THE Hamilton Kangaroos’ 2024 Hampden Football Netball League campaign will conclude today when the Roos host Warrnambool at Dunkeld Recreation Reserve.

The Kangaroos have pinched four wins in what has been a difficult campaign with the club relocating from Melville Oval, along with a significant injury list at times.

Hamilton coach, Brad Thomas said the group is ready for the tough challenge against the third-placed Warrnambool side.

“As a collective group, we are excited, we still have four quarters to play, so the job isn’t done yet,” he said.

“They like to move the ball really fast, it is a good challenge and we have had a lot of young players who have come up in the past few weeks.

“Warrnambool do get a lot of inside 50s, averaging almost 65 per week.”

Vincent Huf is in concussion protocol and will miss the clash, giving Zach Burgess an opportunity to slot in for the last round after Glenthompson-Dunkeld’s season ended last week.

Zach has got a lot of good relationships here, any opportunity for him to come back and put the Roos jumper on is welcome,” he said.

Thomas said despite the difficulties during the season, the club’s leaders have taken steps forward and said the playing group had grown during the 2024 campaign.

“There is a development, our leadership group has really grown and in battle you develop your leadership skills,” he said.

“You don’t grow when you’re comfortable, to put some of these leaders in uncomfortable situations has helped them develop.”

This afternoon is also expected to be the club’s last game at Dunkeld, with the current timeline of the Melville Oval redevelopment set to see the Roos open the 2025 season back at their main ground in Hamilton.

Thomas said it is only now that the time away from Melville Oval is all but over, that the work behind the scenes is truly appreciated, but was grateful for other clubs’ support and that of volunteers.

“It is unappreciated in the moment, but it is not until now that you reflect, it has been tough having no home, for the volunteers going out and setting up,” he said.

“For us to get through like we have this year, credit to the players and Dunkeld will put on a good show.

“But to get back to our fortress next year, it will be something special.”

Netball

THE Hamilton Kangaroos will face-off against Warrnambool in their final Open netball game of the season this afternoon.

The Roos claimed three consecutive wins late in the season, with the team desperate to upset the Blues in the round 18 clash in what will be the club’s last game at Dunkeld Recreation Reserve.

Hamilton coach, Emma Sommerville said recent results had shown that a four-quarter effort tested other teams.

“It has been tough, the three wins at the end have been good to boost confidence and shows the girls that everything we have been working on will pay off,” she said.

“If the girls play hard for the whole four quarters, then I will be happy.

“We can usually stick with a quarter or two then it runs away from us, it is hard with a lot of players playing their second game of the day, but if we play a good hard four quarters, that is all I’m asking of the girls.”

With a full squad to choose from, aside from Mimi Chun who has been out most of the season with injury, Sommerville said she will change things up during the game if required.

“Last week we had to change things up due to fatigue, but ideally I’d like to see the season out with people staying in their positions as long as possible.

“It has been an incredibly rewarding season, the team is completely different to the start of the season and the adults stepping up to help the younger players and hopefully we can finish with a strong effort.”