Sport
23 April, 2026
Bloods dominance continues
TERANG Mortlake’s strong start to the season in the Hampden senior football competition continued on Saturday, with the Bloods defeating Portland by 22 points.
After an even first half, Terang Mortlake kicked five goals to two in the second half to run out 8.13.61 to 5.9.39 winners at the Terang Recreation Reserve.
“It was a good win and obviously Portland has recruited well in the off-season and they have started the season well, so we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Terang Mortlake coach Lewy Taylor said.
“But it was good to come out on top, I thought we played a good brand of footy, good team footy, it's good to go two and zero but we can’t get too comfortable at the same time.”
The low scoring encounter saw the Bloods up by eight points at three-quarter time, having kicked four goals to Portland’s three.
A four goal to two last quarter sealed the victory for Terang Mortlake.
“We had a bit of the play in the last and probably missed a few opportunities before that,” Taylor said.
“But I think when you’re playing a good side they make you miss at times, but it was just good to get the win, especially in front of our home crowd.”
Recruit Jackson Paine continued his strong start to the season, kicking five goals from his 17 disposals and six marks.
“Jackson did turn it on, he kicked a crucial goal there at one stage, then he kicked four in the last which was good, it was nice to kick away.”
Ruckman Sam Kenna was best for the Bloods, Taylor impressed with how the recruit has slotted into his lineup.
“Sam’s been great, he’s fitted in really well and we were very lucky to get him, we obviously got him reasonably late and he’s a very good player.
“It’s been great playing with him so far and he had to ruck against two quality ruckmen on the weekend, he pretty much rucked the whole day and had plenty of the ball for a ruckman, and he uses it well.”
Captain Joe Arundell led the possession getters with 28, Tyler Vickers had the ball 27 times, Kenna 25 and Taylor 24.
But the most pleasing stat for the Bloods coach was Tyler and Xavier Vickers both laying 10 tackles each.
“It’s a stat we try to look at every week and we all try and chip in the best we can, but those two are obviously standouts every week and they’re very easy to play with.
“They bring a lot of pressure as well as other stuff in addition to tackling, but yeah it’s one of their strengths, which is great to have.”
Another recruit, Keegan Mellington, made his debut for Terang Mortlake; Taylor liking what he saw.
“Keegan was really good, he’d been away for a couple of weeks, but he came in and he’s hard at the footy, he’s got good skills, he was really good first up.
“He’ll be better for the run, there’s no doubt about that, he’s fitted in nicely and brings leadership, he was the captain at Horsham Saints last year.”
This week Terang Mortlake head to Cobden for a Sunday clash against the Bombers.
Portland was too strong in the reserves, winning 14.7.91 to 3.3.21.
Henry Carroll, Ryan Tanner and Chris Bant were best for the Bloods, with Tanner, Tyson Hay and Jack Dando kicking a goal each.
Portland won the under 18s by 19 points, 5.15.45 to 3.8.26.
Spencer Sagnol, Zavier Fowler and Isaac Byron were best for the Bloods in the loss, with Jack Farrell kicking two goals.
Portland also got the win in the under 16s, 11.12.78 to 7.13.55.
Michael Woolhouse, Max Slater and Tom Scanlon were best for Terang Mortlake, with Scanlon kicking two goals.
The under 14 game was abandoned at half-time due to an injury to a Portland player.
Terang Mortlake had a 12 point win in the under 12 football, 4.3.27 to 2.3.15.
Ollie Membrey, Morgan Primmer and Alexander Gubbins were best, with Primmer kicking two goals.
In the Open netball, Terang Mortlake made it two from two with a 49-27 victory.
“We’re really stoked with our start to the season,” Bloods coach Aimee Moloney said.
“Obviously, that’s what you’re hoping for, but I feel like it makes a big difference in such a young side and all those new combinations to get those couple of wins, it’s been really important for us and our confidence levels.”
The Bloods got out of the blocks well, leading 13-4 at quarter time.
“It was a really good start, our main goal has been from week to week is to improve on our previous game and I thought we really did improve on last week’s game.
“We had a good start last week, but then we sort of had a lull towards the end of the game, which I didn’t feel we did this week, we just kept improving as the game went on and kept it nice and steady.”
Alice Tanner, Ava Grundy and Moloney were best for Terang Mortlake in the win.
“Alice had another great game, she got so many intercepts and turnovers.
“Ava runs in the mid-court, so she rotates between centre and wing attack, she’s just a really smart player and a great feeder, a real playmaker for us in attack, she had a great game on Saturday.”
Teenager Lyla Grundy scored a match high 37 goals in the win.
“Lyla had another fantastic game, she was great week one, and she’s only 16 so she’s just got off to a flying start.
“She moves so well, she’s very mature for her age, a lot of the young girls that are playing this year play a really mature game which is so nice to see.”
Moloney is looking forward to Sunday’s contest against perennial finalists Cobden.
“This week will be a really big challenge for us, Cobden has been very experienced and very skilful for such a long time, and they seem to have a similar team again.”
The division one netball saw Portland win 32-31.
Maddison Chesshire scored 17 goals and Holly Fowler 14, with Lizzie Cook, Bailee Overweter and Claudia Lee best for the Bloods in the loss.
Portland had a 32-27 win in the division two netball.
Ava Nolan scored 23 goals and was named in the best alongside Molly Kavenagh and Holly Jones.
Portland registered a 28-26 victory in division three.
Tess Harris, Ava Osborne and Sophie Conheady were best for Terang Mortlake, with Emma Keogh shooting 18 goals.
Terang Mortlake had a strong 52-16 win in the 17 and under netball.
Lyla Grundy shot 31 goals and Madelyn Clarke 21, with Lila Bennett, Clarke and Ava Conheady best.
There was no game for the 17 and under reserves with Portland not fielding a team in that grade.
The 15 and under game saw Terang Mortlake score a 39-26 win.
Mia Baker, Chloe Bouchier and Tilly Harrison were best for the Bloods, with Bouchier scoring 33 goals.
In the 15 and under reserves netball, Portland had a 27-19 win.
Grace Boshier, Francesca Rickard and Matilda Conheady were best for Terang Mortlake, with Poppy Moloney scoring 11 goals.
The 13 and under game saw a 35-17 win to the Bloods.
Annabelle Blackford, Elise Jewell and Matilda Conheady were best, with Imogen Barr shooting 22 goals and Blackford scoring 12.
Terang Mortlake’s 13 and under reserves team registered a 21-6 win.
Zarli Dower, Daisy Sargeant and Charlotte Boshier were best for the junior Bloods, with Boshier shooting 17 goals.
HAMPDEN FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
SENIOR FOOTBALL
TERANG MORTLAKE v PORTLAND
Terang Mortlake 8.13 (61) defeated Portland 5.9 (39)
