Jonathan Brown leads Hampden league to 2017 interleague victory at Casey Fields

The three-time Brisbane Lions premiership forward’s words of wisdom paid off with the Bottle Greens rattling off a five-goal-to-one final term to defeat South East 13.19 (97) to 12.7 (79) at Casey Fields.

Brown admitted to goosebumps in the rooms after the game as he heaped praise on a Hampden team which lifted when under pressure.

The Bottle Greens found themselves 11 points down at the final change after South East wrested the momentum with a four-goal-to-two third quarter.

But they lifted with skipper Rory Taggert and midfield duo Taylor Mulraney and Jackson Bell, who was named the Bottle Greens’ best, playing pivotal roles.

Tim McIntyre snapped the first goal of the final term three minutes in to give the Bottle Greens a spark and Bell followed suit to get them the lead shortly after.

Goals to Taggert and Sandy Robinson, who was effective around the ground, snuffed out South East hopes.

Brown said he was proud of the Bottle Greens' response.

“It was just great to see the boys crack in. They had a huge last quarter,” he said.

“We worked really hard in the first half and unfortunately we weren’t able to kick straight and that always put a bit of pressure on you.

“We started to look a little bit weary in the third quarter and I thought our effort dropped off so I just asked the boys for a better level of commitment in the last quarter and they responded.”

Hampden started slowly in both the first and second terms before finishing strongly.

The Bottle Greens conceded the first three goals of the match but worked their way in front by quarter-time courtesy of Dallas Mooney’s strong repelling efforts in defence.

Goals to Josh Saunders, Paddy Anderson and Levi Dare gave them a boost heading into half-time after South East had gained the ascendancy early in the second term.

Cobden midfielder Brody Mahoney (hamstring tightness) withdrew when they arrived at Casey Fields, paving the way for Koroit’s Liam Hoy to come in.

“We know he was fully committed because he made the trek up,” Brown said.

“He really wanted to play but he put the team first.”

Brown, who was drafted via South Warrnambool, said he relished the chance to coach his home competition.

“It’s good to be able to help out at local level and I have a lot of history with the Hampden league,” he said.

“My father Brian coached the Hampden league and I obviously played Hampden schoolboys growing up.”

“It is a great experience.”