IT is just two weeks until the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) season gets underway, with representatives from all 10 clubs along with a special guest gathered in Warrnambool to officially launch the 2024 campaign on Monday night.

Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, attended the event along with league executives, including president, Shane Threlfall.

Threlfall said he expects the 2024 season to be one of the most competitive campaigns this century.

“I thought last year was the best the Hampden league has been in terms of evenness of competition for probably 10-15 years,” he said.

“The early signs are suggesting this could be the best we’ve had for 20 years, the clubs seem really even and it seems to be a really great competition.”

Adding to that competitiveness is more than half a dozen former AFL players, who be involved at different times during the year.

Headlining the group is new Warrnambool recruit, Ben Cunnington, who played 238 games for North Melbourne, but will now split his time between the Blues’ midfield and forward line.

Cunnington told The Spectator his excitement levels were starting to rise with the season approaching.

“It is not far away now, we just had our first practice match last week which was exciting,” he said.

“I had a good run up in Melbourne, it was my childhood dream and unfortunately it has to come to an end, but my body is still feeling good.

“To come back locally where I grew up and play and have an impact, it has been good for even my own passion and love.

“My wife, Belinda, is from Scott’s Creek, so we always knew we wanted to come back to the country.”

It will be the first time since Under-16s that Cunnington will play regular Hampden league football, having spoken to multiple clubs before committing to the Reid Oval-based club.

“Moving a bit closer to Warrnambool, our options were open,” he said.

“We spoke to the majority of the clubs, gave them a chance and heard them out, everyone was very impressive, but decided to settle with the Warrnambool Football Netball Club.

“You want to try and give back any way you can.”

Among the other former top league players are Steven Motlop, Michael Barlow, while Ricky Henderson is assistant coach at Port Fairy, Lewis Taylor will coach Terang-Mortlake and Nathan Vardy will coach the North Warrnambool Eagles.

Cunnington said the league’s appeal and standard would make for a higher standard of football across the board.

“It is exciting, it is diverse and will make the competition stronger,” he said.

With Madigan entering his first season as Head of AFL Victoria, hesaid he was excited to see games get underway and see how the season shapes up at community level.

“Bit excited and a bit nervous, but starting after the (AFL) season ended (last year), it was a soft landing,” he said.

“I am looking forward to the community football season starting, I think everyone is keen to get the games underway.”

Madigan said growing participation continue to be a priority, but was hopeful current trends would continue.

“Participation is still our focus, but pleasingly, numbers are all up on last year in all categories – age groups, gender, umpiring” he said.

“The recovery from COVID has been pretty quick, but it is still not without challenges.”

Madigan will also oversee the first season in which concussion guidelines changed for community footballers, meaning players can’t return to the field until at least 21 days after sustaining their concussion.

“I don’t think you can ever compensate for the health and wellbeing of players,” he said.

“Historically, it was 12 days after passing stage two, and more often than not, people were nearing the 21 days anyway.

“Mandating that now and having that as the guideline can only provide a safer environment for players and longevity in the game.”