IT was yet another game which could have gone either but, but the Hamilton Kangaroos have gone down to Camperdown by 18 points in their Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) round 17 clash at Melville Oval on Saturday.

The day started positively for the blue and white, making the most of their chances to kick four goals straight, with the Magpies taking a nine-point lead into the first break.

Another four-goal term saw the Roos hit the front and held on to go into half time ahead by 14 points.

The black and white found their mojo again after the break and drew to within five points at the final break, overrunning the Kangaroos in the final quarter to win, 13.16 (94) to 11.10 (76).

As expected, it was Darcy Russell and Sam Gordon who did the bulk of the damage for the Roos and Magpies respectively, with the two players finishing with four majors each.

Deacon White continued his impressive senior form, named the home team’s best player once again.

Kangaroos coach, Hamish Waldron said it was his team’s inability to capitalize on their scoring chances which cost it the victory.

“We had I think 57 forward entries and they might have had 48,” he said.

“It has always been a bit of an issue, but I just didn’t think we got it in deep enough and too many short entries.

“Clearance wise, we beat them, it wasn’t the lack of opportunity, we just didn’t put them away.”

The third term saw the Magpies kick four goals to two, eventually costing the blue and white victory.

“We moved the footy well and we might have had a bit of a lapse in the third term,” Waldron said.

“It felt like we went into half time and we had full control and we had it at our end for the first eight minutes of the term and didn’t kick one then they got it up their end and kicked two.”

Despite the loss, the skipper is still backing his team to finish the season strong and said his players hadn’t checked out yet.

“We were up at half time and three quarter time, we are still as eager as we can be,” he said.

“There’s a lot of positives to take out of the game, the way Deacon played was just outstanding.

“He is going to be a really good player for us.

“Noah Herrmann had a ripping first game, just to see him so clean with the footy and he didn’t waste it either.”

Herrmann spent his time split between playing down back and on a wing, and with only one game left in the season, the Roos will be hoping for an improved performance in their clash against Port Fairy on Saturday.

Reserves

THE Kangaroos’ reserves have kept their finals hopes alive with a 65-point win against Camperdown.

Camperdown got the jump, scoring two goals to one to lead at the first break, but from then on the Roos controlled the contest.

An eight-goal second quarter saw the home team lead by 37 points at half time and went on to claim a 16.11 (107) to 6.6 (42) victory.

Sean Picken topped the scoring with four goals for the Roos, while Alex Clemens was the blue and white standout.

Finals venues

THE HFNL has announced its intended venues for the upcoming finals series with Port Fairy the big winner.

Gardens Oval is set for double duty with the ground set to host both the elimination final and preliminary final.

The qualifying final will be played at Victoria Park, while the semi-finals will be split across Friendly Societies Park and Cobden Recreation Reserve.

The season decider will return to Reid Oval on September 17.

Finals get underway on August 27.