It was a tough Saturday for the Hampton Rovers, with all four teams going down as the home and away season concluded for the Senior Men and Reserves, while the Thirds/Development and Under 19s bowed out of their respective finals campaigns.
The Senior Men travelled to Gerry Green Reserve for their final home and away game, where they came up against a red-hot Parkdale Vultures outfit and went down 19.16 (130) to 7.15 (57).
The Rovers were competitive early, kicking two goals in the opening term, before Parkdale finished the quarter strongly to establish a 24-point advantage. The Vultures extended their lead during the second term to take a 45-point margin into the main break and continued to control proceedings after half time.
Hampton kept fighting through to the end, kicking three goals in the final quarter, including two to Will Crawford, but Parkdale ran out convincing 73-point winners as they head into the finals in strong form, to face Fitzroy in the 2nd Semi Final.
The result sees the Rovers finish the Premier C home and away season in third position, as has been assured for the past couple of weeks. St Bedes/Mentone’s win over Mazenod on Saturday means Hampton will now face the Tigers in the 1st Semi Final on Saturday at Trevor Barker Oval in a do-or-die clash.
Parkdale Vultures 19.16 (130)
Hampton Rovers 7.15 (57)
Goals: William Crawford 2, Ben Klingwort, Christian Carnovale, Liam O’Driscoll, Max Blackie, Zachary Ziesing
Best: Zachary Ziesing, Josh Hudghton, Kai Carrigan, Christian Carnovale, Ben Seddon
Reserves
The Reserves started strongly against Parkdale, leading 3.2 (20) to 1.5 (11) at quarter time. The home side responded in the second term and took control after half time, eventually winning 14.13 (97) to 6.3 (39).
The result brought the Reserves’ 2026 season to a close, finishing in fifth position on the ladder.
Parkdale Vultures 14.13 (97)
Hampton Rovers 6.3 (39)
Goals: Clinton Young 2, Daniel McCoy, Jake Klinkhamer, Luke Boccari, Peter Somogyi
Best: Luke Boccari, Cameron Carmeni, Jake Klinkhamer, Jake Taranto, Damon O’Shea, Duncan McKenzie
Thirds/Development – Preliminary Final
The Thirds/Development team’s season also came to an end in Saturday’s Preliminary Final against Marcellin at the Kennedy Community Centre.
There was nothing between the sides early, with scores locked at 3.3 apiece at quarter time. The Rovers then held Marcellin goalless in the second quarter to take a four-point advantage into half time.
Unfortunately, the game changed dramatically after the break, with Marcellin kicking 10 unanswered goals in the third term to take control of the contest. The Rovers fought it out to the end but went down 16.9 (105) to 5.6 (36), bringing their finals campaign to a close one game short of the Grand Final. It brings to a close what has been an outstanding season for the Thirds.
Marcellin 16.9 (105) def Hampton Rovers 5.6 (36)
Goals: Mitchell Hall 3, Angus Zufic, Jesse Lovig
Best: Baxter Thomas, Lucas Civitarese, Richard Atkins, Darcy Merlo, James Bull
Under 19s – Semi Final
The Under 19s made an excellent start to their first final against Old Haileybury at Keysborough, booting five goals in the opening quarter to lead 5.3 (33) to 3.3 (21).
Old Haileybury responded in the second term and took a 25-point advantage into half time. The Rovers continued to battle and kicked five goals after the main break, but couldn’t bridge the gap, with Old Haileybury prevailing 14.12 (96) to 11.7 (73).
The loss brings the Under 19s’ 2026 season to an end after earning their place in the finals, following their promotion to division one after the opening four rounds.
Old Haileybury 14.12 (96)
Hampton Rovers 11.7 (73)
Goals: Billy Blazey 2, Charlie Steen 2, Sebastian Witham 2, Benjamin Weeks, Cruz Giovannini, Oli Roberts, Sebastien Lynch, Tobias Green
Best: Oli Roberts, Benjamin Celantano, Cruz Giovannini, Benjamin Weeks, Cohen Friend, Hamish Costell
While it wasn’t the weekend the Rovers were hoping for, the focus now shifts entirely to the Senior Men as they prepare for their First Semi Final against St Bedes/Mentone this weekend.
It’s do-or-die from here, with the winner progressing and the loser’s season coming to an end. It’s Hampton Rovers v St Bedes/Mentone on Saturday, September 5 from 2pm at Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham. We’ll be hosting a luncheon upstairs in the Sandy by the Bay function centre from 12pm-2pm. $40 per head – everyone welcome! Book online here >
Tickets are now on sale for Presentation Night 2026 – to be held on Thursday 24 September at Sandy by the Bay. Don’t miss out – get your tickets now.
