The Hampden league has reached the midway point of another year and the opening half of the season has proven to be an interesting set of encounters.
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After nine rounds of matches The Standard's Sean Hardeman has given his marks on how he thinks the ten Hampden league football teams have started the 2019 season.
Camperdown
Current position: Sixth - four wins, five losses
Points for: 703
Points against: 748
Mark: C
Comment:
It was a slow start for new co-coaches Neville Swayn and Jack Williams but the pair are starting to find their groove and so is their side.
The Magpies have shown in three games this season they have the scoring potential with scores of 146, 132 and 129, the last two coming in the past two weeks.
But they will need to keep finding these types of scores if they are to push for a return to finals.
Cobden
Current position: 10th - one win, eight losses
Points for: 436
Points against: 1096
Mark: D
Comment: It has not been a lucky year for the Bombers with injury depleting their list for most of Adam Courtney's first season as the side's pilot.
The first-year mentor would be eager to get some experience back into his side to quickly to help fast-track the steady improvement it has had as the year has gone on.
After three consecutive 100-point thumpings to start the year and only one win from nine, the room for improvement is massive for this side.
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Hamilton Kangaroos
Current position: Seventh - three wins, six losses
Points for: 631
Points against: 700
Mark: C
Comment:
The Kangaroos have what it takes to make the step up into the finals fight but they can't seem to get wins to fall their way against teams close to them on the ladder.
Losses to Camperdown and Port Fairy were well within reach but they still have time and the fixture to turn it around before a tough final month.
Finding form and keeping it is the key to their run home.
Koroit
Current position: Third - seven wins, two losses
Points for: 1008
Points against: 521
Mark: B
Comment: Continuity has been the Saints' main issue.
Through injury and unavailability Chris McLaren has not put his full side on the park for a majority of this season.
But the promising sign for the Saints is their depth has stepped up and played the part of experienced heads which will prove pivotal if injuries continue to take a toll.
The Saints' only two losses came against sides above them in the Eagles (six points) and Blues (29 points).
North Warrnambool Eagles
Current position: First - eight wins, one draw
Points for: 887
Points against: 546
Mark: A
Comment: The Eagles are a genuine contender.
Under Adam Dowie they are adapting on the go and able to find the edge to climb out of any situation to ensure they are victorious - a key ingredient Koroit has had on its way to five straight flags.
But the Eagles need to find a way to keep a healthy list and the form going if they are to ensure they remain the team to beat come September.
Port Fairy
Current position: Fifth - five wins, four losses
Scores for: 882
Points against: 586
Mark: C
Comment: An up and down year for the Seagulls.
Four defeats to teams above them shows they aren't quite ready to match it with the league's contenders.
The key for Dan Nicholson and his coaching panel is to find form capable of beating every side on its good days and keep it going.
Portland
Current position: Eighth - one win, seven losses, one draw
Points for: 520
Points against: 999
Mark: D
Comment: After matching it with the highly-fancied Eagles in round one and coming away with a draw the young Tigers, under the guidance of first-year playing-mentor Tom Sharp, haven't got the score on board and because of that the wins have been few and far between.
But there is still plenty of time for the Tigers to improve and find the avenues to goal they can use in their future push for their first finals series.
South Warrnambool
Current position: Fourth - six wins, three losses
Points for: 739
Points against: 542
Mark: B
Comment: First-year mentor Mat Battistello has found a game style that suits the Roosters but the challenge for his men is to sustain it against all opponents, no matter the quality.
They were outplayed by the Saints and have pushed the Eagles and Blues in consecutive weeks so they are in the mix but they just need to find the edge to beat these three sides.
Terang Mortlake
Current position: Ninth - one win, eight losses
Points for: 485
Scores against: 1046
Mark: D
Comment: Another side whose form has been up and down all year.
Michael Sargeant's Bloods have struggled to put scores on the board while injuries and unavailability have hit hard and depleted the side's strength.
Getting back to full power and fixing the scoring issues can help the Bloods secure more wins in the back end of the year.
Warrnambool
Current position: Second - eight wins, one loss
Points for: 1034
Points against: 541
Mark: A
Comment: An impressive second year under coach, Matt O'Brien has the Blues perfectly positioned for a tilt at premiership success.
The Blues just need to keep all their stars on the park and they'll be a big chance of securing a favourable September run.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
