OLD BOYS SOCCER TEAM HEBFC THE OLD BOYS SOCCER TEAM, HAMPTON EAST BRIGHTON FOOTBALL CLUB

(HEBFC) HAD A RETURN TO A FULL SEASON OF COMPETITIVE SPORT TO REMEMBER IN 2022.

The team won the State League 3 (SL3) South East title and SL3 Grand Final double for the first time in the club’s history.

Following two incomplete seasons, the Tonners secured technically back to back league titles and promotions following SL4 Victory in 2019.

The season itself could only be described as a roller coaster, with injuries and players unavailable, resulting in a total of 47 players in the senior squad that won the division, including a number of Old Boys.

The victory is the third league title in four full seasons under coach Brandon Galgano and his coaching staff since taking over the club in 2017.

The 2022 season went down to the wire. There was a tight run home and Tonners managed to secure the championship on the final day of the season through a 1-0 win, with the winning goal scored by Nikolas Robers (OB 2013).

The Tonners then went into the SL3 Grand Final against North West champions Westvale. Finley Olsen (OB 2016) and Mackie Simmons (OB 2009) combined in the first half to score, with the Tonners winning 1-0 and securing the double.

The promotion means the club has now climbed to State League 2 South East for the first time in its history for season 2023. HEBFC is now the highest ranked Bayside club (apart from Port Melbourne and Beaumaris) and the highest within the Men’s State League structure.

This victory was highlighted by the efforts of Old Boys and current Years 11 and 12 students who combined APS school and club commitments to assist in securing the title. They included

Oliver Holland (OB 2022 and 2022 Captain of the First XI), Cail Thomson (OB 2022), Matthew Cruse (Year 12 2023), Stanley Chen (OB 2022), Sebastian Madeira (Year 12 2023), Thomas Bailey (OB 2022) and Zack Bogoevski (OB 2022).

The 2022 First XI coach and BGS teacher Kogulan Sabratanam also played a huge role in assisting the transition of current

BGS first team players into senior football with HEBFC.

Old Boys who played a part in the 2022 Mens Premiership side included, Mackie Simmons (OB 2009, 2022 Equal club Best and Fairest winner), Nikolas Robers (OB 2013, who played his 100th club match during the 2022 season), Finley Olsen (OB 2016), Thomas Robers (OB 2011), Christian Smak (OB 2009), Nikola Savage Brajdic (OB 2012), and Marshal Sayer (GK Coach, OB 2001).