THE Hamilton Kangaroos will travel to Hanlon Park today to take on Portland with hopes of reversing the result from Anzac Day earlier in the season.

In Football, the Roos descend on Hanlon Park today desperate to defeat Portland and keep its HFNL finals aspirations alive.

Both teams will have refreshed after the winter break last weekend and go into the match with different expectations.

For the third-placed Tigers, it’s a case of maintaining momentum as they head into what should be their first finals appearance since joining the league, while the Kangaroos are desperate to keep their finals hopes alive with victory.

A loss for the Kangaroos will see those finals dreams disappear and no doubt the team will be desperate to keep in touch with the top five after its one-point loss to Warrnambool in round 11.

Despite having more shots at goal than the Blues, the Kangaroos paid a heavy price for poor goal kicking and now their fate depends on results going their way for the rest of the home and away season.

Brady Hicks, Michael McMeel, Angus Noske, Cameron Pither, Deacon White and Hamish Cook impressed against the Blues and will need to carry this form into today’s game.

In netball, the Roos are looking for revenge for the Anzac Day defeat by Portland earlier in the season when the two teams meet at the Hanlon Park today in round 12 Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) action.

Both teams still aspire to reach the final five, but neither can afford to drop any of their remaining matches starting from today.

Kangaroos coach, Nat O’Dea, is hopeful of having her full squad available to choose the team from, and while it may appear that finals are out of reach, the squad still has the goal of reaching them.

 “We hope to be full strength and have the nine Open squad players available, Kellie Sommerville has been out (calf injury) but has been working hard behind the scenes to return,” O’Dea said.

“Finals are going to be tough, but I also know when the girls play their best, they can beat any opposition in the competition.”

“Playing finals would be amazing, so yes, it’s a big motivation for the girls.

“We played Portland at home (Melville Oval courts) on Anzac Day (the) first time round and we were soundly beaten by the Tigers (but) their entire team played very well that day.

“We have come a long way since then and we know it’s a huge challenge to beat them at Hanlon Park, but we are certainly up to the task and know what we are up against this time round.”

O’Dea knows the team wasn’t at full strength in that early season encounter, but with defence specialist Emma Sommerville back in her line up for the game, she is confident of the contest being much closer.

“Our Captain Emma Sommerville (GK) on Portland’s Jess Cook (GS) will be a great match up,” O’Dea said.

“Emma missed the first time we played Portland so I believe her defensive pressure and leadership on their main goalie will be a huge advantage for us.

“Suitably backed up by Ella Sevior in goal defence, who is playing outstanding netball in her debut Open netball season, such amazing talent for someone so young,” she said.