THE Hamilton Kangaroos will be fighting for survival when the Hampden Football Netball League finals continue this weekend.

Netball

HAMILTON Kangaroos are one win away from claiming a spot in the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) Division One Grand Final and all it needs to do to book its place it to grab the opportunity presented before it today.

The Kangaroos meet minor premier, Koroit, at Friendly Societies Park today in the second semi-final after they accounted for Port Fairy last week by five goals to retain their double chance.

For finishing atop the ladder, Koroit earned a week’s rest and should go into the match fully refreshed and at full strength, as it seeks another week off with victory today.

The Saints were by far the best team in the regular season, finishing 10 points clear of the Kangaroos.

The Kangaroos were far too good for the Seagulls last week, gaining a five-goal margin by the final siren and won the game after trailing by five goals at the long break.

Their second half performance was outstanding, as they posted 25 goals to 15 to overrun the Seagulls and earn the right to challenge the Saints for a place in the final game of the season.

Indiana Ryan, Anastasia Walsh and Mel Robertson were at their best against the Seagulls and no doubt Kangaroos coach, Nat O’Dea, will be looking for the rest of the team to emulate their efforts today.

PORT Fairy must regroup quickly against Portland in the first semi-final on Sunday at Cobden if they are to avoid a straight sets finals exit after losing to Hamilton last weekend.

The Tigers were far too good for Cobden, winning by seven goals and will have the Seagulls firmly in their sights on Sunday.

Division 3

HAMILTON Kangaroos enter the first semi-final with Koroit tomorrow at Cobden knowing a loss will end what has been a good season to date.

The Kangaroos overcame a five-goal deficit at the first change of ends against South Warrnambool last weekend to enter the final term with the scores locked together only to fall short at the final siren.

Ellen Casey, Ebony Wilson and Jessica Beattie all played well, and will be keen to replicate their form from last week.

If Elizabeth Goodman and Mikaela McCallum can emulate their form in goals, the Kangaroos should be able to extend their season.

Port Fairy returns to the court today against South Warrnambool, knowing that it can secure a grand final spot with victory and claim a second week of rest as well.

Open

SOUTH Warrnambool and Cobden meet in the second semi-final today, while Koroit and North Warrnambool Eagles will battle it out tomorrow at Cobden for a spot in the preliminary final.

Division 2

PORT Fairy enjoyed its week off for finishing atop the Division 2 ladder, returning to the court today against surprise week one winner, Koroit, which stunned South Warrnambool by seven goals last Saturday.

The Roosters will need to defeat Cobden at Cobden tomorrow to continue their campaign, as a loss will see them depart the finals series in straight sets.

17-and-Under

HAMILTON Kangaroos must raise its performance from last weekend if it is to carry on in the finals series beyond tomorrow when it meets Camperdown at Cobden.

While the victory against South Warrnambool was thrilling, the Kangaroos know that the Magpies present another level of opposition after they pushed Cobden all the way in the qualifying final last weekend.

Friendly Societies Park will host minor premier Koroit in their match against Cobden today with a place in the grand final at stake for the winners.

15-and-Under

KOROIT and South Warrnambool will battle it out for a spot in the grand final today in the second semi-final, with the loser to try and regroup in the preliminary final against either Cobden or Camperdown who meet tomorrow.

13-and-Under

THE Saints and South Warrnambool will also meet in the 13-and-Under second semi-final and again the winner will earn a week’s rest, while the loser will battle it out in the preliminary final against either North Warrnambool Eagles or Cobden who face-off tomorrow.

Football

AFTER starting the season with three wins from the first six rounds, the Hamilton Kangaroos have not suffered defeat since.

The blue and white team heads into the HFNL Under-18.5 preliminary final at Friendly Societies Park against minor premier Koroit today with a grand final spot on the line.

The Saints enjoyed a week off while the Kangaroos fine tuned their game plan with a comprehensive 75-point victory against North Warrnambool Eagles in the qualifying final, and the winner of today’s clash gets the armchair ride directly to the grand final.

Koroit has suffered only the one loss for the 2022 season and that was to the Kangaroos back in round 10 at Melville Oval, with the Saints having won in round one.

The 13-game winning streak started for the Kangaroos back in round seven and the squad has been quietly going about building a strong game plan that has stood the test of time against all opposition.

Hamilton Kangaroos coach, Luke Uebergang, knows the Saints will pose a huge threat to his team and will also go into the game without a couple of players missing through injury.

“Vincent Huf and Lachie Urquhart are going to miss through injury, and we wish them speedy recoveries, but other than those two we are at full strength,” Uebergang said.

“Huf broke his hand six weeks ago and it hasn’t heeled as well as hoped, while Urquhart injured the cartilage in his knee and should be back for our next game.

“In the two games that we have played against them, we have seen how they like to play and what we must do to shut down their game plan.

“In round one we were well in the game until three-quarter time, but we fell away in the last term, and to be honest we dropped our heads a little, but the second game both teams were far from full strength, and we came away with a strong six-goal victory.

“Jake McCosh and Curran O’Donnell are two that we must keep quiet, as they have an impact up forward.

“With the forecast being for dry but overcast weather, it’s going to suit both teams’ game plans, but if rain does play a part, then we are ready,” Uebergang said.

Seniors

WEEK two of the Hampden Football Netball League finals will see minor premier, Koroit, up against North Warrnambool Eagles today, with the Eagles causing a huge upset last week in defeating South Warrnambool in week one.

The Saints are raging hot favourites to carry off another flag, and after having a week’s rest they will be primed and ready to earn a spot in the grand final with victory here.

SOUTH WARRNAMBOOL suffered a shock loss to the Eagles in week one of the finals, as the Roosters finished the regular season three games clear of North Warrnambool on the ladder.

The Roosters must defeat Portland on Sunday at Cobden to ensure they don’t exit the finals in straight sets, but the Tigers were emphatic in disposing of Warrnambool by 27 points last week and will be keen to continue their inaugural HFNL senior football finals campaign.

Reserves

NORTH Warrnambool Eagles will be fully refreshed after a week off and will face-off against South Warrnambool today.

COBDEN must continue its finals form on Sunday when it meets Koroit at Cobden in the first semi-final.

With the game being drawn at the Bombers’ home ground, no doubt they will receive great hometown support from the locals.

The Saints fell at the first hurdle last weekend and must regroup quickly if they want to continue their campaign into the coming weeks.