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HFNL 2015 Season

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Spoke to a couple of club people today, expect for:

Koroit to drop Barker for Drew.

Nth Wbool to drop Nestor for Sheldon. Possibly Nathan Murphy trained Thursday night also. Not sure on who will miss for him though....at a guess it would be a tall??
 
Wow, wow and wow. The only way to describe this weekends HFNL Finals results!!

Lets start with the first wow...Saturday it was 2nd Semi Final action with Minor Premiers Koroit Saints taking on last seasons Premiers Warrnambool Blues. The result was Koroit having a commanding win 13.14 92 to 10.5 65. The Blues had a late change with Tim Hunt rested with a groin injury and Tom Schnerring included. The Saints had playmakers Haydn Drew, Drew O'Grady and Jayden Brennan back into the side. The wow factor was the slick ball movement and ability to maintain possession of the ball, also to not bomb into attack but work it round until a target presented. Those targets turned out to be the Dobson brothers and Joe McLaren. They were instrumental in the victory taking great lead out marks and kicking big and important goals. None more special than Sam Dobson on the run from the boundary line 50m out and kicking truely. Issac Templeton was ultra impressive in the mid alongside Brennan and Goodall. The backs of Chris McLaren and Daniel Harrington mopped up well and limited Wbool's scoreboard pressure. For the Blues they had their chances and often had momentum swings but couldn't capitalise. Jason Rowan was busy fwd, Sam Wilson was good on the smalls in defence and Jed Turland showed signs of a big game. They just never quite sparked, and Koroit fired up to kick away with a comfortable win and a ticket into the GF in the first year under Adam Dowie. He has done it again the Super Coach of the Western District! Can he make it another coaching premiership?? We will soon see....

My overall best players - Ben Dobson, Sam Dobson, Issac Templeton.

Warrnambool's best - Sam Wilson, Jason Rowan and Jed Turland.


The second wow.....

Today the North Warrnambool Eagles announced themselves as a major player and big threat in the premiership race!! The Eagles annihilated the Cobden Bombers by 99 points!!!! WOW!! I did not see this coming at all!! The Eagles lost playmaker Andy McMeel before the game with injury, and the Bombers went in with a cloud over Damon Delaney and Aiden Cole. The past two occasions the Bombers had over 30 scoring shots against the Eagles accounting easily for them. This time the Eagles turned the tables in emphatic style winning 21.10 136 to 5.7 37....31 scoring shots to 12...and Cobden leave the Vic Park in Koroit with their tails between their legs. Robbie Gregg again shocked the uninformed spectators with another 5 goal haul, the rounded figure of Gregg is decievingly agile and entertainingly able to get well off the ground! He is the form player of the finals! 10 goals in 2 games. In his last 5 games it's been totals of 4,8,5,5,5 a whopping 27 goals. This man is seriously underrated in the comp at the moment. Aside from Gregg, Sam McLachlan kicked 3 and was superb. Jarryd Lewis and Jeremy Parkinson also kicked 3 goals each. Jordan Dillon was sensational in the ruck and well out performed Levi Dare and Marcus Hickey. Brendan Murfett, Tom Batten, Marcus Darmody, Adam Wines and Tom O'Leary were outstanding in defence as Cobden were limited to only 2.2 after half time. Amazing result for the Eagles and now they will head into a Preliminary Final against the team they defeated in Rd.18 the Warrnambool Blues! Cobden were flat and very unlike the Cobden I know, their big name players hardly featured at all. They just had an absolute stinker. Some payback by the Eagles after losing to them in last years Prelim.

My final wow is a huge grab by Eagle forward Jeremy Parkinson!! It was an absolute screamer by Parkinson who sat on the shoulders of Cobden giant Levi Dare and plucked what I think would win Mark of the Year in any comp! He then went back and kicked the goal!

My overall best players - Marcus Darmody, Jordan Dillon and Robbie Gregg.

Cobdens best - Daryl Beechey, Brad Salmon and Brody Mahony.

So two games to go in the HFNL season.

2013 HFNL Grand Final: Sat 21st Sep.

Koroit Saints v Winner of Prelim Final @ Reid Oval

2013 HFNL Preliminary Final: Sat 14th Sep.

Warrnambool Blues v North Warrnambool Eagles

For the Blues it's a chance to play in their 6th consecutive GF and possibly go Back to Back, an incredible record. For the Eagles it's a chance to make club history and feature in their very 1st GF! These teams have a huge difference in history but right now they have the same amount of talent and chance of making a GF.

The Blues could regain 2012 Maskell Medalist Tim Hunt and the Eagles could regain young gun Andy McMeel. Both teams with strong inclusions and both teams with tough decisions at the selection table.
 

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Any news on the portland and Hamilton coaching situation for next year yet? Are Hamilton on the search for a new coach? Have portland signed holt yet? Few rumours are that holt may be in the pipeline for a few clubs?
 
Terang4theflag said:
Any news on the portland and Hamilton coaching situation for next year yet? Are Hamilton on the search for a new coach? Have portland signed holt yet? Few rumours are that holt may be in the pipeline for a few clubs?
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Haven't heard too many substantiated claims as yet. So far all I know is both jobs are open. Portland are keen to hold onto Holt but have apparently still made offers to a couple of other blokes. I have heard that Hamilton have been very busy on the ring around. Luke Rounds apparently linked. So nothing firm but always whispers.

In other clubs news though I had heard Simon O'Keefe is asking $25 - 35,000 to be a playing coach. No secrets that South Warrnambool have been on the front foot there, every man and his dog has told me as much.

Stay tuned.
 
Have heard that Hamilton have been pretty active in there recruiting, I think a playing coach would be the right way to go! As for portland, seen holt play only a few games this year but from what I could see he would be a shot at there b and f? Seems to have a good young group of kids and should be a no brainer to me?
 
Terang4theflag said:
Have heard that Hamilton have been pretty active in there recruiting, I think a playing coach would be the right way to go! As for portland, seen holt play only a few games this year but from what I could see he would be a shot at there b and f? Seems to have a good young group of kids and should be a no brainer to me?
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Hopefully Holty stays on as a player but I can fully understand if he moves on and looks to extend his career in a new environment.

As for Hamilton I think you'll find they are more so trying to stem the bleeding than recruiting, as a multitude of players young, and experienced look to be on the move with surrounding clubs swooping in from everywhere. Shame to see young blokes head to the bush but there are obviously reasons when the are leaving in the numbers reported.

HampdenMAD or maybe Terang4theflag may be able to answer this better, is the Terang set up in the 18.5's similar to last year with the kids all coming back in from the seniors to make a serious push for the flag? The word out of Warrny is they will come up against the Tiger Cubs and give it a real push?
 
XXXXIsland said:
Hopefully Holty stays on as a player but I can fully understand if he moves on and looks to extend his career in a new environment.

As for Hamilton I think you'll find they are more so trying to stem the bleeding than recruiting, as a multitude of players young, and experienced look to be on the move with surrounding clubs swooping in from everywhere. Shame to see young blokes head to the bush but there are obviously reasons when the are leaving in the numbers reported.

HampdenMAD or maybe Terang4theflag may be able to answer this better, is the Terang set up in the 18.5's similar to last year with the kids all coming back in from the seniors to make a serious push for the flag? The word out of Warrny is they will come up against the Tiger Cubs and give it a real push?
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Firstly the Terang Under 18.5's scenario is very similar to last season, with the Seniors and Reserves both missing finals and the realising this was likely they then prepare for the 18.5's by qualifying the kids. It's not much different to what any other sides also do. Portland, Hamilton, even North Warrnambool all prepare similarly. It's not a true reflection of the home and away season. Last season Terang Mortlake came from 5th to win it as they could do again this season. I personally think it makes a mockery of the competition. It should be harder for the kids who play majority senior footy to qualify for U/18's finals.

Interesting info on Holt and on Hamilton. Looks as though the Kangaroos have their work cut out for them. They did look a tight knit unit in the 18's this year though.
 
For those out there who want to see the huge grab I mentioned from North Warrnambool's Jeremy Parkinson you can view the footage at this link it's a big one! "PARKINSON JEREMY" could be the HFNL's answer to "JESAULENKO YOU BEAUTY".
 
The Prelim Final is upon us, two sides left to fight it out to play Koroit Saints in the 2013 HFNL Grand Final! Warrnambool Blues v North Warrnambool Eagles, 3rd v 4th, Wbool beat North by 2 points early in season, North beat Wbool by 1 point last round, Warrnambool come off a 27 point loss, North off a 99 point win, it's set up to be an absolute cracker!!

The Blues have dropped ruckman Rob Bright in place of Tim Hunt who missed last week with a reoccurring groin injury. The Eagles have made no change with mid Andy McMeel failing to recover from a calf complaint. Both teams have strong players from backs to fwds, some very tasty match ups likely this week:

David Haynes (NWE) v Sam Cowling (WB) - Haynes has hit some great form late in the season and is peaking at the right time, he is now back out to his preferred CHF position and has been setting up a lot of goals for the Eagles. Sam Cowling has been the Blues swingman this season, he has played predominantly as a forward but has been called on to take down Haynes in tomorrow's big clash! This match up could go a very long way to deciding the result.

Jason Rowan (WB) v Adam Wines (NWE) - The leagues premier forward v the breakout backman of the year! Although Rowan has had a season marred by injury he has been able to get back to his best and start slotting majors, he is good in the air and really good on the ground. Adam Wines is a defensive wall this season, has stopped most of the big fwds at least once this season. There is never an easy mark with Wines on your tail. Both players Team of the Year in my opinion and that's why this match up is sure to be a belter.

Andrew McCarthy (WB) v Jordan Dillon (NWE) - The big men of the game, both sides enter the game with only 1 definitive ruckman, both sides will look to exploit the other by playing through their ruckman and both will use their ruckman a kick behind play. That's been the tale of the season with Warrnambool, their use of McCarthy has always been to have him drop in the hole, get the turnover marks and get the run going from half back. North will need to combat this by not bombing down the line and using Dillon on the rebound to expose McCarthy vice versa.

Robbie Gregg v Tim O'Keefe/Sam Cowling or Sam Wilson.
Who will take the most in form forward in the comp at the moment? Gregg has 27 goals in 5 weeks of footy, he kicked 5 last time they played, he is a tough match up. Shutting Gregg down is halfway to making it very hard for the Eagles to win.

It's going to be a close game today, that's the only thing that is assured. Wbool last time had many more scoring shots and still lost, pressure, bad kicking, not taking chances were all reasons, but the Eagles seemed to have stepped up a gear. The Eagles lost this same final last season to Cobden, they are hungry for their 1st ever GF appearance, the Blues looking to appear in yet another!

My tip - I haven't often been on the Eagles in big games, but this time its North Wbool by 6 points

Good luck all!
 
Warrnambool have beaten North Warrnambool Eagles in this afternoon's Hampden FNL senior football prelim final, 21.9 (135) to 9.12 (66). Great win by the Blues who made the Eagles look like the Bombers they beat last week. Eagles failed to fire a real shot and now we have a Koroit v Warrnambool GF!!
 
Koroit Saint Ben Goodall has finally earned himself a HFNL Maskell Medal!! He has won on 23 votes pipping his team mate Ben Dobson who was runner up. He is a very deserving winner a ball magnet and a game winning player.
 

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It was a fizzer on Saturday in terms of a close high standard game. The Blues served up a fast and deadly accurate style of play ripping through the Eagles mids like a hot knife through butter. 21.9 was the final score for the Blues and Jason Rowan and Travis Graham were the main contributors. Both presented magnificently and the ball was generally delivered with pin point accuracy from the mids namely Jackson Bell, Timmy Hunt and Brendan Moore. Will Jacobs played on Gregg and even though Gregg kicked 3 Jacobs probably won the battle. Sam Cowling proved why he is so valuable as a backman destroying David Haynes and keeping him goalless. Andrew McCarthy yet again played a kick behind play and cleaned up as the Eagles let him run around doing whatever he wanted. The Eagles looked out of sorts and slow in the midfield. Myles couldn't keep up, Wines was serviceable but not at his best, and they really missed McMeel who didn't play because of injury. The Eagles lacked a back up plan, missed called vital match ups, and again found themselves on the end of a Prelim Final toweling. The Blues now will take on minor premiers Koroit on Saturday in the Grand Final. It's 6 straight appearances now for the Blues and with whispers of this being Scott Carter's last game as coach he will be fired up to leave on a high! For Adam Dowie and his Saints he will look to win yet another flag as head coach of a team, after winning with Nirranda in district league, Terang and Warrnambool previously. It's been no secret he left Warrnambool under rocky circumstances and has not hidden his dislike for their culture. This would be icing on the cake for Adam personally and top off an exceptional year for the Saints.
 
One player I failed to mention was Warrnambool's Darcy Graham, this kid has has risen to be one of the best midfielders in the comp. He often plays a tagging type role but is able to expose his opponent through hard running by getting the ball when Wbool in possession. He made Eagles mid Jake Myles look second rate on Saturday, prompting the move of Myles to the fwd line. Graham will be a very important cog this weekend v Koroit, a job awaits him on Goodall or Templeton.
 
Please explain the "culture" of Warrnambool HMad, I'm intrigued as I always thought they considered themselves better than the rest of us commoners.
 
HampdenMAD said:
It was a fizzer on Saturday in terms of a close high standard game. The Blues served up a fast and deadly accurate style of play ripping through the Eagles mids like a hot knife through butter. 21.9 was the final score for the Blues and Jason Rowan and Travis Graham were the main contributors. Both presented magnificently and the ball was generally delivered with pin point accuracy from the mids namely Jackson Bell, Timmy Hunt and Brendan Moore. Will Jacobs played on Gregg and even though Gregg kicked 3 Jacobs probably won the battle. Sam Cowling proved why he is so valuable as a backman destroying David Haynes and keeping him goalless. Andrew McCarthy yet again played a kick behind play and cleaned up as the Eagles let him run around doing whatever he wanted. The Eagles looked out of sorts and slow in the midfield. Myles couldn't keep up, Wines was serviceable but not at his best, and they really missed McMeel who didn't play because of injury. The Eagles lacked a back up plan, missed called vital match ups, and again found themselves on the end of a Prelim Final toweling. The Blues now will take on minor premiers Koroit on Saturday in the Grand Final. It's 6 straight appearances now for the Blues and with whispers of this being Scott Carter's last game as coach he will be fired up to leave on a high! For Adam Dowie and his Saints he will look to win yet another flag as head coach of a team, after winning with Nirranda in district league, Terang and Warrnambool previously. It's been no secret he left Warrnambool under rocky circumstances and has not hidden his dislike for their culture. This would be icing on the cake for Adam personally and top off an exceptional year for the Saints

.
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Wow so Adam is only coaching to get back at Warrnambool - WAP - he wants to win a premiership to get back at Warrnambool ??? Weird.
 
XXXXIsland said:
Please explain the "culture" of Warrnambool HMad, I'm intrigued as I always thought they considered themselves better than the rest of us commoners.
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I am guessing most clubs would love Warrnambools culture - I just looked up how many premierships they have won .Must be a terrible culture - but I suppose its better to be unsuccessful and have a good culture. Hampden Mad you need to be a little more balanced or many of us can get on this site and start making any slanderous accusations about all clubs.
 
My take on their culture - 95% home grown, played in a grand final every year since 2008 and from what I can tell their players don't walk around with their heads up their asses. I know a fair amount of their players and all good blokes. I'm tipping every one of their players could make more money at other clubs so they must be doing something right to keep the player turnover to a minimum. Good luck to them
 
ecklin said:
I am guessing most clubs would love Warrnambools culture - I just looked up how many premierships they have won .Must be a terrible culture - but I suppose its better to be unsuccessful and have a good culture. Hampden Mad you need to be a little more balanced or many of us can get on this site and start making any slanderous accusations about all clubs.
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More than happy for you to point out where I was "slanderous"?? I merely stated a fact that Adam Dowie has been quoted as saying he disliked the club culture. I myself never said or had the opinion the club culture is bad? I also never said Dowie is only trying to win a flag to get back at Warrnambool, nor did I even close to insinuate that. I said it would be icing on the cake for personal reasons, meaning the 'bonus' of beating the old side that sacked him after winning a flag.

Wbool are very successful, are somewhat homegrown, are payed good money or have other benefits and the club has done extremely well to keep them together for so long. I have never announced this as such but I'm a Warrnambool Football Club Member, and have been for years. I don't go to all their games as I like to check out the whole comp. Warrnambool does hold an air of confidence and possibly arrogance but it's understandable with all the success. So before you lot go making up your own quotes of what I have apparently said according to your misinterpretation read the comments properly and think before you post.

It's a forum to discuss and make comment on your views and others, but it is much better when it's constructive rather than on the defensive or the attack at someone else posting.
 
"sacked him after winning a flag." Your quote Mad Guy.

I read an article from a Gippsland newspaper of an interview from Adam when he was appointed coach of the Gippsland Power TAC side - a few months after he had coached Warrnambool to the premiership. That article although quite disparaging to Warrnambool Adam never once mentioned that he was sacked - in fact to the contrary, he stated that he actively sought the Gippsland position as he wanted to climb the coaching ladder. Unfortunately it seems for a number of reasons for Adam it never quite worked out. Pity because obviously he has a lot to offer in regards to coaching.
Please advise where & how you came up with the statement "sacked after winning a flag" as I strongly believe that is simply not the case.
 
ecklin said:
"sacked him after winning a flag." Your quote Mad Guy.

I read an article from a Gippsland newspaper of an interview from Adam when he was appointed coach of the Gippsland Power TAC side - a few months after he had coached Warrnambool to the premiership. That article although quite disparaging to Warrnambool Adam never once mentioned that he was sacked - in fact to the contrary, he stated that he actively sought the Gippsland position as he wanted to climb the coaching ladder. Unfortunately it seems for a number of reasons for Adam it never quite worked out. Pity because obviously he has a lot to offer in regards to coaching.
Please advise where & how you came up with the statement "sacked after winning a flag" as I strongly believe that is simply not the case.
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Yeah you are spot on I have read that article also. I have heard these words come from his own mouth, he has spoken to a couple of clubs about developing club culture, both cricket clubs and football clubs and I was present at one of these presentations. He explained how he was told he wouldn't be required the following year. It was explained to him before the Grand Final that he had worked the player too hard in the lead up. If you remember they dropped games late in season and early final. He was bemused that even though they had made it he was still under fire for the way he prepared his side. I must admit saying he was sacked isn't technically correct you are right there. But being at the club at the time it was widely known there was no way he had the job the following season. He then chose to take the Gippsland job which meant relocation. The job there he explained wasn't as he expected, there wasn't enough freedom to Coach the way he wanted to. Also the relocation wasn't ideal for the family, this helped him make the decision to move back to Warrnambool and take up the Koroit job.
Now I get the feeling you think I'm against Warrnambool?? Not the case. I am 100% behind Wbool and probably mark them a bit harder because I follow them. Terrific social club with good social nights and a tight knit group. Also a list that has some very underrated players. Kids like Jackson Bell, Jake O'Donnell, Darcy Graham and Jye Turland are stars already!! Some with over 10 years of footy ahead of them! Brilliant list management by the blue baggers!!

Thanks for the discussion and happy to be called out on things! Everyone's opinion counts. Who do u follow 'Ecklin'?
 
Accept everything you say (especially the WRRRRONG word) and good to see you also read that Gippsland newspaper article as well. I heard the players were pretty disillusioned prior to the finals as Dowie was flogging them on the training track - obviously everything changed when they won the GF. I still maintain from my sources he was not sacked - who knows what would have happened had he not taken the Gippsland job. Perhaps it was a clash of personalities. I appreciate that you are basically the only one that makes this forum operate to any degree. However I am concerened of anyone making incorrect statements. I could make some beauties about some substance abuse, fights between players, debts, etc but choose not to muck rake.

Footy Mad I live in Adelaide but follow many leagues - Bellarine - great effort by the Couta's 3 in a row - 1 loss for the year. Wimmera Football League - Dimboola with their new coach close to achieving something special (and I am not talking about their renovatiions)
 
Wel
ecklin said:
Accept everything you say (especially the WRRRRONG word) and good to see you also read that Gippsland newspaper article as well. I heard the players were pretty disillusioned prior to the finals as Dowie was flogging them on the training track - obviously everything changed when they won the GF. I still maintain from my sources he was not sacked - who knows what would have happened had he not taken the Gippsland job. Perhaps it was a clash of personalities. I appreciate that you are basically the only one that makes this forum operate to any degree. However I am concerened of anyone making incorrect statements. I could make some beauties about some substance abuse, fights between players, debts, etc but choose not to muck rake.

Footy Mad I live in Adelaide but follow many leagues - Bellarine - great effort by the Couta's 3 in a row - 1 loss for the year. Wimmera Football League - Dimboola with their new coach close to achieving something special (and I am not talking about their renovatiions)
Click to expand...

Well I beg to differ on the fact that Adam wasn't told his job wasn't there. Wbool wanted a playing coach and when that fell thought Scott Carter was then appointed. And I could easily match a dozen sources that will agree with that. I hardly was muck raking. I was merely making the point that Adam will take a quiet happiness out of beating the Blues on top of the elation of a premiership if that be the case. So if your offended by that the obviously we won't agree.

Adelaide but in guessing formerly of Hampden area?? Thanks for comments surrounding keeping this forum up and running, I think it's really important as backed up by the almost 10,000 views this season on it. It's a great league and proud to be a part of it. Who is your tip for the flag??
 
Koroit should win - they have easily been the best side all year. On the other matter I agree to disagree - I still believe it was an unecessary comment on your behalf. As I stated I could easily make numerous statements that would reflect badly on Hampden League clubs and players but choose not to - I suppose I could reconsider, it would certainly create some angst. I would have to rack my brain to go back 3 years though, unless I roped in some of my contacts over that way for some help.
 

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