THE Hamilton Kangaroos have sewn up sixth spot after a round 18 win against Port Fairy to conclude the 2022 Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) Open netball season on Saturday.

Both teams were out of finals contention, and despite taking an under-strength team into the clash at Melville, the Seagulls pushed the blue and white early on.

Despite captain, Emma Sommerville, being a late out with injury and Leesa Iredell also on the sidelines, the home side edged clear late in the first term to go into the quarter time break leading, 14-9.

Hamilton’s lead grew to 10 goals at the main break, as the Seagulls’ youth and inexperience started to fall away against the Roos.

A 24-goal lead at the final change of ends saw the Roos blood Grace Cleaver for some court time in her Open debut, with the blue and white going on to record a 64-36 win.

Kellie Sommerville impressed in goal defence for the winners, while Kyra McKinnis and Clare Crawford were also important players in the win.

Tilly Balmer and Tessa Allen were the Seagulls’ standouts.

Kelsey Lewis top-scored with 47 goals, while Tara Elliott put up 23 for Port Fairy.

Kangaroos coach, Nat O’Dea, stepped down from the role following the season-ending clash, but said it was important to finish the season with a win.

“It was tricky, poor Renae has lost a heap of players the week before, so we already had that in our heads,” she said.

“Once it kicked into gear in the second quarter and I thought our third quarter was quite good.”

Gabby Redpath also got some game time in the top grade for Hamilton.

“Obviously we wanted to be in finals, so to finish the second half of the year, that is probably more how we wanted to play and it is good for them to go into the off-season with that in mind,” O’Dea said.

“The girls will get around the six teams we have still in finals as well.

“The club just needs to build on what we have done already during the year, and they will do that for sure.”