HAMPDEN is celebrating a 97-point thumping of Murray in Saturday's interleague clash at Warrnambool's Reid Oval.
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The Bottle Greens overcame a slow start before dominating the match as they posted a 22.10 (142) to 6.9 (45) win.
Former AFL player Damian Cupido kicked the first goal of the game for Murray after just two minutes as his side did all the attacking in a bright opening.
But once Hampden settled, the Bottle Greens were impressive. They won the clearances, their defence was tight yet super attacking and their forward line was unstoppable. Portland coach Luke Crane kicked four first-half goals that ignited Hampden before key forward Stephen Staunton kicked five of his six for the match in the second half.
Warrnambool midfielder Damien McCorkell was named best on ground for his relentless clearance work, Koroit's Ben Dobson racked up possessions across half-back and in the midfield while other midfielders Jackson Bell, Matthew Wines, Sam McLachlan and Isaac Templeton were also prominent.
Defender Tim O'Keeffe held Cupido to two goals, vice-captain Tom Batten, Terang Mortlake's Chris Baxter and Camperdown's Jack Williams all had their better of their opponents in the back half while power forwards Staunton, captain Sam Cowling and Travis Graham were potent.
Hampden's win in the seventh-versus-eighth clash came a year after it crashed to its biggest country championships loss in history against Ovens and Murray.
Hampden will now face Ovens and Murray for a third time in five years next year after the powerhouse was beaten by Mornington Peninsula today.
Earlier, Hampden achieved a four-goal win in the under 18.5 match against Murray. Hamilton Kangaroos' Jayden Watson was named best afield for his role in the midfield.
