THE Hamilton Kangaroos have finished the 2022 Hampden Football Netball League season with a big win against Port Fairy at Melville Oval on Saturday.

The home team won the ball at the source and dominated territory for much of the opening term, but inaccuracy cost the blue and white an even bigger margin at quarter time, leading by 23 points despite having eight more scoring shots.

Kaine Mercovich took just 12 seconds to score Port Fairy’s first goal of the second term, bursting clear from the ball up and sending the ball through the big sticks to give the visitors some confidence.

Port Fairy only managed one other goal for the term, as the blue and white went into half time leading by 34 points.

The second half was dominated by Hamilton, as Darcy Russell and Taine Morris provided big targets up forward and Jack Jennings chimed in with two majors on debut.

Ethan Knight also caused issues with four goals, as the Roos recorded an 18.25 (133) to 13.9 (87) victory.

Kangaroos coach, Hamish Waldron said he was proud of the way the team fought out the season and got the win as reward.

“The boys have been trying the last five or six games and we had those ones that didn’t go our way,” he said.

“They stayed focused and didn’t throw the towel in and to show the patches we did play today was pleasing.”

The two talls up forward were also pivotal, with both pushing up to the wings at different times to provide options.

“It is always pleasing when you look forward and see them up there,” Waldron said.

“Taine had 10 contested marks up to half time, so it was an outstanding game from him.”

Deacon White also spent some time on Mercovich, which will help him progress his skills going forward.

“It was a good experience for him, Mercs has been over and played SANFL footy and for Deacs to learn how they operate around the stoppage is good for him,” Waldron said.

Finishing off the season with a win was also important for confidence going into the off-season.

Waldron said the year offered some positives and was glad to continue giving you kids a go when they earnt senior selection.

“The biggest thing is keeping them all together and if we win those close games, then things could have been a bit different,” he said.

“He (Jack Jennings) is a good young kid, I’d been wanting to play him for six or seven weeks and he was coming into Under-16 finals, then when they got knocked out, I thought this was my chance.

“I also thought Whytey (Cameron Whyte) rucked well in there, credit to him for the way he has finished off the season.”