Both the Central Highlands Football League and the Central Highlands Netball league have abandoned their planned finals because of ongoing COVID restrictions. The leagues had contingency plans for finals depending on when restrictions were lifted but this was the final weekend on which play could commence.
Premierships have been decided on the basis of the ladders at the end of the regular season. There were no premierships for Daylesford or Hepburn but many teams from both clubs finished second on their respective ladders.
Hepburn Bulldogs Seniors finished second on the CHFL ladder with a 9-1-1 record. Gordon finished an undefeated season on top of the ladder. Hepburn’s Sam Dunstan was the League’s leading goal kicker for the season with 82 goals at an average of 7.45 goals per game. Had he played three games cancelled due to COVID restrictions as well as finals, he might well have kicked 100 goals for the season. Daylesford Seniors finished out of finals contention but Scott Hughes was the third highest seniors goal kicker in the League with 35. Congratulations Sam and Scott!
In the Reserves, Hepburn also finished second with a 9-2 record behind Newlyn who only lost a single games this season. Daylesford Under-15s only lost one game this season but finished second behind and undefeated Buninyong. Jack French was the second highest goal kicker for the season with 38 goals.
In netball, Hepburn A Grade were undefeated for the season but finished second to Buninyong on percentage. The teams didn’t meet during regular season play. Hepburn B Grade finished third on points but fifth on percentage while the C Grade team finished fourth. Hepburn Under 17s topped the league after an undefeated season. The Under 15s finished fourth and the Under 13s finished seventh.
It’s been a frustrating season for players, coaches and supporters. In a social media post, Hepburn President, Jason Dooley said “We are all shattered but I guess not surprised. This is hard on everyone.”
We congratulate all our local football and netball players on a season well played. We all hope for the resumption of more normal playing condition in the autumn.
