Round 1 Match Reports (2026)

After many months of hard work and plenty of new faces through a rigorous pre-season under the tutelage of coach Andy Castles and fitness guru Liam Walsh, the Trobers finally returned to playing footy with the commencement of their season on the weekend. The boys travelled away to Rathmines Reserve to play Hawthorn who were sure to be a strong outfit having come down from Division 2.

Pre-game preparations began with the introduction of club debutant’s Luke McGowan, Ronan Carr, brothers Sean and Brandon Grech, Ben Crozier and Cooper McPherson, all receiving their jumpers from Simon Hast and David Huffer.

After a tightly congested start to the game mostly being played in the minimal real estate that existed between the arcs, Damon Guy received a handball on the run and slotted the first major score at the 17-minute mark of the game to get the ball rolling. Hawthorn then returned serve with a goal of their own shortly after. The defensive unit held up well in the remainder of the quarter against a tall attack from strong efforts via Ned Uren and Luke Vaughan to see the scores at Hawthorn – 11, La Trobe – 10 going into the quarter time break.

The second quarter saw the La Trobe defence under increasing pressure with a flurry of behinds before the nimble Liam Walsh kept his feet and roved off a pack on the goal line to register a goal and give the Trobers the lead. Two majors to the Hawks saw them retake and then extend their lead, before tall drink of water Hugo O’Callaghan kicked a set-shot from straight in front to see the half-time scores at Hawthorn – 29 to La Trobe – 23. Mid-fielders Brandon Grech, Ben Crozier and Cooper McPherson had competed strongly at ground level to keep the ball heading our way and keep the score within reach.

Trailing by just 6 points at the main break, and the message from Coach Andy Castles was to maintain the pressure and take it right up to the home side in the second half. Hawthorn kicked the first major of the quarter at the 8-minute mark, followed by a quick reply from debutant Brandon Grech who worked hard forward to get on the end of a ball that went out the back of a competing pack to run into an open goal. The Hawks got a run on for the remainder of the quarter, kicking 5 unanswered goals to extend out to a 39-point lead. Key-forward debutant Luke McGowan had presented well all day, not afraid to take on the first tackle which provided dividends just before the break, shrugging a tackle and wheeling onto his left foot to kick his first goal in the red and black stripes. Hawthorn went into the break with a strong lead 69 – 36.

The home side kicked the first goal of the final term which saw an immediate response from La Trobe, with Liam Walsh again swooping on a loose ball inside 50 and snapping truly, followed by a goal from Ruben Cottee finding space just inside the arc for an uncontested mark to bring the scores to Hawthorn – 75, La Trobe – 51. Hawthorn proved to be too strong, running out the rest of the game kicking 3 goals to see them come out winners 96 – 51 in what was a disappointing loss for the Trobers, but showed plenty of green shoots to build on throughout the year. The men’s sides will have a bye next week, then face Albert Park at home on 2nd May in Round 3.

Goal kickers – Liam Walsh 2, Damon Guy, Hugo O’Callaghan, Brandon Grech, Luke McGowan, Ruben Cottee

Best – Brandon Grech, Hugo O’Callaghan, Connor McCredden, Liam Walsh, Austin Bennett, Luke McGowan