HAMPDEN league officials will push for a home interleague game against Ovens and Murray in 2016.
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The two competitions are set to meet at AFL Victoria country championships level for the third time in five years after the Bottle Greens’ thumping 97-point win over Murray on Saturday pushed them up the rankings.
Hampden played Ovens and Murray on neutral territory in 2012 at Carlton’s Princes Park and travelled to Wangaratta in 2014.
Both contests resulted in humbling losses for Hampden. It fell 48 points short three years ago and suffered a record 125-point defeat 12 months ago.
Hampden president Hugh Worrall said plans to host Ovens and Murray in the fifth-versus-sixth clash started less than 24 hours after Saturday’s win at Reid Oval.
He has discussed the Bottle Greens’ hopes with AFL Victoria western region manager Lachy Patterson.
“Ovens and Murray have had their past two games on home territory and we haven’t had them down here on our patch,” Worrall said.
“It would be great to get a game down here with O&M.
“We met Lachy Patterson at Casterton (junior carnival) yesterday and (Warrnambool and District president) Ken McSween and I were there pushing for home games.
“We don’t know the situation yet but we’ll do all we can to get a home game.
“The local community deserves that because they haven’t had a lot of chances to see interleague footy at local level.”
Worrall said Hampden was excited to get another crack at Ovens and Murray.
“Brendan Fevola stood down as coach after their defeat and it’s probably a good time to be meeting them when they’re rebuilding,” he said.
Worrall said he believed passion for the Bottle Greens’ jumper was rising again, as evidenced in speeches from senior players, including captain Sam Cowling, after the emphatic victory over Murray.
He expects strong support for the representative concept next year.
“They thought it was great and they are appreciative of what the league do in the lead-up,” he said of the 2015 team.
“They don’t play for money — they play for pride.”
Hampden was pleased with the gate figure, about $5000, for Saturday’s fixture, which included an under 18½ match, all-abilities showcase and two junior netball games.
Worrall said it was one of the biggest crowds the Bottle Greens had attracted for some years.
“I thought it was a great crowd and a good standard of football,” he said.
“I went to Casterton on Sunday for the junior carnival and again it was very well patronised by Hampden supporters.”