midfield and across half-back.
Williamstown gradually gained control as the game progressed, with injuries and player management also impacting the Rovers during the second half.
Despite the result, there were positives to take from the contest against the competition’s top side as attention now turns entirely to finals.
Williamstown CYMS 2.3 4.5 7.7 13.9 (87)
Hampton Rovers 2.1 2.3 3.6 4.8 (32)
Goals: Lachlan Strahan 2, Benjamin Weeks, Felix Iacovantuono
Best: Benjamin Celantano, Oli Roberts, Benjamin Weeks, Miller White, Will Blackham, Valentino Montebelli
Next up
There’s plenty to play for this weekend as the Rovers quickly turn the page and look ahead.
The Seniors and Reserves travel to Gerry Green Reserve to face Parkdale Vultures on Saturday in the final round of the Premier C home-and-away season. With the Senior Men already assured of a finals berth, it provides one final opportunity to build momentum before their first semi-final the following weekend.
For the Thirds, it’s a do-or-die preliminary final against Marcellin, with the winner advancing to the Grand Final. Saturday 11:40am at the Kennedy Community Centre, Dingley.
The Under 19s also begin their finals campaign with an elimination final against Old Haileybury. The match is expected to be played on Saturday at Princes Park, Caulfield South (time TBC).
