The Hamilton Kangaroos will host Terang-Mortlake in Hampden Football Netball League action today with the Roos' senior football and Open netball teams desperate for wins to keep in touch with the top teams. 

The Hamilton Kangaroos will be out to claim their first Open netball win of the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) season when they host Terang-Mortlake at Melville Oval.

The home team has battled injuries since round one and this afternoon’s game will see eight of the 10 squad members in action, with three handy inclusions set to bolster the side.

Kangaroos coach, Nat O’Dea said morale was high among the group going into the round five clash.

“Last Wednesday we had a whole club training, it was a different atmosphere and everyone was together for a session which was a bit more relaxed,” she said.

“We are back into business this week though.

“There were some beautiful passages of play against North (Warrnambool), and we did have more possession than previous games.

“There were some great signs of what is to come.

“I just hope we build from there.”

Eve Duckmanton will miss through unavailability, while one other will miss with illness.

O’Dea said to have the majority of the squad fit again and available buoyed her with confidence.

“It kind of feels like round one again,” she said.

“For me to look across and have an Open player on the bench if I need her will be great.

“We will see how Emma (Sommerville), Kellie (Sommerville) and Leesa (Iredell) go, they will be managed and I don’t think you will see them on the court for the full game.

“Just to have her leadership, across goal defence, wing defence and centre, it is a great combination for us.

“There is a sense of optimism and maybe we are coming to where we have wanted to be.”

With the Bloods also struggling in the early games of the season, O’Dea said she was hopeful the team could celebrate its first win of the season later today.

“I would like to think every game is gettable, but I really hope the girls can win and we have got to believe that we can only build from having the players back,” she said.

The Kangaroos senior football will be back in action when they host Terang-Mortlake in HFNL round five action this afternoon.

It is a Super Saturday and the blue and white will be hoping home ground advantage and an improved four-quarter performance can help the team claim its second win of the season.

Vincent Huf comes into the side for his senior debut and will line-up in the forward line alongside Darcy Russell, who will again be the main tall target for the home side.

Russell has shown he can get to the right spots and if he finds his radar in front of goal, he could be in for a big day.

The Roos are coming off a tough loss to North Warrnambool prior to last weekend’s bye, but the team should be fit and firing in what is a must-win contest if the blue and white want to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Bloods seventh, one spot higher than the Kangaroos with both teams going into the clash with a 1-3 record and a percentage in the 50s.

Jack Hickey and Bailey Mason will be better for the round four run and will look to stiffen the home side’s defensive stocks.

Cameron Whyte and Dave Arnold will again combine to share the ruck duties, with the Roos going in as slight favourites to claim a second win of the season.

With the Super Saturday schedule including junior games, the senior game will get underway at 3.40pm.