SFNL: Hampton Park sits third despite having no home venue

Hampton Park coach Hayden Stanton has outlined how his side is taking its never-ending road run in its stride to be sitting third on the Southern league Division 2 ladder.

Hampton Park FC

Hampton Park is embracing the challenge of the unknown.

The Redbacks have been on the road for the entirety of 2023 for games, training and social events, with the finish date of its currently under construction facility to be confirmed.

Despite the challenge, Hayden Stanton’s men have managed to push to a 4-2 start in Division 2 of the Southern league.

The perpetual visitors scored a strong victory over Highett, 19.14 (128) to 8.11 (59), at the weekend and are set to tackle Skye in Round 7.

Although it is listed to be at Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve, Skye’s home venue, the location of the game is yet to be decided.

“Good question,” Stanton said in response to where his side is playing this weekend.

Hayden Stanton coaching in the Eastern league in 2015. Picture: Susan Windmiller

While the hassle of instability would typically disrupt a side’s contention, Stanton said his group is taking the circumstances in their stride.

“We will just get on with it and cop our lot, to be honest,” he said.

“We have just taken it as an opportunity to focus on the things that we have got control over.

“We’re making training enjoyable, trying to teach them how to play and making it hard on the opposition.

“We change venues on Thursday nights to go and have meals and that, we haven’t been able to have a social function yet, so it’s going to be a difficult year but because we’re going alright, people can see the enjoyment of getting to work together.”

Hampton Park celebrate a goal.

Stanton said the Redbacks are waiting patiently, not only for their new home but for things to click into perfect gear on field.

While sitting in third, the experienced coach is confident his side has a lot of room for improvement which will keep it around the mark come the pointy end of the year.

“This year is going to be a disjointed and unusual year for the club, but the players know that at the end of the year we will have a brand new, custom built facility that is state of the art,” he said.

“So, what we’re trying to do is focus on becoming a destination club going forward, not a club that takes in everyone else’s damaged goods.

“I think we realistically had two-and a-bit quarters against East Brighton (first) where we went away from how we wanted to play, so we didn’t lose sight of where we sit

“Murrumbeena (second) and us set up similarly, so I think from the perspective of every club – aside from East Brighton – is that the next five are even – you could throw a blanket over them.

“It’s just a matter of who is better on the day as it always is and having personnel fronting up.

“We have integrated 10 new players into our club and that takes time to get to know each other.”

Hampton Park is set to have some sort of facility.

Nathan Carver booted five and was named among the Redbacks’ best in their win over Highett.

Jack Wilson, Tanner Stanton, Liam Myatt, Shaun Walsh and Trent Downe were also named among Hampton Park’s best.

Elsewhere in Division 2, East Brighton secured another pulsating victory, defeating Caulfield Bears 18.11 (119) to 6.6 (42).

Tom Lamb added to his season tally – which now sits at 29 – with six majors.

East Malvern won its second match on the spin, beating Keysborough 5.11 (41) yo 4.10 (34).

Doveton continued its momentum building turn around with a 9.4 (58) to 5.6 (36) win over Skye and Murrumbeena walloped Black Rock 21.22 (148) to 3.5 (23).