Southern league Division 2: Hampton Park hits back from the ‘lowest of lows’

Hampton Park headlined a cracking round of Southern league Division 2 by hitting back from its heavy loss to Caulfield.

It was an action-packed round of Division 2 in the SFNL.

A big scalp, player milestones, a speccie, a breakthrough win, a key injury, a VFL call-up …

It was a busy round of SFNL Division 2, and for Hampton Park it was a day for restoring confidence and reviving fortunes.

The Redbacks had been thrashed by Caulfield in the previous round, falling out of the top five, and faced a Chelsea Heights team fighting to keep its finals hopes flickering.

Hampton Park won 11.3 (69) to 7.11 (53) in what senior coach Nathan Wilson called an “all guts’’ performance.

“We sort of threw everything into it … we might have even thrown in big Russ (ruckman Russ Gabriel) and Liam Myatt a week before they were ready,’’ Wilson said.

“We just knew how important this one was, especially with the games to come. We set it up as an elimination final and to get that response was outstanding.’’

Unfortunately champion big man Gabriel didn’t make it to half time, after another dominating display.

He went down with a quad injury, and will miss the next month.

The Redbacks were five points down at three-quarter time and kicking against the wind in the final term. But they rallied to win.

“The response was all guts. It was probably the best win so far in my time as coach,’’ Wilson said.

“Funny how footy works. Last week was the lowest of lows. Then you get this.’’

Myatt, returning from a knee injury, hurt his shoulder but produced a stirring last quarter, taking a courageous mark and kicking a vital goal.

He finished with three, as did the slippery Cam Williamson and the doughty Luke O’Brien, who played in the middle after Wilson made positional changes.

Travis Davis and Zac Hogton went to back flanks and generated great drive.

George Angelopoulos is carried from the ground after his 250th senior match. Pic: Steve Aitken World of Photography.

George Angelopoulos made his 250th senior appearance as Springvale Districts saw off a plucky Skye at Newcomen Rd, 13.12 (90) to 5.6 (36).

Star Matt Wetering kicked six goals to go to 53 for the season.

It was also Angelopoulos’s 50th game for Districts, whom he joined in 2018.

The combative and colourful small forward and midfielder played in two senior premierships at Noble Park and had stints at Karingal, Narre Warren and Stony Creek.

He was an integral component of the Demons’ 2018 Division 3 flag and is at the heart of their placing on top of the Division 2 ladder this year, unbeaten from 11 matches.

Corey Hutchinson soars for a speccie for Springvale Districts. Pic: Lily Cooper.

Demon Corey Hutchinson took a classic high mark, and Lily Cooper, the daughter of Districts great Tony, grabbed a photo of it.

East Brighton coach Andrew Kahofer said last week that the Vampires were after a big scalp, and they claimed it by fixing up Keysborough 13.17 (95) to 5.8 (38).

Young Blake Cochrane continued his outstanding season with a best-afield performance for the Vampires. From 10 matches, he’s been mentioned in the best-player list nine times.

Cochrane won the Sparrow Medal as the league Under 19 best and fairest in 2019.

Liam Reidy sings the Frankston song after his VFL call-up. Pic: Matt Walker.

Another young Vampire, Liam Reidy, was called up to the Frankston VFL team for a debut on Sunday night. The 203cm forward/ruckman kicked a goal against the Sydney Swans in the match at Werribee. Cheltenham wingman Austin Johnson also had his first game for the Frankston.

Keysborough stalwart Ant Brannan, a club best and fairest, played his 200th senior match. Of those, 141 have been in Keysy colours. Brannan remains fit and one of the most skilled and smart players in the division.

But it was a tough day for the Burra, with ruckman Bryce Sutton (thumb), Matt Carnelley (pectoral muscle), Dylan Webb (hamstring), Bomber Goodes (hand) and Michael Puts all copping injuries.

Meanwhile class act Tim Werner has finger surgery today.

“It’s tough. You get a bit flat on Saturday night and then you wake up Sunday excited because we know we’re going to see some youth come into the side,’’ Keysy coach Chris Smith said.

He said the Vampires were a slick side.

“They’re fit, they’re quick, they’re well coached,’’ Smith said.

“They ran all over the top of us. I think they’re definitely the real deal. But we’ll wait and see how they stack up against Springy and Caulfield.’’

Caulfield star Chris Smith bagged six goals as his team defeated Murrumbeena 17.13 (125) to 3.7 (25).

Big Bear Adam Ballard cops one high against Murrumbeena. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bears coach Chris O’Keefe was in the best again as he approaches his 350th senior match.

And Hampton broke through for its first win by getting past Heatherton at Peterson St.