Sport
9 April, 2026
Super Saturday for Bloods
ROUND one of the Hampden Football Netball League this weekend sees Terang Mortlake kick off its season with a ‘super Saturday’ clash against Camperdown at the Leura Oval.
Reigning Maskell Medal winner Lewis Taylor is back to coach the Bloods, who finished sixth in 2025, for a third season at senior football level.
Former Collingwood and Brisbane Lions player Jackson Paine is the biggest name recruit to join over summer; the 16-game AFL key forward most recently playing at Old Melburnians.
Keegan Mellington is another big recruit for Terang Mortlake, the left footed midfielder playing for the Horsham Saints in 2025 and before that a six-year stint at the Ballarat Swans where he also served as captain.
Mellington also has senior VFL experience, playing for North Ballarat in 2017.
Ruckman/forward Sam Kenna joins from Northern Territory Football League club Waratah, Oscar Curran crosses from Kolora-Noorat with three years of senior experience and half-back Gus Bourke, who has played more than 150 senior games for the club, returns after a stint at Ocean Grove.
Players to have departed the Bloods include Kane Johnstone who has joined VFL team Werribee’s coaching panel, Darcy Hobbs who has joined West Australian Football League team West Perth, Hamish Hobbs who has joined Port Fairy, and Rhys Buck who has switched to Warrnambool.
Alex Moloney and Joe Arundell will once again serve as co-captains of the senior team, with Ryley Hutchins and Will Moloney vice-captains.
Young players Harvey Roberts and Xavier Vickers have also been added to the leadership group.
Jordan Harris and Charlie Finnerty have been appointed to coach the Bloods’ reserves in 2026.
Will Moloney will coach the under 18 footballers, Craig Fowler and Brett Membrey the under 16s and Tyler Vickers the under 14s.
The under 12s will be led by Josh Philp and Tim Gubbins, with Caleb Bamford and Lachie Primmer to coach the under 10s.
Terang Mortlake’s open netball team has a new leader, with Aimee Moloney returning to the game after time away.
Moloney, a multiple best and fairest winner, last played in 2022 and had a previous stint as open coach from 2014 to 2016.
Alice Tanner returns to the club - the goal keeper most recently playing at Leopold for the past three seasons.
Departures include May Suhan who has crossed to Kolora-Noorat, Eboni Knights who is not playing in 2026, and Mahni Johnstone who will miss the season due to a serious knee injury.
Johnstone will stay involved, taking the reins as the Bloods division one coach.
Claudia Lee will be in charge of the division two netballers, with Emma Kenna to coach the division three team.
Ava Grundy will coach the 17 and under netballers, with Ava Nolan at the helm of the 17 and under reserves.
The 15 and under netballers will be coached by Bailee Overweter, with Zoe Williams to coach the 15 and under reserves.
Sarah Davis is in charge of the 13 and under netball, with Holly Fowler to coach the 13 and under reserves.