Sport
27 September, 2023
Sinnott tops league
CAMPERDOWN footballer Hamish Sinnott has taken out Hampden League’s top award.
In what was a closely-contested vote count, Sinnott was named winner of the Maskell Medal during last weekend’s annual vote count and presentations, which was live streamed to clubs on Sunday.
Sinnott topped the poll with 18 votes, just one ahead of joint runners-up Jarryd Lewis from the North Warrnambool Eagles and Josh Saunders from South Warrnambool.
The talented 19-year-old also took home the football ‘Rising Star of the Year’ award, topping off a huge 2023 season for the teen.
“To be honest I was totally surprised to win it (the Maskell Medal) but I’m absolutely stoked,” Sinnott said.
“I really thought there was a few boys ahead of me. I was sitting seventh with three rounds to go and then I polled two threes which put me at the top.
“No-one else up there polled in the final round so that’s where I stayed which was a great surprise.”
While the two awards make welcome additions to his trophy cabinet, Sinnott preferred to focus on his home club’s success this year and of his game time at VFL level.
“Camperdown is a great local club and this year we won twice as many games as last season so that’s a huge achievement,” he said.
“We also defeated Koroit at home which is the first time since 2012 (I believe) and we beat North as well and they’re now in the grand final so we have a lot to be proud of as a club.”
Sinnott’s two games for Carlton in the VFL were also highlights of the season and he is hoping to get more game time under his belt next year – but as to where he will be playing that is yet to be confirmed.
“My ultimate goal is to play more VFL games next season, and do well, and then hopefully work my way up to the AFL draft,” Sinnott said.
“But I’ve got a lot of work to do. My first game with Carlton I did alright but in the second we struggled against the big Werribee side.”
In between training sessions both locally and in the VFL, Sinnott is also committed to one more term working at Parade College in Bundoora as a trainee PE teacher and finishing his university studies.
“At the moment I’m not sure where I’ll be playing next year,” he said.
“I’ve had talks with Carlton, Geelong has invited me to do a preseason down there and a few other VFL clubs have also shown interest so I’ll probably make a decision in the coming weeks.”
No matter where his boots land, this talented midfielder will always be grateful for his opportunities at grassroots level.
“Camperdown is a great club and I’ve got some great mates here; my brother Zac also plays seniors with the Magpies and I have two sisters playing netball here,” Sinnott said.
“Work and study means I’m living in Melbourne at the moment but it’s always great to be back in school holidays to catch up with family and friends.”
