30/08/2026
SPORTS REPORT // Saturday 29th August - Round 20
And just like that, the home and away season is done!
It was a heated affair at Welby on Saturday… temperature wise, that is, with our Blacks and Purples battling through the early spring heat for their midday clash.
The Blacks came out firing, with Charlotte Young slotting one in early before going on to snag another two, while Lauren Hogan tucked another under her wing to help the Blacks to a 4-2 win.
But with this being the Purples’ final game of the season, and perhaps a little heatstroke and delirium setting in, half-time saw the birdies shift gears and the objective became pretty simple: have a good laugh.
Claire “Powerhouse” Purcell certainly understood the assignment, leaving everyone in stitches with her on-field shenanigans. First picking up the ball and throwing it rather than conceding to a tackle, then later deciding sticks were apparently optional altogether, picking up the ball, running it into the D and lining up for a shot on goal.
Thankfully champion umpire Nelson Worner saw the funny side and decided that green card could stay safely in his pocket.
By the final quarter, the Purples had thrown positions out the window completely and, well… chaotic would be an understatement.
Usual last lines of defence Emily Heyhorn and Ness Hotten suddenly found themselves on the frontline, and in a wonderful show of club spirit, the Blacks gave the pair the chance to join the chase and pop one each into the back of the net.
A lovely gesture from our black-feathered friends and, more importantly, Emily and Ness officially have their names removed from the end-of-season nudie run. Priorities.
And that brings the Purples’ 2026 season to a close.
We’re incredibly proud of this little flock. Since first forming in 2023, they’ve come leaps and bounds. The hockey has improved, the teamwork has grown, the goals have started coming and, most importantly, they genuinely love turning up each week and playing together.
The Purples will now retire to “The Hill” for the remainder of the season, where they’ll assume their next important role: loudly cheering on the Blacks and the fellas through finals.
Then it was over to the lads for their final-round clash with Burrawang, and there was certainly some tension in the air.
That is, except between captain Cam Marshall and Burra’s Jimmy Handley. Watching these two go toe-to-toe is downright hilarious. They look like they’re having about as much fun as two blokes can have with their clothes on.
The boys came away with a 2-1 win, with Al Rebbeck finding the back of the net and Josh Heyhorn sending an absolute cracker home from the penalty spot.
After what has been a rather dramatic season featuring a wrap sheet of injuries long enough to rival a hospital admissions list, it was bloody good to see the boys back together, mostly in one piece, and finishing strongly.
So the regular season ends with our Blacks on top of Women’s Third Grade and our Men sitting second in Men’s Third Grade.
Purples, your job is done. Grab a drink and find a spot on The Hill.
Blacks and fellas… it’s finals time. 🦅🏑
