South Rovers FNC

Round 11 action is here and we return to the Lions Den this weekend.

The weather forecast looks a little bleak, but we’ll have egg and bacon rolls and hot coffee available to help keep everyone warm throughout the day.

This Saturday we also welcome our Auskickers, who will take centre stage at half time of the senior football. Around 30 kids have been involved throughout the season on Wednesday evenings and this will be a great opportunity to showcase the skills, confidence and enjoyment they have developed. A big thank you to Ben Nicholas for the fantastic job he has done running the program and helping grow the next generation of Lions.

We welcome the Merrivale Football Netball Club Inc. to the Den for a battle of the big cats, with plenty of exciting contests across football and netball.

Matchups to Watch

🏐 15&U Netball
Both sides sit on one win. The Tigers got the points in Round 2 and our girls will be keen to turn that result around on home court.

🏐 B Grade Netball
Third versus fourth in what looms as a crucial clash. The Tigers currently occupy a top three position, while our girls have been building some strong form and are looking to make a statement.

🏐 A Grade Netball
A tough challenge awaits against one of the competition’s premier sides, but a great opportunity to test ourselves against the benchmark.

🏉 Under 13½ Football
A massive game with fourth taking on fifth. Both teams have genuine top three aspirations, making this one of the most important junior games of the round.

🏉 Reserves Football
These two teams have a habit of producing close contests and this week’s match should be no different. Both sides will be looking to respond after last week’s results.

🏉 Senior Football
Fourth versus fifth and another game with plenty on the line. Their Round 2 encounter was a terrific contest and we’re expecting another hard-fought battle this weekend.

After the games, stick around for presentations and a drink at the bar. Please note that due to a private function, clubrooms will close at 6.00pm.

This Week’s Sponsors

🔹 Mark Kirchner Food Services

Mark Kirchner Food Services is a proudly local, family-owned business that has been servicing Warrnambool and surrounding districts for more than 30 years. Supplying an extensive range of fresh meats, seafood, frozen products and dry goods, Mark and his team have built a reputation on quality produce, reliability and outstanding customer service. Their willingness to go the extra mile for their customers mirrors the values we strive for at South Rovers, and we are grateful for their continued support of our club.

🔹 Phil Hetherington Plumbing

Phil Hetherington Plumbing is a trusted local name for all plumbing and gas fitting needs. Phil has a long history with South Rovers and has supported the club over many years. His experience within the industry, attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship have earned him an outstanding reputation throughout the district. We thank Phil for his ongoing backing of the Lions both on and off the field.

🔹 Coastal Care Dentures

Owned and operated by Grace Downie, Coastal Care Dentures provides professional, affordable and personalised denture care to the local community. With 10 years of experience in the dental industry, including time as both a qualified Dental Assistant and Dental Technician, Grace offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Services include same-day denture repairs and additions, relines, mouthguards, and full or partial acrylic dentures. Coastal Care Dentures prides itself on quality workmanship, quick turnaround times and helping clients maintain a confident smile. We thank Grace and Coastal Care Dentures for their valued support of South Rovers.

We thank all three sponsors for their support of our club and encourage our members and supporters to support the businesses that support South Rovers.

See you at the Den on Saturday. 🦁💙💛❤️

Not long now until our annual ball, Fifty Shades of Rovers.

Get your ticket secured and start planning your outfit with a touch of maroon, blue or gold.

A night to celebrate the many people, personalities and stories that make our club what it is.

We can’t wait to see everyone for another great night. 🦁

🦁 Thursday Night Dinner

Thursday night dinners are back this week with a good old-fashioned casserole on the menu.

The bar will be open

See you Thursday night. 🦁

Round 10 comes and goes on a traditional Warrnambool winter’s day. Rain fell throughout the day, but thankfully the wind was absent.

Over on the netball courts, while not a lot went our way on the scoreboard, there were still plenty of positives to take from the matches.

The B Grade girls secured an important win thanks to a strong first term. It makes four wins in a row, and they continue to build momentum at the right time of the season. Well done, girls.

The A Grade girls battled hard all afternoon. Scores were locked at half time in what was shaping as a terrific contest, but a slow third quarter proved costly for our group as the game slipped away.

On the football field, the Under 13.5s recorded a crucial victory over fourth placed Russell’s Creek. The result sees us move into the top five, while Creek slips back to sixth. Attention now turns to another important clash against fourth placed Merrivale, with plenty on the line as finals aspirations start to take shape.

The Under 16s faced a must-win match and delivered, running out 19 point winners. Sam Bushell led the way with three goals as the group keeps itself firmly in the hunt for a top five finish.

Our senior footballers got off to a fast start before Russell’s Creek worked its way back into the contest, setting up a fascinating final quarter. While we missed a few opportunities to build some important momentum late in the game, these experiences will prove valuable for our young group moving forward. The boys fought hard right to the final siren and can hold their heads high with the effort they produced.

This week's review is proudly brought to you by our sponsors

Cally Hotel
A Warrnambool institution, The Cally Hotel is a leading pub and accommodation hub located right in the heart of the CBD. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quality meals, beer garden and strong support of the local community, The Cally remains a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike. Whether it's a family meal, a catch-up with friends or post-match celebrations, The Cally has something for everyone.

Dominic Bushell- Luke Williams Real Estate
Since joining Luke Williams Real Estate in 2021, Dominic has built strong relationships with clients through his commitment to personal service and local knowledge. A passionate supporter of the Warrnambool community through his involvement in numerous local organisations, Dominic is dedicated to helping people make informed real estate decisions.
📧[email protected]
📞 0488 905 293

A big thank you to Cally Hotel and Dominic Bushell- Luke Williams Real Estate for their continued support of the South Rovers Football Netball Club. 🦁

Stings. But proud of the boys no doubt.
Didn’t back down.

Always one of the most fun and popular nights on the South Rovers calendar, the Morton Monster Draw & Goods and Services Auction is now just one month away.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll start showcasing some of the fantastic items and experiences up for grabs, all generously donated by our valued sponsors and local businesses. We’re incredibly grateful for their ongoing support and contribution to the club.

Make sure you lock in Saturday, July 11 and stay tuned for more information, auction items and event details in the weeks ahead. 🦁

Junior Football Academy – Parent Representative EOI

The WDFNL is seeking a parent or guardian of a current junior player to join the Football Academy Working Group in a voluntary role.

The group will help guide the future direction of the Academy, focusing on junior development, participation and pathway opportunities across the league.

Previous experience is not required. The league are looking for someone willing to contribute positively and support the development of young footballers within the WDFNL.

For more information or to express your interest, please contact the WDFNL.

Deadline pushed to Sunday 6pm

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes_KIN3inFfuW1HdUQfYMgccAGsT9VrrD03cMqczW9cYae5A/viewform?usp=dialoghttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes_KIN3inFfuW1HdUQfYMgccAGsT9VrrD03cMqczW9cYae5A/viewform?usp=dialog

Are you a parent of a junior footballer in the WDFNL?

Passionate about player development and creating more opportunities for young footballers?

EOIs are now open to join the WDFNL Football Academy Working Group, with two voluntary Parent Representative positions available.

Have your say and help shape the future of junior football in the WDFNL.

The WDFNL Strategic Plan (2026–2030), shaped by our clubs and community, identified Participation Growth & Player Development as a key priority for the future of our League.

One of the flagship actions within this pillar is the establishment of an Academy Program to provide enhanced development and pathway opportunities for our junior footballers.

We’re excited to now be progressing this important initiative, continuing the work of turning our Strategic Plan into meaningful outcomes for clubs, participants and the future of football across our region.

EOI: Google Form - Closing Friday 12th of June at 12 noon

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes_KIN3inFfuW1HdUQfYMgccAGsT9VrrD03cMqczW9cYae5A/viewform?usp=dialoghttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes_KIN3inFfuW1HdUQfYMgccAGsT9VrrD03cMqczW9cYae5A/viewform?usp=dialog

Dinners tonight!

The second half of the home and away season begins this weekend as we head to Mack Oval to take on our neighbours in Russells Creek

With plenty still to play for across football and netball, we’re looking forward to building on the first half of the season and continuing to push towards finals.

Following the day’s play, dinner and awards will be held at the Cally Hotel. We hope to see plenty of Lions there.

Some matchups to keep an eye on,

The 13 & Under netballers couldn’t be separated in Round 1, playing out a draw. Now sitting 4th and 5th on the ladder, another close contest looks likely.

In B Grade netball, it’s also 4th versus 5th. A win keeps us firmly in the hunt for a top-three finish, while a loss will make the battle for a finals position even tighter in the weeks ahead.

A Grade netball claimed the points in Round 1, but the Creek enter this contest in strong form and deserved favourites. Our girls will be looking to cause an upset in what promises to be another high-quality matchup.

Over on the football field, our Under 13s sit sixth and take on the fourth-placed Creek, with just two points separating the sides. It’s an important game for both teams.

For the Under 16s, it’s a crucial match as they look to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Under 18.5s face a top of the ladder showdown. We’ll need to be switched on from the opening bounce against a quality opponent in what should be a terrific contest.

In senior football, our boys take on one of the competition’s benchmark sides. It’s a great opportunity to test ourselves against the best and see where we’re at heading into the second half of the season.

A huge thank you to this week’s match day sponsors:

Fresha – A proudly local beverage supplier based in Warrnambool, providing premium fruit juices, coffee machines, milk and café supplies throughout regional Victoria.

Warrnambool Gyprock – South-West Victoria’s trusted supplier of plasterboard, insulation and building materials, servicing tradespeople, builders and DIY renovators.

Maddens Lawyers – A respected and long-standing law firm with more than 70 years of experience providing legal services across regional Victoria and Melbourne.

Good luck to all our footballers and netballers this weekend.

Go Lions!

The season is flying by and there’s plenty still to come at South Rovers. Check out what’s on the calendar over the next few weeks.

And don’t forget, Ball tickets are on sale now. Secure yours and join us for one of the biggest nights on the club calendar. 🦁